Class of 2011 - ROLLCALL!

TerryV

I'll start :-)
Nick, age 48, diagnosed T3N1M0 on May 19, 2011. 28 rads & 2 weeks inpatient Cisplatin/5FU. THE 09/08/2011, Clean Path 09/13/2011.

Since then?

CT on 12/13/2011
Met with surgeon in January - surgeon says "new node in upper right lung noted in CT. Not to worry, you're doing great. You are my poster boy."

Met with Oncology in January - he says "hmmm, new node? Too small to biopsy. CT again in March."

Fast forward to today - met with Oncology to review 03/15 CT scan. Doc walks in the room and says the node is gone. NOT visible on the scan. Nick is NED!!!! Next appointment is 3 months, lab work and doc meeting only.

Thank you, Lord! I am SO GRATEFUL!!

Niki & Jeff - I know you're looking at the same fears I had just hours ago. Please know I'm thinking of and praying for you both.

Where is the rest of our "Class"? It would be wonderful if you could update us on your progress. With much love and respect for all of you! YOU and prayer pulled Nick & I through this. and THANK YOU for that! Big hugs to everyone.

Terry

Credit for the CAPS to ERIC who we lost today. We will miss you!

The "class" surgery schedule:
Janet (Janet Runge) & Charlie - May 27
Jim (Jimbo) - July 2011 but and still fighting, recurrance in 2012
Kim (MissusB) & Bill - Aug 29th - Kim lost Bill to aspiration on 12/17/2011
Laura (Laura23) & Luis - Aug 30th
Rick (Rick0311) - Aug 31st
Niki (NikiMo) & Jeff - Sept 6th
Jeff Thomas (JThomas233) - Sept 8th
Terry (TerryV) & Nick - Sept 8th
Erica (Ericalynn) & John - Sept 9th
Bob Haze (BobHaze) - Sept 23rd
Roy (dad of Luvs24) - Oct. 7th
Cora (Cora11) & Keith - Nov.
Dave (CaptDave) - 01/06/2012

Classmates Diagnosed but not surgical candidates:

Meg (Megmacmd) - March 2011 T3N1M0 not a sugerical candidate since multiple nodes
Michael (Hopper52) - anticipated surgery but lost the battle in 2011
Lee (LeeinCanada) - Diagnosed Stage 4, lost the battle Nov 2011 / wife Chantal (Daisylin) still posting infreqently
Ginny's (Ginny_B) Mom - August 2011 but lost the battle in 2012
Eric (Chemosmoker) - Diagnosed Stage 4, lost the battle March 2012 / wife Michelle (LilChemoSmoker) still posting infrequently

BobHaze

6 months post
I'll be 6 months post-surgery in a couple of days, and my "6 month" appointment with my surgeon is in 3 weeks. Aside from occasional significant "scanxiety," I'm doing great. I'm both pleased and encouraged by Nick's status: NED! That so fantastic I hardly know what to say!!

Bob
T1aN0M0
dx 8/3/11
MIE 9/23/11

JReed

I don't know what class we are
Terry

Is Don in the class of 2011 or 2012? He was diagnosed in Nov 2011 but having surgergy March 22, 2012. I have made up a really nice spreadsheet with lots of info of most everyone on here and I'd be happy to email to anyone who would like it. Just send me a private message here with your email address and I'll forward it to you.

THANKS (in honor of Eric!)
Judy

TerryV

JReed said:

I don't know what class we are
Terry

Is Don in the class of 2011 or 2012? He was diagnosed in Nov 2011 but having surgergy March 22, 2012. I have made up a really nice spreadsheet with lots of info of most everyone on here and I'd be happy to email to anyone who would like it. Just send me a private message here with your email address and I'll forward it to you.

THANKS (in honor of Eric!)
Judy

The Class of 2011 .....
is a joke of sorts that several of us had way back when. There had to be 8 or 9 of us going through treatment and surgery within two - four weeks of one another. We became pretty cohesive and called ourselves the Class of 2011. Even had a class motto, but it JeffT put it in Latin, so I'll be durned if I can recall it. I'll have to page backwards to find it.

Our "class" has graduated - gone through surgery if surgery was possible. But EC brings us all together so the "Class" year is really unimportant. Graduation, if possible, is really all that matters.

I'll private message you for a copy of the spreadsheet after Don's surgery. You've got to have a lot on your mind right now.

