I’ve modified the version below which I wrote this morning since the information is different now that we’ve met the oncologist. Only the first few lines are the same.

I received my call from the specialist nurse last night at 6.30pm while I was cooking for a supper party which started at 7.30. It was a little surreal in a way, discussing chemotherapy on one hand and stirring my sauce with the other.

To help explain, there are 5 stages of oesophageal cancer and here’s a link if you want to learn more. Its very easy to read:-

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/oesophageal-cancer/stages-types-grades

I’ve got stage 2 where the tumour is just 5mm wide around the oesophagus and probably stage 3 in the part where its 11mm wide. The hospital team meetings concluded that I should have 3 chemotherapy sessions, each 3 weeks long,  before surgery, then another 3 chemotherapy sessions, again 3 weeks long, after surgery. My surgeon brother has assured me I’ll cope well with the treatment and surgery as I’m ‘young and fit’.  All that walking up and down mountains with the handsome Dr Rushton has left me in good shape!

So the timetable is:-

Wednesday 9th August, meet the oncology nurses at Exeter to prepare for the chemo.

Thursday 10th August, I’ll spend all day at the hospital receiving the treatment up a drip into my arm. I’ve asked for a cold cap for this treatment to try and prevent hair loss before the wedding. I’ll google more about that.

Then I’ll continue the chemotherapy at home as it’s simply taking tablets.  They’ll give me tablets to prevent sickness etc. Since everyone is different, I may need changes of medication depending on how my body responds to the treatment, but basically I’ll be taking tablets for 3 weeks.

2nd September : Wedding Day!!!!! Yay!! I’ll update the blog with progress on that subject too, so do skip it if it gets boring!

Monday 4th September, I’ll have my second dose of chemo at the hospital. Normally I’d have my second dose on 31st August, but they are going to delay it so that I’ll be fine for the wedding. This is great news as we can now plan the wedding with confidence. We always said during our 4 wonderful months travelling all around S America that it felt just like a honeymoon, so neither of us feel we are missing out.

Monday 25th September I’ll have my 3rd dose of chemo at the hospital.

This implies I’ll have surgery the week starting 16th October. Obviously we’ll be given the exact date as the week approaches. At some point after surgery I’ll start another 9 weeks of chemo, and then back to normal health early in the new year.

On a humorous note for our Devon followers, the oncologist had to point out many possible side affects of chemotherapy. One can be very sore hands and feet. Many ladies spend a fortune on expensive hand creams, but not in Devon. She recommended buying udder cream from Mole Valley for the relief of cows’ sore nipples! It’s far cheaper. Only in Devon!!!

So at this point I’ve still got 10 days of pretty much full health. Our house is really taking shape now as the new curtains are up and the new sofas delivered. Those who know me know how excited I get about these things and Neil is being very patient and tolerant.

The supper party went really well last night and we had such a great evening. Neil spent hours clearing up afterwards and is continuing to be a wonderful husband to be.