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Esophageal Cancer

Archives for November 2011

Possible Change In Plans
I have almost talked myself into returning to Pittsburgh and going ahead and having the questionable lymph node removed. Acting now and removing the node if it isn't cancerous has no downside. Waiting until January, scanning and finding out it is cancerous gives this beast two months to grow inside me and possibly spread.…
Thinking about you, yes YOU & have a quesiton.
Hi, you are in my thoughts... I haven't been able to post, but please know that you are in my thoughts and my prayers. I am always apprensive when I open this thread...my heart is always in my throat. I have a question, I realize my husbands issues at this point are not as daunting as other situations. I just recieved a…
Bailey1459
Sherri, I just wanted you to know that I am so thankful that you are here, posting honestly, factually and freely about your experience. It is so very helpful to those of us that are knocking on that door. Your posts are presented in the perfect way that I need to read them - I need and like to know what could be down the…
When does it get better?
Hello Board! I'm writing this for my dad who is in bed at the moment. He wanted me to inquire about when does this get better? He has had three weeks of radiation and chemo. He missed last week of radiation, and does not see how he can get back on Monday. He had a feeding tube inserted last Wednesday and has been only…
Hello
Hello. I have been reading this board for some time now, and I figured it was time to introduce myself and tell you my story. My name is Chad, and I live in Minneapolis. This past summer I began to have issues with eating, and could not keep any food down. After loosing about 40lbs, I decided it was time to go to the Dr.…
Is LEE In London OKAY???? ALSO OFFLINE UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY!!!
Lee or Chantal, Where do we stand? How are you?? About to be on the road without internet for three days and want to know. HE can CALL ME ANYTIME ---but---- I won't be on here of face book for the next three days until like NEXT WEDNESDAY just so everyone knows here as well. WE are okay. Eric and Michelle FLORIDA BOUND!!!!
Roller Coaster ride this past week
Well, we have ridden the roller coaster this week and I knew there was a reason why I never cared for that ride. Rickie came home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and we had an appointment with the radiation doctor Friday morning to discuss the options. Our son came along and that was a great help. The doctor again…
Bed Question
Curios to know what decision people have made regarding elevating the head of the bed. Did you buy an actual bed like a sleep number, use a wedge, build an incline, use blocks, or risers? Just wondering? Our doctor is insistent that we have something beyond a wedge to get a 30 degree angle. Thanks, Cora
Day two...dad's not eating...:(
We stopped the Reglan last week, dad seemed to be doing okay for a couple of days, but after physical therapy he was drained. I thought it was just PT and all the exercise. Thursday he was still tired. Didn't manage to eat much. Slept a lot. We finally figured he was dehydrated. Went in Friday morning, got two bags of…
Mom out of Hospital
I brought mom to our house tonight. I was lucky to meet and talk with the staff doc. He's a Kidney/Liver specialist and wants to track her so this doesn't happen again. He wants to track her for a short term. Onc docs don't track what he tracks in bloodwork, so we will see him in 2 weeks. Mom's BP down from 189 to 137.…
A little more good news (Returning to work)
My friends. We have had more than our fair share of bad news here lately, myself included. As you know, I just returned from Pittsburgh with good news but it was a little short of the completely clean bill of health I had hoped for. With that caveat, I am happy to share a little good news. I have been cleared to return to…
Crying
Something Chemosmoker said prompted me to think about crying. Yesterday at the hospital with my mom she said she had not had a good cry over learning if my brother's wife's brain mets. She blamed that on her high BP. I told her this is no reason in the world for not crying and if that's what she felt like doing then go…
I miss everyone
Hi to all: I have not had a computer for over a week and have sure missed any updates on all of you. Michele I read the article on Denial and certainly recognize many of the signs. I think up until the end Vince and I both were in denial. I just could not face the fact the he was AS SICK as he was. I am glad hospice raised…
Going to another Board...
While at the hospital with my mom last night, my brother called and informed me that his wife has brain cancer. She is currently battling her 6th round of chemo for breast cancer. She will be starting whole brain radiation soon. I didn't know a thing about EC and I know zip about brain cancer. These boards have really…
It's Been Awhile
It's been awhile since I was last here, and here's a little history. Had my MIE in Dec. of 2010, went well but I had complications, a hole in the part that was sewn togehther. So, I spent 2 monthw in the hospital and another month in a nursing home (rehab). All during that time no eating or drinking anything, lived on TPN.…
