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Lymph Node Changes
I had this idea 3 weeks ago and when you find out you have EC cancer, the chemo starts right away before it can spread any further. But here we are on with my mom starting on the 21st of September on Chemo/Radio when we found out on Aug. 26th that she had cancer. In this amount of time, can the close lymph nodes spread…
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Port Cath
Hi My mom had the port cath put in last monday(10 days ago) and she told me tonight that it still hurts. How long does it take before it doesn't hurt anymore? She is supposed to start her Chemo tomorrow, can they even use the port if it hurts that much?
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Lee blog
Lee, I am new to the forum. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your writing. You really have a gift. Very courageous and raw writing. I hope it helps you- it sure is wonderful to read as the spouse of a man with EC. He's going to read it too. Thanks so very much- hope you are doing ok. Cora
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Update on Jeff T - pneumonia, A-fib and pathology
Hi All- Luis and I stopped by to see Jeff T. Luis had a post surgery checkup and unfortunately Jeff is still in the hospital. I believe his surgery was 9/8. It sounds like he's had a bumpy ride and I hope I get all this right. Sorry Jeff if I mess this up. Jeff had a bit of pneumonia last week but he's feeling better after…
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Life insurance
After the recent postings about Social Security Disability, I was thinking about something Chad's oncologist told us when he had a recurrance last Christmas. If you have a terminal illness and are not expected to live over a year, some policies allow you collect your benefit while you're still alive. Chad's doctor offered…
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Nick - Swallow Test & Pathology Report
Nick passed the swallow test yesterday. He said his first drink of grape juice was as good as a steak dinner. The hospital gave him a "menu" today. He's grateful for it even though it's just a choice of liquids. At least it's choices again. Pathology report has finally come back. It's an "A" according to the doc. The…
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One more update on John!
Well an interesting twist (for the good). Surgeon walks into John’s room about 5:30 PM and tells him he does not agree with the Radiologist. The “leak” is not a leak it is the way he stitches (or did he say staples) the esophagus to the stomach. He drew pictures (not that great) but I think I understand what he was saying.…
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Another post on agent orange and EC
I have contacted both my VA senator and our govenor from Georgia and The white house . I have received letters back from the govenors office and from our Va senator but nothing from Michele and Barrack. Not a word. I am VERY dissapointed that someone on their staff could not take the time to write as they are SUPPOSED to…
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Another step closer
My wife and I spent the afternoon yesterday at Mass General in Pre-Admission testing. I was surprised to realize going in how anxious I was, because any problems might mean my surgery would be postponed for whatever reason. Just to be conservative I've stopped riding my motorcycle, using the chain saw, going up…
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Update on Dad
Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last posted. Dad (Jerry) just had his third PET scan done the other day, results were yesterday. MD said that nodes and tumor has shrunk by fifty percent, with NO mets. He had his feeding tube removed about 2 weeks ago, since it was no longer in use, and he's able to eat REAL food…
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Nick released 9/15 - trying to find post-op food balance - Suggestions here
Nick was released on 09/15 - one week to the day following his surgery. Doc said that he broke all early release records following a major surgery (THE). We've been home about 18 hours and are struggling a bit trying to find a good balance for his "new" stomach. I've seen several post what they are eating now - months…
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Waiting for Discharge
Update on John Well things have progressed very fast (since swallow study) on Wednesday. John had the test around 10AM & we thought he had a small leak (per PA in Radiology) Surgeon came to room around 5 PM told us he saw Images and there was not a leak and he would have nurse pull NG tube and start with liquids, if…
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Esophageal Cancer Surgery
My brother has stage III esophageal cancer. He has done 28 days of radiation and 24 days of chemo. He got a staff infection and had to stop the chemo but is now doing an IV of antibodies every day. He has the next pet scan on the 29th which is about 3 weeks after the radiation. Is this normal? After the pet scan he will…
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Just a prayer of thanks...