Know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers as you move forward to Don's graduation. Lots of love & hugs,

Terry

JReed

TerryV said:

The Class of 2011 .....
is a joke of sorts that several of us had way back when. There had to be 8 or 9 of us going through treatment and surgery within two - four weeks of one another. We became pretty cohesive and called ourselves the Class of 2011. Even had a class motto, but it JeffT put it in Latin, so I'll be durned if I can recall it. I'll have to page backwards to find it.

Our "class" has graduated - gone through surgery if surgery was possible. But EC brings us all together so the "Class" year is really unimportant. Graduation, if possible, is really all that matters.

I'll private message you for a copy of the spreadsheet after Don's surgery. You've got to have a lot on your mind right now.

Know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers as you move forward to Don's graduation. Lots of love & hugs,

Terry

PM me anytime
Hi Terry:

You can pm me anytime - we are going to leave to go to the Med Inn connected to the hospital tomorrow afternoon and I'll be bringing along my laptop so I can send the spreadsheet to you anytime.

Things were getting a little hairy around here until this afternoon. I got sick last week with a horrible headache - went to the doc and he said it was a migraine - gave me two shots and sent me home. Didn't touch it. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen all weekend and went back to doc yesterday afteroon. The headache had actually gotten worse - very bad in fact. It was a late appt (4:40) and he ordered a CT scan and the stupid insurance company wouldn't pay for one after 5pm. He gave me another shot mixture and said I could through the ER right then or wait and see if the shots worked and if not go later that night. We went to the ER at 8pm and they did the CT scan and found an infection behind my eyes in the sphenoid sinus area. They gave me another shot and a starter of antibotics and prescriptions to get filled today. Finally got the scripts filled, came home went to sleep and woke up feeling great. I was getting pretty anxious - knowing we have to go to Ann Arbor and I feel like crap. But that's all over now and I can again focus on Don. By the way - the shot the doc gave me yesterday afternoon - he said would knock me out - so he had Don pushing me in a wheelchair. As soon as we got out of his site - I got out of that chair and we walked to the truck in the parking ramp. Can you imagine - here is Don with cancer - due to be operated on - and he's pushing me in a wheelchair! Hah!

Anyway - send me your email address and I'll send you the spreadsheet I have - maybe you can look it over, fill in the blanks or add more to it so it will be useable to everyone.

thanks,
Judy

captdave

I'm not sure if I qualify
I'm not sure if I qualify for the class of 2011 or not. I was diagnosed in november 2011 but didn't have surgery until January 6 2012. I am doing great! no cancer in pathology of esophagus no lymph node involvement nothing! The doc's declared me cured. I am back to work full time exactly two months after my surgery. I am so incredibly blessed I cant believe it or understand why but, I am very very grateful.

Dave

captdave

I'm not sure if I qualify
I'm not sure if I qualify for the class of 2011 or not. I was diagnosed in November 2011 but didn't have surgery until January 6 2012. I am doing great! no cancer in pathology of esophagus no lymph node involvement nothing! The doc's declared me cured. I am back to work full time exactly two months after my surgery. I am so incredibly blessed I cant believe it or understand why but, I am very very grateful.

Dave

TerryV

Class of 2011 motto
Credit for the class motto to Jeff Thomas - known on the forum as JThomas233, not JeffT. Quoting Jeff from NikiMo's "Last Day of Radiation" thread posted 07/28/2011 http://csn.cancer.org/node/223281

As a contributing member of the Sophmore class, and because I was a Fraternity member in College, I recommend that our Class Credo be-

sine timore progredi..
propositum in potestate!

Progress without fear..
Power in our purpose!

NikiMo

THANK GOD!!!!!
Terry,

I am over joyed to read about the dissappearing node!!! I hope and pray the same for Jeff, he has his PET/CT on April 16. We are taking the week prior off as vacation, going down to Florida and hoping to meet up with Erica and John for that umbrella drink!

I am so HAPPY for your good news, 'power in our purpose'!

I WILL MISS OUR CLASSES LOUDEST CHEERLEADER HOW I WISH HE COULD HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE GRADUATING CLASS. Michelle my prayers go out to you and your family.

Prayers also to Michaels family, I really wish he could be joining in on our role call today.

And JeffT if you are out there, you are in my thoughts. I think of you often and hope that no news to us is good news for you!

