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Post surgerical follow up -- what now?
Following radiation and chemo I had laproscopic surgery in March to remove tumor and a CT scan in June showed everything OK. I was told that there is no protocol of regular CT or PET scans for follow up, just to react if there are any symptoms (unlike rectal cancer, for example, where there are annual CT scans and…
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discouraged about using this site.......
I was so excited to discover this venue and have day to day interaction with others going through what I am. Unfortunately, my few posts have not resulted in one personal reply so it feels like I'm talking in an echo chamber. If this doesn't change, I don't think I'll continue participating. Perhaps it's a club with closed…
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New treatment
Jim has started a new treatment for the tumors in his liver. We are now in San Antonio and he had chemoembolization for the largest tumor on Wednesday. Everything went well and he has no pain or problems relating to the treatment. After the CT scan, he was told that his tumors were not a good match for having any of the…
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Swallowing Problem Question
My dad was dx with EC 4-mets to the liver 3 weeks ago. He started chemo right away. The first couple of days after chemo his swallowing improved. Since then it has been so up and down. Some days he feels like he can barely swallow liquids then the next day he is able to eat popcorn and fried shrimp! There also does not…
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Erbitux
Esophageal Cancer News Erbitux® May Improve Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus Researchers from Germany have reported that Erbitux® (cetuximab) improves response rate, time to disease progression, and overall survival of patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma receiving Platinol® (cisplatin) and…
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Extended Care for Esophagectomy Patients
I wanted to write a title for this post that indicates something which does not exist unless you're up for a nursing home setting. I was a vivacious, dancing grandma until six months ago when EC was discovered. I've written in another post that my post-surgical path has been wrought with complications. In the 2.5 months…
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How do I handle reflux or nausea without wishing I were dead????
I could handle incisional pain, childbirth, burns, almost any kind of pain but I cannot handle nausea! I've lost 20 pounds and am now a size 0 so hydrating & eating are about my very survival and the nausea makes it impossible to put anything in my mouth. My Ivor Lewis at Mayo Clinic was almost three months ago & I've been…
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Scans show no cancer at all...
We went up to the U. of Chicago for the results of my husband's CT...he's still cancer free..I'm sure some of you heard the sigh of relief. I took with us pictures of us in Alaska and my husband with the grand kids in Maine...just go back from there a few weeks ago...and thanked her for the year....she said to thank the…
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Anger: 45,000 Americans die every year because they lack health insurance
Some of us feel anger at the medical establishment... Some Americans are not getting treated for their illnesses and dying..so while the far right talks about "death panels" the reality is that 45,000 Americans die every year because they do not have health insurance. So what does that have to do with cancer? This system…
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Targeted Therapies for Esophageal Cancer by William P. Tew, David P. Kelsen, David H. Ilson
I am really unsure about posting this...I'll only post some of the abstract... I have found an article published in 2005 by some of the leaders at Sloan Kettering. It is intended to instruct other doctors ..so it is very technical and it is now 5 years old..so some information may now be out of date.. DO NOT READ THE…
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Lost
Hi Everyone. We lost our mother to EC last night at 11:15. Continue to do what you all do in supporting one another. You are awesome. Robyn
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Scan results tomorrow
My husband will find out his scan results tomorrow...it's been a year already. Please remember him in your prayers. orion
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Anyone a long term survior - what stage were you.
anoyone a long term survior and what stage were you? I am a survior baby (just 6 month since surgery). callie
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had surgery at duke on feb 05/2010. doing well, it will be ok.
I saw this web site and I want everyone to know there is hope. I was stage II. I know that i was lucky it wasn't worse. I had the chemo and rad. then surgery. It was a little tough but now I stated back to work full time and I am doing well. Takes a little time to learn how to eat just a little at a time. (to much and you…
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need help
I am a caregiver for my brother who has esophageal cancer, after 6weeks of radiation and 3 months of chemo the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. He was referred to the Mayo in Minn. with the hopes of surgery. This ordeal has started in Feb. and in July we were sent home with pallative care info. He did have a stent put in…
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International Patient - Review of Records by Mail
Hello everyone, My father-in-law was diagnosed last week with what looks like Stage4 EC. The cancer has metastasized to his liver & lungs. He has already undergone one chemo session, and is getting ready for his second on Aug13th. His oncologist (trained in the US) has a very good reputation, and many vouch for him. But I…
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update on Ed
Well it has been a week since Ed got out of the hosptal and his decadrone was increased, he is doing better since the med change. We are having a party Saturday at our house for our 25th wedding anniversary and having some friends/family over. It has been one struggling 10 months since he was first diagnosed. I have come…
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update on Mike
It has been a while since I posted again,I'm sorry for that. My work has been exhusting and no computer at the house right now either. I do however want to bring you up to date on Mike. recently he had another PET scan which showed an 80% reduction in cancer cells! The tumors were totally gone outwardly. Nothing new has…
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Sever reflux what to do?
My BIL started having severe reflux this morning and it scared my sister. She thought he was going to aspirate, but finally it has subsided. I need to know if others are having this problem and what are some solutions. He refused to eat breakfast and doesn't even want any liquid for right now. She was going to try to get…
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Update on Hubby - stage IVb
It's been awhile since I have posted and I wanted to let everyone know I still read the new posts. Our roller coaster has begun My husband has had 7 Radiation treatments and 2 Chemo's. They also put in his port on Monday. They insisted he needed a stent because of the size of tumor and this was done on 7/13/10 and so far…
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Looking for gentleman going to Mass General in Boston
I cannot seem to find your post that I was reading the other day, I am too from Boston, Ma. My husband was diagnosed last october with stage four with mets to liver, stomach and now brain. I hope you post under this posting so we can talk and see if we could help each other. thanks Linda
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New Diagnosis
Hello everybody, I am a brand new CSN member. I was diagnosed last Tuesday with EC stage 4 which has spread to the liver. Never in a million years did I expect to contract cancer and am terrified. I am going to Mass General and have just had a PT Scan. Any words of wisdom would be helpful. Thanks. Paul
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MD Anderson and Dr. Servan Shreiber
If it can't hurt you why not try eating foods that might offer protection against cancer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYSQMb64z8g The above video will describe some research that is beginning at MD Anderson: The Anticancer & MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Initiative The book is here:…
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Dad is getting re-staged this week at Sloan.
Hello. My father has T3N1 and finished chemo and radiation 4 weeks ago. He is getting a repeat EUS tomorrow and CT scan Friday at Sloan. Does anyone know how long it takes to get results and who gives them to us?
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Update on BIL
Hello everyone. My BIL (DAN) passed away today. He'd been battling EC for 18 mos. They told him Feb. 09 he was terminal, stage IV. They gave him 6 mos. He had aggressive chemo and radiation and eventually a stent put in. He was never a candidate for surgery. He told my SIL he didn't regret any of the treatments he had. I…
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EC and Type II diabetes
My husband was a well controlled by diet alone Type II diabetic prior to his DX of EC. Recent CT scan showed no problems. Doctors feel very good about "getting it all." Another scan in a couple of months or so. Recovery has been challenging but we're getting there. Handling "dumping" and food timing and getting him to eat…
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Update on Dale
Hi everyone, Been busy, trying to work, care for Dale in between the chemo tx, and twice per month trips to Tulsa for the treatments. Dale is doing well. We are going back to Tulsa from Kansas City for his third chemo tx on August 3rd. He has about seven days of severe weakness, numbness in his hands, and sensitivity to…