Hi All

First visit to the oncologist today with my 57 year old hubby who has inoperable oesophageal cancer. Didn't know what to expect and was very tearful yesterday for the first time since diagnosis thinking about the prognosis. I am a very positive person but the thought of possibly losing my best friend of 35 years started to get to me.

Well Doctor was lovely did not feel rushed, he asked for his story leading up to diagnosis then explained where the tumours were one upper near throat, hence sore throat and inability to swallow which led up to his current tubeogy visit  feeding situation and one lower. Explained the treatment plan, for hubby 3 drugs in week 1, 2 in the hospital as a day patient, one via a PICC which he could leave with and district nurse would come out to remove after 2 days later. Week 2 & 3 no chemo, each 3 week period is a cycle and they are initially planning 6 cycles. Explained side effects thoroughly and advised of 24/7 helpline at the hospital. He did say he could have a stent however they thought trying chemo to reduce would be better than the trauma as he would need a windpipe stent before a gullet stent and if/when chemo shrinks tumors the stents would drop. 

This feels positive to me as my hubby absolutely loves cooking and food and this last 2 months for him not eating have been a worse fate than the cancer itself, we need to get him eating then he will fight hard to survive this. He did not want to discuss long term prognosis as he said stats don't tell the individual picture and that at the 3 cycle scan we can look then and see how he has reacted. 

Anyway chemo induction event on Friday where appointments will be made but doc was hopeful it would start next week.

All in all feeling a bit better, good luck to all fellow group members and thanks for being there for me