my best friend dx'd w/stage III esphogeal cancer and I now realize my dad had this too

tdaniels58
tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I found this site by looking for hope of survivors of this cancer. My best friend was recently was dx'd with stage3. He is a strong young man, who now faces a tough road. Moreover, after reading about the symptoms and how it can metastize to the lungs, I relize I was right about my Dad. He passed in July 06 from lung cancer, but for years prior, could not swallow and had horrible untreated GERD, his doctors never found "anything" so they say. I am not sure I can watch my friend go through this. I have lost 3 family members in 2 yrs and I am feeling the effects of the stress myself. Guess I am not invincable.

Comments

  • jim_shields
    jim_shields Member Posts: 2
    #2
    There's hope.
    I was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in April of 2007. I went through all the treatments they discuss on the website. Chemo/radiation followed by surgery and then more radiation. Your friend can get through this with the support of his friends and family. It took me about 7 months of treatment, and kept me out of work for quite awhile but I'm now about as healthy as I have ever been and proof that the treatments can and do work. Find support for you and your friend through groups like this as well as counseling available through your friends healthcare provider if possible. All your friend needs from you is to know that you're there for him. When you are in his position it is easy to feel alone. Just call or stop by to say hi to him every now and then. I think the people around me were in more pain than I was so make sure you try to help his family, that will make him feel better. Good luck to your friend and remember there is hope.
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #3
    jim_shields said:

    There's hope.
    I was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in April of 2007. I went through all the treatments they discuss on the website. Chemo/radiation followed by surgery and then more radiation. Your friend can get through this with the support of his friends and family. It took me about 7 months of treatment, and kept me out of work for quite awhile but I'm now about as healthy as I have ever been and proof that the treatments can and do work. Find support for you and your friend through groups like this as well as counseling available through your friends healthcare provider if possible. All your friend needs from you is to know that you're there for him. When you are in his position it is easy to feel alone. Just call or stop by to say hi to him every now and then. I think the people around me were in more pain than I was so make sure you try to help his family, that will make him feel better. Good luck to your friend and remember there is hope.

    I am 24 and was diagnosed
    I am 24 and was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in October of 2009. I underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation. I am just going onto my last round of chemo and at this point my scans are looking clear! Support your friend, he will really need it during this time. I have had the past several months off of work, but am recouping just fine, it has been a long road but one that can definitely be overcome. Good luck!
  • cissell
    cissell Member Posts: 3
    #4
    kitten0385 said:

    I am 24 and was diagnosed
    I am 24 and was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in October of 2009. I underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation. I am just going onto my last round of chemo and at this point my scans are looking clear! Support your friend, he will really need it during this time. I have had the past several months off of work, but am recouping just fine, it has been a long road but one that can definitely be overcome. Good luck!

    I am 38 and was diagnosed
    I am 38 and was diagnosed with stage 2 in October also. I had surgery and chemo and radiation. I have to go to get my scans done next month and then I will know if I have to do any more chemo or not. I am still so scared and depressed. Do you have any suggestions on how to over come this.
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248
    #5
    cissell said:

    I am 38 and was diagnosed
    I am 38 and was diagnosed with stage 2 in October also. I had surgery and chemo and radiation. I have to go to get my scans done next month and then I will know if I have to do any more chemo or not. I am still so scared and depressed. Do you have any suggestions on how to over come this.

    I will have my scans done in
    I will have my scans done in June to make sure I don't have to do any more chemo. I am scared too, but am hopeful that it will all turn out fine. Keep your head up and be positive...be glad you found it at stage 2...typically esophageal cancer is very advanced by the time symptoms appear. Keep in mind that life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain. Dance your heart out and live your life to the fullest!
  • tdaniels58
    tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
    #6
    jim_shields said:

