Advice Much Appreciated

dm01991
dm01991 Member Posts: 2
in Esophageal Cancer #1
My father is 75 and was diagnosed with T3 cancer of the esophagus. He had a feeding tube inserted (he can hardly eat), and will start chemo and radiation in a few weeks. The tumor is an inch long and has gone through the esophagus wall and into the lymph nodes. He has diabetes and is on Plavix from a recent heart attack (his second). My mother is in complete denial, and I am planning on taking care of my Dad (I am 38 with a 6 year old who really loves her Grandpa). My mother says that they are going to try to shrink the tumor, and then do surgery. It is questionable, if he would survive the surgery. She refuses to ask the oncologists about prognosis, and just says that she will have Dad do whatever they say. Does anyone know the prognosis for someone at this stage?
I myself have GERD, and have to get my esophagus dilated frequently. I pray this is not in my future also.

Comments

  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    #2
    It's good that your father
    It's good that your father got the feeding tube inserted. Many people here have said how very important the feeding tube can be in recover. As far as a prognosis....everyone is individuals but William on our sight is an 8 year...might be 9 now, survivor of stage III EC. The stats are very discouraging, but there are survivors. Just try and stay positive, the best you can during these trying times.

    I do have a suggestion for you on the GERD. Check into the TIF procedure. Hindsight, I wish we had considered this option before cancer developed.
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #3
    Hello and So Sorry!
    "Welcome" to the EC forum, dm01991. Welcome may seem a strange word here, but you have just found what I believe to be one of the most informed areas of the web regarding the topic of EC.

    My 48 y.o. husband was diagnosed Stage 3 with involved Lymph Nodes on May 19th of this year. He completed 26 radiation treatments and 2 weeks of in patient chemo. It was an aggressive approach all done with the intent to take him into surgery. The tumor shrunk and surgery was performed on Sept 8th. He came out with a Clean Pathology on Sept 13th. Yes, it was rough. Radiation wore him out, but it was do-able. Chemo week 1 went well, chemo week 2 was a bit rougher. Everyone handles rads and chemo differently though. You will learn - everyone is a statistic of 1. No one else's experience will completely mirror your dad's.

    You and your father will need to have a good heart to heart with his doctors to determine if he is capable of going through treatment with a goal of surgery. There are certainly 75 y.o.'s that have done it. Make sure that you and he get a couple of opinions - even if you are at a major cancer center. It never hurts to have a 2nd pair of eyes on things.

    As far as you - please keep close eyes on your GERD. Do you know if you have Barrett's Esophogus? Barrett's is considered a precancerous condition and could give your doctors a head's up on how closely to monitor you.

    Others will add their input. We have many posting here with experience across all stages of EC.

    Best wishes to you and your father. Hang on - you're in for a devil of a roller coaster ride.

    Terry
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #4
    You've come to the right
    You've come to the right place for advice, tho' I'm sorry you have to be here. There are people here with much more experience than I that will be chiming in.
    But, here's some of my thoughts:
    1) I assume, since you've had your esophagus stretched and have GERD, that they do periodic endoscopies to monitor YOU for EC. If not, get one immediately.
    2) T3 doesn't really tell the stage of your Dad's cancer--just that it goes through the wall of the esophagus. If the lymph nodes affected are distant from the site of the tumor, then it's probably stage IV. If near, probably stage 3. However, I tend to agree with you. Chemo will work on the cancer wherever it is in the body and could shrink the tumor and clear the lymph nodes. That seems a better quality of life route than the very difficult surgery given his age and other conditions. The oncologist can tell you the stage and if surgery is an option. The surgeon can tell if he is healthy enough to be a candidate for it.
    3) Before making any decisions, be sure to consult with cancer centers that see a lot of EC.
    My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV EC in late June. I'm sure you and your mom are overwhelmed with all this. Try to go just one step/one day at a time.
    Angie
  • dm01991
    dm01991 Member Posts: 2
    #5
    AngieD said:

