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Esophageal Cancer

Archives for June 2011

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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Glass Half Full -Good CT Scan
10 months ago, when my first post-chemoradiation CT scan showed that my primary tumor was gone and that there was "no evidence of disease", I had the audacity to think to myself that even though I was stage IV, I was cured. Well, I know better now, having gone through the shock and horror of recurrence. But with another…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
After MIE ?'s
Was wondering if some can share their experience after MIE surgery? I know a couple of u had surgery within days of my gpa may 16 and was wondering how u r doing? My gpa is doing well he goes back next week for his first check up after the MIE. Is there a chance the feeding and drainage tubes will b taken out? My grandma…
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…
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…
"Small hiatal hernia present" (September 2005) And what might have been..
During the initial phase of testing in 2010, the doctor who performed the endoscope tried to prepare us for what he suspected. "I don't like the looks of this", he said; "You probably had this for years and never knew it". Later testing confirmed Stage IVb esophageal adenocarcinoma. Really? Not know having Barrett's and a…
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…
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
Oh, Lord I'd Love a Pizza
Well, one week of treatment down........month of June and my last radiation is the day after Independence Day (how appropriate) No real side effects (yet) from the chemo/radiation although I am extremely tired and I'm beginning to feel that "burning" sensation where they're "burning" me. Swallowing is becoming a bit more…
Gpa is doing well
Hi everyone! Gpa is doing well. He has up until this point lost 14 lbs. his MIE was on May 16th. He goes back to Pitt next week. We were wondering what the chances are of all of the tubes being taken out then? Also, he is only allowed to have 6 oz. of a full liquid diet. How long will this diet last? when can you start to…
An update on dad
Hi, Just wanted to write a quick note and say thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. I have posted a new journal entry at my dad's caring bridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/harrycollins2/journal I am going to try to update that and probably not post as many updates here right now. We have been able to…
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…
Hi all, abit of a grrrrrrhhhhh
Hi all Didn't know who else to grrrrrhhhhhh at so sorry its you guys, the public health system in NZ is broken, they have put my hubby on a waiting list for his throat stretch can you believe that, on one hand they tell us to measure his life in months not years and they put him on a waiting list for something that would…
From Alex59 Reposting as was at last of a post
alex 59 very wary at the moment from scotland new last satarday i decided to go to hospital i was having slight shortness of breath when talking although i still cycle 5 miles per day without shortness of breath they took an x ray and kept me in as they said it was abnormal i still eat quite well and only just started to…
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…
Any experience large amount of blood in urine?
Jim has been recovering slowly and today told me he had blood in his urine. It is a large amount and by the time he told me it was too late to call the doctor. He is on Coumadin and is having his levels checked tomorrow. When I saw his urine tonight it was very red and he said it wasn't anything like this morning. I will…

Esophageal Cancer

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