Hope

Mtngirl7533
Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85
edited November 2017 in Esophageal Cancer #1

I am updating on the events of the last week! My husband was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal Cancer @ the GE Junction. His recent Pet Scan revealed NO spread to other organs, thank God! He had a J Tube placed and is now receiving much needed nutrition! I wondered about a medi port but the surgeon suggested that he had great veins and didn't place one! Corresponding with a wonderful lady on this sight, I realize it is a neccessity to have one! I am not very happy about this surgeon as he isn't very informative and the mechanism on the J Tube was placed backwards! We remedied that with the help of the Dietician! Mind you this surgeon is retiring very soon! The new surgeon taking his place does minimally invasive surgery! I am relieved he will be taking over my husband's case! My husband had his simulation yesterday and we both had chemo orientation. His meds will be as follows, Famotidine, Diphenhydramine, Ondansetron, Dexamethasone, Taxol and Carboplatin. He will receive targeted radiation 5 days a week for 4-6 wks depending on results of course! The Doc also increased his pain med and prescribed anti nausea meds. Our Primary doc who studies and uses holistic meds has prescribed tumeric and aloe vera in his j tube to help with side effects of radiation. My husband has lost a lot of weight but is now taking much needed nutrition through his j tube is is up to step 3. The last 2 1/2 weeks since diagnosis has been a complete blur of appointments, tests, information, paperwork, worry, fear and some tears of course! Tomorrow is the 1st day he doesn't have an appointment and we are headed to our mountain home for a much needed reprieve! I am so grateful for the wonderful team at the cancer center, family, friends and the wonderful people on this website! I am also truly grateful to God! I know a young lady of 17 who is diagnosed with cancer and have suggested this site to her! I will visit as often as possible as I know questions will arise and I also find it comforting to read about survival stories! The Doctor at the cancer center is telling us they think they can cure this! I know, only God knows but it gives us hope! We just had our 32nd Anniversary Nov. 2nd! And praying for many more! Praying for all of you folks as well, those survivors, those who are still fighting! Hope gives us the will to go forward<3 God bless!

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Comments

  • Deathorglory
    Deathorglory Member Posts: 364 Member
    Happy Anniversary!

    Hello Mtngirl,

    Glad to hear there's no spread.  That's a defining line with treatment and you guys are on the right side of the line.  Taxol & Carboplatin are common chemo drugs, so your doctors should be experienced at managing their side effects.  Hopefully, they're minimal.  I'm glad you're following Loretta's suggestion about getting a port.  It's really a better thing than vein sticks.  It's a minor procedure and worth it, at least in my opinion. 

    I know that all of the appointments can get overwhelming.  In just the last month,  I've had four infusions, one CT scan, one echocardiogram and an oncologist appointment.  And I'm five and a half years in remission.  All of the appointments can give you goals and a purpose. though, at a time when you're otherwise feeling lost.  At least that's what I've told myself to try to put a positive spin on things.

    Enjoy the mountain weekend and Happy Anniversary,

    Ed  

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    MtnGrl~Why isn't HERCEPTIN included N list of meds 2B given?

    Okay Mountain Girl ~

    Here is a portion of a letter which I began writing to you on November 9th, so tonight (11-13) I will just put a portion of it here. 

    “Dr. Marshall” has written you a scrip so you can take the weekend off.  You don’t have to tell us what your calendar looks like.  When my husband and I wake up each morning, we have to check with “Father Time” and see “who gets to see us (mostly me) first” today!  But if you haven’t called this past Friday, (11-10) and told the oncologist you wanted him to go ahead and place an order for a medi-port, please make contact with your medical group as soon as you return.  The “medi-port” procedure won’t take long, but the appointment may be a couple of days away from the day the doctor requests it.  Someone from radiology will be placing the medi-port and they too have schedules!

    In your letter here:  https://csn.cancer.org/node/312906 you told us the medications would be these:  “…His meds will be as follows, Famotidine, Diphenhydramine, Ondansetron, Dexamethasone, Taxol and Carboplatin. He will receive targeted radiation 5 days a week for 4-6 wks depending on results of course! The Doc also increased his pain med and prescribed anti nausea meds.

