Here we come Pittsburgh Penn!!!

Susie_Brendon
Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Not sure of an exact date yet, but looking at Mid-May when Brendon and I head to Pittsburgh to have the MIE with Dr. Luketich. I was soooo happy he made this choice!
It was his choice to make and I would support any choice he made... BUT YEAH!!! I'm glad he decided on the MIE surgery!!!

He only has 6 radiation treatments left and 3 more days of carrying around the 5FU pack. I will be glad when this phase is over with. Cisplatin all day yesterday and he's pretty tired and weak today. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a little better for him. I hate seeing him sick and feeling so helpless.

We are ready to kick this cancer's azzzzzz and move on to the next stage in our lives!!!
Aug 27th... A wedding reception for us!!! Happy thoughts everyone!!!

Good night,
Susie
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Comments

  • nancyann3
    nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #2
    Great news!
    Wishing you the best. I'm glad surgery is getting closer for you and wish you a speedy recovery.

    Nancy
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #3
    In Pittsburg with my folks
    In Pittsburg with my folks til tomorrow as I type this. I am so happy for you. My dad starts his treatment tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions we are staying at the Shadyside Family House.
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #4
    unclaw2002 said:

    In Pittsburg with my folks
    In Pittsburg with my folks til tomorrow as I type this. I am so happy for you. My dad starts his treatment tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions we are staying at the Shadyside Family House.

    Shadyside Family House
    First and foremost...How is your dad doing?? How is everyone holding up?

    Secondly, can you tell me about the Shadyside Family House? Did you make arrangements there or did the hospital??

    Thanks,
    Susie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Shadyside Family House
    First and foremost...How is your dad doing?? How is everyone holding up?

    Secondly, can you tell me about the Shadyside Family House? Did you make arrangements there or did the hospital??

    Thanks,
    Susie

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #6
    Great News
    Susie, I am so glad Brendon made this choice. He will have the best and what more could you ask for! We will keep you both in prayer. I have been thinking about both of you much lately. I will keep you in prayer as Brendon completes the chemo and radiation. You, Susie, take care of you too!
    This isn't easy on the partner.

    Linda
  • flmo
    flmo Member Posts: 65
    #7
    Great News
    So glad to hear that you and your husband decided on UPMC with Dr. Luketich. He and his team are really wonderful doctors. You won't be disappointed. We stayed at Shadyside Family House for almost 3 weeks. After the first few days it felt like home. The shuttle bus takes you to the hospital,so you don't need to move your car. We flew to Pittsburgh from Florida. We didn't have a car and really didn't need one. You can walk to a large grocery store and there a some restaurants nearby-Panera Bread, Boston Market, and a diner which is open 24 hours a day, to name a few. You and your husband will be in my prayers as you continue on this journey.
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #8
    Susie,Wonderful news. I
    Susie,Wonderful news. I kinda missed my 5Fu pack ( ha ha). I got so used to it, I felt like I was leaving something behind without it.

    How many years will you be celebrating? By August, Brenden should be doing pretty good, so it will be a big celebration.

    May will be here before you know it. We work toward the surgery and it is such a releif when we're finally ready for it.

    My prayers are with you both,
    Sandra
  • mccoy70
    mccoy70 Member Posts: 4
    #9
    Just wanted to let you know
    Just wanted to let you know that I believe you have made the best choice with the MIE. I was diagnosed in Jan 2010 with stage 3 and one node involved, did the chemo/radiation and had to make a decision about surgery. I live in CT and had gone to Sloan Kettering for a second opinion and was very impressed with everything and everyone there. The surgeon I met with did not do MIE and my partner, God Bless Her, pushed and pushed until they hooked us up with Dr. Sakaria who was new to Sloan and did the MIE. He came from Pittsburgh and he was great. Had surgery on July 6th, was back to work in late August. Did two more chemos just to be sure after surgery. Just had my 8 month CT scan and all is clear. Can not say enough about this method. They took pictures of my scars, what you can see anyway, not much after the hair grows back.