    There's hope.
    I was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in April of 2007. I went through all the treatments they discuss on the website. Chemo/radiation followed by surgery and then more radiation. Your friend can get through this with the support of his friends and family. It took me about 7 months of treatment, and kept me out of work for quite awhile but I'm now about as healthy as I have ever been and proof that the treatments can and do work. Find support for you and your friend through groups like this as well as counseling available through your friends healthcare provider if possible. All your friend needs from you is to know that you're there for him. When you are in his position it is easy to feel alone. Just call or stop by to say hi to him every now and then. I think the people around me were in more pain than I was so make sure you try to help his family, that will make him feel better. Good luck to your friend and remember there is hope.

    update on my best friend and love
    It has been a long rough 6 months, and my friend is still on oral chemo. He is an amazing Man, he works hard everyday, even when he is on heavy doses. He refuses to give in to the pain. I am so in love and adore him beyond words, and thank you for your hopefilled comments. I saw a surviors story on youtube, this guy used a supplement called 'cellquest' and according to the reporter, some doctors are recommending it, even though the fda has not approved or studied it.
    I am so scared, yet hopefull at the same time. I cannot bear the thought of losing my friend. He is my home, my family, my heart. He is so wonderful and strong and courageous. I asked him if the tumor was improved this afternoon, and he said with a weak smile, "if it was they would not be increasing and peaking my meds". N.G.U. is our motto=never give up. Pray for him and send him healing energies.
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #7
    tdaniels58 said:

    update on my best friend and love
    It has been a long rough 6 months, and my friend is still on oral chemo. He is an amazing Man, he works hard everyday, even when he is on heavy doses. He refuses to give in to the pain. I am so in love and adore him beyond words, and thank you for your hopefilled comments. I saw a surviors story on youtube, this guy used a supplement called 'cellquest' and according to the reporter, some doctors are recommending it, even though the fda has not approved or studied it.
    I am so scared, yet hopefull at the same time. I cannot bear the thought of losing my friend. He is my home, my family, my heart. He is so wonderful and strong and courageous. I asked him if the tumor was improved this afternoon, and he said with a weak smile, "if it was they would not be increasing and peaking my meds". N.G.U. is our motto=never give up. Pray for him and send him healing energies.

    CAREGIVER ALSO BE STRONG
    TDANIELS58

    my husband was diagnosed on april 1, of this year, he is a 45 year old man that worked from sun up to sun down and worked 50 hours a week at his regular job. I too have had a hard time being a caregiver is very painful, you just want to take away, but know you cant. You have to be strong and be there for them when they need help. We are scheduled for surgery on the 23rd of July, and am so ready, If "KITTEN" had not been there to help me I don't know what I would do, she has been a big help to me, and she was only 23, My husband always had acid reflux, so I know this is how he probably got it, along with smoking and drinking. If your loved one is given the opportunity to have surgery I have been advised to go for it, I see his is stage III, my husbands is stage II, Please know you have reached a good site, and if we can help we are here, I am fairly new but will help you along the line of being a caregiver, we will all get through this together don't give up, and may you all someday become one of a couple.

    MOE
  • tdaniels58
    tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
    #8
    MOE58 said:

    CAREGIVER ALSO BE STRONG
    TDANIELS58

    my husband was diagnosed on april 1, of this year, he is a 45 year old man that worked from sun up to sun down and worked 50 hours a week at his regular job. I too have had a hard time being a caregiver is very painful, you just want to take away, but know you cant. You have to be strong and be there for them when they need help. We are scheduled for surgery on the 23rd of July, and am so ready, If "KITTEN" had not been there to help me I don't know what I would do, she has been a big help to me, and she was only 23, My husband always had acid reflux, so I know this is how he probably got it, along with smoking and drinking. If your loved one is given the opportunity to have surgery I have been advised to go for it, I see his is stage III, my husbands is stage II, Please know you have reached a good site, and if we can help we are here, I am fairly new but will help you along the line of being a caregiver, we will all get through this together don't give up, and may you all someday become one of a couple.

