Jerry's Update for Jan 11

jgwright
jgwright Member Posts: 242
in Esophageal Cancer #1
So... Where am I? As you know, I was diagnosed originally Stage IV (Terminal) , but I screamed, hollered, and got a 2nd opinion from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and the University of Washington (who all work together) and got a REAL staging to T4N1M0. Not good, but a revert to Stage III and eventually operable.

So I've had 5 rounds of chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) and have just 4 days of radiation left. Right now, I feel pretty good, but eating is hard. It isn't any fun, I have very little appetite, and it is easy to take that "one last bite" and run to restroom and puke. I've gotten really tired of Ensure and Boost, but my oncologist had me check out something called "Resource Fruit Beverage" which a whey power based nutrition drink. NO MILK!!!

I'll be ordering some tomorrow. No stores around here seem to have any. I did find some stuff called Isopure at Rite Aid, but it doesn't have either the calories or the nutritional value of Resource. Still, it is Fruit Punch... It tastes a bit weird with a bit of an aftertaste, but I'll survive.

So anyway, not much energy, red and white blood cells down a bit, but better than the average for this go, and surgery scheduled for the 3rd week in February.

"Keep on truckin'..."

--Jerry

Comments

  • Proactive Daughter
    Proactive Daughter Member Posts: 55
    #2
    That's right Jerry, keep on
    That's right Jerry, keep on truckin'! Good for you for insisting on a 2nd opinion. I wish you all the best in your fight. Stay strong my EC forum friend!

    Jennifer
  • BobHaze
    BobHaze Member Posts: 163 Member
    #3
    Good on Ya'!
    Congrats on having surgery scheduled. What a big step! Of course you know everyone here on the board will be following your progress and rooting for you. The surgery is a big deal and there will be more adjustments to your dietary life afterward, but they're worth it and in most cases things will work themselves out.

    Depending on what your medical team prescribes, I highly recommend that you follow the UPMC's "Diet after an Esophagectomy" recommendations at http://www.upmc.com/healthatoz/patienteducation/g/pages/dietafteranesophagectomy.aspx, and at least take a look at their "Dumping Syndrome diet" at http://www.upmc.com/healthatoz/patienteducation/n/pages/dumpingsyndromediet.aspx. Dumping affects each survivor differently but many of us experience it to one degree or another, and solutions are mostly diet-based.

    Patience is the key, and you have to remember that "2 steps forward, and 1 step back" will be the rule for at least a couple of months after your surgery, and to not allow yourself to become discouraged.

    So keep us posted and best of luck!

    Bob
    T1aN0M0
    MIE 9/23/11
  • froggerjen
    froggerjen Member Posts: 28
    #4
    Hi Jerry
    It sounds like you are fairing pretty well! And with surgery scheduled, great! My Dad is having surgery next Tuesday at the Mayo. I appreciate the info on the nutrition drinks, too, for my Dad. We take it one day at a time and celebrate each small victory!

    Jen
  • jss2011
    jss2011 Member Posts: 132
    #5
    Hi Jerry
    Just 4 days to go!! Good for you!!! Your taste buds and appetite will come back. Just in time for the surgery and liquid diet no doubt LOL.

    Take Care,
    Julie
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #6
    So good to hear from you
    Hi Jerry:

    It is so good to hear from you. Sounds like you've tolerated things pretty well. Do you have sunburn feeling? Why no milk?

    Don is a couple of weeks behind you - so we're keeping a close watch on you. Are there any tests or scans schedule prior to your surgery to see how the chemo/rads worked?

    Keep us posted as best as you can, we all are pulling for you and thinking of you everyday.

    Mega Hugs,
    Judy & Don
  • MissusB
    MissusB Member Posts: 111
    #7
    JReed said:

    So good to hear from you
    Hi Jerry:

    It is so good to hear from you. Sounds like you've tolerated things pretty well. Do you have sunburn feeling? Why no milk?

    Don is a couple of weeks behind you - so we're keeping a close watch on you. Are there any tests or scans schedule prior to your surgery to see how the chemo/rads worked?

    Keep us posted as best as you can, we all are pulling for you and thinking of you everyday.

