fighting esophageal cancer

sunseeker
sunseeker Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am a 63 year old male who was in excellent health until I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. I had surgery on Oct. 12, 2006 and did very well. I was told that I had passed the "leak test" and was given liquids. Within two hours I was rushed to ICU because I had a leak that was not seen. I got through it and finally went home. I was soon eating, driving and feeling great. I was told that my cancer was stage two and I would have chemo and radiation. My problems began with the first round of chemo (Dec. 18-22). I have been in the hospital five times since Christmas Eve Day. I was dehydrated, then had bleeding from the rectum, and then two large and very painful abscesses on my butt. I have been given blood three different times. It was felt that all of this was a result of the chemo. I have lost 40 pounds and most of my strength. I have also lost heart. If I had known what I would have to go through I think I would not of done
anything. My wife keeps telling me that it WILL get better. She tries to encourage me to eat, to walk around the bed and NOT to give up. She is the only reason that I have made it this far. I'm hoping that there is someone out there who has been through this and can convince me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just can't see a better life ahead. I want to believe my wife. She has been so strong through all of this but I am so tired of the pain. It has been one small step forward and three steps backward.Will it get better??? Will I ever be able to eat normally?? Have a glass of beer while watching football??? I have my doubts.

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  • Unknown
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  • birch1640
    birch1640 Member Posts: 1
    #4
    unknown said:

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    Hi Bill,
    Doug Birch here. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer 19 July last year and, due to a tear in the cardiac sphincter area, had to have the esophagus out immediately. I was staged at 4B due to mestasizes, given a month to recover from surgery and then started chemo here in Colorado Springs. Chemo, prayer and dietary supplements seem to have killed off the cancer, as the last two PET scans were clear. I get the results back from the third tomorrow, Friday April 13th. My big problem is trying to gain back the 70 pounds weight I lost from my normal 175. Any tricks to this?
    Thanks,
    Doug
  • worried1
    worried1 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    Your wife is completely right, I am going through the same thing as your wife, but with a father. I watch him every day go through so much pain, but I know having me, my sister, and my mom are the reason he is holding on. He has been in remission for about 3/4 years and each day still is a fight. So I beleive that even though this may be hard on you every day, I think you can hold on and hope for a better day. It will get better, but like everything it only takes time and for this, time is slow and it is painful, but trust me when I say you wanting to give up hurts your friends and your family...they all love you. You can get through this, just think of it as taking every day one day at a time, and one moment at a time.. I wish you the best and you are in my thoughts.
    missy

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