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mdcook
mdcook Member Posts: 2
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hi All,

 

W'ere new to the boards but not to cancer. Both my parents passed from lung cancer & I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 14 years ago (clean so far). On December 7th another bomb was dropped on us, my wife of 34 years, Meya, was diagnosed with stage IV EC. She's gone throught the denial, the why me's & the why bother's & has now decided to fight this thing despite what the gloomy Dr.s are predicting. She's doing chemo & radiation but stops short of surgury, she just doesn't want any invasive procedures done, including a feeding tube.

And thats my question, how many here didn't get a feeding tube & how rough does it get? She is 8 sessions into radiation and so far is doing ok, actually better because I think the tumor is shrinking. For a while she had a "rotting" smell coming from her throat which was playing hell on her appetite, but that too is fadeing. She decided not to listen to her Dr & she continues eating her native food (she's Korean) at least for now.

Thanks all,

Mark

 

Comments

  • bingbing2009
    bingbing2009 Member Posts: 177
    #2
    I was Stage III

    Mark,

    I don't have any answers for you, since I was stage III, not stage IV. I had the whole thing--chemo, rads, surgery. I also had a feeding tube. Mine was placed before my chemo/rads, but I  never used it until after I had my surgery. I had so many issues with eating after the surgery that I really needed my j-tube. Everything I ate came right back up for weeks--major vomiting problem.

    Sorry that I can't help you, but hopefully someone will be able to. I just wanted to welcome you to the site, even though I wish you didn't have to be here.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

    Melinda

    DX October 2009:  T3N1M0

    November and December 2009:  chemo (Cisplatin and 5 FU) and radiation

    February 2010:  Ivor Lewis surgery

  • Amjosmom
    Amjosmom Member Posts: 212
    #3
    Welcome, Mark...
    My Dad was also diagnosed Stage IV in 8/2010. He has mets to his liver, bone, and recently his lung. He never was a candidate for surgery even since the beginning. I'm so glad to hear that your wife has decided to fight the beast. My Dad doesn't have a j-tube so I can't really comment on that. He still isn't really on board for that yet, but things haven't gotten to that point yet either. He has been blessed in the fact that he has been able to eat pretty much everything he has wanted to. Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you and your wife. There is a lot of help here.

    ~Jayme
  • mdcook
    mdcook Member Posts: 2
    #4
    Thanks

    Thanks guys for your replys. Meya is half way through her treatment & is doing well. She is putting on a little weight (Yay!) & is in better spirits. She has made up her mind to tough it out w/out the j tube even tho the worst is yet to come.

  • minikit
    minikit Member Posts: 23
    #5
    mdcook said:

    Thanks

    Thanks guys for your replys. Meya is half way through her treatment & is doing well. She is putting on a little weight (Yay!) & is in better spirits. She has made up her mind to tough it out w/out the j tube even tho the worst is yet to come.

    Yeah, hubby managed radical

    Yeah, hubby managed radical radation/chemo without a feeding tube - the main stays were 2cal, ensure, homemade soups, high cal shakes and fish oil - lost only 2 kg,

    best wishes to you both

     

     

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