Surgery?

BudDean
BudDean Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I refused surgery but opted for chemo and radiation. Tumor vanished. (Stage 3 androcarcinoma) I am going on 7 years with frequent endoscopic examinations, biopsies and so far cancer free. My oncologist still wants me to have the surgery claiming that I am my own "clinical trial"....Although I would not want anyone to discount the advise of their oncologist, the survival rate of 25% led me to roll the dice. I probably would have gone through with the surgery if laprascopic were an alternative as it is now, but I am still holding out. I am forever grateful for the treatment I received at the hands of the VA Hosp in Long Beach, Ca. Don't believe all the bad press.

Comments

  • looliegirl
    looliegirl Member Posts: 5
    #2
    Side Effects?
    Hi Bud...I just read your post and good for you! Sometimes we have to make our own choices and sounds like you made the right one for you.

    My mother just completed treatment for Stage 2 the end of June. She has had such awful nausea and her entire esophagus was ulcerated. She still cannot eat...everything makes her sick-even seeing food and the other day just coffee in the room made her gag. Did you experience any of these side effects?

    Thanks and God Bless!
    Cheryl
  • BudDean
    BudDean Member Posts: 3
    #3
    looliegirl said:

    Side Effects?
    Hi Bud...I just read your post and good for you! Sometimes we have to make our own choices and sounds like you made the right one for you.

    My mother just completed treatment for Stage 2 the end of June. She has had such awful nausea and her entire esophagus was ulcerated. She still cannot eat...everything makes her sick-even seeing food and the other day just coffee in the room made her gag. Did you experience any of these side effects?

    Thanks and God Bless!
    Cheryl

    side effects
    I am unaware of any side effects from the radiation treatment and my first week of chemo
    was uneventful. There was a week between my second treatment of chemo and I also experienced nausea and could not eat. I lost nearly 50 lbs! They offered me drugs to combat the nausea but to no avail. The only thing I could keep down was the hi calorie milkshake drinks. I experienced no loss of hair or memory but had sinus problems for nearly a year, which is a side effect for "some" people. My immune system was wiped out and I had to give myself injections of procrit ($400 a pop!)until my red blood cells
    returned to normal.

    My chemotherapy was very aggressive...24 hour drip for one week, one week off, then another
    24 hour drip. I don't know if this is unusual but I know of other people who just undergo
    hourly visits for chemo. My oncologist told me she was either going to cure me or kill me.

    We all respond differently to drugs so I hope your mother is in the "responder" category
    and wish her a speedy recovery.
  • looliegirl
    looliegirl Member Posts: 5
    #4
    BudDean said:

    side effects
    I am unaware of any side effects from the radiation treatment and my first week of chemo
    was uneventful. There was a week between my second treatment of chemo and I also experienced nausea and could not eat. I lost nearly 50 lbs! They offered me drugs to combat the nausea but to no avail. The only thing I could keep down was the hi calorie milkshake drinks. I experienced no loss of hair or memory but had sinus problems for nearly a year, which is a side effect for "some" people. My immune system was wiped out and I had to give myself injections of procrit ($400 a pop!)until my red blood cells
    returned to normal.

    My chemotherapy was very aggressive...24 hour drip for one week, one week off, then another
    24 hour drip. I don't know if this is unusual but I know of other people who just undergo
    hourly visits for chemo. My oncologist told me she was either going to cure me or kill me.

    We all respond differently to drugs so I hope your mother is in the "responder" category
    and wish her a speedy recovery.

    Nausea
    How long did the nausea last? She is 2 months past chemo and radiation and still has it. We just wonder if she will ever get over it. Otherwise...with the feeding tube she is responding and she is a strong women. Thank you for your wishes!

    Cheryl
  • BudDean
    BudDean Member Posts: 3
    #5
    chemo nausea
    I frankly don't remember exactly how long before I was back to normal but I don't think
    it was more than a few days after chemo, perhaps a week and I had my appetite back. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions. I did just read about a new drug that might help.
    Sept. 15, 2008 -- The FDA has approved Sancuso, a five-day patch that fights nausea from cancer chemotherapy.

