Remission

pwoodtn
pwoodtn Member Posts: 1

My husband has stage 3 esophageal cancer in the lymph nodes.  He has 4 more treatments of radiation and no more chemo.. The doctor told us last week the tumor has shrunk a whole lot and he may be in remission by the time radiation is through with.. We are scheduled to go to UAB in a month to see about surgery but the doc says he may not need it ... Has anyone not had the surgery after radiation and chemo and been in remission  ???   

Comments

  • ebawa
    ebawa Member Posts: 38

    Hello pwoodtn,

    I was originally stage 3, I had radiation and chemo but went to 4 when it metastasized to my liver.  After another chemo regiment I had clean scans and have been NED for 18 months. I have not had surgery and do not plan to do so.  I juice, drink Essaic Tea and do H2O2 therapy every day and I feel great.

  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    Just my opinion

    If your husband is one of the lucky ones that is offered surgery, take it.  It offers the best chance of survival.  There are some that don't do well in surgery but, from my almost 2 1/2 years on this board I hear of more success then not with the surgery.  If, that is, you go to a surgeon that knows what he is doing. Remission is not a term you hear used with EC.  You don't just want it undetectable you want it gone.  Again just my opinion.  I know and remember having to convence my family and his family that he was "lucky" to have the surgery option.  They asked several times are you sure he has to have this surgery.  So, it is good you are asking.  Because you will be having to answer the same question. 

  • ebawa
    ebawa Member Posts: 38

    Just my opinion

    If your husband is one of the lucky ones that is offered surgery, take it.  It offers the best chance of survival.  There are some that don't do well in surgery but, from my almost 2 1/2 years on this board I hear of more success then not with the surgery.  If, that is, you go to a surgeon that knows what he is doing. Remission is not a term you hear used with EC.  You don't just want it undetectable you want it gone.  Again just my opinion.  I know and remember having to convence my family and his family that he was "lucky" to have the surgery option.  They asked several times are you sure he has to have this surgery.  So, it is good you are asking.  Because you will be having to answer the same question. 

    Another opinion

    I feel that everyone needs to make personal decisions about their treatment and almost everyone's case is unique.  If you listen to just traditional medicine, surgery or no surgery our odds of survival are not good.  If you research all options you may find (like I did) that some holistic treatments have a better chance of keeping you healthy than traditional treatments alone.  I have read that surgery has been good for some but not all.  I believe anyone that has this terrible disease should do a lot of praying and a lot of research then do what you feel is best for you.

  • Dad'sfight
    Dad'sfight Member Posts: 155
    My dad had the same
    My dad had the same diagnosis. We were told originally he wasn't a good canidate for surgery. However, my father felt that he wanted surgery, better his chances to ride of this cancer. Since he wanted this, I fought for him to get the surgery. I'm sitting here now with him in pre-op, surgery will happen in about an hour. After much research I have to agree with birdiequeen, remission wasn't something I read when it came to EC. However, when I asked the same question you did about surviving without surgery, I met two people that have. Surgery is a "catch 22" as one person put it on here, because you have it and the cancer may come back. As a care taker for my father I can honestly say its a gamble either way you look at it. I just pray and hope for everyone here suffering with EC they find some type of peace and clarity when making decidions. Its been really hard for us.
  • lyndez
    lyndez Member Posts: 22
    My husband was diagnosed with

    My husband was diagnosed with EC with liver mets in January 2011, therefore surgery could not be performed.  He underwent 10 radiation treatments and 6 chemo treatments.  He did alternative such as vitamin C IV, started juicing fruits and vegetables every day (still is) and is taking LDN.  His liver lesions are now completely gone and the tumour in the esophagus is very small and I believe  is still shrinking.  He was offered esophagectomy within the next few weeks, but he declined.  I don't think removing the esophagus is the answer.  I truly believe in keeping your immune system up.  He feels great and he has never stopped working even with chemo.  He can eat anything and has regained all his weight back and more.  This is such major surgery and life changing and there is still no guarantee that it will never return.  But I guess it must be a personal decision as no one knows which treatment is better.  Some do well with surgery and others don't.

     

  • ebawa
    ebawa Member Posts: 38
    lyndez said:

    My husband was diagnosed with

    My husband was diagnosed with EC with liver mets in January 2011, therefore surgery could not be performed.  He underwent 10 radiation treatments and 6 chemo treatments.  He did alternative such as vitamin C IV, started juicing fruits and vegetables every day (still is) and is taking LDN.  His liver lesions are now completely gone and the tumour in the esophagus is very small and I believe  is still shrinking.  He was offered esophagectomy within the next few weeks, but he declined.  I don't think removing the esophagus is the answer.  I truly believe in keeping your immune system up.  He feels great and he has never stopped working even with chemo.  He can eat anything and has regained all his weight back and more.  This is such major surgery and life changing and there is still no guarantee that it will never return.  But I guess it must be a personal decision as no one knows which treatment is better.  Some do well with surgery and others don't.

     

    Staying healthy

    Hello Lyndez,

    Glad to hear your husband is doing well.  I totally agree with you about keeping your immune system healthy.  Have you heard of Source Naturals Mushroom Immune Defense?  It is a combination of 16 mushrooms that boost your immune system.  I heard about this product from a lady who was a 5 year survivor of stage IV bone cancer. I use it when others around me are sick or when I travel for business.

    I believe traditional medicine is great for getting rid of the intial tumors but I also believe that cancer will come back if you do not do something to keep treating your body.  That is where I feel traditional medicine does not do enough.