    Best of luck to you, I know you are in good hands. My prayers are with you.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    mccoy70 said:

    Just wanted to let you know
    Just wanted to let you know that I believe you have made the best choice with the MIE. I was diagnosed in Jan 2010 with stage 3 and one node involved, did the chemo/radiation and had to make a decision about surgery. I live in CT and had gone to Sloan Kettering for a second opinion and was very impressed with everything and everyone there. The surgeon I met with did not do MIE and my partner, God Bless Her, pushed and pushed until they hooked us up with Dr. Sakaria who was new to Sloan and did the MIE. He came from Pittsburgh and he was great. Had surgery on July 6th, was back to work in late August. Did two more chemos just to be sure after surgery. Just had my 8 month CT scan and all is clear. Can not say enough about this method. They took pictures of my scars, what you can see anyway, not much after the hair grows back.

    Best of luck to you, I know you are in good hands. My prayers are with you.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Pghmomma
    Pghmomma Member Posts: 141
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Suzie
    What a great decision he made. DR. L is the BEST!!!! He did my dads surgery as well. Luckily we are here in town. Dr. Gibson is a great guy too.. But all in all your husband has made the BEST decison he could have made.

    Good luck to you guys!
    Tina
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #12
    Congrats!
    Hello Susie and Brendon!
    So happy for you both! Things will work out perfectly. I know it. Dr. L. is an excellent dr. and surgeon!
    Keep us posted on the date. We will be thinking and praying for you.
    Tina in Va
  • mccoy70
    mccoy70 Member Posts: 4
    #13
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    MIE
    Thank you for the welcome. I have been on the Cancer Compass site since the operation and heard about this site at a support group meeting at Sloan a couple of weeks ago.

    When I met with Dr. Sakaria last week we had a long discussion about the MIE procedure and how very few people knew about it, even at Sloan.

    Sloan has a program that uses previous patients to call newly diagnosed EC patients to discuss this cancer and answer whatever questions they may have. I was called about a week after my consult in January 2010 at Sloan by a former patient and I cannot help but believe that the good Lord had a hand it that. Bart was my age when diagnosed and was a 10 year survivor when he called. It was so good to discuss the EC with him and it gave me great hope. His main point was that at a major cancer center, like Sloan, you are in a ward with others undergoing the same type of recovery unlike a regular hospital where you may be next to a heart patient or some other problem. Made a lot of sense to me.

    Long story short, I will be able to sign up as part of this program after the one year mark in July and hopefully can spread the word about the MIE procedure.

    Thanks again for the welcome and I will be in touch.
  • flmo
    flmo Member Posts: 65
    #14
    mccoy70 said:

    MIE
    Thank you for the welcome. I have been on the Cancer Compass site since the operation and heard about this site at a support group meeting at Sloan a couple of weeks ago.

    When I met with Dr. Sakaria last week we had a long discussion about the MIE procedure and how very few people knew about it, even at Sloan.

    Sloan has a program that uses previous patients to call newly diagnosed EC patients to discuss this cancer and answer whatever questions they may have. I was called about a week after my consult in January 2010 at Sloan by a former patient and I cannot help but believe that the good Lord had a hand it that. Bart was my age when diagnosed and was a 10 year survivor when he called. It was so good to discuss the EC with him and it gave me great hope. His main point was that at a major cancer center, like Sloan, you are in a ward with others undergoing the same type of recovery unlike a regular hospital where you may be next to a heart patient or some other problem. Made a lot of sense to me.

    Long story short, I will be able to sign up as part of this program after the one year mark in July and hopefully can spread the word about the MIE procedure.

    Thanks again for the welcome and I will be in touch.

    MIE
    What a great idea to have a program to call newly diagnosed patients to discuss MIE! My husband was all set to have the Igor Lewis procedure at Mayo Clinic until I came across this website and we were directed to DR. Luketich at UPMC by William Marshall who is an 8 year survivor of the MIE procedure. It was the best decision we could have made. I hope more people will become aware of the MIE procedure. You will be a good ambassador to spread the word after your one year mark.
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #15
    Tina Blondek said:

    Congrats!
    Hello Susie and Brendon!
    So happy for you both! Things will work out perfectly. I know it. Dr. L. is an excellent dr. and surgeon!
    Keep us posted on the date. We will be thinking and praying for you.
    Tina in Va

    Thanks to All
    Thank you to all of you!!! Everyone has had such wonderful words of encouragement for Brendon.!!!

    Surgery is schedule for Friday May 27th.
    (a little worried its on a Friday...everyone has always said..."don't have surgery on Fridays...everyone's just ready to go home for the week"...

    3 days of radiation left...
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #16
    sandy1943 said:

    Susie,Wonderful news. I
    Susie,Wonderful news. I kinda missed my 5Fu pack ( ha ha). I got so used to it, I felt like I was leaving something behind without it.

