Author: OPA

My name is James, and I’ve consistently led an active and busy lifestyle. I worked in construction for years, enjoyed the outdoors, and never thought much about my health until one day, I started having trouble swallowing. At first, it seemed like just a minor irritation—food would occasionally get stuck in my throat, and I’d experience some heartburn after meals. But soon, the problem became more persistent, and I found myself losing weight without trying. That’s when I decided to go to the doctor.

After a few tests, I was told that I had oesophageal cancer. The news hit me like a punch to the gut. I was in my mid-50s, and the last thing I ever expected was to face something so serious. I wasn’t a smoker, didn’t drink much, and had always been healthy. My doctor explained that my cancer was in the early stages.

My Diagnosis

When I first heard the diagnosis, it was hard to wrap my head around it. I kept asking myself how this could have happened to me. My family was in shock, too, but they immediately rallied around me. My wife, Katy, especially, became my rock. She made sure I had all the information I needed. She contacted the OPA Cancer Charity, and they provided tremendous support. At the time, I wasn’t sure how I’d get through it, but the support from my family and this charity kept me grounded.

My Treatment Plan

My treatment plan involved a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. The goal was to remove the tumour and ensure that any remaining cancer cells were eradicated with chemotherapy.

The surgery was scheduled first, and I was nervous about what it would entail. I knew it was my best chance for recovery, but that didn’t make it any less intimidating. The surgery went well, but the recovery afterward was tough. I was in a lot of pain, and swallowing became a huge challenge. I couldn’t eat solid food for a while and had to rely on liquid nutrition to get by. It was a difficult adjustment, but I kept telling myself it was temporary—just a step on the path to healing.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

Once I’d healed enough from the surgery, it was time to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard the horror stories of how difficult it could be, and I was nervous about the side effects. The treatments were exhausting—nausea, fatigue, and the feeling that I was constantly drained. There were days when I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the next round, but I kept pushing myself. The helpline at the OPA was a true lifeline for me. I was able to connect with a patient buddy who had been through a similar experience, and it made all the difference.

Post Treatment

I remember the day I got that news that my cancer was in remission – it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. But as relieved as I was, I knew the real work was just beginning. I had to regain my appetite and adjust to life after treatment.

Swallowing was still difficult, and I had to learn to be patient with my body. Eating small, frequent meals became my new normal. My doctors worked with me to adjust my diet, and slowly, I started feeling more like myself again. I found the OPA literature beneficial.

Looking Ahead

As the months went by, I started to appreciate life in a whole new way. I took nothing for granted anymore. Every day was a gift, and I was determined to make the most of it. My family and I made plans—small things, like walks in the park, little trips away, and cooking meals together. Things I used to do without thinking now felt like a celebration.

I’m still here, still fighting, and still grateful for every moment I have, and this experience has taught me the true power of strength and the importance of never giving up.

Main symptoms of oesophageal cancer

There are many possible symptoms of oesophageal cancer, but they might be hard to spot.

They can affect your digestion, such as:

• having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
• feeling or being sick
• heartburn or acid reflux
• symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot

Other symptoms include:

• a cough that is not getting better
• a hoarse voice
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling tired or having no energy
• pain in your throat or the middle of your chest, especially when swallowing
• black poo or coughing up blood (although these are uncommon)

If you have another condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, you may get symptoms like these regularly.

You might find you get used to them. But it’s important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oesophageal-cancer/symptoms/ 

My name is Anna, and I’ve always been an active, vibrant woman who loved cooking, hiking, and spending time with my family. But one day, I started noticing subtle symptoms—difficulty swallowing, occasional heartburn, and a feeling of something being stuck in my chest. At first, I brushed it off as just indigestion, but as time went on, the symptoms only worsened. Eventually, I decided to see my doctor. After several tests, I received the life-changing news: I had oesophageal cancer.

The Shock of Diagnosis

The news was a complete shock. I never imagined that something as simple as heartburn could lead to such a serious diagnosis. I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty about what was to come. I remember feeling paralysed by the unknown, but my family, especially my husband Mark, was right by my side. My doctor explained that my cancer was caught early, which was a good sign, but I knew there was still a long road ahead.

My Treatment

My treatment included surgery to remove part of my oesophagus, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy to make sure the cancer was completely gone. The surgery came first, and I won’t lie—I was terrified. I knew it was necessary, but the thought of it was daunting.

The recovery after the surgery was tough. The first few weeks were some of the hardest of my life. I struggled with swallowing, and I felt weak and exhausted. But I had an incredible team of healthcare professionals supporting me—doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists. Slowly, I began to heal, and though it was hard, I knew it was a step in the right direction.

The Road to Recovery

After several months of treatment, I received the news I had been hoping for: my scans showed that the cancer was in remission.

I focused on rebuilding my strength, both physically and mentally. It wasn’t easy adjusting to new eating habits and managing difficulty with swallowing was a big challenge. I had to learn how to eat smaller, more frequent meals, and take my time with every bite. But with the help of my doctors and dietitians, I learned how to make it work, and eventually, I was able to enjoy food again. It wasn’t the same as before, but it was still something I could appreciate. I found the literature from the OPA Cancer Charity really helpful, I can’t thank them enough.

OPA also put me in touch with a local cancer support group. Meeting others who had been through similar experiences was incredibly comforting. We shared our stories, supported each other, and offered advice and encouragement. It helped me feel connected and gave me even more hope for the future.

Embracing Hope and Resilience

Throughout this journey, hope was my constant companion. Each day of recovery brought its own set of challenges, but also new reasons to be hopeful. Every small victory—feeling less tired, gaining a little weight, or just being able to enjoy a day without needing to rest—became something to celebrate. I realised that cancer didn’t define me. It was just one part of my story.

Today, over a year since my treatment ended, I’m doing better than I could have imagined. I’m back to hiking, cooking meals with my family, and living life with a deeper appreciation. Oesophageal cancer tried to take a lot from me, but it couldn’t take away my hope, my strength, or my will to keep fighting.

Looking back, my journey wasn’t easy, but it’s a testament to the power of recovery and resilience. It shows that even in the face of a difficult diagnosis, there’s always hope—and the possibility of finding joy and strength once again.