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Hello
Hi All, I have been following your posts since early summer. This is my second post to your family group. I posted to Lee and Chantal yesterday. I mostly post to the lymphoma and thyroid boards, as I have both cancers at this time. I feel a bit lost and unsure where to fit in. I have not come across any one with my unique…
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Chemosmoker - how are you feeling?
How are you feeling? Any resolution on your back problems? I'm hoping it's weather-related.
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Prayers and Thoughts to Jan101 in the loss of her husband
A dear friend and former coworker, Jan101, has lost her husband to a Stage IV battle with EC. Jan brought me to CSN when she heard of my husband's EC diagnosis. She has been a silent reader here during her husband's Stage IV journey. I know Jan followed many posting the Stage IV path here. Jan's husband was recently able…
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What to expect 3-6 weeks after surgery - getting through it.
My 64 year old father just had robotic surgery to remove a tumor. He has been strong and positive since he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer the weekend of father's day. He went through the radiation and chemo with minimal issues. (Not easy, scary moments, but we got through that.) The expected 6-8 hour surgery lasted 8…
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Stent, Surgery, Tube, or Radiation??
Hello all, My father in law has stage 4 Adenocarcinoma in the lower esophagus. He's completed only two sessions of chemo, which he was tolerating well. He was still eating solids, even sandwiches, until about a week ago. Then he suddenly had trouble even with liquids. Started to lose weight quickly. Oncologist put off next…
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Pittsburgh or bust
My wife and I leave for Pittsburgh tomorrow to find out what the mysterious hotspot could be on my recent PET. I've spent the weekend in a bit of a depression. I was so close to going back to work. My incredible employer has held my position for me for six months now even though they are very short staffed. I am holding…
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Percentage (%) of esophagus removed during surgery? Lower esophagus/ stomach junction.
Hi all, At my mom's pre-op appointment, the surgeon said 65% of her esophagus will be removed. Out of curiosity, I'd like to take a poll of the percentage removed for those who have undergone surgery. Mostly because my mom is convinced 65% is too much, and I'm trying to convince her it isn't and she should allow the…
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I am dying
To all my special csn friends and especially my csn brother Eric; I've been basically told today that my treatment options have come down to pain relief and waiting, and that I've come to the end of my life. I intend to write more when I can about the medical details, but currently I can't really walk as my legs and…
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Will to survive
While I was waiting in the lobby during my mom's radiation session, the next person for treatment sat next to me. She looked to be in her 60's . 3 years ago, she fought breast cancer. Now she is fighting colon cancer with chemo/radiation. Then she will have surgery. then they will send her home with 5 months of continuous…
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swelling in the legs
Hi all, not much of an update tonight, but more of a question..... Lee's left foot started swelling about a month ago, nothing too alarming, we didn't even notice it until the doctor pointed it out at one of his visits. She immediately sent him for a doppler ultrasound, which ruled out a blood clot. (thank God) Well, for…
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Getting ready for the party!
Hi guys, Just an update. This time last week I was really struggling to help Jeff feel better, chemo was kicking his butt! In the past week he has been started on daily hydration and we are using a feeding pump at night for added calories. Also there was a switch in his nausea meds. What the difference a week makes!! As I…
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Looking out at a different view....
Hi all! Not to harp on the subject by no means...I read another article today that really made a lot of sense to me and thought I would share it for any caregivers and patients out there that may be struggling with someone else's denial. This one focuses on why someone would remain in denial when facing the their imminent…
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Can someone help out JGwright? He needs answers....
Hello everyone, if you are like me, you probably read Jerry's post to read "Breast Cancer centers in Washington." He is actually looking for a cancer center in Washington and is flailing around for information. Please reply to his post here made today Oct. 29th entitled "Best Cancer Centers in Washington." THANKS!! Hugs,…
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Carolyn's Dad?
A while ago Carolyn's dad went in for surgery at UPMC. We had an update from her that the surgery was completed but that her dad was in ICU with blood clots in his lungs. They were giving him medication in hopes that the clots would resolve themselves. That is the last post I remember seeing from Carolyn. That was on…
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Downside to Hospice and Palliative care only with progression...PAIN questions...
Dear family, I have a note or thought to share upon waking today. It is not new just to today, but maybe the time to share it is right. I have been having new pains in my lower back, tailbone area, for a few weeks now. Seemed to come and go. At first, it felt more like I had slept on the wires on my electric blanket and…
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**1st post** MIE at UCSF vs. UC Irvine w/ Dr. Nguyen with MediCal?