    How many years will you be celebrating? By August, Brenden should be doing pretty good, so it will be a big celebration.

    May will be here before you know it. We work toward the surgery and it is such a releif when we're finally ready for it.

    My prayers are with you both,
    Sandra

    Feb 8th
    Hi Sandy,
    In reply to your question.

    Brendon was diagnosed on Feb 1st w/ EC. We were married one week later. Other than our parents, no one else even knew we were married until this past weekend when we told our children and siblings.

    We will be looking forward to a much needed celebration for many reasons!!! I'm ready to have that 1st dance as husband and wife. :-)

    Thank you for your constant words of encouragement and all your prayers.

    Thankful for new friends~!
    Susie
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #17
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Thanks to All
    Thank you to all of you!!! Everyone has had such wonderful words of encouragement for Brendon.!!!

    Surgery is schedule for Friday May 27th.
    (a little worried its on a Friday...everyone has always said..."don't have surgery on Fridays...everyone's just ready to go home for the week"...

    3 days of radiation left...

    No Way!
    Hello Susie and Brendon
    No..that is not what is said. It is said not to go to the hospital over the weekend. On the weekends no one is there to perform surgery, so you will have to wait until Monday. Having Surgery on Friday will be fine. Stop....worrying....if you possibly can!! Thinking and praying for you both. Keep us up to date. Wow! only 3 more days...now go celebrate.
    Tina in Va
  • snook717
    snook717 Member Posts: 45
    #18
    Hi Susie,
    I've been reading
    Hi Susie,
    I've been reading your posts and just wanted to write and let you know my prayers are with both of you. My grandpa was diagnosed after similar symptoms as your husband. The treatment method is also very simlilar. My grandpa had his last round of radiation on March 23rd and now we are waiting to see if the insurance will allow him to go to Dr. Luketich. you guys will have much to celebrate come August 27th!
    Danielle
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #19
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Feb 8th
    Hi Sandy,
    In reply to your question.

    Brendon was diagnosed on Feb 1st w/ EC. We were married one week later. Other than our parents, no one else even knew we were married until this past weekend when we told our children and siblings.

    We will be looking forward to a much needed celebration for many reasons!!! I'm ready to have that 1st dance as husband and wife. :-)

    Thank you for your constant words of encouragement and all your prayers.

    Thankful for new friends~!
    Susie

    Congratulations!
    How exciting for you two! Congratulations on your marriage and on your good decision on the MIE at Pittsburgh.

    Linda and Jim
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #20
    Tina Blondek said:

    No Way!
    Hello Susie and Brendon
    No..that is not what is said. It is said not to go to the hospital over the weekend. On the weekends no one is there to perform surgery, so you will have to wait until Monday. Having Surgery on Friday will be fine. Stop....worrying....if you possibly can!! Thinking and praying for you both. Keep us up to date. Wow! only 3 more days...now go celebrate.
    Tina in Va

    Ahhh....
    So we aren't supposed to go to the HOSPITAL over the weekend...... well crap!, we have blown that more than once!! haha

    I worry about everything....and I mean EVERYTHING! Today, Brendon's feeding tube came out...my first thoughts...ohh crap, what if it came out inside while he was sleeping and his feeding formula has pumped inside of him (not inside of his intestine) all night and that's what was causing him to get sick... I'm a huge worry wart. BUT glad to know Dr. Luketich can operate on Friday and I don't have to worry!!! :-)

    Thanks Tina for your words!!!

    Susie
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #21
    snook717 said:

    Hi Susie,
    I've been reading
    Hi Susie,
    I've been reading your posts and just wanted to write and let you know my prayers are with both of you. My grandpa was diagnosed after similar symptoms as your husband. The treatment method is also very simlilar. My grandpa had his last round of radiation on March 23rd and now we are waiting to see if the insurance will allow him to go to Dr. Luketich. you guys will have much to celebrate come August 27th!
    Danielle

    Have you contacted Angela??
    Hi Danielle,
    Have you contacted Angela at Dr. Luketich's office?? She did all the checking on our insurance information for Brendon and let us know within 24 hours that our insurance was accepted. The sooner you know, the sooner you can schedule your grandpa's surgery!
    If you need Angela's contact information, please just let me know and I can send it to you.

    Prayers for your grandpa and you...coming your way!

    Susie

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