    Sancuso continuously delivers a steady dose of a drug called granisetron, which blocks serotonin receptors and helps prevent nausea.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #6
    Dear BudDean,
    I am new to
    Dear BudDean,
    I am new to this page, and I am so happy I have joined it. My story involves my father, Ray, 70, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer Nov 2008. He too opted to not have the surgery to remove his esophagus and re attach his stomach to his throat. He had oral chemo and 6 weeks of radiation at University of Virginia Hospital.

    After his chemo and radiation treatments the PET scan showed a lot of shrinkage of the tumor. At first it was easier for him to eat, but lately it has become difficult again. I think a lot of the problem stems from his mind. He worries about not being able to swallow so much that he makes himself get a lump in his throat. He suffers for a lot of anxiety.

    Tomorrow, 11/23, we will go back to UVA for a check up. He is due for another PET scan. He is worried that the cancer has spread. He has been having trouble with his bladder, and trouble urinating. But....has not been to his primary dr. to have this checked. He will also be having his prostrate and psa levels checked.

    He is now second guessing his decision to not have the surgery. The ongologist told us that my dad would most likely have a very hard time recovering from the surgery. He would have to be on feeding tube for quite sometime, and his quality of life would not be a good as it would be without the surgery.

    I am just worried and concerned at this time. Thank you for listening. Thank you for this site. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated.

    Sincerely,
    Tina Blondek
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    Tina Blondek said:

    Dear BudDean,
    I am new to
    Dear BudDean,
    I am new to this page, and I am so happy I have joined it. My story involves my father, Ray, 70, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer Nov 2008. He too opted to not have the surgery to remove his esophagus and re attach his stomach to his throat. He had oral chemo and 6 weeks of radiation at University of Virginia Hospital.

    After his chemo and radiation treatments the PET scan showed a lot of shrinkage of the tumor. At first it was easier for him to eat, but lately it has become difficult again. I think a lot of the problem stems from his mind. He worries about not being able to swallow so much that he makes himself get a lump in his throat. He suffers for a lot of anxiety.

    Tomorrow, 11/23, we will go back to UVA for a check up. He is due for another PET scan. He is worried that the cancer has spread. He has been having trouble with his bladder, and trouble urinating. But....has not been to his primary dr. to have this checked. He will also be having his prostrate and psa levels checked.

    He is now second guessing his decision to not have the surgery. The ongologist told us that my dad would most likely have a very hard time recovering from the surgery. He would have to be on feeding tube for quite sometime, and his quality of life would not be a good as it would be without the surgery.

    I am just worried and concerned at this time. Thank you for listening. Thank you for this site. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated.

    Sincerely,
    Tina Blondek

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #8
    So you didn't have the
    So you didn't have the surgery and wow..you're doing so well...my husband's dr said, they are going for a cure...his chemo days were 12 hours once a week for 6 weeks and every day for the radiation.

    You've given us hope we can beat this without surgery..

    Thanks
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #9
    So you didn't have the
    So you didn't have the surgery and wow..you're doing so well...my husband's dr said, they are going for a cure...his chemo days were 12 hours once a week for 6 weeks and every day for the radiation.

    You've given us hope we can beat this without surgery..

    Thanks
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #10
    So you didn't have the
    So you didn't have the surgery and wow..you're doing so well...my husband's dr said, they are going for a cure...his chemo days were 12 hours once a week for 6 weeks and every day for the radiation.

    You've given us hope we can beat this without surgery..

    Thanks
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #11
    So you didn't have the
    So you didn't have the surgery and wow..you're doing so well...my husband's dr said, they are going for a cure...his chemo days were 12 hours once a week for 6 weeks and every day for the radiation.

    You've given us hope we can beat this without surgery..

    Thanks

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