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1st 6 month scan clear!!!
Hi, Just to encourage fellow EC pts, my first 6th month scan is clear. So happy, each one feels like a big step to a longer future and more grandmom time and time to enjoy retirement with Ron. I was a Stage III and thanks to the great efforts at St. Joseph's in Baltimore and many prayers and support from my friends here…
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Update on my dad- some good news!
My dad, age 64, was diagnosed with late Stage 2/early Stage 3 (the docs said it was hard to tell if it was stage 3 yet) Esophageal Cancer back in April of this year. He underwent six weeks of chemo/radiation at Beth Israel Hospital in NYC which he concluded in early June. The chemo definitely wiped him out and made him…
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chemo/rad
have finally got strong enough to have further treatment. I donot know how any of you went back to work after surgery. I always thought I was a strong person, but not anymore. I am still not strong enough to work. Still losing weight slowly because I fill up so quick. Seems like I am eating all the time. I donot suggest…
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congratulations
This is great news. Congratulations, Donna. May you have many more.
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surgery
Sorry about that. Part of my treatment got lost when I updated my about me page. I had surgery on March 28, one large incision and 2 small ones. Spent almost a month in the hospital with one thing and another. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am one of the very fortunate ones. Most days I am pretty good with the…
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stent vs feeding tubes
Lee (stage ivb) has been having increasing difficulty in eating many foods, which has resulted in some weight loss. He's been losing about a pound a day for the last 2-3 weeks. He is finding less and less foods appealing, and often can't swallow and ends up vomiting the whole meal up. We are getting very concerned, to say…
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For information purposes only
For those who may not know how to navigate around on the computer for information. Table 1 Current TNM staging of esophageal cancer. TNM classification T Tis Carcinoma in situ T1 Tumor invading lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, or submucosa T2 Tumor invading muscularis propria T3 Tumor invading periesophageal tissue T4…
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Cher 76, Fish Oil Information
Hi all I cut and pasted this from Livestrong.com regarding the benefits gained from Fish oil supplements, personally I get Marks fish oil supplements from our local health shop rather than the local supermarkets, I think quality is really important. Overview Cancer treatments can leave patients with side effects such as…
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EC and esophagectomy questions
A friend on another board told me about this discussion board and suggested posting to it. I appreciate the suggestion and am glad to find it! I posted the following to another group so please forgive the duplication if you follow other EC groups. Just 'widening the net' so to speak. And thanks for the feedback! My dad is…
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When/how do the Doctorsd decide to remove the drain blub and feedinding tube?
Can anyone tell me the crit. the doctors use to remove drain blub and feeding tube?
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I'm back (I think)
Well, today marks my 4 week date since MIE in Pittsburgh. I'm probably back about 60-70% to normal. I'm still fairly sore and I rest a lot during the day. I'm averaging about a pound a day weight loss. I know I should be eating more but I'm still trying to take it easy on my new stomach. I'm still on soft food. I've got…
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Where is Calaloo
I miss you Lu. Hoping all is well. If anyone has heard anything please post. love Barbara
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Bill is so very tired........
Bill had his esophagectomy 3 months ago and has actually had his j-tube removed because he was eating well on his own. He has not had to have chemo or radiation since they caught his cancer so early. But he is having such a hard time getting his strength up. He is literally exhausted when he does the least little thing. He…
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Thanks to all of you
Thank you all for your information about being so tired after EC surgery. You have no idea how much you have helped us and made us feel secure that Bill is right where he should be. We know it's different for everyone, but all of your advice helped us so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! God bless, Kateel
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Last day of radiation!
