Husband just diagnosed with esophageal cancer but don't know stage yet

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Comments

  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #22
    Cora11 said:

    I remember clearly that our doctors told us not to worry about one week or two in terms of time during work-up etc. The most important thing is to get the accurate work-up and staging. Now we did get a very quick work-up and results, but I remember waiting over a week to get the radiation plan in place as that is a really exact process. I was worried about the time frame, and Keith was diagnosed on August 15th and his treatment started Sept 6th. That kind of time frame was totally appropriate and like I said... I was scared... but the doctors were very reassuring that this time frame was totally safe. Getting proper staging, proper radiation fields determined... that really takes some time and expertise. So Judy and Don, just wanted to share my experience with you.
    Cora

    Cora - Time Frame
    Hi Cora:

    Thank you so much for the reassurance. Sounds like we are right on track with everyone else.

    I will be sure to compare notes and seek everyone's opinion as soon as we get some news and suggestions from the doctors.

    Again, thank you,
    Judy & Don
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #23
    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to
    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to our group. There is so much to learn, and this site is full of people with the Ec diagnosis and caregivers. We can give you the everyday experience of living with it and can just about answer any questions.
    It is a very scary thing when diagnosed and all we want is for the cancer to be out of there. The waiting for all the test is very rough. I was diagnosed on 11/13/07. Testing showed I was stage three-T3N1M0 and I started chemo on 12/26/07. I was so glad to start treatment.
    Chemo and radiation will help shrink or get rid of the cancer, but for a cure, surgery is always neccesary. I had surgery in May 2008, and I am still showing no sign of cancer.
    The time ahead is going to be a rough road,but for us that were able to take that road, it has been worth it.
    Please keep us informed of upcoming test and results,
    Praying, Sandra
  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #24
    paul61 said:

    EC Chat Sunday and Wednesday evenings
    Judy,

    There is a regularly scheduled chat dedicated specifically to Esophageal Cancer sponsored by Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR). I will list the specifics below:

    Reminder: EC Live Chat!

    Date: Every Sunday and Wednesday
    Time: 8:00pm to 9:00pm [Eastern Standard Time!]

    Note: Make sure JAVA is downloaded on your computer.

    When asked for a USER ID, write in whatever you want. (Some variation of your
    name is best, but if you do not want your name known, make one up,
    but [hint], plain "Bob" or "Jane" is easier for us to type and remember
    than "KQrxT9x", or "SjnFLPq").

    Location:

    http://ericpix.net/chat

    or the old address at:

    http://ngc1514.com/chat

    Comment: Join the Chat Group, comprised of patients, care givers and
    survivors, where experiences are shared, and make new friends.

    For Help Contact: Eric at eric@ericpix.net

    Your hosts are Eric and Mickey


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Is it the Chat on this
    Is it the Chat on this board? I have tried several times and it says Administrator needs to approve.
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #25
    sandy1943 said:

    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to
    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to our group. There is so much to learn, and this site is full of people with the Ec diagnosis and caregivers. We can give you the everyday experience of living with it and can just about answer any questions.
    It is a very scary thing when diagnosed and all we want is for the cancer to be out of there. The waiting for all the test is very rough. I was diagnosed on 11/13/07. Testing showed I was stage three-T3N1M0 and I started chemo on 12/26/07. I was so glad to start treatment.
    Chemo and radiation will help shrink or get rid of the cancer, but for a cure, surgery is always neccesary. I had surgery in May 2008, and I am still showing no sign of cancer.
    The time ahead is going to be a rough road,but for us that were able to take that road, it has been worth it.
    Please keep us informed of upcoming test and results,
    Praying, Sandra

    the waiting game
    Lee and I had to wait about a month from the first endoscopy until he began his chemo. We also were anxious to get the ball rolling, so I know how you are feeling. It felt like an eternity.

    If this helps you feel any better about the wait, we asked our oncologist how long he had cancer before we found it, and he said probably a year and a half. Keep in mind, he was a stage ivb, with mets to the liver, but really, waiting a couple weeks or a month even won't likely change anything as far as staging. So, while you are waiting, enjoy the calm before the storm! Also, the doctors need to be accurate as to the staging in order to know how to proceed with treatment.

    Best of luck to the 'newbies', please keep us posted,
    be well
    Chantal
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #26
    Ginny_B said:

    Is it the Chat on this
    Is it the Chat on this board? I have tried several times and it says Administrator needs to approve.

    It is not the chat on this board it is sponsored by ACOR
    Ginny,

    It is not the chat that is on this Board. This chat session is sponsored by the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR). Here are the instructions again.

    Reminder: EC Live Chat!

