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Any experience with this Dr.?
My sister had a consult today with Dr. Alghren at George Washington University. It sounds like he is cautiously optimistic, but makes no promises with a chemo protocol called OMAX. Does anyone have any experience with this doctor or chemotherapy protocol. Thank you so much.
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Pain and Suffering - My Talk in Church
I haven't logged on to the EC survivors board in a long time but was reminded of you guys today as I have my 8th month follow-up with my surgeon. It's been 4 1/2 years since my partial esophegectomy. I'm still doing fine and recently finalized my implants and bottom dentures about a month ago. Now we work on the top row…
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Chemo protocols
We have consulted several oncologists and realize that nearly every one is involved in a clinical trial of some kind. Has anyone heard of a new profocol where Stage II and III patients will have 6 weeks of chemo first, then 6 weeks of chemo/radiation prior to having surgery? What has been your experience? How well was the…
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Newly diagnosed, looking for advice & inspiration
My sister was just diagnosed, and we were all shocked - she had no symptoms with the exception of a swollen lymph node. my sister is only 43, and has a young family, she has an extremly active lifestyle. They have currently staged her a IV, is it possible for this to change once we get the finalized pathology report? What…
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Dad's plan
So, we have a treatment plan. Radiation daily for 25-30 treatments and 5 weeks of chemo (once a week Taxol and carboplatin) then surgery after. I have a few questions: 1. do you recommend a port? I had them ask about it because working in the pediatric oncology population it is invaluable. What are your thoughts? 2. Anyone…
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Good news
Post or biopsy report dowgraded from stage 2 to stage 1 14 lymph nodes removed all clean as well as clean margins top and bottom. We are truly blessed today. Also swallowing has become easier for him today. His Dr. said chill the champagne to celebrate. Hubby can have a sip and I get the rest of the bottle. He might be…
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Swallowing after ng
Any advice for swollowing after ng tube was removed. he is struggling with just a drop of fluid. Dr advice is to push past it. This just gets harder as we go along.
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Radiation- what to expect for stage IV patient
My husband will begin radiation for 5 weeks, mon- fri with chemo. What can he expect as he is a stage iv. What has been your experience and outcomes. What are the followups post radiation. Any long term success stories? Tx
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What a Beast
I have had many experiences with cancer in my family. My mother suffered with breast cancer as a test subject for 28 years with 12 recurrences before cancer won. My father died from cancer of the throat. My sister survived kidney cancer. My other sister breast cancer. My uncle colon. I thought I had seen the worst. Cancer…
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Surgical Post op visit questions
Yesterday was Larry's post op visit. Good thing too as he was not able to swallow any liquid by the time we got there. Surgeon did 3 dilations. What a relief. For the first time since surgery Larry was able to drink small glass of water and swallow consecutively. He wanted me to ask for experiences with dilations. How long…
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Dad's Fight?
How is everthing going? Is your dad coming along okay? How are YOU????
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JTubes
How many people had J-tubes? What is your opinion of doing the j-tube pre-chemo/radiation versus waiting to see is you need it during treatment? What has been your experience.
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Robot assisted esophagectomy
How many people have had robot assisted esophagectomies? What was your experience?
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Low White Blood Count
My husbands white blood count dropped to 1.6. The doctor put him on an antibiotic although he doesn't appear to have an infection anywhere. He has had low platelets before but this new chemo must be the culprit. His temp hovers around 101 and he is extremely tired. Would appreciate anyone else's experience with this...what…
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Well 3 years now with stage 4 and still going!
I havent been on this site for a long time now and kind of try to forget about having esophageal cancer but always helps to read other peoples encouragment and to share my own experience...after nearly 3 years since a stage 4 diagnosis feels like im just numb to the whole thing so i just sort of get up and live my life the…
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Eating -still frustrated 10 months after surgery
I know that eating patterns have been altered forever, but I am so frustrated especially at night. I had a jtube reinstalled last Oct to supplement my nutrition. I am still undergoing chemo so I don't know if has a direct impact. Here's my routine. I wake in the morning and normally within a half hour I throw up mucus and…
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Hi My husband was diagnosed 2yrs ago
My husband has big issues with his sugar dropping since the surgery. Drs dont know why. Anyone exsperince this also.
