-
Dana and Billy
Dana When I read your post I thought back to when my husband had his surgury in Feb 2009. He DID get the dr that he was supposed to get at Emory in Atlanta but it still was not enough. Your story made me very sad tho. I do not know Dr. Luketich but from once talking to him on the phone and for e-mailing him many times I…
-
First Time Posting and CEA Markers
As you can see I joined this family awhile ago. In February of 2010 my dad was first diagnosed with Stage IVB esophageal cancer, mets to the liver and other areas, but this is my first post. I keep up to date with everyone on here and even though you haven't known it I have been keeping all of you in my thoughts and…
-
terminal cancer
Hi all, Not only do I have to contend with my wife having a stage 3 glioma and me being launched into the unwelcome role of a carer. My Uncle never bothered to find out about a nagging problem, difficulty eating, drinking and a constant near choking feeling which is now terminal as it has metasised into numerous locations.…
-
Back pain after surgery + pain meds
Hello everyone, It's been 4 weeks since Tom's surgery, and all in all I would say he is doing ok. He got all the tubes removed and is able to eat very small meals. I am, however, concerned about two things: his back pain and his dependence on pain meds. 1. Back pain He has been having this back pain since surgery. I do not…
-
question regarding time
Hi, I'm also on the colon cancer board because my aunt has colon cancer. My question concerns esophageal cancer, because my cousin has stage 3 esophageal cancer. Do Dr.s give you a "time frame"? With my aunt they told her 6 months if she does NO treatment but she has stage 4 colon cancer, her son has stage 3 esophageal. He…
-
Local Relay for Life
Jim and I walked the "Survivor Walk" at our local Relay for Life last Friday night. The local paper took photos of us and told a little about us on the front page of the paper. Thought you might like to see it. It was especially emotional for Jim only five months out from the surgery. It was especially wonderful seeing so…
-
Update, Billy & Dana, Post MIE
Hello Everyone, I’d like to apologize for no recent news or updates. The surgery went well, as I posted in my reply “Billy & Dana’s Prayers Answered.” The Lord had one additional trial by fire in mind. My husband was in the surgical ICU on the day following the surgery and I spent the day there with him while they were…
-
My beloved Jim has passed on
Hi, I don’t post a lot, but read the site daily. My dear husband passed away June 3 from esophageal/stomach cancer at the age of 59. I don’t want to take away any hope from those battling this disease, but thought Jim’s story might help others. He was diagnosed February 2010 with gastric cancer. The mass was at the…
-
UPMC is the best of the best!
I have to share our experience at UPMC Presby. This hospital and its staff all the way from the housing and insurance people to the surgeons and nurses were excellent! After my gpas surgery the nursing staff was terrific! They took care of my gpa like he was their gpa! We were so lucky to have them. Today we went back to…
-
Been a While
It has been a while since I last posted. I did have Ivor lewis surgery on March 24, spent 28 days in hospital, had a few complications, but came out well. I came home on April 18, returned to work full time May 2nd. Got PET scan results last week and all is clear, no hot spots at this time. Started Carboplatin/Taxol…
-
For JimboC
JimboC, Just wanted you to know I will be praying for you with your upcoming surgery in July. I know it's hard but rest in the Lord. He has your back! Man will be performing your surgery but God will be overseeing it all. Trust the Lord that He loves you and He didn't bring you this far to leave you. I pray for peace for…
-
Hubby's CT scan results, good news???
My husband (stage IVb, mets to the liver) received his CT scan results today, and the news was somewhat positive, but has left us with unanswered questions. This was his first scan after 4 sessions with the 'big cannons' I have, of course read on this site about the big cannons, and the debate of how much is too much, but…
-
My dear father, Harry passed away last Friday
All, My dear father passed away on Friday, June 3, 2011. His obituary and link to the guestbook can be found at (please copy and paste the link) http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://stei-23818.tributes.com/show/Harry-Collins-91624617.…
-
Taking a break
I have decided that for awhile I plan to take a break from this site. I have been noticing a great deal of stress lately and I think it has to do with 1) of course the passing of Vince 2) seeing more stage 4's on here 3) and just being sad in general about cancer. To all of you I wish you the best life has to offer and I…
-
Dad Diagnosed with Esophagael Adenocarcinoma Ca, HELP Please!
