Hi Jay Tee

I am only 2 months ahead of you and had a very similar dx. My experience of recovery has been that it is happening at a snails pace. But it is happening. I have been back at work part time for the last 2 months which has really helped me to feel more normal again, this has been psychologically very important. My taste has improved a lot in the last month. but swallowing and dry mouth are still a challenge. Sounds like you have had a tougher time than me with the swallowing though. What was the indication that you needed oesophageal dilatations so soon after treatment?

In terms of the future I fully endorse David's comment above. Now is the time to get on with living. I have been lucky enough to have been given a second chance at living (without the successful treatment we have both received we would not be in a good place right now!) and I have had a chance to reassess the important things in life. Before my dx I was in a bit of a rut, fed up with my job, overweight and unfit. Through my treatment I was bowled over by the support I got from all sorts of people, family and friends as well as work colleagues and the medical team giving me the treatment. As a result I now value my life, I am looking good, heading towards being fitter and eating a much healthier diet. I was feeling very happy with life earlier today and wondering if I am a bit in denial of the seriousness of the situation. But I don't think so. If I have the bad luck to get a recurrence of this horrible cancer in the next few months or years, I will be really pissed off with myself if I have wasted the good health I have at the moment worrying. I hope that makes sense!

Wishing you all the best with your recovery.
Sally.