Rickie's esophageal stretch
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie, dx EC stage IV, Oct. 2010
Comments
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I am so sorry to hear that things did not go well
Cheryl,
I have been thinking about you and Rickie today and hoping things would go better with the stretch this time then they did last time. I wish the news had been better.
I hope Rickie will be feeling better tomorrow and perhaps he can eat a bit better. It sounds like you need to talk to the folks at MD Anderson to define were things go from here.
I will be praying that you both have a better day tomorrow and that the folks at MD Anderson have some good ideas about where to go next.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!0 -
Hi Cheryl,
I'm sorry to hear
Hi Cheryl,
I'm sorry to hear your latest news. We are so new to this whole nightmare that I guess I didn't really realize all that the stretch entails. I thought it was a relatively simple procedure. Of course, I guess nothing about this disease is ever simple.
I have to say that I was somewhat encouraged when I read that Rickie was diagnosed a year ago. My husband was diagnosed in July of this year and I pray that he, too, can have at least a year left. Unless, of course, he's just sick and miserable the whole time then I guess it becomes the quality of life vs the quantity of life question.
I will pray for you and Rickie as you go forward.
Rita0 -
Hi Cheryl
I am so sorry for
Hi Cheryl
I am so sorry for what you and Rickie are going through, hopefully the stretch even though painful will give Rickie some relief with eating and fluids.
I will be thinking of you both as you find the next step of this journey.
Ann0 -
Hoping for better news...
Cheryl,
I, too am so sorry to hear that this has all been so negative for the both of you.
I can only hope that MD Anderson has better hope for you.
Please, keep us posted as to the progress and what they tell you.
I will be praying for you.
Nothing about this horrible disease is every easy to hear.
God bless you and keep you,
-Eric0 -
Hi Cheryl
I can pretty well guess how you're feeling, but want to say "one day at a time". I like your idea to talk to the oncologist at MD Anderson before doing another chemo.
I hope Rickie gets some relief from the stretch, and will be watching for your posts.
Wishing you peace,
Jo-Ann0 -
Sending prayerschemosmoker said:Hoping for better news...
Cheryl,
I, too am so sorry to hear that this has all been so negative for the both of you.
I can only hope that MD Anderson has better hope for you.
Please, keep us posted as to the progress and what they tell you.
I will be praying for you.
Nothing about this horrible disease is every easy to hear.
God bless you and keep you,
-Eric
Hi Cheryl,
I also hope you get some better news, that there is something else that may help.
You and Rickie are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Julie0 -
Thank you everyone for all
Thank you everyone for all the prayers and words of encouragement. The support here always lifts my spirits. So far so good, no bleeding since we left the hospital. Rickie has decided to take it slowly and will eat soft foods for a few day to allow for the esophagus to heal. I know we can get through this!
Cheryl0 -
Prayers
Cheryl,
I hope today finds Rickie feeling better. Waht a difficult day yesterday must have been. Both of you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers today.
Sincerely,
Whitney
wife of Kevin
stage IVb0 -
Cheryl so much to take inWpturner05 said:Prayers
Cheryl,
I hope today finds Rickie feeling better. Waht a difficult day yesterday must have been. Both of you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers today.
Sincerely,
Whitney
wife of Kevin
stage IVb
Dear Cher,
Boy you had so much to take in and absorb yesterday between the bleeding after the stretch and then what the dr told you about the tumor. You are trying so hard not to let Rickie see you getting upset. I don't know if I could be so brave and strong. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Rickie and I hope that the drs do have another plan for his treatment. This is one heck of a road to go down, hugs to you, many people want so much for you both. take care,
Donna700 -
Thinking of you both!
Oh Cheryl! The sore spots on our tongues from biting down to keep our spouses from seeing - I get it.
Bless you for being so strong for Rickie! Prayers and strength to Rickie as he heals.
You are in our thoughts always.
Terry
wife to Nick, age 48
dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
THE 09/08/110 -
Cher,cher76 said:Thank you everyone for all
Thank you everyone for all the prayers and words of encouragement. The support here always lifts my spirits. So far so good, no bleeding since we left the hospital. Rickie has decided to take it slowly and will eat soft foods for a few day to allow for the esophagus to heal. I know we can get through this!
Cheryl
Thanks for the update
Cher,
Thanks for the update - hopefully the scans will show improvement that the other doctor couldn't see. Keep the faith and I will keep praying for you. I keep thinking about your summer trip to the Gulf of Mexico and how much you and Rickie enjoyd the time and family.
Lots of love,
Cindy0 -
sherry is rightTerryV said:Thinking of you both!
Oh Cheryl! The sore spots on our tongues from biting down to keep our spouses from seeing - I get it.
Bless you for being so strong for Rickie! Prayers and strength to Rickie as he heals.
You are in our thoughts always.
