Getting ready to move from sophomore to junior class!

Ericalynn

John had all of his post radiation/chemo testing done in the last couple of days.
CT-Chest, Abdomen, & Pelvis with Contrast, PFT (Pulmonary function), Pet/CT, & appointment with his Internal medicine physician for pre-surgery clearance.
Results:
CT
1. Increased Soft Tissue thickening involving the distal esophagus when compared to the prior examination. Persistent thickening at the GE junction is again seen grossly similar to prior examination. The findings may reflect Post -radiation edema.
2. Lingular scarring which may reflect post –radiation changes. No evidence of pulmonary nodules.
Pet/CT
1. Increased FDG uptake in the distal esophagus and gastro esophageal junction. This can be seen with post treatment inflammation however residual neoplasm cannot be excluded. There is no evidence for metabolically active disease elsewhere.
PFT (Pulmonary Function)
1. Borderline Obstruction (COPD)
2. Lung Age 77 years (OMG he is 59)
Internal Medicine clearance for surgery
1. No medical contraindications for surgery

Wednesday (today) we meet with surgeon to discuss results and talk about surgery. Moffitt set a date of Aug. 26, 2011 for surgery. The authorization process for John's surgery (out of network) as begun. Moffitt requested authorization yesterday. I called my contact in the benefits office (late yesterday) I have not received call back yet. I was freaked out by the Imaging reports. I have read on this site that other patient’s tumors are gone post treatment. I guess I was hoping that the tumor was gone. I guess I knew it wasn’t because he is still having difficulty swallowing. The PFT freaked me out too; John is in such denial about his smoking. He told Dr. that he has slowed down that he smoked one pack in 4 days(not sure that is true but…).
I have never smoked so I don’t know what it is like to try to quit but I sure wish he could kick this before surgery (he is running out of time) I worry about his lungs post surgery. When I try to talk to him about smoking he totally shuts down, and gets angry. His weight is down to 140.3 (with shoes on) but the internal medicine doctor did not seem concerned and no one mentioned his weight today at Moffitt. Dr. Meredith wants him to have a colonoscopy before the surgery it would be so easy if we could just have it done at Moffitt but NO I know have to jump thru hoops to get the procedure booked and performed in 6 business days. I called Gastro doctor’s office (the one that did scope in May) the women I talked to sounded very frazzled about getting the procedure booked quickly but she did seem like she would get it done. It seems like a lot to go thru in the next few days having to do the prep for a colonoscopy and then a day or two later having to do a prep again the day before surgery but it is what it is. John & I meet Michael today at Moffitt he needed more testing so I am praying that he gets good news and gets a surgery date. After leaving surgeon office we went to PAT (pre-anesthesia testing) sent 1-2 hours there. They spent a long time going over the procedure again. By the time we left Moffitt (about 3 PM) John was freaked out. He has not wanted to know the details and he was on information overload. I will keep everyone posted. I have been reading everyone’s post and I know that they’re a lot of people right now going through some very difficult times. Losing their loved ones to this terrible disease. I can only read a little at a time and like Jeff I have not been able to write my condolences but my heart goes out to all that have lost someone in this battle. Fighting cancer for both the patient & the spouse (caregiver) is so hard. I feel like I am on a roller coaster (I hate roller coasters). I am exhausted but I know I have it better then most because John can have surgery. The people on this board give me strength to keep pushing and keep fighting this battle. When I feel tired or down I come on here and read to find strength. I do not post as much as I read. There are so many excellent writers on this board. I write and re-write before I post and it is a lot of work (I have a perfectionist problem, lol). Again want to thank everyone for your support! On to the next step (or Junior class)!

sandy1943

Hi, My doctor only gave me
Hi, My doctor only gave me pre-opt chemo--no radiation. The scan showed no evidence in the three lymph nodes in the stomach, but it only shrunk the esophagus tumor. After surgery I tested positive in one lymph node. I wasn't able to take the complete chemo afterward but my pet scans are still NED after three years.

I was ignorant of the facts when I went through treatment and surgery. My daughter And I looked for a site like this, but didn't find it until I was well into recovery. You and all the others are so blessed to have found this site. There is so much knowledge, love,and caring on here.
Let us know when the surgery is, Sandra

json_2011

yes sir
i am one of the many who my mother cannot have surgrey. And did not get into Moffitt. Count your bleessings , God bless you and John.




Jason

Ericalynn

json_2011 said:

yes sir
i am one of the many who my mother cannot have surgrey. And did not get into Moffitt. Count your bleessings , God bless you and John.




