-
New diagnosis - stage 3, questions abt treatment, fasting and VA
Hello all, My Dad had a CAT scan yesterday and an ultrasound today. The doctor said it was stage 3 (he did give the specifics, but from what I can figure out he is a T3, N0 (or 1, they couldn't tes the lymph nodes right below his tumor because they couldn't get to them) and M0. He is a very healthy 67 year old vet. We are…
-
Searching for insights, information and an understanding of what we may expect
It has been a whirlwind these past seven weeks and we would be grateful for any insights. We are learning, asking questions and trying to educate ourselves. Brief History - Tom had Barretts Esophagus 12 years ago which was treated. Since then he was advised to get a scan done every couple of years. At the most recent scope…
-
New Chapter didn't begin!
After driving for an hour in L.A. rush hour traffic to be at the radiation place at 9 a.m., we are one ramp away from exiting when the phone rings and it's the radiology office calling to cancel! Their machine broke! Grrrrrrrrr! They said they'd call to reschedule. Sometimes chapters drag on and on, so I'll post when the…
-
Another ambiguous scan
Hi folks, I had posted that Jeff's 5 month post-op scan was yesterday, we got the results today. Again the scan mentions something in the lungs. The thing in the lung they saw last time is stable and not changing, but there is a new nodule. This time the oncologist thinks Jeff should get a PET/CT in two months to see if…
-
Any news of Eric (Chemosmoker)?
Sorry folks, but I'm not a Facebook member. I know many of you are. Could someone provide an update? Thank you! Terry
-
Radiation Questions
Hello, I wanted to ask for help once again. My mother is 86 years old. Her cancer has spread outside of her esophagus to multiple lymph nodes in her chest area. She has been receiving chemo for almost a year. Initially, she was going once every 2 weeks and receiving the Folfox treatment at normal doses. Since she was…
-
Describe For Me "Physical Cancer Pain"
Because I never officially had EC (only a tiny bit of my tumor lit up) and my tumor was completely removed, I never had radiation and/or chemo. But I did have excruciating esophageal pain for 3 three years due to complications from my surgeries. There were many times after hours of vomiting where I'd be screaming and…
-
Jimbo...... hope all is going well
Hi Jimbo, how are you doing? Have you finished Chemo... and Surgery? keep us updated, you are in my thoughts. I hope all is well. Sal
-
"Happy Valentine's Day"
This is to all you people who have lost your Valentine just like I did a little over a year ago. I was sitting here today, somewhat sad, thinking how I have lost my "Valentine" to this horrible cancer and started thinking about all of you who must be feeling the same way as I do. It is never quite the same, is it, without…
-
G-Tube How much to feed?
All I was told after the G-tube was inserted on Thursday was to flush every three 3 hours eight times. That flushing has finally been completed. I can't find any instructions on how to feed her Boost or Ensure, which is all she is to take through her G-tube. Do I give her 1 can at a time? I know I have to flush with water…
-
New chapter begins tomorrow
Mom's first internal Radiation Boost is tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. I will tell her tomorrow when she wakes up. I know she's fretting about it, and if I tell her tonight, she won't sleep a wink. This will be the first of four treatments to rid her of the remaining 2cm of tumor in her esophagus. Good News... The Home Health…
-
Painful Teeth
Mom has been off chemo and rads since Jan 6th. She is complaining about her teeth hurting. Anyone have any info on painful teeth during this stage? She isn't using her mouth for much - all her foods are puree or smoothies. at 84 she has all her teeth. I will also ask the nurse today when she comes.
-
What should we expect?
We found out about a month ago that my grandfather has an aggressive form of esophagus cancer. My grandparents have decided that the best route for them would be surgery to remove his esophagus. He is scheduled to have his surgery on the 20th of this month and I really just want to know what we should expect. I am…
-
2 wks post op update and QUESTIONS
Hi All, been a long few wks. Nicholas is doing well and has been home for the past wk and I am back to work at both jobs so not much time online. So far no issues with fatigue or dumping, very little reflux. Eating is going well except for a piece of salmon that was gagged back up. Hopefully no stretch will be needed. Saw…
-
Not what I wanted to hear today
Two week check up after stent placed. Still have a leak and now going back for a scope and possible replacement/repostions of the stent. Haven't been able to eat or drink since December 9, 2011. It's time to fix the leak and let me get on with my life.