Please allow me to say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for His mercy and blessings that He is pouring down on so many of you these past couple of weeks. My heart is just so full. Some of you may not believe in Jesus but I do and I must give Him thanks publicly for answered prayers. "Dear Lord, this is a simple prayer…
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Suggestion for Newbies and some Oldies
I would like to give a suggestion to some of the "newbies" as well as some "oldies" on this discussion board. It would be most helpful if everyone would post in their "About Me" page. I try to read this discussion board daily, but even then, with the amount of new people who have come on recently, it is difficult to keep…
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The Morning Dawns
Just to let you know there is a wonderful website out there called the Mourning Dawns and the ladies are all EC widows. We e-mail back and forth and they have been my life line. You need to be invited into the group so if you are interested let me know and send me your personal e-mail address and I will get you hooked up.…
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Question about EC diagnosis increase
Hello all; Just a question. Early in the process, my oncologist commented to me that the average male that gets EC is 69 years old and black, and that the London Regional Cancer Program has seen a startling increase in EC diagnosis specifically in young white males over the last two years. Have you heard anything similar…
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Routine blood test not so routine
Chad went in today to have his INR checked as he is transitioning from Lovenox to coumadin and they are trying to find the right dose of coumadin. I knew something was wrong when two nurses accompanied him out of the infusion center. Apparently he has skin erosion from his PowerPort. Has anyone else experience this? For…
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And I thought EC was the worst thing that could happen
Yes, I thought EC was the very worst thing, but this bleeding stroke is horrible. As you know from previous writings, Bill was completely cured of the cancer, they got it all. But now, this stroke is sucking the life out of him. It's day 14 and he hasn't opened his eyes yet. The doctors say there is brain activity, but how…
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My father has been diagnosed with an aggressive form
It is now Thursday August 6, 2009. My father is dying of Stage IV Esophagael Cancer. This cancer he has is aggressive, it came on in a month (may have been longer but nobody saw the signs)and once it was realized that the pain couldn't be controlled by the pain medication he had been prescribed for bad back pain(which we…
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Update on Mother
Hey gang , I have been visiting with Mother and without a computer for a couple of weeks. A much needed visit and will be back to stay again in a couple of weeks. She has completed 2 rounds of chemo - cystplatin , taxol. One more chemo and then I guess a test or two, feeding tube , then radation. Any advice on going threw…
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Wedge Pillow
I am a "newbie" to this site. For all of you just getting home from surgery, I want to suggest getting a wedge pillow. After my husband's surgery last year, we were told to elevate the head of the bed. Easier said than done. Bed Bath and Beyond (and others) sell a wedge pillow that works great. Lynn
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Asbestos exposure
I'm just curious. I know of two people on this site plus my husband that have been exposed to asbestos. Any one else? I'm just trying to make some sense of all of this. I recently read that there is a possible link. Lynn My husband Paul was diagnosed Sept. 2010 with Stage III adenocarcinoma. We just found out he has a…
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Article warning against fish oil during chemo
Hi folks, I know that there is debate in the medical sciences on whether you should use supplements during chemo. Here is an article with new research around fish oil. A dutch team has found that using fish oil during chemo can block the effectiveness of the drug. They studied cisplatin so this hits home for EC patients.…
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My brother's petscan results
Petscan shows a lot more shrinkage of the tumor...no cancer showed up anywhere else in his body!! So Jr continues with his chemo and in 2 months will be retested. Before they give him his chemo they first IV drip benadryl, (has anyone else had this done)and then they Iv drip meds for nausea and then the chemo. While he was…
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Callaloo celebrates 18 months anniversary
18th months since they found this tumor, and I'm still going strong, clean CT and MRI's to boot. Woo hoo! Thanks to Barb again for prompting me to post. I want my posts to be little rays of hope for those battling stage IV. But I have to admit the last few weeks have not felt very hopeful to me. I've been plagued for at…
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I am so proud of you
I do not post often , but I read everything, and I would like each and everyone of you to know that you have more guts than any people I have ever met, Whether you are an EC patient or an EC caregiver. The pain and suffering this disease causes is so unbelievable but you all find the courage to write and ask questions…
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Chest Pain from Acetaminophen?
My Dad (Mike, 50 y/o, Stage IV) has been taking Lortab for several years now for back pain (degenerative discs, I think) and recently, since he started IV and oral chemo last friday, has been getting increasingly painful chest pangs. Now, obviously that sounds stupid, given that he has EC, but despite being Stage IV, he's…
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Will, Advanced Directive, Trust
I just watched a recorded episode of Suze Ormon and the topic she covered was getting a will, trust, advanced directive set up. She ended the show with a free giftcode on her website to get the documents set up for free. It's a limited time offer. I just went out there and got it started and saved my info so that I can go…
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Germs during Chemo/Radiation
My mom will start Chemo/Radiation next week. How paranoid do I need to be about keeping her away from public places, my children when sick, going on vacations, etc. I see people here posting that they are still working. How is that possible when there's so much possibility of catching a cold or any other infection/virus?