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Esophageal Cancer

Archives for December 2011

Good Day!
Thought I would update all of you on what is going on with John and I. Yesterday was 12 weeks post-op. John is doing great. He has gained 10-12 LBS; he weighs in at 145-147 lbs (he is 6’ tall). His energy level is increasing (hemoglobin on the rise) and he is back at the gym most days. He is learning how to eat smaller…
Dr. Brant Oelschlager
William, guess this one is for you... I've done some research on Dr. Oelschlager, and it seems like I'm in really good hands. "Dr. Oelschlager is the Director for the Surgical Specialties "Center for Esophageal & Gastric Surgery" as well as the University of Washington's "Center for Videoendoscopic Surgery". He is the…
T4 but not Stage 4
Well, a visit to the surgeon on Thursday gave me some news and a timeframe. The EUS showed that the GEJ tumor has invaded the diaphragm. Oh joy. That makes me a T4N1M0. I said, in a squeakly little voice, "Does that mean I'm Stage IV?" "No, no. It hasn't metastasized, it's just gotten bigger. And will make your surgery…
Think I willl post a topic about being alive every day now....
Well it's Saturday!! I am up pain free (NOW-takes liquid Oxycodone and Gabapintin but hey) and having coffee. Missing some friends here, and visiting others, reading about Jeff and his Saab, and so forth!! LOL How is everyone else doing? What is special for YOU this weekend; what are YOU grateful for this weekend? Or just…
Is it bone spread
Hello all Searching for information on the partial collapse of the mid thoracic vertebra, does this xray result mean the cancer has now spread to the spine?? Many thanks Kit
EC haiku
I love to write and I was reading some cancer haiku on a general cancer site. Lo and behold I came across this one written by a woman. I would guess she had EC. Just had to share. Cora stapes in a row keep my stomach in my chest mmm, oxycodone cancer surgery now chest tube site is weeping need a new body year off from work…
A postive update on Dad (Hayden)
Hi Friends, It’s been a few weeks or a month since I’ve written about my dad (Hayden). They made the trip back to Chicago beginning of November, stopping on the hour due to the blood clots (so a typical 8 hr drive turned into 12 hrs). How wonderful that he is home! When dad saw Dr. Luketich before leaving, Dr. Luketich…
One year ago today
One year ago today, my husband had his surgery to become cancer free. It's been a long year with lots of changes but we made it!
Update on Jeff
Hi again friends, Thanks so much for your prayers, kind words, and thoughts. Jeff is doing much better today. It has been 24 hours without a fever, seems that we did do the right thing by getting to the hospital when we did. The blood and urine cultures came back clean!! Which means he might of had some viral or small…
Dad went out for breakfast! Good Day!
So Dad, just a few days shy of 2 months post-op, went out with a buddy (or two) for breakfast. Had a cup of coffee AND a cup of sausage gravy. Text from him: "Now I know what it feels like to overindulge." Just lethargic and heavy until it passes. (Hmmm, like eating too much for a holiday dinner? It is just a different…
I LOVE being alive.....seems to go without saying.....but.....I need to say it!!!! : )
Grateful to be here another day......Grateful to be alive and pain-free after taking my meds now and with coffee. I am having a good Friday AM. How about you? Be honest!! Complain, B*#@ch. Smile, whatever....tell it like it is-- I love to hear. From YOU... Eric
Things Are Going Well
I had my 4th treatment with Taxotere yesterday and of course had labs before hand as well as a visit with the onc. I am excited to report that my tumor count is coming down steadily. It is now 5.2 just above the tresh hold. Though in the beginning I had some trouble with this drug, we have gotten things under control and…
Jeff in hospital
Hi friends, Asking for some prayers and positive thoughts tonight for Jeff. Yesterday we went to the ER because he had the chills. By the time he got to the hospital his fever was 102. They took blood and he is neutropenic, so he was admitted and now we are basically in quarantine to prevent infections. We are still…
DEXAMETHASONE
Hi everyone! Wondering if anyone out there who has taken Dexamethasone (4mg) got "antsy" while on this drug - I just can't sit still for more than a few moments and it is literally driving me crazy! I do know that the drug contains a steroid and it is highly likely that is what is causing my "antsiness". Anyone else have…
Some of the positives....
Hi folks, i thought i would write a quick update (from work!) about some of the positive things happening in our lives right now as a result of EC. For those of you who aren't familiar, my partner James has stage 4 and was diagnosed about 3 months ago. Whilst we have a great medicare system here in Australia and also a…
We have M D Anderson appt, plus have questions about some things (SUV in PET scan)
We now have appointment scheduled for M D Anderson next week, Tuesday is the first one we know for sure about. They say he may have between 3-5 days of tests. They have scheduled another CT scan. He had one done here 4 weeks ago. Is it normal to do another one at a new hospital? Will insurance pay for it (Bill is retired…
Live from the Holy Land
I made it to Israel and am in the Holy Land. I am praying for everyone on this forum everywhere I go! I am putting special prayers for the EC family in the Wailing Wall too. Love and hugs to everyone! Ginny
WE made it to December. Like thinking will I see 30 as a kid......
Happy December. The birth month of our Lord and Savior. Regardless of WHAT we believe (if anything), We are HERE. Back in June, I REALLY started the 'will we see Christmas, Brithdays, Spring, etc, etc..... YOU? We are ALL here together and by God may get a Christmas together.....deep breath...hold...
Update to Brian's fluid aspiration from the liver capsule
Hello everyone, Firstly let me thank you all for prayers, kind thoughts and well wishes. I am so pleased and humbled to have found such lovely new, but unknown friends. As you know we have been dealing with this accumulation of fluid in the liver capsule for some time now. It was first noticed in a CT scan on Oct 17 and…
Still here
Hello Everyone. It has been a while since I have posted. Don is doing ok but getting a little weaker every day. He is surviving on pain meds. We see the oncologist tomorrow. The tumor on his chest is growing and we are afraid it may be pushing on his new esophagus. So far he is still able to eat small amounts. He is having…
What to do about other health conerns??
Hi New Familia...hope everyone is holding strong. Just wondering if anyone had any insight into chemotherapy/radiation issues or concerns that I may need to know about...My Dad only has "one kidney that is not working so well"? My father 74 was diagnosed with EC on 11/7/11...staging not complete. So far from testing and…
For William, Paul, and all other 2+ year survivors
I would like to know if any of you 2+ year survivors are on any kind of acid reducing drug such as omeprazole or Pepcid, etc. I have been on omeprazole since April of 2010--started on Pepcid after surgery, then changed to omeprazole by my oncologist. Now my oncologist says to reduce my dosage by half for about a month, and…

Esophageal Cancer

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