Hi... Sal here.. I'm back

Wife of patient 50378

Heeran said:

Hi Sal
I've been reading through your posts and comments from members. I'm so glad to hear that your husband is questioning and demanding better answers and treatment plan. Please keep us informed if you decide to speak with some other doctors.

Prayers to your mother as well.
Heeran, I hope your mother can come to the best decision for her situation too.
I will certainly keep you posted, and thank you for caring.

PS. Great picture of you guys.
Sal

Gatoraid

Very Good News
When I responded to your situation a few days ago, I really felt bad for you. Just as I was, your husband is in shock with the news of his cancer. Once diagnosed I spent several weeks researching every site I could find about this disease. One thing I found out is that the information is dated and inaccurate in many cases. 10 years ago, Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus was rare in the US but since then for some reason (chemicals in food?) there are many cases now. Much of the information I found put Squamus Cell and Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in the same basket and the survival statistics mentioned are wrong. With T3n1m0 staging, the best way to look at it is that the chance of reocurrance is a 50/50 tossup. Chemo along with radiation followed by surgery is the best chance of success.

Information overload will cause you worrying about things that may never apply to you because we are all unique. I was afraid of the chemo and its 15 possible side effects. After 2 round of Cisplatin and 5fu only I only experienced 3 of the side effects the first round and 2 the second because I found out how to avoisd mouth sores (gargle 3 times daily with salt water during chemo).

If your husband has any questions or just wants to chat, I am available. We got this because it is the luck of the draw. I also was in excellent health and was never sick in my adult life. What I learned is that this brought me and my wife closer together (we were only married 9 months when I was diagnosed and I felt horrible about her marrying me with this disease).

Tell him to let his anger out, then apply it. With stage three, this can be beaten. Help him focus his anger into focusing on doing what he must to beat this thing.

Jim (aka gatoraid)

JimboC

Great news Sal
I am so happy to hear that your husband is open to getting more information. I'm not sure where you are located but if Pittsburgh, PA isn't out of reach, I highly recommend it. Dr. James Luketich was my surgeon and his entire team was incredible. His contact information can be found at http://findadoc.upmc.com/PhysicianBioQuery.aspx?EPCDID=439. Dr. Gibson is one of the oncologists at UPMC. I met with him once after my surgery and found him incredibly personable and very knowledgeable. The word amazing is simply not enough to describe the care I received from any of these fine doctors.

As for the anger, that is natural. This disease isn't a punishment or fair or unfair. It plain stinks. I tried to find the good in it and I was able to. I became much closer with my faith and really found a lot of inner peace. I tell everyone, I'm a better man today than I was on February 27th and I wasn't too bad to start with. As for fair, the pediatric oncology waiting area is right beside the adult at the cancer center I receive treatment at. It just takes seeing one of those sweet innocent children going through what we are to realize the fact there is no fair or unfair, no guilty or innocent with cancer.

Again, I am so glad your husband is open to finding out more.

Wife of patient 50378

Gatoraid said:

Very Good News
When I responded to your situation a few days ago, I really felt bad for you. Just as I was, your husband is in shock with the news of his cancer. Once diagnosed I spent several weeks researching every site I could find about this disease. One thing I found out is that the information is dated and inaccurate in many cases. 10 years ago, Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus was rare in the US but since then for some reason (chemicals in food?) there are many cases now. Much of the information I found put Squamus Cell and Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in the same basket and the survival statistics mentioned are wrong. With T3n1m0 staging, the best way to look at it is that the chance of reocurrance is a 50/50 tossup. Chemo along with radiation followed by surgery is the best chance of success.

Information overload will cause you worrying about things that may never apply to you because we are all unique. I was afraid of the chemo and its 15 possible side effects. After 2 round of Cisplatin and 5fu only I only experienced 3 of the side effects the first round and 2 the second because I found out how to avoisd mouth sores (gargle 3 times daily with salt water during chemo).

If your husband has any questions or just wants to chat, I am available. We got this because it is the luck of the draw. I also was in excellent health and was never sick in my adult life. What I learned is that this brought me and my wife closer together (we were only married 9 months when I was diagnosed and I felt horrible about her marrying me with this disease).

Tell him to let his anger out, then apply it. With stage three, this can be beaten. Help him focus his anger into focusing on doing what he must to beat this thing.

Jim (aka gatoraid)

Gatoraid Jim
Thank you for the offer of communication for my husband,not there yet. You know, Husband has never been sick, has always been active. He is an avid scuba diver. Diving is his passion. I believe he might be afraid, surgery could be the end of persuing his passion.