    You've come to the right
    You've come to the right place for advice, tho' I'm sorry you have to be here. There are people here with much more experience than I that will be chiming in.
    But, here's some of my thoughts:
    1) I assume, since you've had your esophagus stretched and have GERD, that they do periodic endoscopies to monitor YOU for EC. If not, get one immediately.
    2) T3 doesn't really tell the stage of your Dad's cancer--just that it goes through the wall of the esophagus. If the lymph nodes affected are distant from the site of the tumor, then it's probably stage IV. If near, probably stage 3. However, I tend to agree with you. Chemo will work on the cancer wherever it is in the body and could shrink the tumor and clear the lymph nodes. That seems a better quality of life route than the very difficult surgery given his age and other conditions. The oncologist can tell you the stage and if surgery is an option. The surgeon can tell if he is healthy enough to be a candidate for it.
    3) Before making any decisions, be sure to consult with cancer centers that see a lot of EC.
    My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV EC in late June. I'm sure you and your mom are overwhelmed with all this. Try to go just one step/one day at a time.
    Angie

    Thank you
    Thank you for all for the response. I have been reading many posts, and you are all wonderful people! There are many brave souls here.

    God Bless you all!
  • Heeran
    Heeran Member Posts: 171
    #6
    Hi
    Hi and welcome to our group. My mom is also T3 and it spread to her local lymph nodes. After 6 weeks of chemo and 28 radiation sessions, we just had a PET scan and no cancer activity in the lymph nodes anymore and the tumor shrunk. Now we're in the middle of physical exams to see if she's healthy enough for surgery. She's 56 and very weak right now. Starting the 4th week of chemo, it all took a toll on her and she's been since still trying to recover so as a caregiver, you'll have to stay emotionally and physically strong yourself to get your father through this. You may see him setting really sick. You may see his spirits dwindling. You may be heartbroken that your father doesn't seem like him self. It will be tough on you as well as your child. I have 3 toddlers who ask almost daily if Grandma's owie went away. I hope your father has very good response to the treatment plan and will pray that he can be a candidate for surgery. That's the ultimate goal.
  • Luvs24
    Luvs24 Member Posts: 75
    #7
    Surgery
    Dm01991,
    My dad is 64, Diagnosed in June with Stage 3 cancer. Tomorrow will be two months since his surgery. He did chemo and radiation. Surgery should be the goal because yes, even though the statistics are bad for this awful disease, there are survivors and your dad needs to be one of the many.

    You will learn to ask questions, and be observant of how your dad handles everyday things. Your mom is probably very afraid to hear the answer of the prognosis. So stay in her denial with the attitude that there is no other option of a good prognosis and listen to the doctors.

    I hope you are near your dad? (I am in NH, he is in Florida, but I was able to spend time with him after the surgery.)

    Keep a daily journal. Note the little improvements or setbacks so any patterns can be seen...

    Good luck to your whole family. Sorry to have to say welcome to this group and you have to go through this. (I still consider myself a newbie, but this is a great, caring and informative group.)

    God Bless,
    Beth
    Daughter of Roy
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #8
    All the advice given is very
    All the advice given is very accurate. The doctor needs to talk to all of you and discuss treatment and his other health issues.It's always good to have three sets of ears listening. Keep records of all visits and test results. they don't mind giving you copies.

    Please keep a watch on your gerd. Keep down acid reflux. If you don't sleep elevated, give it a try. It helps with the reflux at night. We that have experienced EC, know the culprit that causes it is acid. Acid reflux can also cause the esophagus to close up.

    I was diagnosed at age 64 four years ago with stage 3 and I am now testing cancer free. I was diabetic and had high blood pressure. A lot of weight loss after surgery got rid of the diabetes and high blood pressure--not a good way to get healthy.

    Keep in mind what has already been mentioned. Your dad is not a statistic. No one reacts to treatment just like someone else.
    Sandra

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