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It will be five years soon.
I haven't been here for a very long time. Tom passed in January, 2013fl from this horrible disease. My son and I are doing well. We still have three shelties only one was here when Tom was alive. I did all I had to do and soldiered through. I'm not a quitter... I went ahead and finished the remodeling we started along with…
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Seek an EXPERT
My neighbor was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. We live in Pittsburgh pa. He had a rocky start with surgeons who didn't seem to care and didnt have proper experience. He then saw thoracic surgeon DR OMAR AWAIS and let me tell you this doctor is amazing!!!! He spent quality time during each visit explaining…
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The Elderly and Esophageal Cancer
Hello I am new to this disscussion board. My dad who is 83 was diagnosed with Stage IV Esophageal Cancer in March 2017. He had trouble eating and was vomiting mucous. Went for scope and cancer was found rising from Barretts Esophogus. Several lymph nodes were involved as confirmed on pet scan. He had heartburn and ate tums…
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Chemotherapy patients should B sure 2 ask 4A medi-port prior 2 start of chemo regimen-Needle sticks
It occurs to me that every patient that will undergo chemotherapy as part of their work-up for Esophageal Cancer may not know that a port is easier on the patient. Several points are worth remembering about ports. As stated in one of these articles, 9 out of 10 patients prefer a port as opposed to multiple “needle sticks.”…
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U.S. News just announced Best Medicare Plans for 2018 just N case U R trying 2 make a choice 4 the c
Hello to my "senior friends!" I think this just-released USNews report on the Best Medicare plans for 2018 will be helpful, in case you’re in the market for a plan, or wish to change your insurance plans. And no, I don’t own stock in BC/BS. So I hope this won’t be considered solicitation, but rather informational. If this…
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MOUTH SORES ~Suggested helps 4 Mike & others taking chemo~be proactive & consistent~Keep mouth moist
Dear Mike: First of all, let me say how sorry I am to know that you’ve been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, but at least you have been diagnosed as a Stage III EC patient. This leads me to believe that most likely surgery will be a possibility for you. Since you were short on info, I will assume that this is…
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New to the journey
In August of this year I had a bone scan and a CT scan, after having biopsies that showed prostate cancer. Both scans were negative for additonal cancer or mets. October 2nd I had my prostate removed and was informed that it appears that there is no spread beyond an area very close to where the cancer was in the prostate.…
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Touchy topic, Medical Marijuana
Hey friends. After a rough post infusion weekend where meds didn't really help, I started looking at alternatives. I live in Kentucky which doesn't allow medical marijuana so it isn't an option for me but for those of you who live in states that allow it, have you considered it or used it? Did it help? From what I was…
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Barrett's Esophagus?
Hi, I've had a few different cancers and I'm scaring myself. I had an EGD done a couple of weeks ago and the pictures showed what strongly looks like Barrett's Esophagus, but the doc said nothing about it. I don't have the actual followup on the EGD until November, but he would mention something like that, wouldn't he,…
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Diagnosis Esophageal Cancer
After many tests over the past week, my husband was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer TN3 with lymph node involvement. The doc said the silver lining is that it doesn't appear to have spread to any other organs! I am relieved about that! We are set to go to the Cancer Center this Tues for a long day with all of his Cancer…
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A question on hiccups
I have looked at boards for almost a year but have never joined in. I am the caregiver, married for 49 3/4 years, to the love of my life...still. He was diagnoised in November 2016 and underwent a esophagectomy in March 2017 following concurrent radiation and chemo treatments. Since has had several regiments of…
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Waiting for results
I have written on this site before when I had an issue with sinuses and head and neck cancer was at least a question. That was all figured out and I was one of the lucky ones! I am writing now as it is my husband who is having a serious issue! He has had a hard time swallowing for at least the last couple of months and has…
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Esophageal Cancer Stage 1 5FU
Avoid Mission Healthcare/CCWNC in Asheville NC. Do not go there for cancer care. If the cancer doesn’t kill you the Missionhealthcare system will. If you want competent healthcare go to MD Anderson (multiple locations), I went to CCWNC in Asheville to be treated for esophageal cancer (EC) stage 1. I was given radiation and…
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"Jamrroh"~Diet suggestions 4 post-Esophagectomy patients-Wt. loss is normal after surgery 4 a X - Th
“Dear John” Was delighted to hear from you. Congratulations for getting up the nerve to post anything EVER about yourself on the web. You did well for the first time writing. So I say, “Just chill out John--you are exhibiting all the normal characteristics of a patient that has recently had an Esophagectomy. You are in the…
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Eating Solid Food
My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last month. The doctor told us it was stage 3 that he's treating as stage 4, but then told me it is stage 4. He has a tumor at the base of the esophagus right where it meets the stomach. He can't eat anything and hasn't for about 2 months now. At first he could eat broth and…
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Esophageal cancer and agent orange.
