While travelling around S America, I started having problems swallowing. Certain foods would get stuck at the base of my oesophagus and I’d have to drink water (or wine!) to shift it. Since we’ve been back, it has been gradually getting worse so Neil suggested I call my doctor who immediately referred me to the Exeter RD&E hospital.
On 27th June (just after a wonderfully sunny Glastonbury) we went to RD&E and I had a Gastroscopy. I chose the sedation option so I cant remember a thing about it. They inserted a camera down my oesophagus and could see some different cells near the bottom and took some biopsies. The physician explained what he’d seen to Neil while I was coming round, using euphemisms about the possibility of cancer, but could not confirm anything until the results of the biopsy. This gave us both time to come to terms with what was happening.
The next day I had a CT (Computerised axial Tomography) scan which indicated that whatever it was looks local with no spreading. Tomography means the scan is done in slices.
Neil and I had a great time at my brother’s wonderful wedding on Saturday 1st July, so on the Sunday we were able to tell my children Marc and Cara and partners, face to face, about what was happening and we have all been awaiting the results of the biopsy. After just a few days, it was confirmed that I have an Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.
Today the hospital held an MDT meeting (multi disciplinary team of physician, surgeon, radiologist, nurses etc) to discuss the results and decide on a treatment plan. They have referred me for a PET scan at either Taunton or Plymouth hospitals, depending on which is available first. (PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography). They will inject me with a radioactive substance and scan me with gamma rays. This scan detects in far greater detail any spread of the tumour. Hopefully it hasn’t spread as suggested by the CT scan. The radioactivity I will be exposed to is equivalent to living a year in Denver so I won’t be glowing in the dark 🙂
I will also have an endoscopic ultrasound examination to gather further information and they will conduct heart and lung tests to make sure I’m fit for surgery which will probably be performed by Mr Richard Beresford in Plymouth.
So at this point we are looking at 2 possibilities:-
- Its local and they will operate as soon as possible so that I’ll be up and running before the wedding.
- Its spread and I will need 9 weeks of chemotherapy before surgery which would then come after the wedding.
Neil and I feel really positive and optimistic about the outcome. We are continuing our daily lives as normal and are busy planning the wedding, sorting out the garden, buying furniture for the house etc.
We are both being very open and honest about everything and happy to discuss anything. I’ll update this blog after every test for those who are curious like me, but there won’t be any real news until after the PET scan. I don’t have a date yet but it will be within the next 2 weeks. I’m afraid I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait for the results of the PET scan yet so I’ll ask soon.
As you can imagine, this has added a rather busy situation on top of all the wedding plans, so I’m hoping this blog will answer all your questions. Of course, if you need to call, please do. I’m so grateful for all the good wishes and support I’ve been getting from our families.
Ceri and Neil's blogs (including Ceri's oesophagectomy) 