"The predominant emotion was fear..."; this piece is essential listening for every TopMedTalk listener who cares about the experience of their patients. Hear what it was like to participate in the pioneering, tailored exercise training programme, The Encourage Trial. "On the day of the operation I was feeling quite calm ... I don't think we could have done anything more to put us into the best possible position for today". Also, find out about "the Buddy Scheme" and how becoming a member of a local support group: SPICOS (Support for People Impacted by Cancer of the Oesophagus and Stomach) led to it. Could a 'Buddy', volunteers who have been in a similar situation and have agreed to be a point of contact for patients and their families, be able to offer reassurance and support at your practice? Someone your patient can rely on who can honestly say; 'Yes, I know exactly what you mean, I know exactly how that feels'. The Macmillan Cancer Support website is here: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ Presented by Mo Cottrell, a retired nurse who underwent a 5 week course of chemoradiotherapy followed by successful surgery for Oesophageal Cancer at Southampton General Hospital in January 2017.