My dad diagnosed stage 4 oesophagus cancer in May. We was told without treatment 4 months. He started chemo but didn't really agree with him. Had a stent put in in September and October another 2 rounds of chemo but again stopped because he was to weak. Now we are nearing the end. Such a horrible disease 

prayers your way

Hi there, 

I've just come across your post whilst sitting with my mum who has end stage oesophagus cancer with secondary liver cancer. 

She was diagnosed in June this year after being unable to eat and swallow properly.  When they discovered the problem it was already stage 4. Chemo was offered but my mum declined as she was already very weak with being unable to eat.

She had a atent put in in September this year and it helped massively. She was able to keep a cup of tea down and eat very soft foods. We were told that without this she would eventually need suction to remove her silvia. 

Now the secondary cancer has taken a hold and she has juandice and confusion. She's able to shuffle to the bathroom with help and knows who we are but a lot of the time she's sleeping.  She's taking in about 6 mouthfuls of food a day and maybe one full cup of tea. She has lost all emotion to her face and her speech is slurred.

My dad and I are nursing her and we have the district nurses coming in daily to change the syringe driver. Our link to the hospice has been amazing and she comes weekly and has arranged things like a wheelchair and even a short stay last month in the hospice. She's now in the process of arranging Marie curie to come in 4 nights a week and carers for the other 3. My dad is deaf and I stay over as much as I can but we are scared she will get up and fall.

There's no happy outcome from this cruel illness... We have just done our best to make her comfortable. We've put up her Christmas tree as she loves this time of year and she can lay on the sofa and enjoy the lights. 

Blessings to your family xx

Hi Spinder,

So sorry to read your news.

I'm afraid no-one can accurately predict how long he has, there are so many variables such as how aggressive the cancer is, how frail or fit he is and whether or not he has any other conditions. 

Many people in their 90s die with cancer, rather than because of cancer. All we can do is make sure they enjoy as much as they can the time they have left with their loved ones.

Best wishes

Dave

Mum was diagnosed July 2019 aged 89 stage 3b. Stent fitted, palliative care. Still with us although currently in the hospice. Horrible, nasty disease. I feel for you

Hi So sorry to hear this cancer is an awful disease.  My mum has just been diagnosed and we are doing the natural route although she will need a stent soon as she is struggling with liquidised food.  She is worried about this can you give me some help/advice how your grandma was with the stent fitted?  Sending you both lots of well wishes

My wife was diagnosed with oesophogial cancer in February 2021 (aged mis 50's) and underwent Chemo/radiotherapy. During this we were told we had to keep her weight up. Although she could eat some solids she could not take enough to maintain weight. I found that the addition of cream or grated cheese to meals helped to maintain her weight. She was told at the end of teatment in July 2021 that the biospsy was all clear. Over the next 2 months her eating returned to normal (although if going to a restaurant she would choose softer foods) and by Christmas she was eating normally. However by February some symptoms that not all was right returned and by April she was struggling to eat or keep food down. After an endoscope it was confirmed the cancer was back. Although a surgical intervention was suggested (surgical removal of scar tissue and cancer) we are still waiting for things to progress. She had a stent fitted in August 2022).

Her eating has deteriorated badly during the time and she is now on liquidised food, yoghurts, ice creams, custart and trifles (all of which are full fat versions not reduced fat) . We have been told not to worry about a balanced diet just to maintain her weight. Liquidised foods with any texture cause problems (regurgitation) as do the buld up of mucus from the mouth. I have found tha potato based soups with cream or cheese are tolerated examples are Parsnip and potato soup with cream, Butternut squash with potato and cheese, leek and potato soup with blue cheese. I have also found that addig cream and cheese makes the soups to rich and not tolerated. She is on half hourly feeds with small amounts at each meal and is currently maintaining her weight.

Ihope this helps