Terry
wife to Nick, age 48
dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
THE 09/08/11
That kick in the gut feeling Sherry talks about is so real.We all know the feelings you and Richie are having now. This cancer takes an incredible emotional toll like no other. Its the proverbial roller coaster ride that Loretta and Bill always talk about. Everytime I come back on the site I see another post like yours and my heart just aches.
I am relieved Richie is no longer bleeding tho. That is a good thing. You are in my thoughts now and always
Barbara0 -
Cheryl,mrsbotch said:sherry is right
That kick in the gut feeling Sherry talks about is so real.We all know the feelings you and Richie are having now. This cancer takes an incredible emotional toll like no other. Its the proverbial roller coaster ride that Loretta and Bill always talk about. Everytime I come back on the site I see another post like yours and my heart just aches.
I am relieved Richie is no longer bleeding tho. That is a good thing. You are in my thoughts now and always
Barbara
I hope Rickie is on the mend by now, and able to eat again. You are in my thoughts, and I hope all is well.
Chantal0 -
Thanks, Chantal.Daisylin said:Cheryl,
I hope Rickie is on the mend by now, and able to eat again. You are in my thoughts, and I hope all is well.
Chantal
I have
Thanks, Chantal.
I have been thinking of you two also. How is Lee doing with his stretch? Has he attempted to eat anything at all? Rickie stayed on liquids the first day, then at soft foods the next and yesterday branched out to some little more solid foods yesterday. So far so good. He so wants to eat, just knows that he has to watch it. Last time when he had the bleeding, I think he rushed it and did not allow it to heal enough before he started eating solid foods. That happened on the third day after the stretch, so I think maybe we are in the clear now. He got a call from MD Anderson telling us that our oncologist here had called to set up an appointment for us. They had scheduled it for Tuesday. Rickie told them we would get back to them and thought he wanted to reschedule it for the following week. I am thinking he wants to put it off so when we go we can have them do the repeat stretch there. How is Lee doing weight wise? Has he kept it on using just the feeding tube? Rickie seems to have stabilized between 132 and 139. Can't seem to get it up higher than that. Of course he doesn't want to use the tube except if it is really necessary. He says he feels too full when he takes a can. I have tried to get him to have one late in the evenings, but he would rather have a bowl of ice cream, and I can't say that I blame him, I would too!
Hope all is well with you both,
Cheryl0 -
Hi Cheryl,cher76 said:Thanks, Chantal.
I have
Thanks, Chantal.
I have been thinking of you two also. How is Lee doing with his stretch? Has he attempted to eat anything at all? Rickie stayed on liquids the first day, then at soft foods the next and yesterday branched out to some little more solid foods yesterday. So far so good. He so wants to eat, just knows that he has to watch it. Last time when he had the bleeding, I think he rushed it and did not allow it to heal enough before he started eating solid foods. That happened on the third day after the stretch, so I think maybe we are in the clear now. He got a call from MD Anderson telling us that our oncologist here had called to set up an appointment for us. They had scheduled it for Tuesday. Rickie told them we would get back to them and thought he wanted to reschedule it for the following week. I am thinking he wants to put it off so when we go we can have them do the repeat stretch there. How is Lee doing weight wise? Has he kept it on using just the feeding tube? Rickie seems to have stabilized between 132 and 139. Can't seem to get it up higher than that. Of course he doesn't want to use the tube except if it is really necessary. He says he feels too full when he takes a can. I have tried to get him to have one late in the evenings, but he would rather have a bowl of ice cream, and I can't say that I blame him, I would too!
Hope all is well with you both,
Cheryl
So glad to hear that Rickie is eating 'solid' foods. I can't say I blame him for preferring ice cream, I would too!!
Lee has still not ventured to try eating anything. I asked him this morning, and he said he just has no desire to eat. At this point he has not eaten in over a month. He has been drinking water, juice and finally he had his Pepsi!!! Fortunately he is maintaining his weight at around 190. Since he has the GJ tube, he's never 'full', but never hungry either. The only thing he does not like about it is that it takes over 12 hours to go through the bottle. (He's on Jevity 1.5, and it comes in a single bottle.) Some days, when he has appointments during the day, he falls behind on his feedings. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get the whole bottle done. Overall, it's been a total lifesaver for him!!
I don't know if what Rickie has is the same type as Lee's, but we were told that it was easily converted to a G tube if we wanted. Perhaps you could switch to a GJ, and do some additional slow feeding at night. (then he wouldn't feel that fullness that he feels with the cans and G tube)
I know you've had bleeding issues a few times during the stretches, and that must be so scary. We were told, when Lee had his, that she had a really hard time getting the wire in, he was so closed up. She warned that he would probably need to be stretched every 2 weeks, but was afraid that she's perforate his esophagus and he would face the real risk of bleeding out. She very strongly recommended having a stent put in. We are still researching the pros and cons. There seems to be so many reasons not to get one done, but if the alternative is having risk of a bleed out every 2 weeks, the stent seems like a better choice for us.
