Questions

CMC5
CMC5 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My father also was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December. The doctors opted for surgery first.
My dad is 75 and before surgery had lost 30 lbs.
Just before surgery he was put on TPN therapy which perked him up and put weight on him.
His surgery was 4 weeks ago.
He is now down in weight again and even more.
It's a total of 40 lbs. now.
His mood is very low, he looks awful, he has NO appetite, No energy to move even. He is waisting away.
The oncologist wanted to start chemo and radiation last week but that is impossible now because he is not gaining weight or strength.
The doctors have now put him on Zoloft thinking this will help his mood and appetite.
My question is what about the TPN? I think that would be a better choice.
Could something else be going on?
The oncologist has told my mother that there are MANY lymph nodes involved. What does that mean for his surviving this?
Can anyone give me some insight to what to even ask the doctors?
Thank you for your time.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mrbt
    mrbt Member Posts: 46
    #3
    There is an online EC specific group with over 1200 members. Go to Cathy's EC Cafe at "www.eccafe.org" and click on the EC Group link. You will be warmly welcomed and find all the answers and support you need. Good luck, Buce
  • bke
    bke Member Posts: 42
    #4
    So sorry to read of your father's difficulties. It is a rough surgery and recuperation takes a long time. I was on TPN briefly following surgery but was able to eat enough to maintain adequate nutrition pretty soon. A number of people I have corresponded with have had to have a feeding tube to suplement eating for a while, especially if they are having chemotherapy and radiation following surgery. I had several postive nodes (though not as many as your father), but am now cancer free and doing everything I did before the cancer. I did have follow-up chemo and radiation. Hang in there. It is a rough ride, but there is hope. There is a lot of good support on an ACOR list group which is easily accessed through www.eccafe.org. There are also twice weekly chats on the yahoo group esophagealcancer. Those are two additional resources to try for more help. I recommend them highly.
  • Paul420
    Paul420 Member Posts: 17
    #5
    Hi, my name is Paul, 39, from Hockessin, Delaware. I was diagnosed with stomach cancer (a tumor half the size of my stomach) in June 2003. I went to the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. It is the number 1 cancer research and treatment centers in the nation and the world. I underwent 6 months of chemo (carboplatin, taxol and 5-fu) from Sept. 2003 to February 2004. By April 2004, the tumor was gone and the cancer that had spread to the liver, transverse colon, diaphragm and abdominal wall is all gone. I was on a J-tube feeding tube from August 2003 to December 2003 but was taken out when I attained a regular weight of 140 pounds. I do exactly what the oncology department told me. I drink green tea, eat brocolli, tomatoes, cran-grape juice and almonds every day.

    My wife and I can not say enough about M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. There is an oncology department for each organ in the body and a floor for each organ. The center is made up of 12 hospitals, I believe, from cancer treatments for infants to the elderly and even a veterns hospital. Our e-mail is rescue26@msn.com if you want to contact or call us.

    Our only other option was Sloan-Kettering in NYC.
  • nancydixon
    nancydixon Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Paul420 said:

    Hi, my name is Paul, 39, from Hockessin, Delaware. I was diagnosed with stomach cancer (a tumor half the size of my stomach) in June 2003. I went to the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. It is the number 1 cancer research and treatment centers in the nation and the world. I underwent 6 months of chemo (carboplatin, taxol and 5-fu) from Sept. 2003 to February 2004. By April 2004, the tumor was gone and the cancer that had spread to the liver, transverse colon, diaphragm and abdominal wall is all gone. I was on a J-tube feeding tube from August 2003 to December 2003 but was taken out when I attained a regular weight of 140 pounds. I do exactly what the oncology department told me. I drink green tea, eat brocolli, tomatoes, cran-grape juice and almonds every day.

    My wife and I can not say enough about M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. There is an oncology department for each organ in the body and a floor for each organ. The center is made up of 12 hospitals, I believe, from cancer treatments for infants to the elderly and even a veterns hospital. Our e-mail is rescue26@msn.com if you want to contact or call us.

    Our only other option was Sloan-Kettering in NYC.

    Hi Paul, we are replying to your message of 2/13/05. My husband was dig. with esoph. cancer and went through chemo, radiation, and surgery. the surgery went well, but the after care not so well. My dad wants my husband to go to MD Anderson. Wondering how the after care was. We were never told about eating specific foods as you were.Do you have an oncol. you like there, will they answer questions once the surgery is over? thanks for your help. Nancy wife of Shelly

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