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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…
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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
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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.…
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questions questions
My cousin is having surgery Monday the 13th of February. I don't know much about his cancer other than it's esophageal and it's stage 3. He's had it since at least this time last year. He had a feeding tube for awhile. The surgery he's having on the 13th is because the cancer has returned, now the dr's want to cut it out…
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Have more info, although not great news.
Hi EC Friends, I haven't been on in a while. I thought I would do my best to take a break. I'm trying to find things to do to occupy my mind as everytime my mind idles, I end up in tears. I have been reading your posts. I was saddened to hear of Alan's passing. My heart aches for all of us here. Every day is truly a gift.…
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My father
My father was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer with mets to retroperitoneal lymph nodes only. Not a surgical candidate. He started a clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic. Does anyone have experience with the Cleveland Clinic? He is happy in Cleveland and I'm not sure about moving him to another city to…
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My beloved husband, Alan passed away.
For those of you who don't read Facebook I would like to let you know that Alan passed away very peacefully in my arms on January 31st. I had posted here that since Christmas day he had developed a pain in his back and said he only felt comfortable lying down. The Drs dx a water infection and he received 4 lots of…
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update
update new Just an update on hospice. They came in right away and took over on everything gave us everything we need and more. Jarrell is feeling and looking better than he has in months. They changed his medication regiment and he is up receiving vistors and looking forward to things again. Hard to believe this could all…
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Women with EC--get free help with housework---You others can help make this more available!
Here is a wonderful resource for women with cancer--any kind of cancer--. Don't be fooled by the Breast Cancer logo on the website. The social worker at my cancer center gave me the information on them but said it was hard to get in as there was a lot more demand than participating cleaning services at this time. I found…
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Always fighting to get tests, the results & explanation
Hi all Again looking for some information, the Xray shows "right pleural effusion", my reading suggests this is ca spread and time left is is very limited maybe weeks. I'm sorry to ask but there is two week wait for specialist appointment, four weeks wait for urgent CT and the primary doctor will not explain many thanks kit
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G-Tube
Mom is going to have a G Tube inserted on the 8th. What do I need to know about feeding her through a tube? I was not able to be at the doc's office when she was told this. She is of no help in answering questions. She shuts off her brain. My brother told me someone would come and show me how to feed her through the…
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Horrible side effect of Radiation treatment
Hi all Please can I have your prayers for Mark, he has reacted to the radiation treatment really badly, I am so scared. Ann
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Hospice
Today we made the dicision to call hospice in to take over Jarrell's care. I am feeling so angry with his doctors right now. If only they would have been more truthfull, we could have given him a better quality of life sooner. It saddens me as I watch his depression deepen. We had such high hopes. I am feeling so defeated…
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Question
Hello Everyone I am not sure if anyone can use this or not or if this even the correct way to go about it but I have some formula for J tube feedings that I did not use. My wife (Susan) has tried to get the insurance company to take it back with no luck. We tried the health care supplier we got it from and they don’t want…
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Rachel Naomi Remen M.D>
right now listening to Rachel Naomi Remen MD give a interview on the mystery of illness including cancer. If you do a search on this site, you'll find her. Amazing. http://www.humanmedia.org/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=rachale+naomi+remen&x=0&y=0 Cora
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PET scan results - Confused!
We went to the doctor and the repeat PET scan showed a complete response. We were thrilled! Then the doctor went on to say this is palliative treatment and will prolong life, it is not a cure. He said the original prognosis of 6-9 months was now more like 12-18 months because my husband responded to chemotherapy. My…
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In need of a friend
hi My name is Ida. and my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cnacer in July. It has been a roller coaster ride every since with many ups and downs. He was misdiagnosed in Jan 2011, so the cancer is in the late stages. he has gone thru chemo and completed 28 radiation. The radiation really done him in. He isnt eating a…
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Need advice for Homer for his son
I have copied Homer's post for reply. His contact info is hdwchisholm Luketich/UPMC, Reddy/Michigan, Sugarbaker/Boston Judy, Thank you for your reply. I have been reading a lot of posts on this site. I wish that I had found this site when I was diagnosed with throat cancer stage 3 last March 2011. I am doing well now. PET…
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letting the cat out of the bag..... Chantal's new life, part 2
Well, my friends, You have all been so great to me through the last year, helping me with Lee's ec. I've shared with you the tale of Lee's daughter, and you were so very helpful to me, now the next crisis is being unveiled, and I could really use some more advice...... I've posted this to the lung cancer page as well, so…
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Dad and his battle with EC...
