T4 but not Stage 4

jgwright
jgwright Member Posts: 242
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Well, a visit to the surgeon on Thursday gave me some news and a timeframe. The EUS showed that the GEJ tumor has invaded the diaphragm. Oh joy. That makes me a T4N1M0. I said, in a squeakly little voice, "Does that mean I'm Stage IV?"
"No, no. It hasn't metastasized, it's just gotten bigger. And will make your surgery somewhat more difficult, but you are Stage IIIb still. I know Doctor Lin recommended just chemo, but that was before the results of the ultrasound. You need both chemo and radiation. Rads, five days a week for five weeks, and chemo for 6 to 8 weeks, depending."

So, I'm seeing Dr. Lin on Tuesday (he was overbooked on Thursday) and we'll get this show on the road.

Winter Break at the college is about to start (next week is Finals Week) so I'll be doing chemo and rads during the break, and I won't worry about Winter or even Spring Quarter. If I can show up and help out, I will, otherwise my fellow instructors, retired, and part-time are covering for me.

--Jerry

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #3
    unknown said:

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    No Distant Organs
    Of course, in this case the cancer isn't in distant organs, it's right there at the junction where the esophagus goes through the diaphragm, so I guess it isn't too surprising, though no fun to find that the diaphragm is now involved.

    --Jerry
  • Heeran
    Heeran Member Posts: 171
    #4
    Hi
    So sorry that the tumor got bigger but thank goodness on the no spreading. I hope the Radiation blasts through those nasty cancer cells and shrinks them quickly.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    jgwright said:

    No Distant Organs
    Of course, in this case the cancer isn't in distant organs, it's right there at the junction where the esophagus goes through the diaphragm, so I guess it isn't too surprising, though no fun to find that the diaphragm is now involved.

    --Jerry

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thanks for all the info
    I especially appreciate the Staging info and what a "T4" is. I've always loved to learn... But frankly, my interests were not related to cancer. Times change, don't they? I hope that in 8 years, I'll be as involved and useful to others as you are to us!

    --Jerry
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #7
    Heeran said:

    Hi
    So sorry that the tumor got bigger but thank goodness on the no spreading. I hope the Radiation blasts through those nasty cancer cells and shrinks them quickly.

    You and me both...
    Monday it all starts!!!

    --Jerry
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #8
    jgwright said:

    You and me both...
    Monday it all starts!!!

    --Jerry

    Monday
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jerry. Keep us posted on how you're doing - we are all thinking of you and wishing you the best!

    Hugs,
    Judy
  • megmacmd
    megmacmd Member Posts: 85
    #9
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Staging
    That was a great discourse on staging Now I know why I was soo confused when they say stage3 but treat it like stage 4.Guess that makes me 3c but still doesnt change anything except maybe I have more time until it mets. I willsee Dec30th.Its the waiting and not knowing whats next that drives me crazy. Somedays I try to forget about EC but thats getting harder to do.At least I feelpretty good most days. ANy advice on peripheral nueropathy they stopped the cisplatnum 4 months ago andits still nobetter they say it can take up to a year but the cold weather is making it worse.I think Im going to ask about hospice since Ive decided to stop treatment Iwonder if they just transfer you if you move I plan to go to live with my daughter when I cant work anymore.The peripheral neuropathy makes typing fast difficult miss a lot of keys.Allso cant figure out why my appetite has not improved and some days I cant keep down my old staples of applesause bananas yogurt oatmeal or even soup.Enjoyed chatting with you the other day Bill.You and Loretta sure have your hands full with hermomand sister take care.Andthanks for all theinfo. Guess Ivebeen kind of an ostrich with my head in the sand (ortoes) Sometimes I think because Im a doctor the doctors assume I know all this stuff. But wedont deal with this in the nursery Meg Mac
  • megmacmd
    megmacmd Member Posts: 85
    #10
    Good luck Monday
    My thoughtsand prayers will be with you on Monday.Glad you have good coverage for your classes. I for one struggle with the thought of not being able to work. Part of my identity.Hope you dont go stir crazy not working but sounds like you can pop in whenever you feel upto it which is great. Once again good luck may you have awesome doctors as well as awesome nurses they really make or break a hospital stay. Meg Mac

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