Update # 2

Don M
Don M Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Finished radiation on May 13. Was reevaluated on 26,27. Have surgery scheduled for June 15. Surgeon will do MIE surgery unless he runs into problem then will do Ivor Lewis. I am ready to get this over with and try and have a somewhat normal life.Those of you who have been just diagnosed it is a heck of a ride but keep the faith and things will work out.God Bless and good luck. Thanks Don

Comments

  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #2
    I wish you luck on your
    I wish you luck on your surgery!! and, congratulations on being finished with radiation!
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #3
    thanks
    my husband was diagnosed on april fools day and we have just had our 2nd chemo, we are scheduled to see the surgeon on the 19th of june for surgery, thanks for posting it gets better i am spouse trying to cope with cancer, chemo, and all the things that go with it.
  • judyloo
    judyloo Member Posts: 40
    #4
    MOE58 said:

    thanks
    my husband was diagnosed on april fools day and we have just had our 2nd chemo, we are scheduled to see the surgeon on the 19th of june for surgery, thanks for posting it gets better i am spouse trying to cope with cancer, chemo, and all the things that go with it.

    Been there done that!
    Moe - another spouse here that went through my husbands crazy journey with him; the ups and downs can take its toll but one bit of good news can wipe that all out in an instant! After my husbands surgery they finally came in with the path report and the chemo/RT had done its job and the EC was gone - we both cried like babies. Yes the recovery was long and hard but its been over a year now and life IS getting back to our "new normal" - and I thank God and the Medical Team every day. If you ever need to chat about anything I'm here! Don't let yourself get too scared, frustrated, angry or depressed before YOU reach out to the folks here. God bless you both and the hands of that surgeon!

    Judyloo
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #5
    judyloo said:

    Been there done that!
    Moe - another spouse here that went through my husbands crazy journey with him; the ups and downs can take its toll but one bit of good news can wipe that all out in an instant! After my husbands surgery they finally came in with the path report and the chemo/RT had done its job and the EC was gone - we both cried like babies. Yes the recovery was long and hard but its been over a year now and life IS getting back to our "new normal" - and I thank God and the Medical Team every day. If you ever need to chat about anything I'm here! Don't let yourself get too scared, frustrated, angry or depressed before YOU reach out to the folks here. God bless you both and the hands of that surgeon!

    Judyloo

    thanks
    judy

    thanks so much for your support, I have just begun the long road ahead, we are on our off week so he is feeling good. We go to the surgeon on June 19th to see when surgery is, you know one day he is loving happy talking and the next he is lashing out as if its my fault about everything that happens that day, somedays i just want to run, he was a heavy drinker and smoker, and still wants the beer occassionally i don't say no cause if i do he will do it just that much more, so i deal with it. He gets upset cause he cant do what he use to be able to do, like outside, going places, etc etc. I sometimes cant wait to go to work to just get away from things. I have been scared from the git go but i am trying to think positive and pray that the chemo before surgery and the surgery and chemo and radition afterwards will take care of things.

    I am so glad you got good results May I ask how they found your husbands or what made him go to the doctor in the beginning?

    thanks for replying

    Moe
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #6
    MOE58 said:

    thanks
    judy

    thanks so much for your support, I have just begun the long road ahead, we are on our off week so he is feeling good. We go to the surgeon on June 19th to see when surgery is, you know one day he is loving happy talking and the next he is lashing out as if its my fault about everything that happens that day, somedays i just want to run, he was a heavy drinker and smoker, and still wants the beer occassionally i don't say no cause if i do he will do it just that much more, so i deal with it. He gets upset cause he cant do what he use to be able to do, like outside, going places, etc etc. I sometimes cant wait to go to work to just get away from things. I have been scared from the git go but i am trying to think positive and pray that the chemo before surgery and the surgery and chemo and radition afterwards will take care of things.

    I am so glad you got good results May I ask how they found your husbands or what made him go to the doctor in the beginning?

    thanks for replying

    Moe

    Best of Luck
    Moe,
    I wish you and your husband the best of luck on the journey ahead! It can be a long haul, but it is very doable, and having a positive attitude along the way can really help. I was only 23 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 EC, and underwent an esophajectomy and 6 months of chemo and radiation. What kind of chemo is your husband on? I was on EOX (Epirubicin, Oxiplatin, and Xeloda). I just finished 6 weeks ago, and had my port taken out on Friday after a clean report. If you ever need to talk about anything, feel free to chat! I check the board almost daily!
    Cathy
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #7
    MOE58 said:

    thanks
    judy

    thanks so much for your support, I have just begun the long road ahead, we are on our off week so he is feeling good. We go to the surgeon on June 19th to see when surgery is, you know one day he is loving happy talking and the next he is lashing out as if its my fault about everything that happens that day, somedays i just want to run, he was a heavy drinker and smoker, and still wants the beer occassionally i don't say no cause if i do he will do it just that much more, so i deal with it. He gets upset cause he cant do what he use to be able to do, like outside, going places, etc etc. I sometimes cant wait to go to work to just get away from things. I have been scared from the git go but i am trying to think positive and pray that the chemo before surgery and the surgery and chemo and radition afterwards will take care of things.

