Hello

forme
forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi All,

I have been following your posts since early summer. This is my second post to your family group. I posted to Lee and Chantal yesterday.

I mostly post to the lymphoma and thyroid boards, as I have both cancers at this time. I feel a bit lost and unsure where to fit in. I have not come across any one with my unique issues.

My latest mets (thyroid ca) are to my esophagus. So, this brings me to you all. I have some similar concerns that you all have. I have also had some treatment already. This has been the most difficult challenge yet.

You all are a really supportive and caring group. The info that you share is wonderful.

For now, I just wanted to say hello and step out of the shadows.

Lisha

Comments

  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #2
    Welcome?
    Welcome seems like such a strange word to use to say hello to someone joining us on this board. But welcome it is. We have quite a strong family bond here for a group of widely dispersed strangers.

    Oh gosh, Lisha! What incredible challenges you must have with your cancer experience. Please let us know how we can support and help you.

    Hugs and Prayers,

    Terry
    wife to Nick, age 48
    dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
    THE 09/08/11
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #3
    Welcome Lisha,
    If you've
    Welcome Lisha,
    If you've been reading our posts, then you know we all are at a different place with the fight. We are here to help in any way we can, even if it is just with hugs and prayers.
    I've known people with thyroid and lymphoma cancer,but not together. It sucks that EC has been added.
    You will be in my prayers, Sandra
  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    #4
    I think you are like many of
    I think you are like many of us here. We read for a while then there will be someone we just have to reply to and before you know it, you feel very close to so many on the board. I'm glad you have found our group and "stepped out of the shadows".
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #5
    You will find support here
    Lisha,

    As others have said "welcome" is a strange word to use. But Welcome to our little family. The one thing we all have in common irrespective of what kind of cancer we have is the need to interact with people who know how we feel.

    I hope you find information that will be helpful here. I know you will find empathy and support here.

    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
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • Luvs24
    Luvs24 Member Posts: 75
    #6
    paul61 said:

    You will find support here
    Lisha,

    As others have said "welcome" is a strange word to use. But Welcome to our little family. The one thing we all have in common irrespective of what kind of cancer we have is the need to interact with people who know how we feel.

    I hope you find information that will be helpful here. I know you will find empathy and support here.

    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
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    New member also
    Lisha,

    I just joined today and it has been amazing the support and the sharing I have already encountered. You are not alone.

    Our Motto is "no one fights alone".

    Paul, I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can tell me what the information is broken down to after your name.

    DX is diagnosed but what about the T2N1M0
    Ivor Lewis - is that your doctor? or surgery?

    Congratulations on being a two year survivor!

    Beth (or Luvs)
    daughter of Roy
    DX 7/2011 *not sure exact date right now...Friday before Father's Day.
    Stage IV
    Robotic Surgery 10/8/11
    Clean Path 9/11 (which means the PET scan came out showing no cancer, right?)
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #7
    Luvs24 said:

    New member also
    Lisha,

    I just joined today and it has been amazing the support and the sharing I have already encountered. You are not alone.

    Our Motto is "no one fights alone".

    Paul, I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can tell me what the information is broken down to after your name.

    DX is diagnosed but what about the T2N1M0
    Ivor Lewis - is that your doctor? or surgery?

    Congratulations on being a two year survivor!

    Beth (or Luvs)
    daughter of Roy
    DX 7/2011 *not sure exact date right now...Friday before Father's Day.
    Stage IV
    Robotic Surgery 10/8/11
    Clean Path 9/11 (which means the PET scan came out showing no cancer, right?)

    Here is the breakdown of the information
    Beth,

    The T2N1M0 indicates the full staging of my cancer

    T2 - Tumor invades muscularis propria layer of the esophagus
    N1 - Metastasis in 1-2 regional lymph nodes
    M0 - No distant metastasis

    You will find the breakdown of TNM staging here:

    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2003224-overview

    The T2N1M0 designation translates for Esophageal Cancer Stage IIB or 2B

    You will find the staging descriptions here:

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/esophageal/Patient/page2

    The Ivor Lewis is a surgical procedure used in a Transthoracic Esophagectomy where two large incisions are used (one in the abdomen and one in the back) to remove the esophagus and re-position the stomach after resection. This is sometimes referred to as "open surgery" as opposed to the laparoscopic robotic MIE procedure that your Dad had.

    I like to include that information because then someone reading my post has information about my cancer history and outcome.

    I am a bit surprised to see Stage IV for your Dad, are you sure about the staging? Surgery is not typically an option for Stage IV?


    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
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #8
    TerryV said:

    Welcome?
    Welcome seems like such a strange word to use to say hello to someone joining us on this board. But welcome it is. We have quite a strong family bond here for a group of widely dispersed strangers.

    Oh gosh, Lisha! What incredible challenges you must have with your cancer experience. Please let us know how we can support and help you.

    Hugs and Prayers,

    Terry
    wife to Nick, age 48
    dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
    THE 09/08/11

    Welcome? YES
    Hi All

    Thank you for the warm welcome. YES, welcome sounds just right.

    For me, just knowing that there is support to reach out to helps so much. I have my moments of wanting to turn off to any thoughts of cancer and or treatments. It can and has been scary and overwhelming at times.

    I have not posted to much lately since I have been so tired. I try to read most every day, but when it comes to putting down my thoughts, my brain just gives out. Today is a better day.