    Date: Every Sunday and Wednesday
    Time: 8:00pm to 9:00pm [Eastern Standard Time!]

    Note: Make sure JAVA is downloaded on your computer.

    When asked for a USER ID, write in whatever you want. (Some variation of your
    name is best, but if you do not want your name known, make one up,
    but [hint], plain "Bob" or "Jane" is easier for us to type and remember
    than "KQrxT9x", or "SjnFLPq").

    Location:

    http://ericpix.net/chat


    or the old address at:

    http://ngc1514.com/chat


    Comment: Join the Chat Group, comprised of patients, care givers and
    survivors, where experiences are shared, and make new friends.

    For Help Contact: Eric at eric@ericpix.net

    Your hosts are Eric and Mickey

    Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #27
    JReed said:

    EC Chat
    Thank you again Paul,

    You are most helpful - I will hopefully get to join in one of the chats - I will try Wednesday.

    Thank you so very much!
    Judy

    Social Security Disability Benefits
    Judy,

    I am sure you have not had time to think about this yet, but you mentioned that Don is 60 and has not worked for a couple of years because his company went out of business. Did you know that approval of Social Security Disability Benefits is pretty much "automatic" for people diagnosed with esophageal cancer? Of course since you are still working you would want to discuss the overall implications with your tax accountant or financial planner. But the benefit is there and available.

    Here is some information about the application process:

    Social Security Information Site

    The write up suggests using a "lawyer or benefits advocate" but I know several people who just completed the forms themselves and got the appropriate documentation from their oncologist and were approved.

    Regards,

    Paul Adams,
    McCormick, South Carolina
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #28
    paul61 said:

    Social Security Disability Benefits
    Judy,

    I am sure you have not had time to think about this yet, but you mentioned that Don is 60 and has not worked for a couple of years because his company went out of business. Did you know that approval of Social Security Disability Benefits is pretty much "automatic" for people diagnosed with esophageal cancer? Of course since you are still working you would want to discuss the overall implications with your tax accountant or financial planner. But the benefit is there and available.

    Here is some information about the application process:

    Social Security Information Site

    The write up suggests using a "lawyer or benefits advocate" but I know several people who just completed the forms themselves and got the appropriate documentation from their oncologist and were approved.

    Regards,

    Paul Adams,
    McCormick, South Carolina
    Disability
    Paul!

    You won't believe this - late this afternoon we stopped to visit with some friends, and they told Don the same thing you just wrote. This will go on the list of questions I'm making to take to our first visit.

    We thank you again - you are so helpful - I'm so glad you are on this site!

    Regards,
    Don & Judy
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #29
    sandy1943 said:

    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to
    Judy and Frieda, Welcome to our group. There is so much to learn, and this site is full of people with the Ec diagnosis and caregivers. We can give you the everyday experience of living with it and can just about answer any questions.
    It is a very scary thing when diagnosed and all we want is for the cancer to be out of there. The waiting for all the test is very rough. I was diagnosed on 11/13/07. Testing showed I was stage three-T3N1M0 and I started chemo on 12/26/07. I was so glad to start treatment.
    Chemo and radiation will help shrink or get rid of the cancer, but for a cure, surgery is always neccesary. I had surgery in May 2008, and I am still showing no sign of cancer.
    The time ahead is going to be a rough road,but for us that were able to take that road, it has been worth it.
    Please keep us informed of upcoming test and results,
    Praying, Sandra

    The waiting game
    Hello Sandy!

    Thank you so much for the warm welcome! We will be sure to keep you all posted and check to see how you all are doing.

    Right now it feels like we are on the top of the world's most largest and scariest rollercoaster! Can't wait until we can pay it forward like each of you are doing by helping us newbies out.

    Thank you,
    Judy & Don
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #30
    Daisylin said:

    the waiting game
    Lee and I had to wait about a month from the first endoscopy until he began his chemo. We also were anxious to get the ball rolling, so I know how you are feeling. It felt like an eternity.

    If this helps you feel any better about the wait, we asked our oncologist how long he had cancer before we found it, and he said probably a year and a half. Keep in mind, he was a stage ivb, with mets to the liver, but really, waiting a couple weeks or a month even won't likely change anything as far as staging. So, while you are waiting, enjoy the calm before the storm! Also, the doctors need to be accurate as to the staging in order to know how to proceed with treatment.

    Best of luck to the 'newbies', please keep us posted,
    be well
    Chantal

    the waiting game
    Nice to meet you Chantal!

    I've been reading through some of your posts and replies. I thank you much for being on here and sharing your experiences and getting your reassurance.

    Looking forward to hearing from you,

    Judy & Don

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