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Thinking of everyone
I just wanted to poke my head in the door and let everyone know I am thinking of you all. Although I am not able to be here as much as I would like, I try to read at least every other day. I notice that we have some new members and sadly, we've lost some of the family as well. I am doing pretty well overall. Even though I…
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ventral hernia
Has anyone developed a ventral hernia after an esophagectomy???
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update on my husband Jarrell
I just wanted to post an update on Jarrell. He stopped all treatment over a month ago and went with hospice. This was the best choice he could have made. Since going with Hospice he is living his life again. He has improved a great deal. His quality of life while recieving treatment was almost 0. He wasn't eating, wasn't…
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Red Blood Count
My husband is continuing his chemotherapy, just completed round 6. Still remains very positive and continues to work most days. After receiving several blood transfusions initially, his Red Blood count has continued to remain around 10, until lately. It is slowly going down again. Today is was 8.2 so the doctor suggested…
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Transhiatal Esophagectomy Surgery
During my weeks reading this board it seems that most people comment on MIE or Ivor Lewis surgery (did I get that right?). We got good news today that Mom's post chemo/rads scans are clean and she's got the green light to go through with surgery. The surgeon uses the transhiatal esophagectomy method (THE). Are there any…
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Can't believe this man!!
I am just so touched by my husband's desire to stay alive! He keeps shocking the begeebers out of us all! Here is what I posted on fb today. It has been such a roller coaster ride this last month and every time he gets knocked down and I think he can't possibly take anymore, he lunges back! He is just so truly amazing and…
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Rash at Feeding Tube site
Mom had a little "pimple" under the base of the feeding tube where it enters the stomach. It came to a head like a sore pimple. Now the area is red and there are 3 more "pimples" showing up. I keep applying antiseptic cream and of course I have a tube dressing between the plastic of the tube and her skin. She said there is…
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update - met team and now prepping for radiation/chemo
Hello everyone, Just wanted to post an update. What a crazy day at the Portland VA/OHSU! We had three appt's in one day on thursday, with them all blending into each other (from 2:30pm - 6:00pm straigh through) - Surgery, Chemo and Radiation. Despite the long day, we have a really awesome team and I feel sooo much better…
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Uncle just diagnosed need Info please!
My uncle was just diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer and is undergoing some tests tomorrow. I've been reading online and the things I have read are very grim. Are there survivors of this disease? So far he has lost a TON of weight. He didn't realize it was bad since he was watching what he ate and was working…
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My forever love passed away on February 27, 2012
My husband and best friend passed away on February 27, 2012. He is not just a statistic, he was so much more. Husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to all. He had the most pure heart of anyone I have ever met. He did not judge people, he accepted them and loved them as they were. Here is just a small part of…
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Pulminary Embolism
Does anyone have any experience with treating a PE? I've been on Lovenx for one week with no appearent improvement. For the last three weeks, I could not walk 6 ft. without total exhaustion. This is despite having a 95% O2 at all times. I've had a filter installed to prevent anymore blockage. I'm scheduled for my 4th chemo…
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Heeran how is your Mom doing since surgery
Heeran, It is great to see you post again. How is your Mom doing since she has completed surgery? When you last posted your Mom was recovering from surgery and you were considering post surgical chemotherapy. I hope she is doing well and gaining back some of the weight she lost prior to surgery. Best Regards, Paul Adams…
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Lenrev post-surgery update
I don't post often but since, I have lurked and posted occasionally, I feel obliged to keep y'all up to date. I was diagnosed in October as stage-three, did chemo (5FU) every other week for six-weeks while also wearing an infusion pump and did 28 radiation treatments. This was all accomplished without missing a day of…
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Dad passed away Sunday - Final moments
I know I haven't posted much of my journey along the way with my father over this past year but I have been visiting this site and reading from time to time. I think I spent so much time worrying about my father's condition that when I was finally home, I didn't want to get on the computer and think about it anymore. I…
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Back is breaking out?
Has anyone experienced their back breaking out after chemo and/or radiation treatment? Last night Don wanted me to scratch his back and as I did - I noticed lots of bumps. At first I thought it might be an allergic reaction to something - I gave him a benadryl, but now it looks almost like acne - but it isn't. I wonder if…
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good news bad news
Had consult with Dr Orringer, had EUS got staged, T2N1Mx thats the good news, waiting for tumor board to decide what to do with me. The problem is my carcinoid cancer that has spread, he is going to talk to my carcinoid expert Dr Odorisio at the U of Iowa. tyo see if there are any protocals to follow .Should know more by n…
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Week one down
Dad finished week one of 5.5 weeks of chemo rads combined. We had cisplatin infusion Monday and then 5FU pump Monday-today. Rads were at esophagus and clavicle lymph. Day 1-2 were good but ol boy hit the wall yesterday. He is super tired and esophagus is burning up. I am super proud!
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Pictures
I look at my mom's photo (over my name on my posts) and I can't believe how much she's changed in such a short time. I think I will take another photo and upload it.
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A lurker finally speaks
My dad was diagnosed with this beast on 2/28/12. I have been a reading machine for this past week...a lot on this very informative discussion board. He lives in a small town in Southwest Kansas (I am in Arkansas, 8 hours away) He was about to have a stent put in which I didn't think sounded good but luckily the Drs opted…
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Hospital Bed for Mom
The hospital bed was delivered today. Such high drama in the house. I think everyone is on edge. We got a commode, but it doesn't fit over the toilet. I also have a device to test mom's oxygen levels. I have to tape the little oxygen cap to one of her fingers. I'm sure she'll be unhappy. The bed is going to work great, but…
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A sad sad day
Posted on the FB group: Mary Lewis Ruble Chad passed away peacefully this morning after a 28 month battle with stage IV EC. Chad "lived" with cancer almost the entire time, traveling and doing the things he had always wanted to do. We feel blest to have accompanied him on his journey.
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New Member
Just became new CSN member… Awaiting J-tube removal and was wondering if anyone out there has any info on what to expect? Also, like to hear from more experienced about meeting on-going nutritional needs...