Hi all, Been reading and learning tons of info here thelast couple months. What a fantastic group. My mom was diagnosed at the end of July and finished treatment at UCSF on Oct. 6th. Initial staging is adenocarcinoma- t3n1m0, stage 3 She went through 5 once/ week chemo- cisplatin and taxol + 23 daily radiation treatments.…
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Whitney
Hi Just wanted to see how your day went, I know you visited the Onc today, concerned. Ann
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Best Cancer centers in Washington State
Well, just found out the worst today. I have stage IV esophageal cancer. The info came from Dr. Tom Tucker in Wenatchee WA. I want another opinion. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only smart thing to do. Recommendations??? --Jerry
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Denial
I read this in an article I posted a while back. Just thought I would share it again for anyone new that may be dealing with denial or knows of someone dealing with denial. Denial is our emotional buffer. It's an unconscious mechanism that cushions us against the painful events in our life. It's a way we can feel safe from…
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Possible Bad News
I just had my post-op PET/CT today and unfortunately, I had some hot spots show up. One was near my ear but the physician said that may possibly be related to an ear infection he is treating. One is near the diaphram which could be related to the surgery. The last one is a lymph node near the esophagus. That is the one…
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UPDATE ON LEEINLONDON (Lee In London)
Hello family. I just received a message from Lee from the hospital and I have a progress report he has asked me to summarize for everyone so we can all wish him well and pray for him, and of course know what;s going on with his case: First, Lee had a blood transfusion to replace the lost blood. The brown liquid leaking…
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Epidemic of EC according to hospital
I just got a phone call from a friend of mine who lives outside of Boston, Mass. She just heard on the radio that according to Massachusetts General Hospital there is an EPIDEMIC of Esophageal cancer in men over the age of 50. It all starts with the acid reflux and then leads to Barretts Esophagus which most of us knows…
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Prayers for Kim Priest's dad Kenny Heburn
Hi, I am one of the older EC members and I just wanted to post a request for thoughts and prayers for Kenny Heburn who was dx'd and operated on a day before I was in 12/09. He was stage III and had the full esophagectomy if my memory serves right. His daughter Kim Priest wrote on this board often and is a very strong…
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I'm back
I've been away for about a week. We decided to get away for a few days so we headed to North Carolina to see my wife's mother then headed to Myrtle Beach for a couple of days. I have my first post-op PET/CT tomorrow so I'm a good bit freaked out. I worry that it will find something but who amongst us doesn't worry when…
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Good Report Today
Mother met with her oc today with good news! The petscan showed NO evidence of cancer in esphagus and her abdomen!! BUT there is still a lymphnode around the area of the collarbone , the area she first seen the knot. So now she starts radation mon - 5 days a week , 5 weeks followed by 1 more chemo i think. The doc said you…
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PICC Inserted today
Mom had her PICC line inserted today. Tomorrow they hook up pump and her bag of chemo (5FU), which will drip into her 24/7 for I don' know how long. (I'll know tomorrow.) Tomorrow night at 7 pm she goes for her first radiation treatment. Rads will continue every day for 30 days excluding weekends. I am trying to find a…
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Hospitalization
Dear ec friends, It seems like our little world is falling apart the last few days. Since I last posted we returned home from Houston on Saturday with Rickie not feeling well. I had noticed him dragging somewhat on Friday, put just chalked it up to fatigue what with appointments every day. Then I noticed him kind of…
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Help- Please share what you know about this POST-OP situation for them!!
Has anyone who has had surgery to remove cancer from their esophagus, and then AFTER surgery has returned home and supposedly started mending, but INSTEAD started having stomach SPASMS that seem unexplained by their nurses and doctors? This question was posted to the board and I have yet to see anyone sharing that they had…
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Just a little bit about Greg
Thank you all so much for your kind words. You have all been so kind and supportive I'd just like to share a few things about him with you. My husband was a wonderful, giving man. He was a Viet Nam Veteran and a father to our two children. We live in Minnesota and for the past three years, since I retired, we've spent our…
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from freaked out to terrified
Well, Lee posted this morning that he was headed back to the hospital. We were there all day and all evening. There was a lot of confusion, between residents, doctors, nurses and god only knows who else..... Long story short, once again, no room at the inn so to speak. They wanted to admit him back to palliative care but…