Had MIE and spent 35 days in hospital. Finally home and on liquids.

Kenc57
Kenc57 Member Posts: 8
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I went in for surgery on May 15, 2012 and had a few snags and spent 35 days in the hospital. The Dr.s said that my stomach was not responding. It collected over a liter of fluid in my chest and almost tore loose. I am finally home and am eating full liquids. The surgeon did say that there were some live cells still found in one of the removed lymph nodes and that I will require more chemo. Is this the normal for this type of cancer?

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
    Follow up chemo is typical when "live cancer cells" are found
    Ken,

    I am sorry to hear that you had some challenges with surgery. You did not mention what type of treatment you had prior to your surgery.

    Typical treatment for esophageal cancer includes chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery. Then surgery. Then if the surgical pathology indicates any stray cancer cells post operative or adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended to "mop up" any stray cells that may be left.

    I had Ivor Lewis surgery and my post surgical pathology showed a positive lymph node. My oncologist recommended 6 rounds of post operative chemotherapy using Cisplatin, Epirubicin, and Fluorouracil (5-FU).

    I am happy to say that so far my scans have been clear and after about a year of recovery time, post surgery, I am feeling well.

    I hope your recovery at home proceeds quickly and your follow up chemo has minimal side effects.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    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!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Kenc57
    Kenc57 Member Posts: 8
    #4
    paul61 said:

    Follow up chemo is typical when "live cancer cells" are found
    Ken,

    I am sorry to hear that you had some challenges with surgery. You did not mention what type of treatment you had prior to your surgery.

    Typical treatment for esophageal cancer includes chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery. Then surgery. Then if the surgical pathology indicates any stray cancer cells post operative or adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended to "mop up" any stray cells that may be left.

    I had Ivor Lewis surgery and my post surgical pathology showed a positive lymph node. My oncologist recommended 6 rounds of post operative chemotherapy using Cisplatin, Epirubicin, and Fluorouracil (5-FU).

    I am happy to say that so far my scans have been clear and after about a year of recovery time, post surgery, I am feeling well.

    I hope your recovery at home proceeds quickly and your follow up chemo has minimal side effects.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    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!

    MIE with follow up chemo
    Thanks for the information. Prior to surgery I had six weeks of chemo with Taxol and Carboplatin with 2 days of radiation therapy. After surgery the pathology reported a few cells present in 1 of the removed lymph nodes. I will see the Dr. Next week and find out when to start the follow up chemo.

    Thanks again
    1/11/2012 diagnosed as t3 n1 m0 stage IIb
  • Kenc57
    Kenc57 Member Posts: 8
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    MIE with follow up chemo
    Thanks William, I appreciate the information. We spoke on the phone prior to my surgery adventure. As I stated the pathologist reported a couple of cells present in 1 lymph node remove during surgery. I have a follow up visit this coming week so I'll see what the plan is as far as timing.

    Thanks for your help!
    Kenc57
    T3 N1 M0 stage IIb
    Diagnosed 1/11/2012
  • Kenc57
    Kenc57 Member Posts: 8
    #6
    paul61 said:

    Follow up chemo is typical when "live cancer cells" are found
    Ken,

    I am sorry to hear that you had some challenges with surgery. You did not mention what type of treatment you had prior to your surgery.

    Typical treatment for esophageal cancer includes chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery. Then surgery. Then if the surgical pathology indicates any stray cancer cells post operative or adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended to "mop up" any stray cells that may be left.

    I had Ivor Lewis surgery and my post surgical pathology showed a positive lymph node. My oncologist recommended 6 rounds of post operative chemotherapy using Cisplatin, Epirubicin, and Fluorouracil (5-FU).

    I am happy to say that so far my scans have been clear and after about a year of recovery time, post surgery, I am feeling well.

    I hope your recovery at home proceeds quickly and your follow up chemo has minimal side effects.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    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!

    MIE with follow up chemo
    Thanks for the information. Prior to surgery I had six weeks of chemo with Taxol and Carboplatin with 28 days of radiation therapy. After surgery the pathology reported a few cells present in 1 of the removed lymph nodes. I will see the Dr. Next week and find out when to start the follow up chemo.

    Thanks again
    1/11/2012 diagnosed as t3 n1 m0 stage IIb
  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #7
    Ahhhh must feel great to be
    Ahhhh must feel great to be home!

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