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Esophageal Cancer

Archives for September 2010

Second endoscopic procedure
Eight weeks in to Stage IVb chemo with a 30% reduction in tumor size I've developed acute pain at times when eating or drinking at the location of the tumor. Oncologist has theories but has scheduled another endoscopy to confirm basis of problem. Has anyone else had similar problems? Like I said, it comes and goes and does…
A huge "thank you" to all
To all my friends and especially Willam: I want to thank you all for everything you have done throughout this horrible year. I read each and everyone of your posts and especially yours William, a big thank you to you for everything, especially keeping Ed and my Mom's tribute for one year. What can I say? I have endured a…
Pre-existing kidney impairment and chemo
Since I have been reading so much about cancer and chemo, etc, I got to wondering what would I do if I was faced with having to deal with a diagnosis of cancer somewhere between my head and toes. I have been diagnosed with mild type 2 diabetes, and most recently my doctor mentioned my kidneys were "spilling protien".…
Chest still numb-Surgery 6 weeks ago
Well, we are 6 weeks out from surgery, Ivor Lewis-Minimally Invasive-Robotic Assist. Doing well, and few eating issues. My husband still feels numbness in his chest and in both little fingers. Has anyone experienced this? And does the feeling ever come back? He also has quite a bit of pain in the right chest area where…
How long have you survived??
Saw this on the throat and head cancer board and thought it would be nice if we did a roll call of sorts saying our survival time since we were diagnosed with EC. If you want include your initial staging. Just to give hope for all of us: Mine is 15 months from my dx in 7/09 and was staged at T3N1MO and now they say stage…
My Dad
Dear all Let me start off by saying what a wonderful forum this is for people like myself who are having to come to terms with a loved one falling victim to this terrible illness. I have been lurking on this website for the past few weeks or so since my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As I mentioned its been…
Had Endoscopic Procedure Today
I went for this test today. Been having alot of trouble swallowing, and pain between my shoulder blades when I do manage to eat. After the test today I was kinda out of it waking from deep sedation. Confused by what my doctor told me as I was waking up. He told me he took biopsies, dilated my esophagus and at this time…
New mets
Jim has had back pain since March, right at the end of radiation. For a week, though, it has been so severe we had to up his pain medication. Nothing lit up on the PET scans, so on Friday he had another MRI to see if there is a fracture, and YES! There is a fracture which has been cemented. However, his back pain has not…
Surgery or no surgery?
My husband, Dan, was diagnosed this January with early stage squamous cell esophageal cancer, high up in his neck. After a successful chemo + radiation treatment, there seems to be no evidence of cancer. But the surgeon and gastrologist on our team are strongly recommending surgery. The scary part of this is the location…
Tightness in Throat - like you are being choked
My Mom had a laryngectomy for throat cancer in April and had another surgery one month ago. She is going through a second round of chemo. It has been an ongoing concern of hers that she always feels as though she is being choked, like their is pressure against her windpipe. We know that there are more small tumors in her…
Update on Mother and Mother In Law
Just wanted to thank all of you for your support, my Mother, my best friend lost her battle w/SCLC w/mets last Thursday... My Mother In Law, who was dx with esophageal cancer late June, will go under the care of hospice, her treatments are not working...she has went from 129 pounds to 83 pounds in this short time....…
Pet scan update on my dad
We got the results of my dad's PET scan last week. It's taken me some time decide how I feel about it. I wasn't there to hear it from the dr and able to ask questions. Dad is stage 4. After 2 rounds of chemo and 2 months they said there is little change so they are calling it Stable. The primary tumor had grown a little in…
Nebraska Connection Roll Call
I see there are a few of us from NE. Anybody want to do a little roll call? I've kind of felt alone out here, you know the middle of nowhere with only cornfields and no indoor plumbing, ;-) Just kidding. But if you have traveled and told people you are from Nebraska that is their impression. I'll start, My name is Deb. I…
another sad update
another very sad day for us. My mom passed away last night at the same hospital as Ed did last week from complications from copd, her kidneys shut down. It is another very very sad day in our lives as we prepare her funeral today. My birthday is also today, not much in the mood for birthdays. I will miss her so much, I…
Esophagus will not stay open...suggestions?
I am a 4 year EC survivor. I had chemo/radiation followed by an esophagectomy in Dec. 2006. I have done well overall, but have been having great difficulties keeping my throat open, lately. I have a bougie dilator at home but cannot get it through both strictures. My endo. doctor is frustrated, and I am frustrated with…
