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New to site
Hi all. I was happy to come across this site. It's nice to see the positivity and encouragement offered here. As you all know, there's not a lot of that in researching online. My husband was diagnosed with EC this past february. He had chemo and radiation in Asheville NC where we live then surgery at Duke in July. He did…
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Meeting the surgeon
It has been awhile since I’ve posted and wholeheartedly apologize for the delay! So much has transpired and very hectic between work, chemoradiotherapy and the holidays! My husband who was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma T3N1MO just completed chemo and radiation recently! We are meeting his surgeon next Friday! He will also…
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Pregnancy after esophageal resection
Hello. I am new to the board and hoping to get some answers. I do not have cancer, however, I had an esophageal resection in April 2013 to remove a softball size mass from the lower 2/3 of my esophagus. The surgery was performed using VATS, but during removal a hole was put in my esophagus, so they had to make a 3 inch…
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Dumping syndrome
Hi all, I just got off the phone with Jim's brother, Tom, who had Stage III EC 10 years ago. He had horrible problems with dumping after every meal. He started taking an injectible med called Sandostatin before he ate (3x a day). Once a month he gets a stronger dose called Sandostatin LAR. He also discovered that he was…
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Merry Christmas
It is XMas Eve and I feel as if I have been brought a miracle! My husband, diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer is now able to eat real food! It has been awhile! Of course he continues to be fed through j tube to keep nutrients in him. He's unable to eat as much as he previously did but it's a start! This past Friday…
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Neuroendocrine tumor of esophagus
My mother-in-law was diagnosis April 11, 2016 with nueroendocrine tumor of the esophagus that has spread to the lymph nodes and liver. Can anyone heard of this cancer or help with treatment, trials or doctors (second opinion).
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New to the site...
Hello! My name is Amy and my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV Esophageal Cancer 4/19/2017. He was having dysphagia and almost passed out at a ball game due to it so I called and had his endoscopy scheduled immediately. The dr also ordered a swallow study to be done first. When my husband went in to dr after swallow…
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voice lost
hi i am in my 16th radiation treatement still have 14 more and i think i am loosing my voice. it s vocal cords cancer. i am getting scared and i am on my own don t have nobody to support me, with that said i have to get back to work asap! the only problem i have is that as soon as i start talking i loose my voice and…
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Best EC Oncologist & Surgeon
I am a newbie to the site and my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 adenocarcinoma October 2017. Possibly stage 4 as they found a liver met, but couldn't biopsy it, as it was too far back and the spot is the size of a of a salt grain, but are saying highly suspicious of cancer. He had 27 radiations and 5 chemos, PET Scan…
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What item to buy someone to make them feel good through chemo/radiation
This is such a difficult question to ask, and I feel that the answer may be non-materialistic. But please help if you can. My Father in Law just had cancer surgery and had his jaw bone removed. He is going through chemo and radiation tomorrow. I am going to visit him and wanted to know if I can purchase anything that would…
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Mass in groin area
Hi, My father (84 years old) completed treatment at MD Anderson for Esophageal Cancer and now is trying to get strong enough for surgery. He discovered a mass in his groin area the other day. We went to the primary care doctor and they said it was a mass that needed to be looked at by the Oncologist. Could this be related…
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Excessive saliva?