-
Happy Birthday William and Loretta
Thought you were going to sneak that in at the end of one of your long post, didn't you. Well I read it. Happy Birthday to you and Loretta, February is a big month for you two sweethearts. What a good day to celebrate! Enjoy, Lee Ann
-
Good news today
Got PET scan results, almost two years post op. PET scan clear and blood work good. Going to start spreading out the oncology visits and scans. We are very thankful. BMGky Dx Dec 2009 Stage2N0M0 Cisplatin 5FU and radiation Ivor Lewis April 2010
-
advice for esophogram and or pet scan this is all new to me
any exrerienced listers got any tips or advice for a newby. swallow test mon and pet thurs. thanks for all you do====phil w
-
CT/PET scan Thursday
Will this show if nodes are hot?
-
My husband has Stage IV EC
My husband was diagnosed with StageIV EC in July 2011. He had a ‘spot’ in his liver and on his spine. He was given aggressive chemotherapy, including targeted Herceptin (since his tumor was positive for HER2) and Cisplatin. His scan in Sept was GREAT with all tumors shrinking or disappearing. He also had a stent inserted…
-
Esophageal Ulcers
Well, my wife and I were wondering why it still hurt to swallow now that several weeks have gone by after rads/chemo. Talked to the oncologist and said swallowing is still hard, and it hurts, could we stretch the esophagus? Scheduled an endoscopy for yesterday, and they did a stretch, but guess what? The reason why it…
-
New Diagnosis
I am the father of a newly diagnosed Esophageal Cancer patient. I have 2 biological children and now both of them have been diagnosed with cancer. The first one being 29 years ago having survived Wilm's Tumor at age 2 1/2. Now my 33 year old son has been diagnosed with stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. He has masses in his…
-
Radiation recovery
Hello everyone..,, Just curious...how long after your last radiation treatment did you recover???? cough??? thoat burning?? -Lynn
-
dates for tests
just got ct,pet scan and esophogram scheduled. all to happen by the 16 of feb. then will get date for app.@ uof mich . this is all beging to get real ,real quick.
-
Metastatic or not ?
Hi from snowy London (UK) guys! Quick background: Mum 49yrs old dx April 11 poorly differentiated adenocarcimoma with signet rings. Stent fitted, dysphagia resolved. Had PET scan which revealed cealiac lymph node enlarged and superior anterior mediastinum lymph node enlarged. Declared not suitable for surgery, fine needle…
-
Liver Tumor is Malignant
A Pet/CT confirmed that the 1 inch tumor found in my liver on the 4th Cat scan since my Esophagus surgery in Dec 2010 is malignant. At Mass General they are convinced that it is stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma in the liver. Initially I was told that chemo with Folfox was a high possibility, but their top liver surgeon,…
-
Question regarding my Dad- need advice
Hi everyone, Dad had surgery a few weeks ago. Recovery has been going pretty good. The past couple days he has had increasing pain and a low fever. Mom took him to the doctor yesterday,and they gave him an antibiotic at the local doctor whom I don't really trust. They did a chest xray, and said there's some pockets of air…
-
Chemo radiation question and malnutrition
My father had MIE surgery on the 13 of October for esophageal cancer located at the GE junction. The biospy report showed cancer cells in stomach. Had 6 weeks chemo radiation post surgery for the stomach which he completed on the 13th of Jan. Is it normal to still feel really weak almost 4 weeks after treatment is…
-
Any word of Jeff Thomas - 2011 Class "President"
Laura, Erica, Niki - Has anyone heard any news of Jeff Thomas? I know he had a very difficult back to back MIE / Ivor Lewis. Seems like there might have been need of some follow-up chemo as well. Just hopeful that all is improving for Jeff. Terry
-
different medications
I am newer here but a while back just after my husband was diagnosed with stage IV EC I saw a posting someone had on here about different meds for pain, nausea as well as acid reflux and other types of problems. The list was about a whole page long and had many ideas on there for people during this fight we have to face.…