Jason

Counting blessings
Jason,
You are right I will count my blessings! I have been reading your post and I was hoping your Mom would get to go to Moffitt, You are a good son and I am hoping your Mom responds to treatment. I will keep fighting the good fight!
Erica

Ericalynn

sandy1943 said:

Hi, My doctor only gave me
Hi, My doctor only gave me pre-opt chemo--no radiation. The scan showed no evidence in the three lymph nodes in the stomach, but it only shrunk the esophagus tumor. After surgery I tested positive in one lymph node. I wasn't able to take the complete chemo afterward but my pet scans are still NED after three years.

I was ignorant of the facts when I went through treatment and surgery. My daughter And I looked for a site like this, but didn't find it until I was well into recovery. You and all the others are so blessed to have found this site. There is so much knowledge, love,and caring on here.
Let us know when the surgery is, Sandra

NED Three Years!!!!!
WOW Ned for three years how wonderful. This board is an awesome thing for me. If I had not found this discussion John would probably had the surgery on 8-15 by a surgeon that only does the surgery once or twice a year. The people on the board (especially William & Loretta) gave me so much information. On the board is where I learned about MIE and going to a cancer center for surgery (instead of a local community hospital). I love how supportive everyone is and how much everyone is willing to help each other. We have our own cheer team! I will keep everyone posted as we roll towards the surgery date ( 8-26-11)

JimboC

Smoking and surgery
I smoked for 20 years and was quit for about 4 years before my diagnosis. I had my MIE back on July 1st. Quitting smoking is a tough thing to do but I would recommend it. I told my family several times during my initial recovery that I could imagine doing this while still smoking. My lungs are incredibly healthy now but I ended up being on the vent for a little over a day so I had a lot of junk to cough up. Painful. I used a lot of morphine . Like I said, quitting is tough so don't beat him up if he can't but encourage him to. Dr.s prescribed me welbutrin when I quit to help. Best of luck!

Ericalynn

JimboC said:

Smoking and surgery
I smoked for 20 years and was quit for about 4 years before my diagnosis. I had my MIE back on July 1st. Quitting smoking is a tough thing to do but I would recommend it. I told my family several times during my initial recovery that I could imagine doing this while still smoking. My lungs are incredibly healthy now but I ended up being on the vent for a little over a day so I had a lot of junk to cough up. Painful. I used a lot of morphine . Like I said, quitting is tough so don't beat him up if he can't but encourage him to. Dr.s prescribed me welbutrin when I quit to help. Best of luck!

Smoking
Hi Jim,
I joined here around the time you were getting ready for surgery, I have kept track of your progress, and I am so happy that you are doing so well. I have not said anything to him about smoking (well once I did) & I know how hard it is to quit. He has tried everything for years, hypnotism, gum, patches, Wilburton, and the latest chantex (he had severe nightmares) I just have to accept that it is his journey and I can support him but I cannot "make" him quit. Thank you for the advice and I will keep everyone posted. Thank you for the support! The count down to surgery begins T-8 days !

TerryV

Nick smokes too
Erica,

John's not alone in trying to face this while smoking. Nick wants to quit, has tried to quit, but the stress of the EC and the unknown doesn't make it an easy time to give up cigarettes. They are such a natural response for smokers when stressed. Knowing how bad cigarettes are for their health and bad for surgery increases the stress - making the smoker want a cigarette to deal with it. A vicious circle for sure!

Nick was smoking a pack to a pack and 1/2 a day. He was down to 1/2 a pack, but the 1st two weeks home after treatment ended were full of nausea surprises, so his mental attitude took a dive. That brought the smoking right back up.

Nick tried chantix 2 years ago and had horrible dreams. I might ask about the wellbutrin. I don't know anything about that.

Best of luck to getting a clear path to surgery. Fingers and toes are crossed for you! Nick's PET is 08/29 with results provided on 08/31. We have a tentative surgery date of 09/08 - praying we get to keep that date!

Terry
wife of Nick, Stage 3

hopper52

Was Nice to See You
It was really nice to meet you and John yesterday. Glad everything is progressing well. As you read my post my day turned out not quite as well, but from the responses I've received, well I'm a little more settled today than I was yesterday.

Dr Meredith wants me to have a colonoscopy also.....something he saw on the CT scan I think. I will be doing it at Moffitt on Monday. It appears to me that he is pressing on toward surgery if those abdominal lights are false positives. Hopefully that's the case.

They called to schedule my colonoscopy this morning and said I had two choices....Dr Helms and Dr Harris. Dr Helm did my wife's back in 2008 and found colon cancer. I was impressed by his meticulouness (Spelling?) so when it came time for me to have my endoscope back in April I asked for Dr Helms and he found my EC. That's 2 for 2 on cancer diagnosis for him so this time around I asked for Dr Harris (she did my EUS after my EC diagnosis).

Best of luck to you guys. I'll keep you in my prayers

Michael Daniels (Was T3N0M0....is now ??????)
Brandon, Fl