Dear All, I am a 23 yr old Son (Arjun Sahu) of my father (50 yrs old), who has recently been diagnosed with Esophagus Cancer. We reside in India. My Dad kept complaining about his food getting stuck at times (not always) when he took the first bite of his food, he used to spit out the first bite, then he was able to…
-
ROBOTIC SURGERY
I was out at Moffitt Cancer Center this morning for my radiation treatment and to meet with my chemo oncologist. I met another EC patient there who had the same surgeon I am projected for....a Dr James Meredith. He performed a robotic MIE on this gentleman last Sep and it appears that he's doing great. Just curious if…
-
I have nothing more to lose
As my heading says "I have nothing more to lose" hits home so badly. When Vince was first diagnosed in Feb 2009 The very first piece of literature that I copied off the computer was Dr. Luketich in my search for EC places to go. It is funny now as I kept it and being the unknowledgebale person I was then I filed it. Then I…
-
Question about mets to spine
Was wondering if anyone has experience with mets to spine? Report says three areas on thoratic and lumbar spine and one rib involved. Due to start rad thurs. Five treatments. He is having numbness in feet and hands. Doc says rad will reverse SOME of that but not all. Thanks for any info. Nancy
-
stricture / throat stretching / surgical procedures
I am a friend and family member of a man who has survived the chemo/radiation treatments, but now has to live with an esophageal stricture. CT Scans have shown that the space allowing for food and liquids to pass can be as narrow as a couple of centimeters. On one spot, it is impossible to see where and how food passes…
-
Our experience at MSKCC - exceptional care!
Hi everyone, I've been reading all the sad stories about not-so-great experience at post-surgery recovery, lack of doctors' and nurses' attention and inadequate care. This made me appreciate the great treatment we have received at the Memorial Sloan Kettering even more. I thought I would write a few words here about the…
-
Hello to all.............
Its been awhile since I posted. I have been spending time since surgery trying to get catch up on life and I think I just needed a break. I guess that sounds selfish, but really have no other excuse for staying away. I always think of all of you often. Steve is hanging in there. Been a quiet couple month since the surgery…
-
The Big Cannons V A Compromise Approach to Chemo
Hi everyone I posted this note yesterday against my EC TREATMENT OPTIONS thread then noticed that it was at the very bottom of a very long thread and I thought it best to make it more "user friendly" I see that I last posted a note on April 1. I'm not sure about the USA but in the UK that was "April Fools Day" and is…
-
Update on visit to Oncologist
Hi all Good news we are now booked for the throat stretch for 17 June, so not to far away, eating is becoming more and more dificult for Mark, but he is maintaining weight. If you saw Mark you wouldn't think much was wrong with him, he is still working full time and able to do most things (other than the food…
-
Let God Choose
Let God Choose As for God, His way is perfect! Psalm 18:30 Let God choose for you, it will be the right decision. Let God guide you, it will be the right direction. Let God plan for you, it will be in the right timing. Let God measure for you, it will be the right portion. Let God help you, it will be the right care. Let…
-
For M_Rita More on ECF Chemo
M_Rita, since your post was at the bottom of a long older post, I wanted to start you at the top. Here's the link to the original post in case anyone is lost: http://csn.cancer.org/node/215824 Like Paul said, staying ahead of and managing side effects are key. I actually would take my first Zofran on the way to my chemo so…
-
VERY SAD TO REPORT THE DEATH OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND AFTER MIE SURGERY
MY HUSBAND, WAS DX IN DECEMBER WITH EC STAGE 3, NO METASTASIS, 2 LYMPH NODES INVOLVED. WE DID CHEMO AND RADIATION, AND THE TUMOR DISSAPEARED, THE LYMPH NODES WERE RESOLVED, ONE WAS A LITTLE SWOLLEN, BUT HIS RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WAS VERY GOOD. WE TRAVELED TO UPMC PITTSBURGH TO HAVE SURGERY WITH DR. JAMES LUKETICH. MERCY…
-
PSA Copy
As many of you may know from my previous posts, I co-host a podcast called Spooktalkular. We have been on hiatus since my diagnosis and treatment. Well, we are returning in a limited fashion so I wanted to do a spot for EC awareness to run during our breaks. Here's what I'm thinking. Open to all suggestions. --- Begin…
-
Susie
Susie, You and Brendon have been in my thoughts a lot lately. Will continue praying for you guys like so many others will! Danielle
-
It's Been A While, My Mom Passed Away 4/3/11
Hi all, I found this board in late 2009. My 55-year-old mom had just been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Stage 4A. After many surgeries and stents she got to enjoy summer of 2010. She amazed all of her doctors by doing so well. However, the tides turned in December. On April 3, 2011, just two days after telling us she…
-
5FU Continuous Infusion
The past couple of times I have been at the Cancer Center, I performed an informal, non-scientific visual poll. I was the only one out of a packed house with the continuous infusion pump. I am on a 24x7 5FU pump. Is this rare or was I just there at an off time. I am in my third week on it and you almost get used to it but…