  • lyndez
    lyndez Member Posts: 22
    ebawa said:

    Staying healthy

    Hello Lyndez,

    Glad to hear your husband is doing well.  I totally agree with you about keeping your immune system healthy.  Have you heard of Source Naturals Mushroom Immune Defense?  It is a combination of 16 mushrooms that boost your immune system.  I heard about this product from a lady who was a 5 year survivor of stage IV bone cancer. I use it when others around me are sick or when I travel for business.

    I believe traditional medicine is great for getting rid of the intial tumors but I also believe that cancer will come back if you do not do something to keep treating your body.  That is where I feel traditional medicine does not do enough.

    Hello ebawa

    I agree with you and no, I have never heard of Source Natural Mushroom, but he did take MGN3 which is also mushrooms.  He stopped taking those about 1 year ago.  You should look into LDN (low dose Naltrexone) if you can get a doctor to prescribe it for you (off label), it has shown to boost the immune system and stop cancer. He never even caught a cold in 2 years.  I also think that juicing fruits and vegetables (approximately 10-14 daily) everyday also helps. I guess we just have to keep fighting and continue doing what we are doing.

    Take care

     

    Lynne

  • ebawa
    ebawa Member Posts: 38
    lyndez said:

    Hello ebawa

    I agree with you and no, I have never heard of Source Natural Mushroom, but he did take MGN3 which is also mushrooms.  He stopped taking those about 1 year ago.  You should look into LDN (low dose Naltrexone) if you can get a doctor to prescribe it for you (off label), it has shown to boost the immune system and stop cancer. He never even caught a cold in 2 years.  I also think that juicing fruits and vegetables (approximately 10-14 daily) everyday also helps. I guess we just have to keep fighting and continue doing what we are doing.

    Take care

     

    Lynne

    Hello Lynne,
    I have been

    Hello Lynne,

    I have been juicing apples, carrots, celery, blackberries and strawberries every day since I was diagnosed in Feb 2011.  I continue to research things that will keep me healthy all of the time.

    I will look into the LDN.  Let me know if you would like information on the H2O2 therapy.

    Alan

  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    ebawa said:

    Another opinion

    I feel that everyone needs to make personal decisions about their treatment and almost everyone's case is unique.  If you listen to just traditional medicine, surgery or no surgery our odds of survival are not good.  If you research all options you may find (like I did) that some holistic treatments have a better chance of keeping you healthy than traditional treatments alone.  I have read that surgery has been good for some but not all.  I believe anyone that has this terrible disease should do a lot of praying and a lot of research then do what you feel is best for you.

    Agreed

     

    You are completely right that ever person’s situation is unique and I also agree that it is the decision of the person with the cancer that should be honored. But again in my opinion every effort should be made to avoid becoming a stage IV. Once a stage IV my opinions sound dramatically different,  whole heartedly agree with chemo smoker (see his old post to find out more).  I’m not the one with the cancer though and I sit back and listen to my husband’s decisions when he is making them.  Making sure he asked all the questions he wants to at doctors appointments and help with research so he can make an informed decision.  Essentially being the best personal assistant I can be. 

  • eternalife
    eternalife Member Posts: 36
    lyndez said:

    My husband was diagnosed with

    My husband was diagnosed with EC with liver mets in January 2011, therefore surgery could not be performed.  He underwent 10 radiation treatments and 6 chemo treatments.  He did alternative such as vitamin C IV, started juicing fruits and vegetables every day (still is) and is taking LDN.  His liver lesions are now completely gone and the tumour in the esophagus is very small and I believe  is still shrinking.  He was offered esophagectomy within the next few weeks, but he declined.  I don't think removing the esophagus is the answer.  I truly believe in keeping your immune system up.  He feels great and he has never stopped working even with chemo.  He can eat anything and has regained all his weight back and more.  This is such major surgery and life changing and there is still no guarantee that it will never return.  But I guess it must be a personal decision as no one knows which treatment is better.  Some do well with surgery and others don't.

     

    Longevity with EC

    Hi LyndeZ,

    I read your post and am inspired about your journey with the beast called cancer. My husband has stage iv EC, diagnosed in Dec. 2011, he was not offered to surgery, has taken chemo for about a year, we will be told on Monday the results of a PET scan and biopsy. Hoping for some good news. I don't think surgery is rated as high as some people make it. Everyone is different , surgery is certainly a desperate attempt to make things right, but like you said there is no guarentee, the cancer cells have proliferated through the body at the stage 3 & 4 level and anything can happen.

    Best

  • lyndez
    lyndez Member Posts: 22

    Longevity with EC

    Hi LyndeZ,

    I read your post and am inspired about your journey with the beast called cancer. My husband has stage iv EC, diagnosed in Dec. 2011, he was not offered to surgery, has taken chemo for about a year, we will be told on Monday the results of a PET scan and biopsy. Hoping for some good news. I don't think surgery is rated as high as some people make it. Everyone is different , surgery is certainly a desperate attempt to make things right, but like you said there is no guarentee, the cancer cells have proliferated through the body at the stage 3 & 4 level and anything can happen.

    Best

    More Great News

    Hi eternallife

    My husband had an endoscopy this week and the surgeon can't see a tumour anymore.  I wish you luck with your husband's results on Monday.  My advice to you is to start juicing fruits and vegetables everyday to keep the immune system strong.

    take care