Thank you Jim
Have a Wonderful DaY

Wife of patient 50378

JimboC said:

Great news Sal
I am so happy to hear that your husband is open to getting more information. I'm not sure where you are located but if Pittsburgh, PA isn't out of reach, I highly recommend it. Dr. James Luketich was my surgeon and his entire team was incredible. His contact information can be found at http://findadoc.upmc.com/PhysicianBioQuery.aspx?EPCDID=439. Dr. Gibson is one of the oncologists at UPMC. I met with him once after my surgery and found him incredibly personable and very knowledgeable. The word amazing is simply not enough to describe the care I received from any of these fine doctors.

As for the anger, that is natural. This disease isn't a punishment or fair or unfair. It plain stinks. I tried to find the good in it and I was able to. I became much closer with my faith and really found a lot of inner peace. I tell everyone, I'm a better man today than I was on February 27th and I wasn't too bad to start with. As for fair, the pediatric oncology waiting area is right beside the adult at the cancer center I receive treatment at. It just takes seeing one of those sweet innocent children going through what we are to realize the fact there is no fair or unfair, no guilty or innocent with cancer.

Again, I am so glad your husband is open to finding out more.

Oh my Gosh, that had to be difficult
Jimbo, ...Gosh, that had to be diffiult seeing children going through cancer treatments. That would put alot things into perspective.

I am providng my husband with information reagarding medical centers 2nd Opinion drs. I will certainly profide him with Dr. Luketich name as well. Thank you.

I am so glad you are doing well.
Thanks Jimbo

Sal

ritawaite13

Wife of patient 50378 said:

Oh my Gosh, that had to be difficult
Jimbo, ...Gosh, that had to be diffiult seeing children going through cancer treatments. That would put alot things into perspective.

I am providng my husband with information reagarding medical centers 2nd Opinion drs. I will certainly profide him with Dr. Luketich name as well. Thank you.

I am so glad you are doing well.
Thanks Jimbo

Sal

Hi Sal
What a blessing that your hubby has this anger and fight in him!! These things will carry him far in his battle against the beast. I know there is a Cancer Center of America in Phoenix which is a sister center to the one in Zion IL that I've heard so many good things about. If you're in New Mexico, that might be worth looking into. Don't forget to take good care of yourself as you go through this too. Go get yourself a pedicure and have an hour of "you" time.
Take care.
Rita

AngieD

ritawaite13 said:

Hi Sal
What a blessing that your hubby has this anger and fight in him!! These things will carry him far in his battle against the beast. I know there is a Cancer Center of America in Phoenix which is a sister center to the one in Zion IL that I've heard so many good things about. If you're in New Mexico, that might be worth looking into. Don't forget to take good care of yourself as you go through this too. Go get yourself a pedicure and have an hour of "you" time.
Take care.
Rita

Mayo in Phoenix
Sal,

After my husband was diagnosed, I met a woman here (KS) whose husband had EC when they lived in Phoenix. He was treated and had surgery at Mayo in Phoenix 6 years ago and is doing well. He still goes back there each year for check-ups.
Angie

chemosmoker

JimboC said:

Great news Sal
I am so happy to hear that your husband is open to getting more information. I'm not sure where you are located but if Pittsburgh, PA isn't out of reach, I highly recommend it. Dr. James Luketich was my surgeon and his entire team was incredible. His contact information can be found at http://findadoc.upmc.com/PhysicianBioQuery.aspx?EPCDID=439. Dr. Gibson is one of the oncologists at UPMC. I met with him once after my surgery and found him incredibly personable and very knowledgeable. The word amazing is simply not enough to describe the care I received from any of these fine doctors.

As for the anger, that is natural. This disease isn't a punishment or fair or unfair. It plain stinks. I tried to find the good in it and I was able to. I became much closer with my faith and really found a lot of inner peace. I tell everyone, I'm a better man today than I was on February 27th and I wasn't too bad to start with. As for fair, the pediatric oncology waiting area is right beside the adult at the cancer center I receive treatment at. It just takes seeing one of those sweet innocent children going through what we are to realize the fact there is no fair or unfair, no guilty or innocent with cancer.

Again, I am so glad your husband is open to finding out more.

GREAT PERSPECTIVE JIMBO!!!
Jim,
What a great post and a really great reminder that one of the very best fixes for the blues and for any pity parties I have can be so quickly silenced seeing innocent children being brave in the face of what we all face as scared adults. Talk about NOT deserving, not fair, not right, and a way to possibly question your own faith; if the pediatric cancer ward doesn't do the trick, there's no hope for me.

I truly believe God puts those children there to teach me how selfish my thinking and self-pity is. They are special souls indeed those kids, to be in those halls. They humble me so FAST. Thanks for the perspective.

God bless you. You have some great contributions here and I look forward to your posts.

-Eric