SaraRoss we are moving you to the top so you don't get lost in the middle of a long post

You will find survivors here
Sara,

Welcome you our little family of survivors. Since you say your cousin was diagnosed with metastasis to the liver I assume he/she is classified with "Stage 4" esophageal cancer.

While that is certainly a grim diagnosis and viewed as not a candidate for "curative treatment" there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the symptoms of cancer and to prolong life.

There are a number of survivors here who are Stage 4 and have outlived their doctor's estimate of how long they may live. Things that people here have found to be helpful at whatever stage of cancer are:

1. Try to stay positive - resolve that you will live life and not let cancer define you
2. Do research and learn about your cancer - ask many questions of your medical team
3. Have an advocate attend all medical appointments with you to take notes
4. Make a list of questions prior to all appointments and record answers for later review
5. Ignore the statistics You are a statistic of one!!!!!
6. Don't let your mind get too far ahead of you - take one day at a time
7. Accept the love and help of those who are around you
8. Avoid negative situations and people

You will also find a number of long term survivors on the American Cancer Online Resources web site. They refer to themselves as the "Fighting Fours".

Click Here to go to the ACOR site

Have your cousin give us more information about his/her specific staging information, geographic location, and current symptoms and we can make for specific suggestions about treatment options and locations.

Your cousin is fortunate to have an advocate like you.

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
Three year survivor

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