Hi gang, My husband Jeff will be moving up to sophmore status at 5pm today. He is very excited to complete this first round of treatments and begin working out in prep for surgery. He has been lifting weights during treatment, and he has a job where he is active. For all of those folks who are just starting treatment and…
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Update on my dad
Hello all, Things have been a whirlwind since we found out about dad's EC, as I am sure you all know too well. When dad went in to meet with the surgeon in Miami it seemed as though surgery would be the plan after shrinking the tumor with a few rounds of chemo. However, the PET scan he took had showed some "suspicious"…
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Genetic news
I found the below article while searching the Internet. Has anyone been tested for those genes? July 26, 2011 -- Researchers have discovered three genetic mutations that may play a role in the development of esophageal diseases, a study shows. The esophageal diseases that may be affected by the mutations include esophageal…
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The end has come
For those of you who have read my previous posts regarding my dad, I am sad to announce that he passed away last night. He originally had the MIE with Dr. Luketich on May 20 and experienced significant complications over the last two months. Several weeks ago they put a stent in due to a leak. Three days ago they went in…
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Mayo vs small town
Good morning to all , I truely hope we all have a better weekend and a better next week , but take it just one day at a time is all anybody can do. Mother was staged iv last week. I guess she was thinking the whole time it would be low stage for not feeling any effects? So now the small town clinic is putting a port in…
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He's winding down now
We are talking now about hospital beds and commodes and what our final wishes are. He now doesn't want to see anyone or even talk on the phone. From what I've read on the Hospice website some kind person posted here a few weeks ago, this is all to be expected, this social withdrawal. I am hoping, with the help of Hospice,…
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A little good news
Hi all Just to let you know, it looks like Marks temperature is finally down, and we may be able to bring him home tomorrow. I took him up some minestrone soup for his lunch which he ate with a vengance, and then he felt like macaroni cheese for his tea, which again he really enjoyed, I always feel better when I know he is…
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Lost
Well where to start today . Mother was told a $5500 charge for just a first time visit was in store for the Moffit Center. So that was the iceing on the cake as far as a second opinion goes , as last week the Mayo Clinic did the same . I tried to get her to stay in the state and go to Piedmont where she gave me a kidney in…
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Don
Haven't posted for some time. Don is eating better but has had some other issues since last I wrote. 6 weeks ago he had Rotater Cuff Surgery. He is doing therapy but still has a lot of pain. He has lost more weight and can't seem to gain any back. Guess that is part of the process. He has been through a lot since his EC…
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Daughter now has acid reflux
So early this morning, 2:30 am to be exact, I got a call from my beautiful 20 yr old daughter that her sternum had pain and some radiating out and even some in the back. She went to the E. R. where they told her she has acid reflux. Backtracking a bit, she's been working with her family physician regarding this new pain.…
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message from my hubby, re: eating
Hello everyone, this is Chantal's husband Lee. What a wonderful resource this board is. Great to see a bunch of people come together and help and support each other. I wanted to take a moment to write about my dilemma, as I've not been able to find much info online. Over the last few months, I've built up an incredibly…
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Dealing with side effects of Irinotecan
Hi All -- Any tips for dealing with the lovely side effects of Irinotecan (or "I Run To the Can" as the nurses call it)? My husband just finished round two of his second six-week cycle and is frustrated by the diarrhea and to a lesser extent the nausea. Currently he's taking Diphenoxylate-Atropine alternating with…
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ritalin
I just read mruble (Mary's) blog which is given a link on her profile page...... what a story! I would recommend giving it a read when you have some time to spare. One thing she mentioned is that her hubby was given ritalin for fatigue control. From there I did some research, and found many sites which supported this. Has…
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Does anyone feel guilty? (family member)
Good morning to all. As some of you know, my dad has EC. I live in Florida and my dad lives in NJ. I am lucky as I can see him on almost a monthly basis. However, I feel so guilty when I do or even think about doing 'fun things'. I feel bad telling him about what my family and I did on a Saturday because I know where he…
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port time and radation - need some imput on radation effects please.
Mom's having a port put in the morn. I took it upon myself to call the Moffit Center today to see if they had Mom's records. They did and said that she is in a non-insurance program i guess , and will hopefully call with news of an appointment for a second opinion next week and to have some other eyes on her , I hope. In…
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Surgeon Recommendations & General MIE questions
Hello EC board! My mother has recently been diagnosed with EC (adenocarcinoma). While I have not received official staging from her oncologist, I believe she is Stage II (tumor is contained in esophagus, though it is in the wall; one small adjacent lymph node is involved). She has begun her eight week chemo and radiation…