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Sad news for Ed and Us
This week was very very sad news for all of us, Ed has been put on Hospice care at home as of yesterday, don't know what to say, I am lost and sad and don't even have the words to express how I am feeling. He is in bed most of the time, has problems walking probably from the brain met, etc., Diana is having an extremely…
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Study shows patients who start palliative care early live longer
Cancer strategy: Easing the burden By Stephen Smith Boston Globe Staff / August 19, 2010 By the time doctors diagnosed Jim Windhorst with lung cancer, the disease was already on the march, gnawing through vertebrae and ribs. He got the standard treatments, chemotherapy and radiation, but was also offered something less…
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Grandpa - 85 - Stage IV - post chemoradiation, entering chemo round 2
Hello everyone - My grandpa, Norman, is 85 years young and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year at stage II. He underwent 7 weeks of chemoradiation and a subsequent PET scan showed he was cancer-free. A couple months later another PET scan showed that the cancer was back, but localized where the esophagus meets…
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William Help
Ok at the doctor today Greg had Chemo.This is his forth round of Carbosplatin of 8 treatments , he will have 8 total. While there the last time I asked the doctor what Greg had , she said T4N1Mo Larynx Squamous Cell Cancer , That it Metastic to both Lungs. This time I asked her is the Esophageal cancer she said not it was…
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Long term metastatic cancer survivors and Hope
All, In doing research on EC metastasizing to the liver I found this article titled “Living on the Edge” - A growing population of patients have emerged: long-term metastatic cancer survivors. available at http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/1463 (cut and paste the link in your…
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Experience with nutrition via port?
Hi All - My Dad's oncologist recommended nutrition via his port. Does anyone have experience with this? I've seen postings related to feeding tubes but not this approach. Background: He's 85, diagnosed July 09, stage IV with mets to the liver. Recently underwent SIR-spheres but is not "bouncing back" like he should be.…
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Coughing
Hello everyone, it has been quite a while since I've posted about my mom. Things had been going pretty well. Now lately she is back to having coughing fits and bouts with gas (burping). Today, her 56th birthday of all days, was actually a pretty miserable one with her barely getting a break from the coughing. Has anyone…
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update my father in law
My father in law is on his seventh week of chemo for stage 3. Every 21 days he gets injections of Epirubicin Hydrochloride and Cisplatin. Every week he gets a new bottle of Flourouracil for his 'port' infusion. Now he gets severely chapped lips where he can't eat or drink without pain. Twice he has been to emergency for…
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Has anyone had this problem????
I wrote somewhere else on the board but can't find it, so will repeat here. I've been in the hospital a few days now because I couldn't eat even liquids for several days. I had the Ivor Lewis 3 months ago and have had this issue over & over. It's not dumping, diahrrea or reflux. Even dehydration doesn't explain it since…
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Who is the best, what hospital is the best - help!!!
My husband was diagnosed yesterday with EC. He is 42 and in excellent health and excellent shape. This was a huge shock to everyone including the Dr. we all thought acid reflux, hernia - no big deal. The entire lower 1/3 of his abdomen is covered with tumors and the esophagus is nearly blocked. We go for the CAT scan…
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Human Papillomavirse
When my husband was Dz with Larynx sqamous Cell cancer. He was in a study group , They seam to think that this cancer was passed from MOther to child. My husband never smoked or drank. His mother died of Ovarian cancer when he was 9. My father also died of Esophageal cancermy father was a smoker and dranker. Dad's mother…
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Topic of Cancer by Christopher Hitchens Sept. Vanity Fair
Author Christopher Hitchens was diagnosed with EC in June. He wrote an article about his journey so far. He will be writing more and spreading the word. You can google it & read it on line. Kathy
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esophagas cancer metatosis to colon
My husband was diagnosed with esophagas cancer in Janurary, he went through 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. April 19th he had a 12hour surgery, went in to respitory failer, and was in a coma for 8 days. He is home and doing better, except that when he eats about 20 minutes later he is in pain down towards his lower…
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What's next?
Well I'm back. After being diagnosed last Jan. with stage 4b cancer. I was all but told that I was not long for this world. I have made my peace with God and asked for his strength to follow this path. As of Aug. 9th after my last PET scan. I'm told that all tumors are gone and nothing showed up on the last 2 scans. My…
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an update on Ed
Well we have had a horrible week again, the doctors cannot seem to find the cause of ed's high blood pressure problem for a week, they have changed med's, increased/decreased decadrone, adding new b/p med's. It has been a week from hell!!!!!!! He is very very weak, I believe some of this is from post radiation to his…
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encountering trouble again.....