Just wanted to post a update
Its been awhile sinse I posted a update on hubby. He is doing well. He is currently in treatment as out patient. We go two mondays then off a monday. We have completed two of these rounds and ready for a week off. He is tolerating it well. We did have low blood counts one week, but they bounced back so chemo resumed. He is…
New Member-March diagnosis-August surgery
I have been reading advice on the site for some time, and decided I needed to quit being a "Peeping Linda", as William would put it and be an active participant! My husband, Bob, age 56 at diagnosis of esophageal cancer March 31, 2010. Originally diagnosed at stage 2-3 due to the fact that they couldn't get the ultrasound…
Good CT Scan results
Good news yesterday! First CT Scan results after two rounds of chemo showed no further spreading and a 30% reduction in tumor size. And gained two pounds! This does wonders for your spirits and according to some lore I've read from you wonderful people signifies a birthday of sorts for us. I just wanted to share some good…
False positive lymph nodes...anyone have any experience with this?
The PET scan impression: Interval development of moderate increased glucose metabolism in left hilar and subcarinal nodes suggesting recurrent neoplasms. The oncologists interpretation..... This PET scanner is extremely sensitive ...only three others that good in the world. I think it is just picking up inflamed lymph…
New chemo plan
Hi all- Sorry I haven't updated since my worries with Lou's dilation 2 weeks ago. The dilation went well. The doctor was quite pleased that Lou's esophagus was not brittle and it stretched well. He will scope again next month to see if it needs more stretching. That was a good news day.....we were relieved. The next day we…
Help Please
My Dad (62 years old) was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer August 13th 2010(Stage 3). He has just finished his first week of Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy and it did not go well. The doctors did blood work today and he was in kidney failure so they gave him fluids. I am not sure what I should do to help him thru this…
SirSpheres in Colorado
Well, we are in Colorado. Our doctor is really amazing, he actually prayed over my husband--now that is humility, when you know that you are only the tool and God is the healer. We could not get insurance to cover the spheres, but we know Layne needs them. Therefore, we self paid by scrimping, saving, begging, pleading and…
What a wonderful site
What a wonderful site. Daily I am amazed by the compassion, understanding and helpfulness that is offered to frightened posts from patients and/or their caregivers, still in shock from the diagnosis or suffering grief from the loss of a loved one. I know it has been of great benefit to us. If you are a caregiver you might…
Update on Diana and I
We had Ed's memorial Saturday, it was beautiful. Diana and I are doing ok. I think there is some sort of relief within both of us that he is at peace now. It was a long, horrible year for all three of us and I believe that God decided to take my husband because none of us could go on any longer, especially Ed. I want to…
Update on Mom Ginny
Hello EC family Thank you for your replies, thoughts, and prayers. As of Friday we found out that mom's leg test results were that she has P A D. This is peripheral artery disease. This is common in diabetics. So....first things first. Catherization done to see if there are blockages in her heart. If so, bypass surgery.…
my mother-in-law
my mother in law had her oesophagus removed today. shes only 64.she was diagnosed on 6 july this year.she was already very sick having lost alot of weight and only went to her doctor because she had such difficulty swallowing. im afraid i can only guess what stage cancer she had at diagnosis because she and my father in…
Ed's memorial today
well William, I just read your very lost and somtimes funny, sometimes sad, posting to me. We buried our Ed today, we had his memorial this morning, many many people were present, the one person who was not there was my Mom, who is in the hospital unable to attend. I thought I would have very mixed feelings the day I sat…
Chemo-embolization
Jim had his second chemo-embolization last Tuesday. Had no side effects for the first 24 hours, then they kicked in! He's been nauseous and feels like he has a BAD case of the flu. We had a prescription for Phenergan, but that makes him loopy, so he's only taking 1/2 a tablet at night and last night we cut that in half.…
Needed Prayer for my Mom
Hello my ec family, This is not concerning ec, but I am reaching out to all of you here to ask for daily prayer for my mom. She has been diagnosed with a leaking heart valve. She is 67. She is also a diabetic. The cardiologist is recommending a catherization to see if there are any blockages, and replacing the leaking…
Barrett's is back
I had an esophagectomy 5 years ago and now early stages of Barrett's are returning. My biggest concern is obviously the return of esophageal cancer but I also am constamtly coughing in the night due to acid reflux irritating the Barrett's location. I sleep elevated but have really found no relief. Does anyone have any good…

Esophageal Cancer

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