Hello- My husband has esophageal/stomach cancer and just had his 3rd chemo treatment this week (oxalyplatin & epirubicin), plus he takes 2500 mg of xeloda orally every day. A few days after his 1st chemo he started producing lots of extra saliva, and it is really bothering him. Has anyone else experienced this? His doctors…
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Please someone help me
Someone please help me, I'm so scared. I'm 47 yrs old never smoked nor been a drinker. For the last 2 weeks out of no where I began having difficulty getting food down. It sticks at the base of my throat, no matter how fine I chew my food it sticks. I have also been having a really dry mouth. I carry a water bottle with me…
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Trouble transitioning from treatment
My father is 84 and had a rough time through treatment. He lost his appetite the last 4 weeks of treatment and would not eat or drink enough to sustain himself. We tried everything and then finally got a feeding tube. Now 6 weeks out of treatment he is slowly physically recovering, but does not want to eat, do things for…
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Terrified
I do not run often. I have in the past but 2 years ago got a fairly physical and demanding and stressful job and have been lazy. For the past 6 years I sometimes get this burning/pressure in my chest. I always thought it was reflux or stress. Sometimes it was relieved by drinking water or taking tums. Sometimes I would go…
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To the one(s) left behind
My name is Ron. I was diagnosed on July 27th 2017 after a scheduled endoscopy to determine what was causing my difficulty in swallowing. Upon waking up from anesthesia was told I had a large obvious cancerous tumor that that wouldn't even allow the scope complete entry. CT confirmed 10 cm tumor upper esophagus with mets to…
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5+ year survivor now having choking issues
Hi, this is my first post here. I had oesopohageal cancer in 2012, and got the 5 year all clear this year. Over the past week I have experinced a few episodes of choking after eating. I feel the food is not getting down my oesophagus and is sitting there and then I am inhaling it. Very scary experiences as really can't…
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Onward
My husband now has 2 chemo‘s and rads down! He had the medi port placed as well! He is tired naturally and weak! I think some of it is from the weight loss however! What worried me today is that he didnt have an appetite! Although he can swallow creamed soup, ice cream, puddings at times, other times he can’t but has…
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What to expect
I will know more after Tuesday when my husband who was just diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer TN3 is seen by Cancer Team. Since Esophagectomy was mentioned, I would like to know from anyone, what to expect. Length of stay in hospital, recovery and what my husband will be able to eat in the future? Above all of what he will…
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PAUL61~WISHING YOU & YOUR WIFE A HAPPY 8TH ANNIVERSARY tomorrow & CONTINUED CANCER-FREE YEARS
Hey there Paul - Tomorrow is a special day in your “memory bank!” Who can forget the day we as wives sat in the family waiting room and praying that we would see our husbands again? So it goes without saying that most of the time here, we read about wives being the caregivers for their husbands. Men are more often…
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Upcoming surgery anxiety
Hi, This is my first post here. I was diagnosed with stage IIB EC in August 2017. I completed chemo and radiation in October 2017. I live in Alaska and am scheduled to undergo esophagectomy at the University of Washington on December 11th. I am beyond scared. After several doctors that were consulted on my behalf either…
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Update on MIL post first chemo and onco f/u
MIL had last learned that her insurance will not cover MD Anderson if the same procedures can be done at the hospital she works at. Her sister works for an insurance company and explained to my husband there's no point trying to fight it because that's just the way it is. I'm not willing to accept this what so ever. I'm…
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Possible EC
Hi Everyone. I joined this board after following it for some time, maybe you all can help me. I've been having difficulty getting food to go down. It feels as though it gets stuck near the very top part of my throat near nasal passage. I have lost 6lbs in 7 days due to not being able to eat, however, I am so hungry. I seen…
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Thoracic Surgeon in Upstate NY
I am looking for a thoracic surgeon in Upstate NY. Preferably in Albany NY. Any recommendations? Thanks
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Surgery in New York
Does anyone have any experience with surgerons in New York for Esophagectomy?
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Hope
I am updating on the events of the last week! My husband was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal Cancer @ the GE Junction. His recent Pet Scan revealed NO spread to other organs, thank God! He had a J Tube placed and is now receiving much needed nutrition! I wondered about a medi port but the surgeon suggested that…
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1st chemo
My husband had his 1st chemo! He had a reaction to the Taxol but not severe! They counteracted it with steriods and then he was fine! They said it's not uncommon for a reaction! He is tolerating j tube feedings well! We are up to 3 container's of Jevity & 3 of Osmolite! He tries to take some liquids by mouth daily.…
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1st trip to cancer center
My husband and I made our first trip to the cancer center today! We met with many doctors, nurses, coordinator, ect. Over the next week or so my husband will have 2 more tests, Pet Scan & PFT's. The Nov. 3rd will have a Port and J Tube placed. While they place the J tube, they will look around the stomach as the lining…
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Newbie. Not diagnosed...yet.
Hello everyone, Like the title says, I do not have a diagnosis yet, so I hope it's okay to post here. I am a 39 (almost 40) year old female. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and gerd approximately 15 years ago. Since then, I have self-mmedicated with Zantac and Rolaids. I am overweight, and have gained weight over the…
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Keep Fighting
September 16, 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer. I underwent 25 sessions of proton beam radiation along with chemotherapy over the course of 5 weeks. After waiting another 5 weeks to recover from that kind of crazy I had my Ivor Lewis surgery, 14 hours on the table. After 9 days in the…