Hello, my name is Ninvita, I’m 41 and I live in New Brighton with my partner and two cats. I am a social value lead at my company WSP. I enjoy travelling, gardening, arts and crafts and prior to my diagnosis I enjoyed baking and cooking.
I began experiencing weird sensations in my throat, it was like something was constantly stuck and I was suffering from acid reflux and retching. I went to the GP, and they gave me some gastro tablets which helped a little, however I continued to experience some discomfort and was prescribed a higher dose of medication.
My GP referred me for an endoscopy, where they took biopsies, and they found abnormal cells in the lining of my oesophagus known as high dysplasia. I was invited back for another endoscopy and more biopsies were taken.
And that was when I received the call to come in. I was told I had oesophageal cancer.
Initially I took the news quite well, as my partner was with me. I don’t think I would have had I been on my own.
I continued working full-time, attending numerous hospital appointments. At this point, I hadn’t told anyone, as I was told the cancer was in its early stages and that there was a chance that I would just need a procedure and no treatment.
I loved travelling and I was about to book a trip to South Korea for April 2024, when I received a call for an endoscopic ultrasound. I thought right this could be it; it would be sorted. So, I held off booking until I had been for this appointment.
I was then told that I would need to have chemotherapy followed by surgery and then chemotherapy again. I was in shock.
I was to be treated at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral on the Delamere Ward. All the staff were all very supportive.
Just before my first treatment, I had a trip to Norway booked with my partner. The oncologist said to me that I could go, as it would help with my mental well-being.
After my trip, I came back and had my PICC line fitted, which is necessary for the chemotherapy treatment, and that was when it finally hit me that I had cancer, and I was going to have treatment.
I had decided that I would continue working throughout treatment, as I wanted to have some normality in my life. I also found another colleague had also been diagnosed with cancer and was ahead in their journey, so that really helped having someone else to talk to.
I am a bit of a planner, and I really appreciated the oncologist explaining what would happen to me during my treatment – so I was prepared.
I knew that with the chemotherapy that I would be on, I would experience neuropathy and that I would begin to lose my hair in week three. I was told about the cold caps, but due to my hair being long, thick and curly and the fact that I would endure neuropathy, I was advised that the cold cap may not work and would be uncomfortable – so I decided not to go ahead with it.
However, when week three came and my hair did begin to fall out, I was prepared. So, I decided to shave my head, and I also had a wig thanks to the vouchers ready to go.
After my first four rounds of chemotherapy, I had surgery to remove my stomach, part of my oesophagus and surrounding lymph nodes. And then it was back to chemotherapy.
It was some of the small things at the hospital that really made a difference such as calling the hotline number when my temperature spiked to and getting confirmation to go to A&E.
I spent Christmas, Easter and my birthday in hospital – with my final treatment being last June.
Right now, I am cancer free, and I have a call every three weeks with my dietician and meet with my surgeon every three months, as it is hard for me to put weight on.
I am adjusting to my new normal and have a new relationship with food. This was a big adjustment with me being such a foodie. Plus, I am a well-being champion in work and having shared my story with colleagues – this has led to a small group of us looking at starting a cancer support network.
Additionally, I also wanted to give back to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. I remember while undergoing treatment last year, I kept seeing the Glow Green Walk posters in the hospital, but I wasn’t able to take part then. So, this year, I was able to finally take part and my partner did it with me.
It was a brilliant night, and I absolutely loved all the choirs that were around the walk.
So far, I have raised £1,635 and counting and I am so happy I was able to give something back to help the hospital and other patients like me.
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