    Mega Hugs,
    Judy & Don

    I'm pulling for you, Jerry!
    Thanks for the updates. Sending lots of love and prayers - Kim
  • Rick0311
    Rick0311 Member Posts: 38
    #8
    Hang in there
    Jerry
    Hang in there and keep fighting.

    Good thoughts and prayers headed your way.

    Richard (Rick) Watson
    Neoga, Illinois

    DX – 0411
    EC – T2N2M0
    MIE – 083111
    Barnes Hospital, St Louis
    Dr Brian Meyer
    NED
  • jim2011
    jim2011 Member Posts: 115
    #9
    Good to hear!!
    Jerry, I am glad you are doing good and looking forward to surgery. I was wondering where you had gone but I then remembered how sick I was during the chemo/rads combo. From bed to the couch and walk right by the computer.
    Wish you the best!
    Jim
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #10
    Great to hear from you
    Jerry,

    Glad to hear you are making it through chemo and radiation. That is certainly no fun I know, but it is so great to see you posting a surgery date!!! As people have said in the past it sounds a bit weird to say "good news I am going to have surgery"! But in our case it certainly is.

    Hang in there you are almost done!!!

    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!
  • annalan
    annalan Member Posts: 138
    #11
    Sounds as if you're doing
    Sounds as if you're doing just fine Jerry. We must be the only set of people who "jump for joy" to be told an operation is possible. In England a PET scan is done just prior to surgery.

    Ann (2)
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #12
    JReed said:

    So good to hear from you
    Hi Jerry:

    It is so good to hear from you. Sounds like you've tolerated things pretty well. Do you have sunburn feeling? Why no milk?

    Don is a couple of weeks behind you - so we're keeping a close watch on you. Are there any tests or scans schedule prior to your surgery to see how the chemo/rads worked?

    Keep us posted as best as you can, we all are pulling for you and thinking of you everyday.

    Mega Hugs,
    Judy & Don

    No milk...
    The milk based stuff is okay, but for some reason, boring. So as well as Chocolate Boost, trying out the fruit flavored alternatives.

    --Jerry
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #13
    annalan said:

    Sounds as if you're doing
    Sounds as if you're doing just fine Jerry. We must be the only set of people who "jump for joy" to be told an operation is possible. In England a PET scan is done just prior to surgery.

    Ann (2)

    I Imagine
    something similar. I'm assuming I'll get a PET scan and/or MRI to verify shrinkage...

    --Jerry
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #14
    Jerry, It sounds like you've
    Jerry, It sounds like you've tolerated treatment pretty good. I did well compared to a lot of others on here.
    Have you tried whey protein? I put orange pineapple juice in it and it was very tasty. You can get the whey at any drugstore.
    Will be praying for you as the days tick away until surgery.It'll be good to put it behind you and start a new chapter in your life.
    Sandra
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #15
    sandy1943 said:

    Jerry, It sounds like you've
    Jerry, It sounds like you've tolerated treatment pretty good. I did well compared to a lot of others on here.
    Have you tried whey protein? I put orange pineapple juice in it and it was very tasty. You can get the whey at any drugstore.
    Will be praying for you as the days tick away until surgery.It'll be good to put it behind you and start a new chapter in your life.
    Sandra

    Great to hear from you!
    Great to hear from you! I've been wondering how you were doing. Glad it's going well.
    Angie
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #16
    Glad to hear you are almost through treatment!
    One milestone close to down! Good job :)

    Eating is difficult when doing chemo/rads. Nick was the same. Your appetite will return a few weeks after the chemo/rads are complete. Seems to be just in time to have a few good days of eating before going on the liquid diet prior to surgery :( Stuff yourself when you can eat!

    Keep on truckin', Jerry! We are with you every step of the way.

    Love & Hugs,

    Terry
  • jim2011
    jim2011 Member Posts: 115
    #17
    jgwright said:

    I Imagine
    something similar. I'm assuming I'll get a PET scan and/or MRI to verify shrinkage...

    --Jerry

    I got a PET scan
    It was before surgery. I felt so bad that the first two weeks after treatment ended I spent my time in a hospital then I felt great and even thought about not having surgery. My PET was clear. My kids, wife and doctors all ganged up on me and I had the surgery and have zero regrets. I wish you the best and again...I am happy to hear things are well with you.
    Jim

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