Hope the next stretch goes better for you both! I know you don't have the same holiday as us, but today is our Thanksgiving, so have an extra good day, and don't forget to remind yourself of all the things you have to be thankful for!
Take care,
Chantal0 -
Good news about stretchesDaisylin said:Hi Cheryl,
So glad to hear that Rickie is eating 'solid' foods. I can't say I blame him for preferring ice cream, I would too!!
Lee has still not ventured to try eating anything. I asked him this morning, and he said he just has no desire to eat. At this point he has not eaten in over a month. He has been drinking water, juice and finally he had his Pepsi!!! Fortunately he is maintaining his weight at around 190. Since he has the GJ tube, he's never 'full', but never hungry either. The only thing he does not like about it is that it takes over 12 hours to go through the bottle. (He's on Jevity 1.5, and it comes in a single bottle.) Some days, when he has appointments during the day, he falls behind on his feedings. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get the whole bottle done. Overall, it's been a total lifesaver for him!!
I don't know if what Rickie has is the same type as Lee's, but we were told that it was easily converted to a G tube if we wanted. Perhaps you could switch to a GJ, and do some additional slow feeding at night. (then he wouldn't feel that fullness that he feels with the cans and G tube)
I know you've had bleeding issues a few times during the stretches, and that must be so scary. We were told, when Lee had his, that she had a really hard time getting the wire in, he was so closed up. She warned that he would probably need to be stretched every 2 weeks, but was afraid that she's perforate his esophagus and he would face the real risk of bleeding out. She very strongly recommended having a stent put in. We are still researching the pros and cons. There seems to be so many reasons not to get one done, but if the alternative is having risk of a bleed out every 2 weeks, the stent seems like a better choice for us.
Hope the next stretch goes better for you both! I know you don't have the same holiday as us, but today is our Thanksgiving, so have an extra good day, and don't forget to remind yourself of all the things you have to be thankful for!
Take care,
Chantal
Cheryl, Rickie, Lee and Chantal,
I am SO glad that both of them are doing okay since their stretches. I am glad the bleeding has stopped for Rickie and that Lee has had none as of yet.
I am overjoyed to hear about Lee finally having his Pepsi! What a nice thing to read this morning. Hope the effects last longer than the two weeks given. I do wish he would TRY to eat, as I feel THAT is what is keeping my esophagus open in the first place. I force it to 'work' and stay flexible, and was told it could 'harden up' if I didn't try to eat. I don't have to try; I LOVE food and flavor. I couldn't imagine giving up the tastes.
That's me.
Wishing you both a happy Canadian Thanksgiving today!
Sending love, hugs and prayers to all of you.
-Eric0 -
Woo Hoo! PEPSIDaisylin said:Hi Cheryl,
So glad to hear that Rickie is eating 'solid' foods. I can't say I blame him for preferring ice cream, I would too!!
Lee has still not ventured to try eating anything. I asked him this morning, and he said he just has no desire to eat. At this point he has not eaten in over a month. He has been drinking water, juice and finally he had his Pepsi!!! Fortunately he is maintaining his weight at around 190. Since he has the GJ tube, he's never 'full', but never hungry either. The only thing he does not like about it is that it takes over 12 hours to go through the bottle. (He's on Jevity 1.5, and it comes in a single bottle.) Some days, when he has appointments during the day, he falls behind on his feedings. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get the whole bottle done. Overall, it's been a total lifesaver for him!!
I don't know if what Rickie has is the same type as Lee's, but we were told that it was easily converted to a G tube if we wanted. Perhaps you could switch to a GJ, and do some additional slow feeding at night. (then he wouldn't feel that fullness that he feels with the cans and G tube)
I know you've had bleeding issues a few times during the stretches, and that must be so scary. We were told, when Lee had his, that she had a really hard time getting the wire in, he was so closed up. She warned that he would probably need to be stretched every 2 weeks, but was afraid that she's perforate his esophagus and he would face the real risk of bleeding out. She very strongly recommended having a stent put in. We are still researching the pros and cons. There seems to be so many reasons not to get one done, but if the alternative is having risk of a bleed out every 2 weeks, the stent seems like a better choice for us.
Hope the next stretch goes better for you both! I know you don't have the same holiday as us, but today is our Thanksgiving, so have an extra good day, and don't forget to remind yourself of all the things you have to be thankful for!
Take care,
Chantal
I have zero input for you on stents or stretches, Chantal. Don't know a thing about either of them. Just wanted to send Lee a
!WOOT! !WOOT! for his chance at an icy cold Pepsi
Glad he was able to have one.
Hugs & love to you both! Hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family & friends.
Terry0
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