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MIE vs Ivor Lewis
If you have EC and a candidate for surgery, who decides whether the patient should have MIE or the Ivor Lewis? Do you have to be a special candidate for the MIE? If it's minimally invasive, why wouldn't everyone opt for the MIE? Do you have to qualify? Heeran, caregiver to my mom just diagnosed with Squamous Cell T3N2M0…
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John's Post-OP Update
9-10-11 Day One for John has been pretty good. He has a great nurse today (not so much last night). She spoke to physician and requested additional pain meds. He has the pump but that was not managing pain. She requested Toradol and he received a dose at 11 AM and was like a new person. He was up in a chair for 4 hours and…
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Jeff Thomas out of surgery
I had my surgery yesterday....mIe....13 hours ....this guy said he takes his time. I already walked and I'm in a Chair....I'll post more later!
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Hiccups
My husband has been getting the hiccups during the night. He manages to sleep right through it but I'm a much lighter sleeper and with the whole bed jumping every few seconds it's not so much fun. Has anyone else experienced this weird occurance with EC? On another note, he finished his 28th round of radiation yesterday…
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A prayer for all of those who lost and all of us for 9/11/01...
I HOPE no one minds me posting this here today... I say a short and simple prayer today for all of us who lost a loved one, or know someone who lost a loved one in the Twin Towers or the Pentagon or on Flight 93; for all of those brave soldiers who are still serving, who were lost defending us, so we could be home, safe,…
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suffering chemo side effect still? OR is it something else?
Hi all, I know that Lee posted this question a few weeks ago, but, here we are again, or should I say still. Lee did his last week of chemo on August 11, which was cut short due to the feeding tube placement. Ever since then, he's been feeling terrible. He's not nauseated too often, but vomiting a lot, He was up several…
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rose20, any PET results?
Rose, I have not seen any updates on your brother's PET scan results. I hope everything went well and the results are as good as you wished for. Olya
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Something nice for a change
Sorry if stuff like this isn't allowed, but this kinda sums up the strange people that Chantal and I are. Our wedding video from Vegas 2010! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAR6-PdF5Uc
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Surgery Date 1st Week of October
Surgery Date 1st Week of October Wow! After a crazy 6 weeks (1st & 5th week continuous chemo) of chemo and radiation. Hospitalized for low heart rate, dehydration and the usually that chemo does to one’s body. It’s been difficult, stressful etc… I’m truly grateful that Dad (68 years old) is getting an opportunity to have…
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Nick - Out of Surgery
4 or 4 1/2 hours. Esophagus taken up to what I call the "throat hollow". No sign of cancer spread. Tumor in esophagus appears dead and gone according to Pathologist. Actual Pathology reports will be back tomorrow afternoon with real results. 2 - 3 lymph nodes are enlarged - those will be reported on in the Pathology…
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John's Surgery Update
Just spoke with Dr. Meredith; John's surgery is done. The MIE was performed and he tolerated the surgery fine. The plan is to extabate in recovery and then to ICU. He stated that he goes to the pathology department and looks at margins. He has clean margins. Will need path report on lymph nodes before we know about post…
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Luis and Jeff T
We came across Jeff Thomas on our walk over to visit him! He was up and walking in a thoracic walker. Couldn't believe how far he had walked on his first day post-op! He looks great and says his only discomfort is in the hip area from surgery. He was talkative and it was great to get to meet him, his wife and one of his…
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Prayers for my brother, please
I know with all the surgeries going on this week everyone's prayers are focused on that but could you please add my brother to your prayers? He goes tomorrow for his PET scan and this is a hard test for him to get through because of the stent he has in place. Pray he makes it through the whole test as this test is so…
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esophageal stretch?
I have read that many of you have had stretches done to the esophagus. We mentioned it to our doctor during the visit from he** last thursday. He told us that Lee does not need it. He did not give any reasons, and since the visit was going badly to begin with, I didn't push it. As of this time, the results of the CT showed…
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Info from Dr. appt yesterday....
I went with my dad yesterday to hear for myself the results of the full body scan they did, as he has not had one since he first started chemo in april. Everything looks the same, except for there are more spots to the liver. The Dr. is going to consult with others as to what to approach the monster with for his chemo mix.…
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Erica, hope you are doing ok
Erica, Sorry I didn't post sooner, I hope you are doing ok waiting for John's surgery to be completed. Waiting is the hardest part, you will be so relieved when you get to see him and hold his hand. Sending my prayers up for you and John today. Niki
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My Dad is making improvements!