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Jerry
Has anyone heard from Jerry? Have been thinking about him a lot lately.
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Problems with dairy and protein drinks?
Has anyone had difficulty after sx drinking protein/ ensure/ dairy drinks? They want dad to drink these but everytime he tried he gets terrible stomach ache. They said to only drink half the amount then but he still had it. He's only on soft diet and they wanted these to increase calories, any suggestions on other ways.…
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Radiation and possible surgery for stage iv EC - is this normal
Hi Stage iv EC patients and caregivers, My husband diagnosed with stage iv EC Dec. 2011 has only received chemo to date, his recent PET scan showed no visible mets, however the esophageal wall has thickened, he has some intermittent swallowing problems, not major, still able to eat on his own. The oncologist recommends…
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Questions regarding follow up
Larry saw the oncologist today. He said there is very little follow up for this. They plan on a chest x ray every 4 to 6 months and blood work for tumor markers. He siad the gastro Dr will do an endossopy at some point. No scans. This doesn't seem like enough to Larry or myself. What follow up protocol did all of you have?
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Surgery is tomorrow
Hubby's surgery is tomorrow. Ivor Lewis with Dr. Bilmoria at Northwestern. He previously practiced at Md Anderson. We have seen three different Doctors since Valentines Day. My husband has complete confidence in him and it is just an hour from the house. I am starting to freak out a little but I think I can handle this.…
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PET SCAN
Just returned from Texas where the latest PET SCAN showed the chemo did not work. My husband was on Xeloda, Oxaliplatin & Herceptin. One supraventricular lymph node increased and a new spot was found on the right pelvic bone. The doctor now ordered Docetaxel, Irinotecan and Herceptin. I wish I knew how they decide to…
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AKRN2013; STANFORD Cancer Institute specialty-Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE)
Heather, You had asked of hospitals in the San Francisco area that performs Esophagectomies. You mentioned STANFORD and UCSF. Stanford specializes in the Minimally Invasive Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy (MIE) that was pioneered by Dr. James Luketich at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Stanford Hospital has a…
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33 year old female - Just Diagnosed
Hi all, I am 33 years old and about three weeks ago I was diagnosed with EC. I had no symptoms and went in for an EGD and the dr found a very small polyp which he thought was nothing but, he did a biopsy anyhow. Well turns out it is EC. I have had a PET scan and it is just isolated to one spot and MD Anderson did a EUS and…
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New. Positive vibes & Prayers.
Almost 2wks ago my dad was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer then had a CT scan done. It showed that it has metastasized into his liver & lungs. He was then told he is Stage IV with a year or less given. He had a cyst on his head that complained about, but was told that it would go away. This was almost 3 months ago. He…
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new to group
My husband was diagnosed Sept 10, 2012 of stage 4 EC that mets in stomach and liver. The cancer dr said she cant cure but help prolong as long as he is willing to fight she will help him and do all she do. He has done 20 rounds of chemo and has had 2 pet scans. Second pet showed the cancer in the liver had grown, so the…
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Hope this Helps! Heather (AKRN2013)
Hello Heather, So sorry to hear about your dad, how horrible for him to be diagnosed with this dreadful cancer and for all of you. I know this is a journey you all do not want to be on. This month (April), just so happens to be Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. So many have never heard of Esophageal Cancer, I know I…
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How's Larry?
We met with doctor yesterday and dad's incisions healed, so they removed the staples. The couphing has improved, but he is having severe back pain. The doctor said it's normal from surgery so they gave us Tramadol yesterday for the pain, it's helped a little. Does Larry's back hurt?
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Experience with Virginia Piper Cancer Center
We have been referred to the Virginia Piper Cancer Center in Minneapolis, which is part of Abbott-Northwestern in the Allina system. Does anyone have experience with this institution and how does it compare to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota?