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CT SCAN QUESTION
Hi Everyone - I have only posted on here once soon after my dear brother was diagnosed with Stage 3. He is now 1 year post diagnosis. He underwent chemo and radiation in Nov 2011, followed by the Ivor Lewis at the Mayo Clinic in January. In February he began a grueling 12 weeks of more chemo. So much chemo, that he…
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Update on neck nodules we biopsies last week
Well the pet scan came back. There are 5 lymph nodes around the left clavical that are lighting up. The local oncologist is a little surprised that the cancer showed up again so fast since the JUne 6 patholgy on the removed esophgus and lymph nodes indicated that the cancer cells were dead and the HER test was in my favor.…
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Thank You Everybody, finally staged
Larry was staged yesterday at T3N1, grade 3. The Dr said his tumor is quite large about 6cm and through the wall of the esophagus. He said quite advanced. He placed some clips at the top and bottom of area to be radiated. Larry will go next week for pet scan and meet with radiology oncologist. He has settled down somewhat,…
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Cured!
I had a barrium swallow and xray today, then saw my surgeon. He said I was cured and he released me. I will see my oncologists in Nov. I beleive he is going to do another ct scan in Jan. I wonder if I will be released then or will he do followup's? William went once a year. I would feel better if the onc. kept me coming.…
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1st Oncology visit yesterday, difficult times
Larry had his 1st visit yesterday with the Oncologist at Karmanos. For me the appointment was uplifting as the Dr was very informative and hopeful. The best part was that one of his very best friends is Dr Orringer at U of M ,who is world renowned for the treatment of this disease. They will work together hand in hand…
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New and Just got the news (BAD)
Newbie here: I just got the bad news that I have EC on 9-14-12. Had Upper GI with bi-opsy 9-11-12 CT scan 9-13-12 I am scheduled for ultra sound endoscopy for 9-25-12 My Gastroenterologist did not know what stage I am at yet. I am 50 years young and this news sucks! I am a smoker which I am sure is the cause. Acohol free…
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Stage3, T3N1
Thank you for all of your support!
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Update on Jr.
Jr. went to his oncologist today and the oncologist told him, "he is a walking miracle." For them to see Jr walking in the door is in itself a miracle. Jr. has surpassed the time limit that all of his doctors gave. But his blood count is low so he has to go to the hospital this Friday for another blood transfusion. Don't…
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update on my Dad
I promised myself I would not post here unless I have good news for my dad .... but can't help myself . I am so sad that William is not here anymore ..he was the first one who replied to my plight and wanted to tell him my dad's progress. it so sad he's not here in this site anymore but i hope he can read it. And to Shammi…
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Hello JoAnne2012
Hello JoAnne, I would like to welcome you, although I wish you didn't have to be here. I never thought I would be here but here I am because I have a brother who is suffering with this disease. Although my brother, Ray Jr. is stage 4 and in July of this year they only gave him one month to live, I do know there are many…
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Struggling with options for new fiagnosis
Hello. My mother (age 62) was diagnosed with T3N1 esophageal cancer recently. We were initially told that the tumor is 4cm and contained and that this type of cancer was generally treated with chemo andxradiation followed by surgery. We were very hopeful, until we saw the thoracic surgeon. My mom just had a triple bypass 3…
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NPR on Genome Sequencing - Cancer
I heard this the other day on the radio... Cheap Genome Sequencing There are a bunch of links if you type "genome sequencing cancer" into Google. --Jerry
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Denied for SSDI....
Said I was not disabled even with the EC. Reconsideration filed by attorney. This is just crazy as I have paid into the system for 27 years. DX 4/2012 Chemo-Cisplastin 5FU..25 radiation treatments, and IL at Mayo 7-25. Stage 2-1-0. Margins clean.. Pneumonia and the latest Pleurisy last week. Follow up with Onco. need 4…
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Silly question- how long does it take for chemo to shrink tumorrs?
As I mentioned a few days ago I had a positive biopsy on clavical nodes. . I had a pet scan today and back to oncology Wednesday. An uneducated peek at the image on the computer might have shown additional hot spots in the abdomin. At this point I anticipate that Chemo only will be offered. So I was curious if there was a…
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Near the end? I need advice.
Hi everyone, I haven't posted anything for months. My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer in Feb (7 months ago). He's done treatment after treatment with different cocktails of chemo. He has a kidney stone the size of a large olive and gall stones now. The chemo is working - it fixed the esophagus, but his…
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Back home after surgery on jtube
I'm being fed via the jtube continuously. My doctor has told me that I can also eat whatever I want, just go slow and not to over do it. However, nothing tastes like it did prior to surgery. Not to mention that I have no appetite at all. Has anyone else experienced either of these problems? If so, how long does this last?…
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SS disability, Medicare and cancer treatment payments
Our financial advisor had suggested to apply for social security disability thinking that I would be legible for Medicare eliminating my medical insurance premium. Has anyone else done this? Does Medicare cover all the treatments and hospital stay costs? It sounds like some cancer drugs might not be covered. So far our…
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I'm Stage IV now, Any Stage IV Long Term Survivors?
They tell me I am at stage 4 now, since I had a bone met in my skull March 2012. I have the cancer recurring in my remnant esophagus now, and node involvement n my neck. I will be starting chemo aqsap. They say this area was already radiated however during my chemoradiation and surgery in 2010, so it will not be radiated…
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1 year anniversary
Hi everyone: I may be bragging or maybe I'm just incredulous and relieved, but today marks 1 year since my surgery, and I can hardly believe it! I won’t have my 1 year scan and follow-up with the surgeon for another couple of weeks, but from what he said at my 6 month appointment and how I feel now, I’m doing well, Thank…
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Update from Jim and Linda from Idaho
Hello to all! It has been a long time since I have visited the CSN ec site. I am sad to hear that there have been problems, this site was a lifesaver for me when Jim was diagnosed. The Marshall's gave me the courage to seek a cancer hospital and get a less invasive surgery for Jim. I hope that there will be a change of…
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"Another thought I would like to share"
Asides from all my feelings, I would like to add this: This is just my opinion but I would like to share it to all the stage four's. Ed went through six months of chemo, which really did not do much and all along, right from the start, I asked his doctor to do a brains can because I believe he had brain mets right from the…
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Another newbie
Wow, I have been reading and am amazed at all of the stories of courage. My husband Larry was just recently diagnosed and life seems to be in a tailspin. We don't know what stage yet and quite frankly, I am quite terrified.
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Anyone else had low energy levels after surgery??
I find that I am just tired all of the time. Small tasks seem to wipe me out after ten minutes or so. Post surgery 6 weeks ago. I am eating much better without j-tube, drinking ensure and taking vitamin b and d...
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Thanks for the welcome
Yes, Dad was diagnosed with stage 3, and just recently offered hospice. I believe hospice has been suggested, as he just can't get well enough for much of anything. He has been battling so many, many things. I listed many of them in my initial post. When he fell, he seemed to lose all ability to walk; so he has been…
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Our story
Larry is my husband of 6 years, we have been together for 13. We share 6 grown children and 14 grandchildren, ranging from 22 mos to 14 yrs old. We refer them as "our little people". They are our life. Ever since I have known Larry he has complained of heartburn. I have suggested to him repeatedly to have this checked out.…
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Some good news
For those who have recently lost loved ones, or gotten some not such good news, my thoughts are with you. EC is such a tricky cancer, and so many times it out smarts our best efforts. But for now, we (Dave and I) have beaten back the ole SOB... :) Dave's PET scan came back and his medical oncologist said this is one of the…
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New to the group - Dad diagnosed with EC
Reading through the discussions, made me realize I might need "help" in the ensuing months. My beloved father, a retired Naval Captain, age 85, suddenly fell in June. The following week, EC was diagnosed, and since then, it has been a nightmare, pure and simple. My dad has had a very healthy life, cheated death during the…
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It has been a rough two years
Hello to my old friends and to all the new members on here: As some of you remember me, I lost my beloved husband Eddie, age 56, to stage four ec cancer back on September 15, 2010, then a week later, I lost my beloved Mom on September 24, 2010. I would like to say first, that I am very saddened to see that Loretta and Bill…
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Surgery seemed to go well, now a leak.
My husband had an MIE on August 31st. Everything went great, he had a couple rough days about day 3 and 4, but since then is doing great. The swallow test was done on Thursday and there is a "very small leak". The doctor doesn't seem too concerned, in fact they plan to release him either tomorrow or Monday. He will come…
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Heavy Heart.
My heart is so very heavy as I write this message among all my tears. I watched as my dear, sweet brother took his last breath last night 8 hours after being removed from the ventilator. He passed away at 7:40pm 9/20/12 surrounded by love. It was very difficult for both his wife Isabel and me. There is no way to ever…