    Just a little about me:

    This year has been long and difficult. My mother in law passed early in Jan. from melanoma. She had been living in FL. After seeing her in late Sept. we knew that she needed to be with us and our wonderful hospice. We flew her and her daughter out to live near us in Oct. We are in CA. We found and set up an apt for the two of them right away. She had hospice the very first day she was here. We also were her caregivers a good deal of the time. In my previous life I was a nurse..

    During this tough time, I was also back to Texas for Dr visits. And to try and set up a new plan for treatment. My local Dr was not able to offer me any options. I don't like taking no options as an answer.
    Mets were found in my esophagus, so I had IMRT during the summer. Still have some issues to work out. The location is tricky.

    I have learned much from your posts, and continue to do so. Many of my challenges are a bit different from most of you. But cancer in the esophagus is still cancer.

    Thank you again for the warm welcome.

    Lisha
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #9
    forme said:

    Welcome? YES
    Hi All

    Thank you for the warm welcome. YES, welcome sounds just right.

    For me, just knowing that there is support to reach out to helps so much. I have my moments of wanting to turn off to any thoughts of cancer and or treatments. It can and has been scary and overwhelming at times.

    I have not posted to much lately since I have been so tired. I try to read most every day, but when it comes to putting down my thoughts, my brain just gives out. Today is a better day.

    Just a little about me:

    This year has been long and difficult. My mother in law passed early in Jan. from melanoma. She had been living in FL. After seeing her in late Sept. we knew that she needed to be with us and our wonderful hospice. We flew her and her daughter out to live near us in Oct. We are in CA. We found and set up an apt for the two of them right away. She had hospice the very first day she was here. We also were her caregivers a good deal of the time. In my previous life I was a nurse..

    During this tough time, I was also back to Texas for Dr visits. And to try and set up a new plan for treatment. My local Dr was not able to offer me any options. I don't like taking no options as an answer.
    Mets were found in my esophagus, so I had IMRT during the summer. Still have some issues to work out. The location is tricky.

    I have learned much from your posts, and continue to do so. Many of my challenges are a bit different from most of you. But cancer in the esophagus is still cancer.

    Thank you again for the warm welcome.

    Lisha

    My sympathy on the passing of your MIL
    I'm glad that you were able to relocate her and her daughter to be closer to you. That has to give you great comfort knowing that you were able to fully participate in her care. You were able to ensure that she was well cared for and comfortable.

    Texas is quite a travel for Dr. visits. Although I imagine that I would go any distance necessary for options. I know I was willing to do that with my husband's diagnosis.

    CSN is such an incredible site. The amount of knowledge, sharing, and ultimately caring that I've found here is priceless.

    Thanks for speaking up and joining in. As Eric & Michelle (& Mother Teresa!) say {poorly paraphrasing} - The ocean is missing when it's short even one drop of water.

    Terry
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    Luvs24 said:

    New member also
    Lisha,

    I just joined today and it has been amazing the support and the sharing I have already encountered. You are not alone.

    Our Motto is "no one fights alone".

    Paul, I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can tell me what the information is broken down to after your name.

    DX is diagnosed but what about the T2N1M0
    Ivor Lewis - is that your doctor? or surgery?

    Congratulations on being a two year survivor!

    Beth (or Luvs)
    daughter of Roy
    DX 7/2011 *not sure exact date right now...Friday before Father's Day.
    Stage IV
    Robotic Surgery 10/8/11
    Clean Path 9/11 (which means the PET scan came out showing no cancer, right?)

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Luvs24
    Luvs24 Member Posts: 75
    #12
    paul61 said:

    Here is the breakdown of the information
    Beth,

    The T2N1M0 indicates the full staging of my cancer

    T2 - Tumor invades muscularis propria layer of the esophagus
    N1 - Metastasis in 1-2 regional lymph nodes
    M0 - No distant metastasis

    You will find the breakdown of TNM staging here:

    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2003224-overview

    The T2N1M0 designation translates for Esophageal Cancer Stage IIB or 2B

    You will find the staging descriptions here:

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/esophageal/Patient/page2

    The Ivor Lewis is a surgical procedure used in a Transthoracic Esophagectomy where two large incisions are used (one in the abdomen and one in the back) to remove the esophagus and re-position the stomach after resection. This is sometimes referred to as "open surgery" as opposed to the laparoscopic robotic MIE procedure that your Dad had.

    I like to include that information because then someone reading my post has information about my cancer history and outcome.

    I am a bit surprised to see Stage IV for your Dad, are you sure about the staging? Surgery is not typically an option for Stage IV?


    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
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Thank you Paul.
    Luckily I
    Thank you Paul.

    Luckily I was wrong with the stage. It was stage III. During treatment they found a cancerous cell outside the esophagus but it was localized and taken care of so it didn't push him up to stage IV.

    I appreciate the information and the link and I apologize to you Lisha for hijacking the thread.

    Beth
    Daughter of Roy
    DX 06/17/11 T3N1M0 Stage III
    10/07/11 Laparoscopic Robotic MIE
    Clean Path
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #13
    Raining and Pouring
    As they say, it never rains but what it pours. Fortunately we have a pouring out of support from everyone here. I'm extremely new, and have been welcomed with open arms. So, hi! And relax in the comfort of friends, if only for a bit.

    --Jerry
  • Wife of patient 50378
    Wife of patient 50378 Member Posts: 124
    #14
    Hi
    Welcome! I believe you will find this board very supportive. The same disease, but individual experiences are varied with this nasty illusive beast. There is a wealth of imformation here, and a tremendous amount of support.
    Sal
    Husband dx 8/2011 T3N1Mo

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