My ivor Lewis was mid-May and until the last 2 weeks, I've had multiple complications digestively. The last 8 days have been smooth - able to eat, hydrate & maintain the same low weight the whole time. Today, I couldn't eat at all and felt full. Bowels haven't moved in 3 days but til then had been quite frequent and…
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I just wanted to touch base and let
All of you know that not a day goes by where I dont think of you all. The last couple months have been wicked for me. I just cant get over the fact that I lost my father from something that the DR's failed to look into knowing what type of patient he was. If he was at presby I know for sure it would of been done on the…
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Added costs of living with EC and other forms
Hi Everyone, Can anybody relate to the financial implications of seeking cancer treatment? For example, in my early process I have many things on my mind like work. Will I need short-term or long-term disability from my employer which only pays 67% of my pay. What will happen to my bills such as the mortgage? I know that I…
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what to do when someone keeps saying they won't get cancer?
Hi, Just wondering if anyone on the board has ever encountered someone saying what you consider a really stupid remark to you regarding cancer? This person was visiting us before my surgery and said it and she continues to say it. Just had her here for a week and I keep shaking my head. She does not believe people should…
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Support for the journey
I can't help but notice that nearly all of this board's members seem to have a loving partner! What a wonderful and critical asset this must be during such trying times. Having a husband or wife to oversee hydration, weight, diet, meds, etc and advocate with the medical system when the ill partner is too weak to do so is a…
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Question about chemo drug
Wondering if anyone has had the drug called, Irinotecan (CPT-11). Brand name: Camptosar? Hubby is going back into treatment with above drug and 5-fu, cisplatin. He had the 5-fu and cisplatin the first round. The Irinotecan is new to him. Thanks for any info.
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Weird Dreams - mystery solved
I found out what was causing my husband to start having strange experiences. Last evening I noticed that when he would keep drifting off, he would use his hands and be reaching for something. But it wasn't until I went to bed later that he started talking and hands moving. I asked what he said and one time it was a job…
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Ivor Lewis
I keep seeing this surgery slammed over & over and it's getting to me. I did have this surgery three months ago and have had many complications but these were due to causes unrelated to the type of surgery I had. I have a problem believing that the finest medical center in the modern world - Mayo Clinic- would consistently…
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Weird Dreams Stage IVb w/mets in the Spine and lymph nodes
Can anyone tell me if they experienced weird dreams that seem to continue (3 days) every time my husband tries to sleep. He said it is always the same dream (like he goes out a door and cannot return) like he is in another world!!! I asked his Chemo nurse today, if she has heard of anyone else having these type dreams. NO…
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slydog11 and others
Written for you today august 10, 2010. FOR YOU. I read your stories and laughed and I cried. I understand the way you feel. I wish I could take you in my arms I wish I had the power to heal. It breaks my heart when things go bad I rejoice with you when things go well. I have nothing that I can give to you. Only experiences…
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My EC Story
I spent an hour writing my story earlier today but it refused to complete "submit", so I'll try again. I've just recently found this site & realize only now how important the details are. Here's my story. For over a year I had difficulty swallowing pills at times. At times, painful heart-attack like spasms occurred. I…
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lost health insurance - checkup how often
EC stage 11, did the chemo and rad then I had surgery at duke on Feb 2010 and I Had one cat scan in July 2010 that look good. I am losing my health isurance the end of this month. How often should I go and get a scan, can't afford often. Do think it would be ok if I don't go. What check or blood test could I do or should I…
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staging question
I asked about this in another post but can't recall which one. Another member had the identical staging as mine but mine was Stage III and his only Stage IIB. I'm wondering how this can be?? I was T2 N1 M0. Is this Stage III or IIB???????
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affects of chemo and rad.
Have had 3 chemo sessions and 15 trips to the micro-wave. The tumor was about size of ping pong ball. Now no appetite---8 ounces fills me---eating or drinking gives me hiccups and makes my nose run. So trying to eat and drink small amounts all day long and of course have hiccups all day long. Have not had any vomiting,…
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interesting question.......
I've wondered for years how it is that breast cancer - far less deadly and less common than esophageal cancer - gets 25 times the research, press, attention, etc. I'm sure this is true of several other types of cancer, too.