Pet results, stage 3 ?? NO surgery.... Doctor does not like and husband does not want!

Just to add my experience
In February I was diagnosed with an 8cm tumor which was T3N1M0. I was presented with an Ivor Lewis surgical option with pre-op and post-op chemo. After some research, I decided to forgo the Ivor Lewis open surgical procedure in favor of the Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy which I had performed in Pittsburgh at UPMC by the incredibly talented team of Dr. Luketich's. Before that I had 9 weeks (3 rounds) of what my chemo nurses said was the roughest chemo regamine they give. I worked 8 of those 9 weeks and actually could have worked all the way through but I decided that in the event I didn't make it, I wanted to spend those last weeks with my family.

Surgery was July 1st and I was out of the hospital after 7 days even though I had some complications. Most get out in 5 days. I was up and mobile the whole time. Sore as heck sure but I always said I'd rather die on my feet that waiting for it to happen.

After surgery, I had another 9 weeks of chemo which I am just finishing. I am 3 months and 1 week out from surgery. Since surgery, I have been on 3 camping trips with my family and planning some day trips with my wife over the next few weeks before I return to work next month. My first camping trip was about 6 weeks after surgery. And I did all the work setting up the RV at the campsite. I actually had to wait until just now to reply to this because I was at the campground last night and the wireless wouldn't stay connected so I could reply there.

My eating has taken some getting used to but I'll be honest, I am healthier than I ever have been. Before surgery I was about pre-diabetic. Since surgery, I have lost weight and now have that completely under control. My eating would be better but the chemo has caused some mild nausea with the post-op rounds.

Some of my family mentioned concerns about what I would be giving up after surgery. I told them I would rather give up everything in order to get to spend more time with them. I was prepared for the worst after surgery and have found it not to be too bad at all. I ended up with the best of both worlds. I got my time with my family and the changes haven't been too bad. And, they get better every day.

I fully respect your husband's decision not to fight. It is a rough fight and the stats are dismal. Whenever I would get down, I would take inspiration from the many Stage IVs here on the site. I would think here I am with a chance to fight this and what many of them would give for that chance to fight. I felt I dishonored them if I didn't do everything I could. That and a lot of prayer. I did take a lot of comfort in my faith.

Shoot, right now, even after all of this, I have a 36% chance of a 5 year survival. My oncologist tells me with my progress, attitude and they way I have handled my treatment, he feels I am on the upper end of the 36%. I'll tell you this though, had I done nothing, my chances were a little closer to 0% which makes 36% look pretty darn good.

sandy1943 said:

Hi Sal, Your husbands
Hi Sal, Your husbands doctors would scare me. I would definately get a second opinion.

When I was diagnosed in nov. 2007, I thought I had been given a death sentence. I didn't find this site, and all I did find were stats that were all glum.

I was staged T3N1Mo. The doctor ordered chemo (no radiation) and the Ivor Lewis surgery. I didn't know anything about the MIE. The chemo was rough, but mild compared to what some others experience. I had the surgery in May 2008. There were a couple of complications, but I think I did well. It took several months to feel near normal again. I lost 99 pds. I have gained 14 pds back and I'm healthier than before cancer. I was considered diabetic-on medication, and had high blood pressure. I don't have either of these now.

Today, I eat anything I want. I've had to learn to eat smaller amounts, slow and chew,chew, chew. I do have a problem with whats left of the esophagus wanting to close, so I have to be dialated every once in a while. The doctor has said that it might keep recurring. This does not happen with everyone. We all have to sleep elevated to keep down reflux and I take medicine for reflux also.I do have a problem with diarhea sometimes, but it doesn't control my life , I'm dealing with it.

I have tried to be honest. Is the treatment and surgery worth what I have today? Oh Yes! These are small life changes compared to what could have been. Life is a gift and it is beautiful.It was a rough road, but it was so worth fighting for.

I am planning my 50th wedding anniverary celebration in Feb. I didn't think it would ever happen. We have eight grandchildren, that I so enjoy. We now have two great grands, that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't had the surgery.

I am cancer free today. If I do have a reoccrence and it is terminal, I might choose quality over quanity. I don't know, but I would seek help from my friends on this site. They're the ones with the encouraging answers.

We do not have any quarantees in life, but I'm so happy for the extra time I have had to enjoy it. Life has so much more meaning than it did before. I thank God I was stage 3 and had the chance with surgery. There's too many that don't have the chance.

Please, show your husband my post and some of the others post. Life is worth fighting for,and I thank God He gave me the chance,
Sandra

BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, SANDRA, JIMBO, EVERYONE!
Sandra, Jimbo, Everyone,
THOSE were such beautifully written posts. They really moved me. I have even read your stories before in other posts or maybe your about me pages? But hearing it there, the way you both worded them, so "from the heart", such an encouraging posts that I think ANYONE facing surgery should read them!

I still have my feeling and opinions. Faced with the same odds, I would chose what I have chosen, for very personal reasons. THAT is why it is so important for all of us to share and for people to be given ALL the different perspectives and options, so one that will more closely relate to their feelings and wishes will offer them the most help!
Like I heard years ago about posts and writings and opinions; Take what you can use, and leave the rest for others. I think that sums it up well.

I just wanted to post a note after reading those posts and say THANK YOU.
God bless you ALL,
-Eric

chemosmoker said:

BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, SANDRA, JIMBO, EVERYONE!
Sandra, Jimbo, Everyone,
THOSE were such beautifully written posts. They really moved me. I have even read your stories before in other posts or maybe your about me pages? But hearing it there, the way you both worded them, so "from the heart", such an encouraging posts that I think ANYONE facing surgery should read them!

I still have my feeling and opinions. Faced with the same odds, I would chose what I have chosen, for very personal reasons. THAT is why it is so important for all of us to share and for people to be given ALL the different perspectives and options, so one that will more closely relate to their feelings and wishes will offer them the most help!
Like I heard years ago about posts and writings and opinions; Take what you can use, and leave the rest for others. I think that sums it up well.

I just wanted to post a note after reading those posts and say THANK YOU.
God bless you ALL,
-Eric

Thank you Eric
You summed up this community so well just as you do all topics. The strength of this community comes from the fact that everyone's journey with this disease is so different. And most importantly, it is their own. I respect everyone for how they deal with this horrible disease. There are no right or wrong ways, just information.

Best Chance of Survival.
I also was T3n1m0 with 2 positive lymph nodes along with the tumor. The best chance for success is chemo along with radiation followed by surgery. At surgery they take out additional lymph nodes in the area to biopsy them to see if they got everything. If any besides the ones previously identified are positive, then there is more chemo after the surgery. The risk of reoccurance after all that is a coin toss.

I was not happy about chemo, radiation or the surgery, but the MIE surgery was the safest way to go. In my opinion, without the surgery I wouldn't survive very long going forward. My surgery was in December 2010 and I've had 3 clean scans and am back to living a normal life with some changes to due a smaller stomach, etc.

While this is his choice, I feel his depression and the shock of getting this cancer may be removing his fight to beat this thing.

Don't give up in your quest to get him his best chance for survival. It's very scary..too much information can scare you about things that may not effect you while lack of information causes you to make poor decisions. We are all unique and some of us get through this easier than others.

I wish you and him the best.