    Our Primary doc who studies and uses holistic meds has prescribed tumeric and aloe vera in his j tube to help with side effects of radiation…”

    In your list of medications HERCEPTIN was noticeably absent.  WHY is your husband not scheduled to receive Herceptin?  You told us in a previous letter that your husband had tested POSITIVE FOR HER2!  In one of our first conversations, https://csn.cancer.org/node/312633 Paul, Ed and I talked to you about how important that it was to have the HER2 testing, and if it came back positive, how important it was to be treated with Herceptin, together with the chemotherapy regimen.  Herceptin can be given through the medi-port as well.  We were pleased to know that the HER2 test had been given, but if this is an omission on the part of the doctor, then if I were you, I would NOT be pleased. 

    We’ve discussed previously what it means to be positive for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2”.   Unfortunately this means that your husband has an oncogene that has a growth factor that causes the cancer to multiply much more rapidly.  It is called “over-expressive.”  Ed credits much of his longevity to being on this drug for several years now.  It is not a chemotherapy drug, but is given in addition to any chemo drug regimen.  It is referred to as “targeted therapy”.  (Some people with esophageal cancer have too much of the HER2 protein on the surface of their cancer cells, which helps the cells grow. A drug that targets the HER2 protein, known as trastuzumab (Herceptin®), may help treat these cancers when used along with chemotherapy.)

    So please clarify for me--did the doctor think it NOT important?  Please ask him about this on Monday (11-13) when you return.  BTW, EC Stage III is considered “advanced cancer.”  If he is recommending putting Turmeric & aloe in your husband’s feeding tube, which can be controversial—surely he has not omitted Herceptin since it is approved by the FDA specifically for Esophageal Cancer patients who test positive for HER2! 

    Okay it’s almost the 14th now, so presumably you’ve already contacted the doctor about the medi-port.  I sure hope so.  And as for the turmeric and aloe being put into the “J” tube to help with radiation, I think I would get more than one opinion on that.  In some instances there can be adverse side effects.  And that's all your husband needs is another side effect!  

    Hope you had a safe trip to the mountains.  No use to use the word “relaxing” in its true meaning, since there is little “relaxation time” after one has been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer.  But anytime you can get away from the usual hustle and bustle of doctor’s visits, it is a good thing.  

    Love Loretta

  • Dave Tronnier
    Dave Tronnier Member Posts: 6
     

     

    September 16, 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer. I underwent 25 sessions of proton beam radiation along with chemotherapy over the course of 5 weeks. After waiting another 5 weeks to recover from that kind of crazy I had my Ivor Lewis surgery, 14 hours on the table. After 9 days in the hospital I was back home. Since my Ivor Lewis I’ve lost 90 pounds and have undergone 34 dilations and 2 different PEJ tube placement surgeries. I’ve been put under Propofol 35 times now since my 1-5-2016 Ivor lewis surgery. The good news, I had my feeding tube removed this past June and have been able to maintain my new 210 lb fighting weight without tube feedings. My stricture had closed to 4mm and kept closing to the point of not being able to even drink water without choking for months. Today after 34 dilations, 5 needle knife surgical procedures along with 6 steroid injections into the stricture plus 30 hours in a hyperbaric oxygen tank therapy, my stricture is finally staying open at 15mm. NO MORE dilations scheduled at this time... YEA!!! I can swallow most all foods now. Bread is difficult and floats to the surface of what’s left of my stomach after eating and makes me regurgitate.  Meat is difficult, but hey I eat it and spit it out as needed, swallow what I can and still enjoy the taste.

     

    I never feel full and my motility is very slow so eating is a crapshoot as to whether I’m going to overfill my stomach/pouch/esophagus whatever you call it. I end up regurgitating nearly every time I eat, can’t help it; it’s like filling a glass of water to overflow, same thing happens to my gut, I can’t tell when I’m full. Well that’s not completely true, I do know I’m full for sure when my voice changes and I have to remove the last 3 bites of food so I can talk and breathe again. My wife calls me the chummer when we go fishing.

     

    OK… enough of that. Life is precious and I am blessed to have been given another shot at it. Today is challenging at time as I do struggle with some depression over the losses, but I’ve adapted to my new way of life. I no longer worry about being embarrassed by my need to regurgitate when needed. I bring my fancy little puker bags with me to the restaurant and sit facing away from people whenever possible. I’ve learned to be very discreet, and it not like major blowout pukes, it’s just the overflow.

     

    What I would tell anybody that reads my post is this. I would not change a thing, life is great today above ground and I’m cancer clean 2 years later and going strong. The worms are going to have to wait another 25 years to get me. I’m 59 years old today and feeling better than I have in years.

     

    FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT all the way and never stop until you kickass on the **** that cancer is. Peace !

