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Esophageal Cancer

Archives for November 2011

Where is Callaloo
Hi Lu Are you o.k? I miss seeing you post. Please let us know how you are. Love Barb
Where is Callaloo
Hi Lu Are you o.k? I miss seeing you post. Please let us know how you are. Love Barb
New to board, father in bad shape, looking for info
Hi everyone, My father was diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal cancer just a couple of months ago it seems like. He was very quickly put into a 7 week treatment of both chemo and radiation. Week 5 of 7 came and the treatment was so brutal on him, he became "dangerously malnourished" and was rushed to the hospital where he…
Update on Rickie Prayers please
Dear EC friends, I haven't posted lately as we had been busy with going to radiation for 10 days. We finished that a week ago Wednesday, and Rickie was regaining the use of his right leg. He has been getting stronger and was actually able to eat a little better than usual. we were also running the feeding tube during the…
Surgery. It's been 7 months and he's still sick.
My husband Rod had his surgery back in April. I don't recall the name of the procedure. They removed the dead cancer along with most of his esophagus, and used his stomach to make an esophagus. He had prior heart surgery so they had to go through his back on his right side just under his shoulder blade and also in the…
Anybody heard from Cheryl?
As far as I can tell, Cheryl's last post was on 11/13 and that's a bit unusual. If you're onboard Cheryl, I know you're very busy but just let us know how Ricky is doing. We are all a bunch of worry warts, you know. Hugs to you Rita
What happened to optimism and support from doctors???
My 59 yr old father was diagnosed last week with Stage IV EC with affected lymph nodes in his stomach. His first and 2nd opinion doctors both basically told him they can't do anything for him. Other than having difficulty swallowing, he feels fine. They are doing 6 weeks radiation and 11 weeks chemo but said after that,…
Exciting progress in Esophageal Cancer research
All, Each year Kim Priest has helped coordinate through ECAN - the declaration of April as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. She introduced me to ECAN and this is a group that has been fighting to bring awareness to EC. Today I received an email below about exciting news I wanted to share with everyone. Kim will probably…
Big day tomorrow for Keith and Chad
For those not following the "Surgery Date Change" thread, this is just a reminder that Keith and Chad are having surgery tomorrow. Best of luck to both of you! You, your families and your surgical team will be in my prayers! Mary
Dumb things people say to you.....
Admist all the sadness and grief lately I wanted to share a few anecdotes of my life as a stage iv survivor since July 5th of this year. I have a good friend who is also stage iv with sarcoma--we have been talking and sharing walks and how people unintentially say dumb things to you. Or have no gravity of what stage iv…
I hate EC
If I could punch EC in the face I would. I would spit on it, stomp on it, curse at it, and set it on fire. I hate what it's done to my mom and all of the worries it's caused. I know people say, "it's life" Bull crap, how does a person who is so wonderful, so sweet, so taking care of everyone else be cursed with this awful…
Fevers
Husband was about to start chemo cycle # 7, EC is stage IV mets to nodes and liver. He started having fevers on Monday. He had a chest xray yesterday that was all clear, WBC was 8.5 within normal range. He has no symptoms, that would cause an infection and has no pain. Still handling chemo really well. He was put on an…
feeding tube difficulty
Has anyone that had a feeding tube had difficulty getting the cap off of the j-tube? My husband's seems to have stuck. We have tried everything. Luckily a couple of days ago he opted to stop tube feedings to see how he would do. However, I can't get the frickin cap off to do a flush. Is this something that happens when…
Missing my good friend and fellow insomniac....
I don't want to upset ANYONE especially Chantal, but man it's 4am, I am up, having my meds, waiting that required 15-45 minute window, to become 'human' and "feel" like Eric again, and Lee was always up too, right there with me, and man do I miss his charm and humor today. This pots is a celebration of his gifts for humor,…
Tom went for his CT scan today
They will call us tomorrow or Friday. Please keep him in your prayers. jan
Survivors of Risky Surgery - need support/feedback
My uncle is having surgery tomorrow morning and is T3N1MO - Squamous cell. The first few times that he was in the hospital with complications, they told him surgery was not an option because the placement of the tumor was in too tough a spot. They tried a different type of chemo to shrink it some but had no effect. He…