A little Good News
Of course on our site good news can be relative and this falls in that group. The taxotere is doing it's job. My CT scan yesterday showed that the spot in my liver was decreased from 21mm to 20mm, not a big deal but it is something. The mass in my esophagus is also unchanged from 3 months ago. There is no spread to my…
Doctors in the MD/DC/PA area
My friend was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer with mets to the liver and lymph nodes in the neck. According to his doctor, the only treatment he can undergo is chemotherapy. I was wondering if anyone had or knew of doctors in the area (or anywhere on the east coast for that matter) that were willing to try some…
Off the Reglan - trouble swallowing :(
My dad stopped the Reglan this week. Monday or Tuesday because it was causing major dizzy spells. He was doing okay at swallowing, but I think it is getting progressively worse. He just said he seems to be having difficulty swallowing saliva. I am not sure what questions to ask, if it is time to call the doc? Should we…
update on Lee
Hi friends, I just wanted to give a short update on Lee. He is still at the hospital, and will likely be there at least another week. They have been giving him lasiks to help rid the body of fluids, but he still seems pretty swollen. He is having such a hard time walking, the nurses have forbidden him to try getting up…
Wanted you to share a little good news!
Hello everyone, Rob had his Pet/CT last week and although there are a couple of nodes close to the tumour that are enlarged, he doesn't have any evidence of anything, anywhere else. Apparently his tumour is T3. His treatment will start next week and an op in the new year. Thanks to all of you for your support and caring.…
An Update on Michael Daniels / Hopper 52
I wanted to bring this to the top so everyone would be sure to see it. An update from Michael's daughters: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi all...another update on Mike So as always, we are pulling through day by day. I am actually unsure where we left off, as…
Finished my EGD
I finished my procedure and was there a good bit of the day. The doc said he didn't see any signs of cancer but they took some biopsies to be tested. He did see a good bit of inflammation. All in all, a good procedure. UPMC, as always, treated me so incredibly. This really is one of the best places to be treated.
A Little Levity
I went today to have my CT scan done so we have results tomorrow when I see the Oncologist, have my lab work and then my infusion. I get there to discover that there are 2 CT scanners out of commission and at 10:30am, they are already 2 hours behind. Ok, no big deal I have nothing else to do and after 18 months of this I…
Mom to ER - admitted
Loss of bladder and bowel control. Onc nurse said take to ER. She was admitted. By the time I left her in the Telemetry Unit she was not making sense. She would scratch at her IV and say, "Take out the lard." She was making up words - gibberish. She would have coherent times and tell me to go home or sit down. (She knew I…
Time for some good news around here!
Today when I asked John how are you doing he said "GOOD"! He is 7 weeks post surgery and starting to feel good. He started back to gym and I can see all ready how just a little bit of exercise is helping his general well being. He is learning how to eat with his new esophagus and stomach. He is able to eat everything even…
A week ago today...
One week ago today, my husband passed away from EC after just a 15 week illness. This past Saturday, we held a Celebration of Greg's Life. We held it at a VFW Club where Greg had been the Commander 20 years ago. Our two adult children read a beautiful and humorous eulogy and we invited friends from the various aspects of…
Hi, Sal here.... have a few questions re:MD Anderson in Houston
Good afternoon all,I am seeking information regarding MD Anderson in Houston. Has anyone had EC surgery at this facilty? What/how was your experience? infections? any redos(going back in)? complications? How efficient was the support staff? Is their a Doctor at MD you would refer? Thank you in advance for your response. Sal
Questionable Node Update
I met with Dr. Levy today and received some good news. He felt it was just too soon to have performed the PET/CT. I had mine 2 1/2 weeks after finishing chemo. He said they prefer to wait 4-6 weeks post chemo. Otherwise you can run into exactly what we are running into now. He recommends that we have a follow-up CT in a…
A single drop (or two) have been missing and it DOES make a difference...
"What we do is less than a drop in the Ocean. But if that drop were missing, the ocean would lack something." -Mother Teresa Lee and I have been the missing drops for a few days now and I am hoping we are BOTH back now. I know I am, thanks to Michelle. A great caregiver is such a necessity. I thank God for her every minute…
Newbies and older posts
Hi any and all Newbies to the board. I would like to take this opportunity to both welcome you and hug you! Please do take notice of the original posting dates on posts that you respond to as some are very dated and some information may not be relevant at this time. Just wanted to point this out to all. Thanks! -Michelle

Esophageal Cancer

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