     

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    Mtngrl~Not 2B a pest, but we expect 2 hear from U re 11-17 trtmt

    Hello again “Mountain Girl”

    You know we've been keeping up with you and you've told us that your husband is supposed to start chemo on November 17, 2017.  How are things going?  We know that you are "stretched for time" but when you get a chance, we want to hear if Herceptin was added to the regimen, and of course, if a medi-port was placed?  

    Remember to ask for "hydration" the day following, or any time you think he needs it.  But with the "J" tube, you can give him "water" on a regular basis in addition to the formula.  

    As I’ve shared with you before, my husband went to UPMC for a 2nd opinion, and was found to be a good candidate for the then-relatively new IVOR LEWIS MINIMALLY INVASIVE ESOPHAGECTOMY (MIE).  (Surgery date:  May 17, 2003.)  Since then this totally laparoscopic procedure has risen to the “top” of the line for those needing esophagectomies.  UPMC is ranked #6 in the United States for Gastrointestinal diseases, the category in which Esophageal cancer is listed.  Mayo Clinic in Rochester is ranked #1 for GI problems.  So remember to check out a highly-ranked hospital after your hubby’s series of neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation treatments are finished.  I’ve listed the link to USNewsHealth report on a separate topic so people could gain more insight on where to go for the best treatments for their particular problem.

    1.       https://csn.cancer.org/node/312985

    Remember my husband is still cancer free after 15 years of being diagnosed with Stage III (Adenocarcinoma @ GE junction - (T3N1M0).  He has had NO difficulties.  After his discharge on Day 5 from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), we went downtown shopping on Day 8.  (I have photos to prove it as it is my custom to take lots of pictures!  I went into Saks Fifth Avenue just to say I’d been there.  Now it would be a lie if I said “I shopped there!)   For the first 3 months we stayed in the “Family House Shady Side” (a Pittsburgh Family House) and went back to see Dr. Luketich at the Hillman Cancer Clinic for checkups as necessary.  Checkups are very frequent right after discharge from the hospital.  And UPMC has 4 “family houses” for the convenience of out-of-town patients.  One can call “Housing” and arrange for a reservation if they need to stay there.  It’s much less expensive than staying at a motel.  Now it’s even better if one has relatives close to that area and can stay there.  After all, isn’t that what’s “family” is all about?  YES.  Smile

    Since we had arranged for a sweet friend to keep our 4 young grandchildren which we were raising at a time, we took advantage of the situation, and after surgery, we had both a “second honeymoon” and a much-needed vacation. After my husband’s discharge, we traveled to 3 surrounding states for sightseeing tours, and my husband did all the driving.  I say “second honeymoon” because we were so happy to be reunited after the MIE surgery.  I will tell you that when I saw the orderly wheeling my husband down the corridor, and I went to the family waiting area, that was a long 7 hours.  My heart was filled with both fear Cry and hope.Smile  (Surgery time will vary depending on the patient’s needs.)  But I never knew for sure if that would be the last goodbye.  Thank God for the expertise of one brilliant Dr. James D. Luketich.  I truly believe that God gifts certain people with extraordinary abilities for the benefit of mankind.  Dr. Luketich is one of those thoracic surgeons that stands at the top of the list. 

    So we pray that you will have the same success story as we have.   My husband and I appreciate each other more than ever before.  Our love has deepened and our care and concern for other Esophageal Cancer patients is a passion of ours.   So these are the kinds of "SURVIVOR" stories that certainly need to be told over and over again to give newbies like you a big “dose of HOPE!”

    The trees are dropping leaves of red and golden hues here now.  My wish for you is that you & your husband will remain cancer free and that you will be able to return to your mountain home to enjoy many summers—winters—falls and springs.  By that time the “colors” of your hair mostly likely will turn gray or white or at worse “loose” as in bald!Laughing

    Sincere care & prayers for you and your family,

    Loretta

    __________________________________________________________

    2. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals

    U.S. News Hospitals Rankings and Ratings

    The U.S. News Best Hospitals analysis reviews hospitals' performance in clinical specialties, procedures and conditions. Scores are based on several factors, including survival, patient safety, nurse staffing and more. Hospitals are ranked nationally in specialties from cancer to urology and rated in common procedures and conditions, such as heart bypass surgery, hip and knee replacement and COPD. Hospitals are also ranked regionally within states and major metro areas. The Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals with outstanding performance across multiple areas of care…”

    ___________________________________________________ 

    3. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery

    ____________________End of references for now____________

     

     

  • Mtngirl7533
    Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85
    edited November 2017 #6

    Happy Anniversary!