I went to the VA again today to see how things were going concerning benefits as Vince served in Vietnam and was exposed to agent orange. Just wanted you to know this is not one of the cancers the VA considers related to agent orange. BUT the gentleman there told me if I could get enough people together we should file a…
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Update on husbands EC
Hello everyone, its been a while so thought it time to update you. we've been on quite a roller coaster ride.In my husbands last PET scan in June something was seen in the liver and there was a thickening in the stomach - I may have already mentioned this - I just don't remember. Since then he had a malignant tumor in his…
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"Help Desk" @ VA ADMIN not helpful~I asked specifically "Does VA recognize Agent Orange as contribut
Hello “Toni” Actually this letter will suffice as an answer for “Jkmelch” and you, since you are posting on a topic forum which began with “Mrs. Botch.” Regrettably both Barb’s husband died from his diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer, and then years later, Barb died suddenly without a previous hint of illness. My husband and I…
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Received another clear scan!!! Should the report say "NED"
We are 10 months post surgery and just received news that our 3month scan was good. Our family doctor explains that it is clear, but as I attempt to read it it says, "no new findings" but never says "NED". Isn't that the magical words that you want to hear???
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Dr Battafarano at Hopkins
My bil saw Dr B at Hopkins yesterday and got a completed different opinion than University of Penn. Dr B does the open Ivor Lewis and claims to not have had an anastomosis leak since 2006. He claims that the neck incision requires that the surgeon pull the stomach up higher and the stomach is post radiation/ low blood…
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CBD OIL
Stage IV Esophageal adenocarcinoma with metastatic disease to the liver. Diagnosed on 8/10/2017, started chemo infusions next day, once a week and still going. Radiation started on 8/14, last radiation was 8/25. So far no side effects, taking gelatin capsule filled with CBD oil 3 times daily. Could the CBD oil be keeping…
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Small cell esophageal cancer
Hello friends, this post is on the behalf of my father. He was recently diagnosed with small cell esophageal cancer(apparently a very aggressive form). We are still in the early stages where we're trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He is very young at 45 years old and has had reflux issues for a very long…
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New member, stage IV esophageal cancer
48 yr old male, retired military, current civilian government employee, father of 5, married 27 years, originally from upstate, New York but currently residing in Kentucky. Stage IV endocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer, lower section, clinical trial chemotherapy at Siteman Cancer center in ST Louis, Missouri. Hello warriors,…
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Hi...newbie! My story!
Just joined the site. Dx on August 23, 2016, T1bn0m0. Bumped to Stage 3a after October 6, 2016 Trans-hiatal esophagectomy, with gastric pull up, as I had 3 cancerous lymph nodes. Developed pyloric stenosis following surgery. It is some better, but still may require another surgery. Hope not! Had four rounds of chemo (5FU),…
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high volume EC surgery hospitals
Hello I have a brother in law just diagnosed with Stage II N1 EC. We live between University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins. I set up an appt with Hopkins for my BIL to see Dr Battafarano. Others suggested a thoracic surgeon at U Penn. Sloan Kettering is 2 1/2 hours away and he is not interested in going there for an…
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Widowed by EC
My husband of 40 years died one month ago. I was told there are women like me at this site and on Facebook, but I can't find them.
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Esophagectomies vary~See videos below-Transthoracic - Transhiatal - Minimally Invasive - It could he
Friends: Below you will see different doctors telling how they perform the anastomosis. So first here is the definition of the “anastomosis” as it relates to an Esophagectomy. Believe me, this is only a “condensed collection” of documents I have in my WORD file. These show how different Esophagectomies are performed. I…
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Post treatment, radiation scarring in esophagus - no idea what to do.
Hi there, everyone. I'm glad to have found this group - I have been muddling along with my dad's treatment for almost two years now and wish I had found this group sooner. I'm my dad's legal guardian as he has a brain injury that leaves him unable to understand and navigate complex situations. He has a caretaker who he…
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in treatment but looking for best surgeon
Hi All, This is my first time posting to this site. My husband, Paul, was diagnosed with Stage II T3NO EC in October 2012. We live in South Jersey and he is currently being treated with chemo and radiation at Fox Chase Cancer Center in PA. Treatment is scheduled to end January 4. The surgeon at Fox Chase, Dr. Walter Scott,…
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Change in Treatment
My husband was recently diagnosed with gastro-esphageal cancer. He was to begin a combination of chemo-radiation next week. After his radiation simulation and Pet Scan the radiologist determined that the lymph nodes were too large to begin radiation at this time. He will start with chemotherapy only at this time. This is…