Niki
Wife to Jeff T2N1M0
6 weeks FOLFOX and concurrent radiation
9/6/11 Ivor Lewis at John Hopkins - clean pathology
10/21/11 began 3 round post-op 'insurance' chemo
12/2/11 hospitalized for sepsis - chemo ended port removed
Thinking and praying that we are NED at present

Janet Runge

class 2011
Hi,
I think Charlie and I qualifiy for the roll call.
Diagnosis Feb 2011 T3N1Mo
3 94hour continuous cisplatin/5fu/taxol infusions
32 rounds radiation
Surgery May 27th 2011 pathology clean
2 rounds 5fu/taxol post chemo

Pet/ct September clean
Pet/ct December clean but 2 aspiration pneumonia spots
Ct chest on Feb 6th they are almost gone but surgeon and oncology say to expect this because of the new anatomy ie: stomach near trachea and no value to prevent food from coming up!
Next Pet/ct March 27th and already getting nervous. Can't wait until it is over
Charlie is now a great 167lbs and feeling good.

Janet

Cora11

Janet Runge said:

class 2011
Hi,
I think Charlie and I qualifiy for the roll call.
Diagnosis Feb 2011 T3N1Mo
3 94hour continuous cisplatin/5fu/taxol infusions
32 rounds radiation
Surgery May 27th 2011 pathology clean
2 rounds 5fu/taxol post chemo

Pet/ct September clean
Pet/ct December clean but 2 aspiration pneumonia spots
Ct chest on Feb 6th they are almost gone but surgeon and oncology say to expect this because of the new anatomy ie: stomach near trachea and no value to prevent food from coming up!
Next Pet/ct March 27th and already getting nervous. Can't wait until it is over
Charlie is now a great 167lbs and feeling good.

Janet

Such good news Nick and
Such good news Nick and Nikki hoping for absolutely the same news for you and Jeff. Great to hear some of these positive updates.
I think about everyone here so often.. just haven't been posting much lately. Keith is recovering well too from surgery in Nov.
All my best,
Cora

TerryV

Janet Runge said:

class 2011
Hi,
I think Charlie and I qualifiy for the roll call.
Diagnosis Feb 2011 T3N1Mo
3 94hour continuous cisplatin/5fu/taxol infusions
32 rounds radiation
Surgery May 27th 2011 pathology clean
2 rounds 5fu/taxol post chemo

Pet/ct September clean
Pet/ct December clean but 2 aspiration pneumonia spots
Ct chest on Feb 6th they are almost gone but surgeon and oncology say to expect this because of the new anatomy ie: stomach near trachea and no value to prevent food from coming up!
Next Pet/ct March 27th and already getting nervous. Can't wait until it is over
Charlie is now a great 167lbs and feeling good.

Janet

Welcome to the class, Janet!
It's great to see another class success story! Thank you for adding your information

Hugs to you and Charlie!

Terry

TerryV

Cora11 said:

Such good news Nick and
Such good news Nick and Nikki hoping for absolutely the same news for you and Jeff. Great to hear some of these positive updates.
I think about everyone here so often.. just haven't been posting much lately. Keith is recovering well too from surgery in Nov.
All my best,
Cora

Glad Keith is recovering well
It is *good* to see you again, Cora I've been wondering how things were going for you both. Really wonderful to hear that Keith is adjusting. He's not back at work yet, is he? Or did he go back part-time, last month maybe?

We think of you often!

Hugs to you both,

Terry

cher76

TerryV said:

Welcome to the class, Janet!
It's great to see another class success story! Thank you for adding your information

Hugs to you and Charlie!

Terry

Wonderful News!
So great to hear some good news for a change. Thanks for the roll call, Terry! Haven't been on here much lately. So good to hear some are slaying the "beast"! Hardly a day goes by that I don't tell our story to someone, to encourage them to get their heartburn/reflux checked out. Early detection seems to be the key. I feel if I can keep one person from going through what we did then Rickie will not have died in vain. Praying for continued good CT scans and NED to all of you!
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie dx Stage IV EC Oct. 2010
Mets to bones and brain
Lost the battle Jan. 4, 2012

TerryV

cher76 said:

Wonderful News!
So great to hear some good news for a change. Thanks for the roll call, Terry! Haven't been on here much lately. So good to hear some are slaying the "beast"! Hardly a day goes by that I don't tell our story to someone, to encourage them to get their heartburn/reflux checked out. Early detection seems to be the key. I feel if I can keep one person from going through what we did then Rickie will not have died in vain. Praying for continued good CT scans and NED to all of you!
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie dx Stage IV EC Oct. 2010
Mets to bones and brain
Lost the battle Jan. 4, 2012

Thank you, Cheryl
We will do everything we can to make sure that Rickie's story and those of the other Stage IV's get out. I don't like Nick being a Stage 3, even that's too much. Early prevention / detection is KEY.

You are in our hearts. Hugs to you!