    MOE

    thank you for the support
    everyday is new. today i am scared and feeling hopeless. my sweetheart is trying to fit a lifetime into everyday. he works so hard and does so much. he is so young and wants a family and a life partner, whoever is lucky enough to be his wife, will know a love like no other. i want to marry him, but i am 50 and cant have children. i love him so much, i am being brave, and have not let him see me cry over this cancer. i know he got it from acid reflux and then the chew and smoking was able to take hold. dear god, please heal him. he doesnt talk about his treatment much to me, i don't know if he is going to have surgery, i dont know the details of his case. he wont let me in. thank you for your kindness and support.
    terry
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #9
    tdaniels58 said:

    thank you for the support
    everyday is new. today i am scared and feeling hopeless. my sweetheart is trying to fit a lifetime into everyday. he works so hard and does so much. he is so young and wants a family and a life partner, whoever is lucky enough to be his wife, will know a love like no other. i want to marry him, but i am 50 and cant have children. i love him so much, i am being brave, and have not let him see me cry over this cancer. i know he got it from acid reflux and then the chew and smoking was able to take hold. dear god, please heal him. he doesnt talk about his treatment much to me, i don't know if he is going to have surgery, i dont know the details of his case. he wont let me in. thank you for your kindness and support.
    terry

    i understand
    Don't give up on him, yes he won't let you in because you are old enough to be his mother, that is quite an age difference for you to love him so much, but i am not here to preach, i am here to help you, just give it time and if he wants you to know he will come around. I am also 51 and my husband is 45 we both had kids before we found each other so we were happy, just hang in there and know this is the best place for support.

    Lori
  • poopsiegal
    poopsiegal Member Posts: 23
    #10
    hows your friend
    i just was cecking in on you all i have not seen u write any thing hope u havent stop checking site.
    hope and pray your friend is coming alone ok write a message let us know how hes doing remeber someone is always reading a blog somewhere.
  • tdaniels58
    tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
    #11
    MOE58 said:

    i understand
    Don't give up on him, yes he won't let you in because you are old enough to be his mother, that is quite an age difference for you to love him so much, but i am not here to preach, i am here to help you, just give it time and if he wants you to know he will come around. I am also 51 and my husband is 45 we both had kids before we found each other so we were happy, just hang in there and know this is the best place for support.

    Lori

    just for today
    thank you lori for your kindness. i am crying everyday, and i never let my love know how scared i am. we talk several times a day. we are ageless together. we laugh and are business partners and we talk about what we are doing and are building for the future. a woman came in my business yesterday and her husband died of ec last year. they did surgery and this poor man had his stomach in his neck after all was done and died anyway. i couldnt hold it together and broke down when she told me that. i cant understand howcome this is happening, i feel so scared. i know my sweetheart is scared too, that is why he works so much and creates no down time, keeps him from thinking about it. i have never met a stronger man than. i will never give up on him, never. we are a relationship of infinity, delayed but not prevented.
  • tdaniels58
    tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
    #12
    kitten0385 said:

    I will have my scans done in
    I will have my scans done in June to make sure I don't have to do any more chemo. I am scared too, but am hopeful that it will all turn out fine. Keep your head up and be positive...be glad you found it at stage 2...typically esophageal cancer is very advanced by the time symptoms appear. Keep in mind that life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain. Dance your heart out and live your life to the fullest!

    how are you doing
    hi kitten,
    how are you doing. i dont see any updates, please let us know how you are. i am so grateful for this site.
  • tdaniels58
    tdaniels58 Member Posts: 21
    #13
    jim_shields said:

    There's hope.
    I was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in April of 2007. I went through all the treatments they discuss on the website. Chemo/radiation followed by surgery and then more radiation. Your friend can get through this with the support of his friends and family. It took me about 7 months of treatment, and kept me out of work for quite awhile but I'm now about as healthy as I have ever been and proof that the treatments can and do work. Find support for you and your friend through groups like this as well as counseling available through your friends healthcare provider if possible. All your friend needs from you is to know that you're there for him. When you are in his position it is easy to feel alone. Just call or stop by to say hi to him every now and then. I think the people around me were in more pain than I was so make sure you try to help his family, that will make him feel better. Good luck to your friend and remember there is hope.

    how are you doing jim
    jim,
    how are you doing. let us know

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