caregiver ?
Is there a special board like ours, that is specifically for caregivers of oncology patients ? Just wondering and couldn't find it. So, if there is one, could someone post a link. Thanks, Cora
Clinics in Germany
HI folks, My partner has completed his first round of chemo/radio and is Stage 4. we are interested in some of the treatment being offered in Germany, as it seems to combine traditional approaches with some more experimental modes. Of course this is not a cheap option and it seems that success is anecdotal...no published…
For Rita and Chantal
Rita and Chantal, We've been out of the country for several weeks and I'm just catching up. I am SO sorry to hear about your loss of Greg and Lee. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I am just in awe of you both! You are both still here, answering questions and offering encouragement to others. You are truly…
Any experience with CTCA?
We are in the process of getting a referral for a 2nd opinion and perhaps a more aggressive treatment plan. In the northeast, Sloan-Kettering has a 6 - 8 week wait for appointments and you can't be under treatment yet. We are now looking into the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia. Anyone ever dealt with…
Plz Help .....
HI, My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer almost 2 months back. After pet scan the finding were tht cancer hasnt spread to any other organ or lymp nodes , but they found a mildy fdg avid rounded enhancing lesion on left adernal gland , but the doctor said its a unlikely site for cancer to spread. The Pet SCan opinion…
Anybody need a good laugh???
OMG I laughed harder than I've laughed in a long time. There's a discussion thread on the Caregivers board titled, "You might be a caregiver if..." It's a side splitter! Enjoy Rita
A bit of fun
Yesterday I had a surprise birthday party for my twin grandsons. Mom has been with me since Saturday so she was here for the party. I'm so pleased to say that she was up, moving around, going outside to the sun, talking albeit hoarse, and even eating! She ate more than I've seen her eat in a week! She ate very small…
Insomnia Please Help
Hi guys my mom finished chemo and radiation 2 1/2 weeks ago. Next Friday we have a Pet scan. She is no longer on pain meds and for the last 4 days, she is having major insomnia. The doctor even prescribed her the extended release ambien and she is still only sleeping 3-4 hours a night. She said she keeps thinking about the…
HER 2 gene
Can anyone explain the significance of the HER 2 gene? I jsut came across one of my husbands test reports that said his EC was positive for the HER 2 gene. Problem is I don't ever recall the doc's mentioning it. thought I was pretty well versed on the ins and outs of this cancer, but don't have a clue on this one.
Ok can anyone help me
I have been looking on the old posts for over an hour now and can't find what I am looking for. Maybe someone else will remember seeing it or posted it. I know I read something about a treatment or therapy that began with an R. Something like Reiko or such. I think it was like a massage therapy or relaxation therapy, but…
Statistics
I saw mam132's mention of statistics and how he was "given" 12-18 months. I posted this a couple years ago, and, perhaps, it's a good time to post it again. The thing to remember about statistics is that while they may be grim, they have absolutely NO bearing on an individual. We are each either 100% alive or 100% dead.…
Window for Post-op chemo
I posted several weeks ago about getting post op chemo for Bill. He was diagnosed T3N1M0 in May, did chemo and radiation and had the IL August 29th at the University of Indiana. The post op path showed 5/22 positive nodes. At his 6-week check the oncologist didn't/wouldn't order post-op chemo citing studies that it didn't…
I am new . I need you guys
My hubby was dx with ec late in aug. Have gone 2 chemo cycles and feed tube 2 wls ago. The cancer was stage 4 local advanced. Last wk we went in for 3rd chemo and found that the surgeon that did j tube took a look in lower abdominal area and found fluid to abdominal wall and mets to liver . We were told not candidate for…
Are swollen ankles significant?
My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2005 and had the Ivor Lewis surgery. However, 6 years down the track his tumour markers started to rise and following a CT scan and laparoscopy it was discovered he had mets to the peritoneal cavity. This was being treated with chemo and was responding. A complication…

Esophageal Cancer

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