    Hello Mtngirl,

    Glad to hear there's no spread.  That's a defining line with treatment and you guys are on the right side of the line.  Taxol & Carboplatin are common chemo drugs, so your doctors should be experienced at managing their side effects.  Hopefully, they're minimal.  I'm glad you're following Loretta's suggestion about getting a port.  It's really a better thing than vein sticks.  It's a minor procedure and worth it, at least in my opinion. 

    I know that all of the appointments can get overwhelming.  In just the last month,  I've had four infusions, one CT scan, one echocardiogram and an oncologist appointment.  And I'm five and a half years in remission.  All of the appointments can give you goals and a purpose. though, at a time when you're otherwise feeling lost.  At least that's what I've told myself to try to put a positive spin on things.

    Enjoy the mountain weekend and Happy Anniversary,

    Ed  

    Thank you Ed!

    Thank you so much for your response and kind words! Every response is so apprecitiated and I learn so much more then I know now! God bless:)

  • Mtngirl7533
    Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85

    MtnGrl~Why isn't HERCEPTIN included N list of meds 2B given?

    Okay Mountain Girl ~

    Here is a portion of a letter which I began writing to you on November 9th, so tonight (11-13) I will just put a portion of it here. 

    “Dr. Marshall” has written you a scrip so you can take the weekend off.  You don’t have to tell us what your calendar looks like.  When my husband and I wake up each morning, we have to check with “Father Time” and see “who gets to see us (mostly me) first” today!  But if you haven’t called this past Friday, (11-10) and told the oncologist you wanted him to go ahead and place an order for a medi-port, please make contact with your medical group as soon as you return.  The “medi-port” procedure won’t take long, but the appointment may be a couple of days away from the day the doctor requests it.  Someone from radiology will be placing the medi-port and they too have schedules!

    In your letter here:  https://csn.cancer.org/node/312906 you told us the medications would be these:  “…His meds will be as follows, Famotidine, Diphenhydramine, Ondansetron, Dexamethasone, Taxol and Carboplatin. He will receive targeted radiation 5 days a week for 4-6 wks depending on results of course! The Doc also increased his pain med and prescribed anti nausea meds.

    Our Primary doc who studies and uses holistic meds has prescribed tumeric and aloe vera in his j tube to help with side effects of radiation…”

    In your list of medications HERCEPTIN was noticeably absent.  WHY is your husband not scheduled to receive Herceptin?  You told us in a previous letter that your husband had tested POSITIVE FOR HER2!  In one of our first conversations, https://csn.cancer.org/node/312633 Paul, Ed and I talked to you about how important that it was to have the HER2 testing, and if it came back positive, how important it was to be treated with Herceptin, together with the chemotherapy regimen.  Herceptin can be given through the medi-port as well.  We were pleased to know that the HER2 test had been given, but if this is an omission on the part of the doctor, then if I were you, I would NOT be pleased. 

    We’ve discussed previously what it means to be positive for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2”.   Unfortunately this means that your husband has an oncogene that has a growth factor that causes the cancer to multiply much more rapidly.  It is called “over-expressive.”  Ed credits much of his longevity to being on this drug for several years now.  It is not a chemotherapy drug, but is given in addition to any chemo drug regimen.  It is referred to as “targeted therapy”.  (Some people with esophageal cancer have too much of the HER2 protein on the surface of their cancer cells, which helps the cells grow. A drug that targets the HER2 protein, known as trastuzumab (Herceptin®), may help treat these cancers when used along with chemotherapy.)

    So please clarify for me--did the doctor think it NOT important?  Please ask him about this on Monday (11-13) when you return.  BTW, EC Stage III is considered “advanced cancer.”  If he is recommending putting Turmeric & aloe in your husband’s feeding tube, which can be controversial—surely he has not omitted Herceptin since it is approved by the FDA specifically for Esophageal Cancer patients who test positive for HER2! 

    Okay it’s almost the 14th now, so presumably you’ve already contacted the doctor about the medi-port.  I sure hope so.  And as for the turmeric and aloe being put into the “J” tube to help with radiation, I think I would get more than one opinion on that.  In some instances there can be adverse side effects.  And that's all your husband needs is another side effect!  

    Hope you had a safe trip to the mountains.  No use to use the word “relaxing” in its true meaning, since there is little “relaxation time” after one has been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer.  But anytime you can get away from the usual hustle and bustle of doctor’s visits, it is a good thing.  