I have not been on this board for a while due to traveling (visiting Dad) and work. Life can be funny sometimes...A month ago his insurance company basically kicked him out of the rehab./nursing home because he was not making enough of 'progress'. However, that was the best thing that has happened. Currently, he is eating…
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Appointment today, does this sound right?
I am going with my dad to his appointment today. He does NOT want me to say anything to the Dr. about the stretching. He said that when he last talked to the Dr. he had told him the reason that he was having problems swallowing is because he missed a week of Chemo so it was his body reacting to this. I can not find any…
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Jeff out of surgery
Jeff's surgery lasted 8 hours, he is in ICU now. He had the Ivor Lewis, he is being given drugs for the pain. Will post more later. Thanks to all for their prayers and thoughts. Niki
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Some of the strongest people I know!!!
To all of you fighting this horrible disease... I was thinking of my brother this morning all that he is going through that only those of you with this disease truly understand. I'm sure there are many unspoken emotions that you go through. My brother can not eat!! To get down creamed soups or a little mashed potatoes to…
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Oh sleep...perchance to dream...
Anybody got any tips on getting a half-decent nights sleep? My oncologist says that cancer screws up your circadian rhythms, and something sure is! Prior to about 6 months ago I always slept well, no sleep issues at all. Now, I sleep perhaps 2 hours at a time, wake up for 1/2 hour, go back to sleep, repeat. I'm getting…
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PET results
Got my PET results today, and they were clear. He said that my scan looked so good that we would not continue the chemo. It is a insurance poilicy anyway according to him. the last 6 months was to be a 5FU pill and a very light dose. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for those of you who are facing surgery and post…
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PET results
Not very good news. The EC has spread to Don's bones. In his sternum, hips, ribs, spine. None in his vital organs. Dr says he has 6 to 8 months and they will keep his pain at a minimum. We still believe in prayer, and will take each day as it comes. He said for us to do whatever he feels like. A hard thing to hear but…
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Alternative Treatment - Juicing/Budwig
I am new to this site. I just discovered it yesterday. My story as a caregiver is on my "About Me" page. This is such a fantastic site with lots of information. The best I have found so far and I have been reseaching like mad for the past few weeks! We are getting to the end as far as chemo goes so we are looking into…
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FINALLY!!!!!! A SURGERY DATE!!!!!
Hi everybody, Well, Moffitt just called me and said they have me scheduled for MIE surgery on Oct 7th. (Of course they added the caveat "subject to change". It's been misery waiting and jumping through the hoops so I'm finally releived to know that it's actually coming. Question......I finished my chemo/radiation regimin…
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Esophageal Dilation or Stent?
I have read the difference between the two, but if someone who has had this or a caregiver who has experience with one of these could tell me, how do you decide which would be better?
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Rough week
I haven't posted in awhile as we have had a rough week dealing with chemo. Rickie went in to the doctor’s office last Monday, Aug. 29th for his usual regime of Erbitux and Irinotechan, and then returned on Tuesday morning for his sandostatin shot. He has never really suffered from nausea, but this time as soon as we got…
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New to Board - Proton Beam Therapy anyone?
I just wanted to say hi. I am new to the board. I was diagnosed in February of 2011 with EC. The details are in my bio. I am getting Proton at MD Anderson and am wondering if anyone else has received Proton Beam Therapy instead of regular radiation. Blessings to all, --Deborah
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Update on Jeff...and blessings for Jeff Thomas, Nick and Terry, and Erica and John
Hi folks, I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate your support and comments. Jeff is doing very well, he is in the ICU and they are managing his pain well. Today he moved from his bed to the chair, and then tonight he took a walk around the ICU! The nurses say he is doing really well. All of you that are…
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Progress for Luis
Luis passed his swallow test yesterday and today the doctors took out his NG tube!! He is feeling so much better without the dreaded NG tube! They have begun him on clear liquids as well. He is only to take in 4 oz over 6 hours but he said he is glad to taste apple juice again. Hopefully, the chest tubes will be removed…