Last November 2010 my Dad Arnold Drange was dx with EC stage iv b...after a long 13 month battle it traveled to his brain...With my heart so heavy and my tears i could not and can not control on januray 7th 2012 my dad lost his battle against this horrible disease.. i thank all of you who have helpd me thru the fight..i…
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Maybe I can share my story and help the "newbies"
Hi everyone, I use to post on this website everyday when my husband, age 56, back in 2009, was having some swollowing issues and eventually October 7,2009, was diagnosed stage four, mets to liver, stomach and pelvis. He did five rounds of radiation, of which most of them did nothing except the last round, at which time,…
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Stage IV EC is not "one-size-fits-all". Very thankful for docs who recogniize this
There are many varieties of Stage IV EC patients and many responses to treatment. Here is just our story, so far, if anyone is interested. My husband was diagnosed in June 2011 with Stage IV EC; no other organs were involved but distant supraclavicular nodes were. Our oncologist NEVER gave him a time limit, and we never…
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Mom update
Haven't posted here in a while with a mom update. Mom spent 12 hours in the ER last Thursday, then was admitted with pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Severe they said. They drained her right lung (painful) and I brought her home Sunday. She is still coughing, but not nearly as much as before. Some of you may…
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It's been a while. Update on Tom + a dose of supernatural
Hi everyone, I see a lot of new names on the board, which is unfortunate. But I am also glad to see some old names, which is very encouraging! I have not been to the board for several months, so my delayed best wishes for a new year: good health, strength and many bright days ahead! I thought I would stop by and post a…
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Surgery - Esophageal Cancer
My son will have surgery on 2/22 in Boston. He has been such a success story to date but knowing all he will be going through soon has become very real. Any words of advice or guidance will be greatly appreciated!
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Should we use local surgeon or Dr. Luketich.
My mother is currently going through chemo/radiation and we just interviewed a surgeon in Omaha. Apparently, I went to high school with him so that would put him at 35 years old. He seems very confident, smart, assertive but I got a bit concerned when he said, "I've already done 10 esophagectomies this year." I asked how…
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Time for an update on Bob
Bob will be released from the hospital tomorrow. He is healing very well, and that is his job for the next 4-6 weeks. He has had a bronchoscopy and where they resected the trachea is healing nicely. No cancer was found inside the trachea so that was a very good thing. The esophagus was not resected and that open area will…
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Diet question
Hi everyone, I was trying to search the board for info, but it took a while to wade through everything so I thought I would just post this question to those of you who know this info. My dad is on the anti-dumping diet after his surgery. His home health nurse said to avoid foods with sorbitol and xylitol as an artificial…
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has anyone experienced blister like sores?
Has anyone that has recieved chemo/radiation experienced blister like sores on there body. Jarrell woke up this am with sores on his tummy low down. They kinda of look like chicken pox. He says they do not hurt or itch, they are red around them. He had hydration today and the nurse practioner looked at them then went and…
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Questions for Dan's O Doc........ need your help
Dan's appointment tomorrow: Pet/CT results. I have made a list of questions to ask the O. Doc. His endocopy ultra sound.. no evidence of Tumor just alot of scar tissue. Dan beleives that a complete response CURED. I want to ask the right quesitons, I want Dan to make HIS own decsion but an informed one. You cannot make a…