Good News

My Dad was diagnosed with localised esophageal cancer (stage 2 I think) back in April.  As he is 78 years of age it was decided that chemoradiation would be the best way to go, although if the treatment wasn't successful surgery would be reconsidered.  After lots of discussion with oncologist and surgeon it was felt that surgery would be high risk, recovery hard and long and the impact on quality of life at his age would be huge.  Dad was prepared to reconsider surgery if the treatment was not successful.  Anyway, he had his first post treatment endoscopy yesterday which showed no cancer.  Wow!  I know that it is early days and things could change.  I am realistic about this, but for now this is the best possible outcome we could hope for.  The doctor said that if this had been his first scope, he would have simply sent him on his way with no further evaluation - no cancer and no scarring or damage from radiation.  We pretty much knew that something positive had happened as Dad has been eating fine, putting on weight and feeling great for a few weeks now - but to be told it is gone (for now anyway) is wonderful news.   So, for now surgery wont be considered.

Although I haven't posted on here very much, this forum has been a wonderful form of support for me over the last few months.

Jenny