Terry

Karrie42

Glad to hear positive stories.
As a newbie I'm glad to hear such positive stories here. Sending continued good energy out to this group!

- Karrie

GerryS

JReed said:

I don't know what class we are
Terry

Is Don in the class of 2011 or 2012? He was diagnosed in Nov 2011 but having surgergy March 22, 2012. I have made up a really nice spreadsheet with lots of info of most everyone on here and I'd be happy to email to anyone who would like it. Just send me a private message here with your email address and I'll forward it to you.

THANKS (in honor of Eric!)
Judy

Good vibes......
Judy and Don,
I had my IL surgery two years ago today. I am 2 years NED. I send my thoughts and prayers to you today.
From my perspective this is a good day for surgery.

God Bless....

Gerry

Class of 2010

TerryV

captdave said:

I'm not sure if I qualify
I'm not sure if I qualify for the class of 2011 or not. I was diagnosed in november 2011 but didn't have surgery until January 6 2012. I am doing great! no cancer in pathology of esophagus no lymph node involvement nothing! The doc's declared me cured. I am back to work full time exactly two months after my surgery. I am so incredibly blessed I cant believe it or understand why but, I am very very grateful.

Dave

Always happy to have another success story
...as part of our class! Welcome, CaptDave to the Class of 2011!

As I told someone earlier, EC brings us all together. It really doesn't matter what year your "class" so long as you graduate. It's so important for survivors to be around for "post graduate" work of educating others to early detection and possible prevention of EC.

Congratulations to you! and Hugs

Terry

megmacmd

class of2011
Don't know if I qualify.Diagnosed March 2011 T3N1M0 not a sugerical candidate since multiple nodes in pelvis and perihilar(lungs) did 12 rounds if FLOFOX(oxiplatnum leucovorin 5FU) march to
October. Managed to work through it all despite hair loss no appetite peripheral neuropathy was the worst then tooth loss.CT scan shows shrinkage of nodes and mass at GE junction. Been off chemo 4 months appetite is back no trouble eating YEAH.Apt next month insurance will not approve PET scan just CT so we will see.Am a bit in a bind must work to keep health insurance do not qualify forany programs since have some assets(house 401K) Do not have a caretaker husband mother father and sister all deceased Children live 4 hours away.Youngest still in college.Goal is to get him through his last year at Uni of Virginia. Will go to live with eldest daughter when I cant work.Haven't decided wether I will go through chemo again or take my chances I feel pretty good and am enjoying Virginia Beachand walking the dog outings with friends kayaking and I love my job as apediatric neonatal hospitalist.Want to enjoy life not just exist.Time will tell I take each day as it comes

TerryV

megmacmd said:

class of2011
Don't know if I qualify.Diagnosed March 2011 T3N1M0 not a sugerical candidate since multiple nodes in pelvis and perihilar(lungs) did 12 rounds if FLOFOX(oxiplatnum leucovorin 5FU) march to
October. Managed to work through it all despite hair loss no appetite peripheral neuropathy was the worst then tooth loss.CT scan shows shrinkage of nodes and mass at GE junction. Been off chemo 4 months appetite is back no trouble eating YEAH.Apt next month insurance will not approve PET scan just CT so we will see.Am a bit in a bind must work to keep health insurance do not qualify forany programs since have some assets(house 401K) Do not have a caretaker husband mother father and sister all deceased Children live 4 hours away.Youngest still in college.Goal is to get him through his last year at Uni of Virginia. Will go to live with eldest daughter when I cant work.Haven't decided wether I will go through chemo again or take my chances I feel pretty good and am enjoying Virginia Beachand walking the dog outings with friends kayaking and I love my job as apediatric neonatal hospitalist.Want to enjoy life not just exist.Time will tell I take each day as it comes

So Pleased to hear things are good right now
Meg!

I'm SO happy to hear from you. It's been a while. I hadn't not realized that you were on a 4 month chemo vacation. That's WONDERFUL! Glad also that your appetite has returned. Make the most of it

Anyone that can spread the word of EC and early testing/detection qualifies for our class! Appreciate your update! Please continue to take care of yourself!

Hugs to you,

Terry

birdiequeen

Husband is Class of 2010
Dx 11/10 @ 49 years old
Surgery (THE) 12/10
NED 12/11
Two "spots" on kidney detected 1/12
First Biopsy inconclusive 2/12
Second Biopsy 3/29/12

He is feeling well and looks great. So hopefully the spots are nothing. Just got back from a vacation where he rode several roller coasters.

Thanks Terry for the roll call!