    I am so glad you got good results May I ask how they found your husbands or what made him go to the doctor in the beginning?

    thanks for replying

    Moe

    Best of Luck
    Moe,
    I wish you and your husband the best of luck on the journey ahead! It can be a long haul, but it is very doable, and having a positive attitude along the way can really help. I was only 23 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 EC, and underwent an esophajectomy and 6 months of chemo and radiation. What kind of chemo is your husband on? I was on EOX (Epirubicin, Oxiplatin, and Xeloda). I just finished 6 weeks ago, and had my port taken out on Friday after a clean report. If you ever need to talk about anything, feel free to chat! I check the board almost daily!
    Cathy
  • judyloo
    judyloo Member Posts: 40
    #8
    MOE58 said:

    thanks
    judy

    thanks so much for your support, I have just begun the long road ahead, we are on our off week so he is feeling good. We go to the surgeon on June 19th to see when surgery is, you know one day he is loving happy talking and the next he is lashing out as if its my fault about everything that happens that day, somedays i just want to run, he was a heavy drinker and smoker, and still wants the beer occassionally i don't say no cause if i do he will do it just that much more, so i deal with it. He gets upset cause he cant do what he use to be able to do, like outside, going places, etc etc. I sometimes cant wait to go to work to just get away from things. I have been scared from the git go but i am trying to think positive and pray that the chemo before surgery and the surgery and chemo and radition afterwards will take care of things.

    I am so glad you got good results May I ask how they found your husbands or what made him go to the doctor in the beginning?

    thanks for replying

    Moe

    Moe
    Hi there - Steve started having problems swallowing food (at lunch for instance at work so I was not aware of it until it became an obvious problem and he finally mentioned it) like rice which he loves. I work at a hospital (was a medic in the Air Force) in the Cancer Registry Dept - (how ironic is that?) and when he said problems swallowing food my heart just sank - I knew it was going to be bad. I pushed him to see his PCP quickly and the tests/procedures started flying (right around XMAS). Steve did not get angry and lash out at me during this time but he did become very emotional and had some hard times coping. Thats why I suggested an antidepressant and it sure did help him! No it did not change his life or what he was experiencing but he could cope better and regained some perspective. This is what I would suggest to your husband or have his MD suggest to him. Moe all you can do is let him know you are there and will be there through all of this with him and be patient. If this was his type of personality before he was diagnosed I think there will be some changes down the road because after surgery he will really need to rely on you - you will be his strength! YOU need to find someone that you can lean on now and for later. Moe I'll be praying with you all the way up here in New England,
    take care,

    judyloo
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #9
    judyloo said:

    Moe
    Hi there - Steve started having problems swallowing food (at lunch for instance at work so I was not aware of it until it became an obvious problem and he finally mentioned it) like rice which he loves. I work at a hospital (was a medic in the Air Force) in the Cancer Registry Dept - (how ironic is that?) and when he said problems swallowing food my heart just sank - I knew it was going to be bad. I pushed him to see his PCP quickly and the tests/procedures started flying (right around XMAS). Steve did not get angry and lash out at me during this time but he did become very emotional and had some hard times coping. Thats why I suggested an antidepressant and it sure did help him! No it did not change his life or what he was experiencing but he could cope better and regained some perspective. This is what I would suggest to your husband or have his MD suggest to him. Moe all you can do is let him know you are there and will be there through all of this with him and be patient. If this was his type of personality before he was diagnosed I think there will be some changes down the road because after surgery he will really need to rely on you - you will be his strength! YOU need to find someone that you can lean on now and for later. Moe I'll be praying with you all the way up here in New England,
    take care,

    judyloo

    thanks
    Hi judy, just wanted to clarify that my real name is Lori but my grandson gave me the name moe he is only 2 and so that has stuck, so i just gave that name when i signed up, and my husbands name is Jeff, WOW my husband started with the same symptoms he was having a hard time swallowing hadn't been to the doctor in years he begged me to call the pcp and get him in which i did he was sent for a xray and a scan as she just knew it was his gallbladder they were just going to keep doing test until i put my foot down and said no there is something going on with this man besides ulcer, he is in pain cant eat and etc, to make a long story short she sent us to be scoped and thats how we found out on april fools day, I to uwork for a hosptial so i prety much knew the symptoms, which was scary but never thought it would happen to such a young man of 45 we have only been married 3 years in august he has never been angry at me until this when he lashing out but only when he has chemo, I really enjoy chatting with you on line, it really helps me alot especially since i am just in the beginnings i will try to keep things updated with you. I cant believe i picked you up clear in New England, how ironic is this, as i work with a guy that is over here from UK so how ironic is this.

