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Thanks to all of you
Thank you all for your information about being so tired after EC surgery. You have no idea how much you have helped us and made us feel secure that Bill is right where he should be. We know it's different for everyone, but all of your advice helped us so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! God bless, Kateel
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Bill is so very tired........
Bill had his esophagectomy 3 months ago and has actually had his j-tube removed because he was eating well on his own. He has not had to have chemo or radiation since they caught his cancer so early. But he is having such a hard time getting his strength up. He is literally exhausted when he does the least little thing. He…
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Roll-on. I have reposted your question here. Esophagectomy-Post Radiation-Bleeding
Esophagectomy-Post Radiation-Bleeding new I hope I haven't intruded? I am male, 71 year old, 3 years Post surgury and 1 1/2 years post radiation with a T III diagnosis. Surgury was successfully performed by Dr Ross Bremner, Surgical Director, Center for Thorasic Disease, St Joseph Hospital, Phoenix, AZ (602.406.4000). A…
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Rest in Peace, Dad
A couple of you have followed the bits of my dad's story that I have posted, and I'm writing tonight to say that he passed away July 23. He never even got to the surgery. Had he had a feeding tube from the beginning, things might be different now... and I don't go down that "what if" road with anyone; just saying it here,…
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Dumping is real!
Just though I'd share this. I hadn't eaten much today so I decided to drink an Ensure to add a few calories. I took car to make sure it wasn't chocolate because that's on m no list. Well, bad idea. Shortly after I drank it, my stomach started cramping and I was sick for the next two hours. Post-op is a learning experience.…
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Update on my dad
Hello all, Things have been a whirlwind since we found out about dad's EC, as I am sure you all know too well. When dad went in to meet with the surgeon in Miami it seemed as though surgery would be the plan after shrinking the tumor with a few rounds of chemo. However, the PET scan he took had showed some "suspicious"…
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I'm back (I think)
Well, today marks my 4 week date since MIE in Pittsburgh. I'm probably back about 60-70% to normal. I'm still fairly sore and I rest a lot during the day. I'm averaging about a pound a day weight loss. I know I should be eating more but I'm still trying to take it easy on my new stomach. I'm still on soft food. I've got…
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message from my hubby, re: eating
Hello everyone, this is Chantal's husband Lee. What a wonderful resource this board is. Great to see a bunch of people come together and help and support each other. I wanted to take a moment to write about my dilemma, as I've not been able to find much info online. Over the last few months, I've built up an incredibly…
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Last day of radiation!
Hi gang, My husband Jeff will be moving up to sophmore status at 5pm today. He is very excited to complete this first round of treatments and begin working out in prep for surgery. He has been lifting weights during treatment, and he has a job where he is active. For all of those folks who are just starting treatment and…
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Update from Callaloo
Thanks so much to all of you for being here, even if I haven't been. Your caring thoughts mean so much to me. As William guessed, I have been struggling with the increasingly harsh side effects of the Xeloda. I think it has built up in my system. I took a couple weeks off to try to clear it out, but the break wasn't long…
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Lost
Well where to start today . Mother was told a $5500 charge for just a first time visit was in store for the Moffit Center. So that was the iceing on the cake as far as a second opinion goes , as last week the Mayo Clinic did the same . I tried to get her to stay in the state and go to Piedmont where she gave me a kidney in…
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port time and radation - need some imput on radation effects please.