    Love Loretta

    Herceptin

    That is the question of the day and one I have on my list to ask about tomorrow! I’m sure the surgeon mentioned Her2 positive as well as testing positive for Barrett’s Esophagus! Unlike myself, he never had any symptoms! He will start radiation treatments tomorrow and I hope to run some questions by the radiation oncologist & other staff on the team! Thank you for all of the information you have sent my way! you are truly a wonderful person and I can’t thank you enough<3

  • Mtngirl7533
    Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85
    edited November 2017 #8

     

     

    September 16, 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Adenocarcinoma esophageal cancer. I underwent 25 sessions of proton beam radiation along with chemotherapy over the course of 5 weeks. After waiting another 5 weeks to recover from that kind of crazy I had my Ivor Lewis surgery, 14 hours on the table. After 9 days in the hospital I was back home. Since my Ivor Lewis I’ve lost 90 pounds and have undergone 34 dilations and 2 different PEJ tube placement surgeries. I’ve been put under Propofol 35 times now since my 1-5-2016 Ivor lewis surgery. The good news, I had my feeding tube removed this past June and have been able to maintain my new 210 lb fighting weight without tube feedings. My stricture had closed to 4mm and kept closing to the point of not being able to even drink water without choking for months. Today after 34 dilations, 5 needle knife surgical procedures along with 6 steroid injections into the stricture plus 30 hours in a hyperbaric oxygen tank therapy, my stricture is finally staying open at 15mm. NO MORE dilations scheduled at this time... YEA!!! I can swallow most all foods now. Bread is difficult and floats to the surface of what’s left of my stomach after eating and makes me regurgitate.  Meat is difficult, but hey I eat it and spit it out as needed, swallow what I can and still enjoy the taste.

     

    I never feel full and my motility is very slow so eating is a crapshoot as to whether I’m going to overfill my stomach/pouch/esophagus whatever you call it. I end up regurgitating nearly every time I eat, can’t help it; it’s like filling a glass of water to overflow, same thing happens to my gut, I can’t tell when I’m full. Well that’s not completely true, I do know I’m full for sure when my voice changes and I have to remove the last 3 bites of food so I can talk and breathe again. My wife calls me the chummer when we go fishing.

     

    OK… enough of that. Life is precious and I am blessed to have been given another shot at it. Today is challenging at time as I do struggle with some depression over the losses, but I’ve adapted to my new way of life. I no longer worry about being embarrassed by my need to regurgitate when needed. I bring my fancy little puker bags with me to the restaurant and sit facing away from people whenever possible. I’ve learned to be very discreet, and it not like major blowout pukes, it’s just the overflow.

     

    What I would tell anybody that reads my post is this. I would not change a thing, life is great today above ground and I’m cancer clean 2 years later and going strong. The worms are going to have to wait another 25 years to get me. I’m 59 years old today and feeling better than I have in years.

     

    FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT all the way and never stop until you kickass on the **** that cancer is. Peace !

     

    Cancer free

    I am sorry to hear of the struggle you have had with your disease and treatment! I am happy to hear that you are still cancer free however! My husband would be having the minimally invasive esophagectomy as the new surgeon who is taking his case performs these! If he didn’t, I would be finding one who does! It is still a major surgery no matter how you look at it but less time in the hospital and quicker recovery we are told! Good wishes your way that you remain cancer free and live a long, healthy life! 

  • Mtngirl7533
    Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85
    edited November 2017 #9

    Mtngrl~Not 2B a pest, but we expect 2 hear from U re 11-17 trtmt

    Hello again “Mountain Girl”

    You know we've been keeping up with you and you've told us that your husband is supposed to start chemo on November 17, 2017.  How are things going?  We know that you are "stretched for time" but when you get a chance, we want to hear if Herceptin was added to the regimen, and of course, if a medi-port was placed?  

    Remember to ask for "hydration" the day following, or any time you think he needs it.  But with the "J" tube, you can give him "water" on a regular basis in addition to the formula.  

    As I’ve shared with you before, my husband went to UPMC for a 2nd opinion, and was found to be a good candidate for the then-relatively new IVOR LEWIS MINIMALLY INVASIVE ESOPHAGECTOMY (MIE).  (Surgery date:  May 17, 2003.)  Since then this totally laparoscopic procedure has risen to the “top” of the line for those needing esophagectomies.  UPMC is ranked #6 in the United States for Gastrointestinal diseases, the category in which Esophageal cancer is listed.  Mayo Clinic in Rochester is ranked #1 for GI problems.  So remember to check out a highly-ranked hospital after your hubby’s series of neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation treatments are finished.  I’ve listed the link to USNewsHealth report on a separate topic so people could gain more insight on where to go for the best treatments for their particular problem.