    Thanks for letting me vent to you, this is his good week he got up and went fishing today with my brotherinlaw, and he doesn't have another chemo until next week. It is hot and humid here in Tulsa Oklahoma

    thanks Judy
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #10
    kitten0385 said:

    Best of Luck
    Moe,
    I wish you and your husband the best of luck on the journey ahead! It can be a long haul, but it is very doable, and having a positive attitude along the way can really help. I was only 23 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 EC, and underwent an esophajectomy and 6 months of chemo and radiation. What kind of chemo is your husband on? I was on EOX (Epirubicin, Oxiplatin, and Xeloda). I just finished 6 weeks ago, and had my port taken out on Friday after a clean report. If you ever need to talk about anything, feel free to chat! I check the board almost daily!
    Cathy

    wow
    Hi Cathy,

    Thanks for your reply, i am not sure the names of his chemo but it is the strongest one they make he gets it through his port on a monday wheres it all week and then has it removed on day 5 he is only stage II and not in the lymph nodes we have not had the surgery yet, how in the heck did you get this at the age of 23, you look newly married i always need to talk it just helps and somedays are so hard to deal with things that i jsut feel overwhelmed at times, he is off work until further notice, but he was a healthy man of 45 until diagnosed with this how do you cope with something like this and does things get back to normal eventually and whats the ratio of it not returning? Of course he was a heavy drinker and smoker in his younger years, i would love to know more about yours as when i get replys i share with him to let him know he isn't the only one there doing this. How long is the surgery and the recoupment time.

    Oh and by the way my grandson gave me the name of MOE and it has just stuck i use it alot, our real names is Jeff and Lori Porter from Tulsa Oklahoma.

    thanks for letting me chat i check daily too.

    Lori (moe)
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #11
    MOE58 said:

    thanks
    Hi judy, just wanted to clarify that my real name is Lori but my grandson gave me the name moe he is only 2 and so that has stuck, so i just gave that name when i signed up, and my husbands name is Jeff, WOW my husband started with the same symptoms he was having a hard time swallowing hadn't been to the doctor in years he begged me to call the pcp and get him in which i did he was sent for a xray and a scan as she just knew it was his gallbladder they were just going to keep doing test until i put my foot down and said no there is something going on with this man besides ulcer, he is in pain cant eat and etc, to make a long story short she sent us to be scoped and thats how we found out on april fools day, I to uwork for a hosptial so i prety much knew the symptoms, which was scary but never thought it would happen to such a young man of 45 we have only been married 3 years in august he has never been angry at me until this when he lashing out but only when he has chemo, I really enjoy chatting with you on line, it really helps me alot especially since i am just in the beginnings i will try to keep things updated with you. I cant believe i picked you up clear in New England, how ironic is this, as i work with a guy that is over here from UK so how ironic is this.

    Thanks for letting me vent to you, this is his good week he got up and went fishing today with my brotherinlaw, and he doesn't have another chemo until next week. It is hot and humid here in Tulsa Oklahoma

    thanks Judy

    Nice to meet you!
    Lori,

    It is very nice to "meet" you. I have no idea how I got esophageal cancer, and no one can give me a reason either. I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, am just over a hundred pounds so am not overweight, and rarely had a drink....so for my age they have no clue what the reasoning may be. I went in for an endoscopy when my food began to get stuck when I swallowed. Because of my age they sent me to the Mayo Clinic, which is about 4 and a half hours away from me, I live in Sioux City, Iowa. I completed all of my treatments there....I had a chemo injection once every three weeks and took chemo pills at home. I also had 5 weeks of radiation. I had surgery 10 days after diagnosis, as the CT and PET scans did not show how big my tumor actually was, otherwise I would have had treatment first and then surgery. My cancer was in a few lymph nodes, but had not spread to any other organs, thank goodness. The surgery recovery wasn't too bad, I had a feeding tube for a few weeks, which was easily dealt with, my husband did it for me...sweet soul that he is. I was up and walking just a few hours after surgery, I believe getting up and moving helped with recovery. My surgeon explained everything quite well before going in for it, including what drain tubes I would have and things like that. My surgery lasted 6 and a half hours, but I had open surgery, not minimally invasive.

    and...yes...we are newly married, it will be a year on Sunday!! We were only married for 4 months when I was diagnosed...what a year it has been...I am happy to be starting a new one! My last chemo treatment was 6 weeks ago, and my CT on Friday was clear, and my port was removed...hopefully not to return any time in the near future!! = )

    Let your husband know that all of the treatments and surgery is very doable, and it is a blessing it was caught at stage 2, many times EC is very advanced by the time it is diagnosed. My suggestion to you and your husband is to not listen or pay a whole heck of a lot of attention to all of the statistics, he is not a statistic, and will beat this thing!!!

    I wish you and your husband the best, and look forward to chatting with you soon!!

    Cathy

    I hope

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