Mom's having a port put in the morn. I took it upon myself to call the Moffit Center today to see if they had Mom's records. They did and said that she is in a non-insurance program i guess , and will hopefully call with news of an appointment for a second opinion next week and to have some other eyes on her , I hope. In…
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Dealing with side effects of Irinotecan
Hi All -- Any tips for dealing with the lovely side effects of Irinotecan (or "I Run To the Can" as the nurses call it)? My husband just finished round two of his second six-week cycle and is frustrated by the diarrhea and to a lesser extent the nausea. Currently he's taking Diphenoxylate-Atropine alternating with…
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Does anyone feel guilty? (family member)
Good morning to all. As some of you know, my dad has EC. I live in Florida and my dad lives in NJ. I am lucky as I can see him on almost a monthly basis. However, I feel so guilty when I do or even think about doing 'fun things'. I feel bad telling him about what my family and I did on a Saturday because I know where he…
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Genetic news
I found the below article while searching the Internet. Has anyone been tested for those genes? July 26, 2011 -- Researchers have discovered three genetic mutations that may play a role in the development of esophageal diseases, a study shows. The esophageal diseases that may be affected by the mutations include esophageal…
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Surgeon Recommendations & General MIE questions
Hello EC board! My mother has recently been diagnosed with EC (adenocarcinoma). While I have not received official staging from her oncologist, I believe she is Stage II (tumor is contained in esophagus, though it is in the wall; one small adjacent lymph node is involved). She has begun her eight week chemo and radiation…
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ritalin
I just read mruble (Mary's) blog which is given a link on her profile page...... what a story! I would recommend giving it a read when you have some time to spare. One thing she mentioned is that her hubby was given ritalin for fatigue control. From there I did some research, and found many sites which supported this. Has…
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Where is Calaloo
I miss you Lu. Hoping all is well. If anyone has heard anything please post. love Barbara
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cat scan to check for free air in abdomen
Hi, my husband had the MIE last Friday. He is having some complications. A-fib, which they say is possible after cardiac-thoracic surgery and hopefully will convert to normal sinus rhythm with the meds. The one thing I don't understand is that they are doing a cat scan on his abdomen to check for "free air". Does anyone…
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Birthday Blessings
Saturday Rickie celebrated his 55th birthday! It is a day 10 months ago we were afraid we would not get to celebrate. I want to thank everyone here for their support, love, and most of all prayers, that have allowed us to come this far. Everyday is a blessing and I know how lucky we are. After his esophageal stretch last…
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Suggestion for Newbies and some Oldies
I would like to give a suggestion to some of the "newbies" as well as some "oldies" on this discussion board. It would be most helpful if everyone would post in their "About Me" page. I try to read this discussion board daily, but even then, with the amount of new people who have come on recently, it is difficult to keep…
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Don
Haven't posted for some time. Don is eating better but has had some other issues since last I wrote. 6 weeks ago he had Rotater Cuff Surgery. He is doing therapy but still has a lot of pain. He has lost more weight and can't seem to gain any back. Guess that is part of the process. He has been through a lot since his EC…
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A little good news
Hi all Just to let you know, it looks like Marks temperature is finally down, and we may be able to bring him home tomorrow. I took him up some minestrone soup for his lunch which he ate with a vengance, and then he felt like macaroni cheese for his tea, which again he really enjoyed, I always feel better when I know he is…
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He's winding down now
We are talking now about hospital beds and commodes and what our final wishes are. He now doesn't want to see anyone or even talk on the phone. From what I've read on the Hospice website some kind person posted here a few weeks ago, this is all to be expected, this social withdrawal. I am hoping, with the help of Hospice,…
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Really Already Agravated
My mother has worked all her life , some 25 years straight. Gave me a kidney in 2007 , just that kind of person didnt think twice. She was the first to get laid off , and had more time than anybody in the company.Now with no insurance just cant afford the Mayo clinics door. So know we are searching for a 2nd opinion. We…
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My dad
Hi everyone..I'm writing about my dad 78yrs young stage 4 ec , pet scan showed it has spread to his spine. Starts chemo monday, I'm hoping someone can tell me what to expect, I know no 2 people are alike but the possibilites of maybe what might happen..he is getting Cisplatin and another drug , he will go once a week for…
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Pain AFTER j-tube
Two months after the MIE, Tom is generally doing fine. He says he feels 75% back to normal. But he is still experiencing some occasional pain and continues to take pain medications. I was wondering if anyone has experienced pain in the area where j-tube was places AFTER the tube has been removed. And if so how long before…
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Thank you all
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. It's a great feeling knowing there are so many people praying for you. Thank you all for listening. Jen
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Vacation cut short/major setback/chins up
I haven't posted for several weeks. I was on what was supposed to be a three week vacation that was cut short a week due to the fact that my esoph.closed up while I was at Epcote. That was a shock. I was fine at breakfast and could not get tea down for lunch. As we were 15 hours from UVA, I was hysterical. We made the trip…
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Mayo vs small town
Good morning to all , I truely hope we all have a better weekend and a better next week , but take it just one day at a time is all anybody can do. Mother was staged iv last week. I guess she was thinking the whole time it would be low stage for not feeling any effects? So now the small town clinic is putting a port in…