    1.       https://csn.cancer.org/node/312985

    Remember my husband is still cancer free after 15 years of being diagnosed with Stage III (Adenocarcinoma @ GE junction - (T3N1M0).  He has had NO difficulties.  After his discharge on Day 5 from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), we went downtown shopping on Day 8.  (I have photos to prove it as it is my custom to take lots of pictures!  I went into Saks Fifth Avenue just to say I’d been there.  Now it would be a lie if I said “I shopped there!)   For the first 3 months we stayed in the “Family House Shady Side” (a Pittsburgh Family House) and went back to see Dr. Luketich at the Hillman Cancer Clinic for checkups as necessary.  Checkups are very frequent right after discharge from the hospital.  And UPMC has 4 “family houses” for the convenience of out-of-town patients.  One can call “Housing” and arrange for a reservation if they need to stay there.  It’s much less expensive than staying at a motel.  Now it’s even better if one has relatives close to that area and can stay there.  After all, isn’t that what’s “family” is all about?  YES.  Smile

    Since we had arranged for a sweet friend to keep our 4 young grandchildren which we were raising at a time, we took advantage of the situation, and after surgery, we had both a “second honeymoon” and a much-needed vacation. After my husband’s discharge, we traveled to 3 surrounding states for sightseeing tours, and my husband did all the driving.  I say “second honeymoon” because we were so happy to be reunited after the MIE surgery.  I will tell you that when I saw the orderly wheeling my husband down the corridor, and I went to the family waiting area, that was a long 7 hours.  My heart was filled with both fear Cry and hope.Smile  (Surgery time will vary depending on the patient’s needs.)  But I never knew for sure if that would be the last goodbye.  Thank God for the expertise of one brilliant Dr. James D. Luketich.  I truly believe that God gifts certain people with extraordinary abilities for the benefit of mankind.  Dr. Luketich is one of those thoracic surgeons that stands at the top of the list. 

    So we pray that you will have the same success story as we have.   My husband and I appreciate each other more than ever before.  Our love has deepened and our care and concern for other Esophageal Cancer patients is a passion of ours.   So these are the kinds of "SURVIVOR" stories that certainly need to be told over and over again to give newbies like you a big “dose of HOPE!”

    The trees are dropping leaves of red and golden hues here now.  My wish for you is that you & your husband will remain cancer free and that you will be able to return to your mountain home to enjoy many summers—winters—falls and springs.  By that time the “colors” of your hair mostly likely will turn gray or white or at worse “loose” as in bald!Laughing

    Sincere care & prayers for you and your family,

    Loretta

    __________________________________________________________

    2. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals

    U.S. News Hospitals Rankings and Ratings

    The U.S. News Best Hospitals analysis reviews hospitals' performance in clinical specialties, procedures and conditions. Scores are based on several factors, including survival, patient safety, nurse staffing and more. Hospitals are ranked nationally in specialties from cancer to urology and rated in common procedures and conditions, such as heart bypass surgery, hip and knee replacement and COPD. Hospitals are also ranked regionally within states and major metro areas. The Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals with outstanding performance across multiple areas of care…”

    ___________________________________________________ 

    3. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery

    ____________________End of references for now____________

     

     

    Chemo

    Dear Loretta, my husband started chemo this past Friday and will start radiation tomorrow! They hook him up to be hydrated every time we are told! That is good as he can only take so much by mouth. Sometimes he is able to get soft foods like cream of wheat, etc. down and sometimes not! I appreciate your candor, experience and your positive outlook! I need positivity right now! Although my fears are founded and real, I always hold out for hope in any situation! God has been with me more then once! And yes, I will ask about the Herceptin for sure tomorrow! God bless you and your husband<3

  • Mtngirl7533
    Mtngirl7533 Member Posts: 85
    Medi port

    I forgot to mention that my husband is now scheduled for a medi port to be paced this Wednesday! I am glad as they had a difficult time getting his intravenous line in! Despite what the surgeon said that he has great veins:p I am a bit worried that once the tumor starts shrinking and what he will be able to take by mouth? I realize his throat is going to be extremely sore! I was going to ask about magic mouthwash that has been mentioned on this site! My husband misses eating food so much:( The aloe Vera added to j tube is supposed to help his throat as well! 

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