treatment plan

Donna70
Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi,
Well spent way too many hours yesterday getting my treatment plan. Saw 4 drs, all were nice.
I will have 5.5 wks of radiation and two bouts of chemo, but this was the surprise, in the hospital. The chemo dr said they had to admit people so much during chemo that they now put you in the hospital for 5 days at the beginning of your radiation cycle and then for 5 days after the 4th wk of radiation. Cisplatin and 5 FU (very appropriately named) and so they told me about all the side effects and since I have barely a week and some days, have to have a colonoscopy before Labor Day. And set me up for a pulmonary function, heart clearance from my cardio dr and other stuff. It was way too much information. My surgery will be six weeks after my radiation etc ends. My dr is going to be on maternity leave so the head of the Cancer Institute will be doing the surgery. They told me they remove an esophagus a week and have two 80 yr old ladies who are doing fine after all this. I am kind of numb and just hope that I can do it. My husband is very sad about all this but I keep trying to tell him the positive that so many people survive. He has a benign parathyroid thingy that will have to be removed during all this so he stops losing calcium from his bones, so it just seems like a lot happening at once. Having a mental health day today, my 12 and 11 yr old grands are coming over to spend the last day of their summer vacation with me, so won't be thinking of all the medical stuff. We will be doing fun things. thanks again for all the information and support you all have given me, I go in the day after Labor day.
Donna70

Comments

  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #2
    enjoy today
    Hi Donna,
    Enjoy your day with your grandkids. I know the best thing for my husband is distraction from having cancer.
    My husband is stage iv and not a candidate for surgery....so when he had his chemo (5-FU, Cisplatin, and Taxotere) they decided to give it to him in the hospital. We were both happy they made that decision for us. It gave us piece of mind...especially since he was on it for 120 continuous hours. That way any side effects could be treated immediatly.
    God Bless...will add you to our prayer list.
    Jane
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #3
    JaneE2366 said:

    enjoy today
    Hi Donna,
    Enjoy your day with your grandkids. I know the best thing for my husband is distraction from having cancer.
    My husband is stage iv and not a candidate for surgery....so when he had his chemo (5-FU, Cisplatin, and Taxotere) they decided to give it to him in the hospital. We were both happy they made that decision for us. It gave us piece of mind...especially since he was on it for 120 continuous hours. That way any side effects could be treated immediatly.
    God Bless...will add you to our prayer list.
    Jane

    Enjoy!
    Donna,

    Have a wonderful day you can think about things tomarrow.

    I am glad that they are doing all of this in the hospital since I have been through some
    of those nasty things that go on with the treatments.

    God Bless,

    Kathy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Golden Oldies
    Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging words, they help so much. I had a great day with my grands, Hope, how appropriate and Ali. They distract me from the worry. We went out with them and my son and wife and had a great meal and good times and laughs. Today I got my portacath and it went much more smoothly than I anticipated. One of the nurses told me it would hurt and be swollen for maybe a week and so far 4 hrs later, no pain or discomfort. I don't think they allow bad drs at this hospital, every one I met so far has been caring and kind and encouraging. The surgeon who did the cath told me how great I did and he is thinking I will get thru the big surgery fine. It helped for my husband to hear. He had some bad days this week because he had never said to anyone, My wife has cancer or Donna has cancer. He had to get off for today and say those words and got over that hump. He understands about how I have to be upbeat and hopeful, I need it more than air. I tell all my praying friends about what a great resource this board is. It gives you hope after you have accidentally stumbled on numbers that don't apply to you, they are just numbers. the first night when the dr said III and not II I could not sleep till I found this site with the messages of hope. Thanks so much.
    Donna70
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #6
    Donna70 said:

    Golden Oldies
    Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging words, they help so much. I had a great day with my grands, Hope, how appropriate and Ali. They distract me from the worry. We went out with them and my son and wife and had a great meal and good times and laughs. Today I got my portacath and it went much more smoothly than I anticipated. One of the nurses told me it would hurt and be swollen for maybe a week and so far 4 hrs later, no pain or discomfort. I don't think they allow bad drs at this hospital, every one I met so far has been caring and kind and encouraging. The surgeon who did the cath told me how great I did and he is thinking I will get thru the big surgery fine. It helped for my husband to hear. He had some bad days this week because he had never said to anyone, My wife has cancer or Donna has cancer. He had to get off for today and say those words and got over that hump. He understands about how I have to be upbeat and hopeful, I need it more than air. I tell all my praying friends about what a great resource this board is. It gives you hope after you have accidentally stumbled on numbers that don't apply to you, they are just numbers. the first night when the dr said III and not II I could not sleep till I found this site with the messages of hope. Thanks so much.
    Donna70

    Fath and Hope
    Donna,

    You have to have faith and hope to conquer this ugly disease, and you have to trust the doctors, I know having to say you have cancer or husband having to say it is tough it was for me, i was devasted to find that my husband had it. We still have our Port and will for a year per the doctor this week. I know you can do this Chemo, and surgery but you have to have postivie attitudes, I hope you have a laptop to take to the hospital so you can keep us all informed of your progress. Tell your husband that being a caregiver is a tough part/as Loretta Marshall always says we have cancer not just him, i too feel the same way, you have to know that it won't be a easy road, to follow. Please don't be surprised if your eating or lifestyle changes, as it will. The stage of CANCER is just a number, but if my husband can do this you can too, and trust me Donna he was on heavens door, and the doctors told him that to his face this week. When we got the report this week on him stating he was CANCER FREE, the doctor warned us it could come back anytime with the kind of cancer he had, its aggresive and it likes our bodies, but we are not going to let that happen.

    Donna I don't know your age but if you are determined and have the will power you will do this. Please know I am here if you have any questions, I don't want to scare you I just want to tell you like it was for us.

    Tell your husband to hang in there as there is a rainbow at the end of the dark cloud, it won't be tomorrow, next week or probably not even a month but he will see that rainbow when it is time.

    This ugly disease we call "CANCER" is not friendly but with power we fight it.

    KEEP UP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!

    LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR A STORM TO PASS, ITS ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN"

    TAKE CARE AND HUGS
    lORI
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #7
    So Glad
    Hi, Donna

    I'm so glad everything went well for you today, as for your husband it will take some time.
    I didn't hit me completely for awhile either his mind, heart & soul is hurting. I know that mine was when they told me Al had cancer, even now as I write after all thest months I still find it hard.

    Keep the faith.

    God Bless
    Kath
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #8
    mumphy said:

    So Glad
    Hi, Donna

    I'm so glad everything went well for you today, as for your husband it will take some time.
    I didn't hit me completely for awhile either his mind, heart & soul is hurting. I know that mine was when they told me Al had cancer, even now as I write after all thest months I still find it hard.

    Keep the faith.

    God Bless
    Kath

    thanks!!
    Hi Lori and Kath,
    thanks for the encouragement. I know the reality that it can come back and I am 65 but William Marshall was 66 so every good story or victory post makes me see the hope and that I can't give up. I am having a harder time dealing with the sorrow it is causing my family, Ron, my sisters, my son and my grands. If it was my husband, I hate to say how bad I would be taking it. It is easier being the patient but harder dragging your family along with you. I did medical transcription for years and worked for internists so I know a lot more than my husband, sometimes I almost think it is better not to know too much. I say that but I feel better when I know what is ahead, but if it is too hard to deal with, I go by the one step at a time rule. My husband is worrying about how I will get the 10 meds I normally take down the food tube, I tell him, I have to get thru chemo and radiation first, then surgery then we worry about the food tube. I have had a very good life and have no regrets at 65. It makes me sad to see all of younger ones here, keep wondering what is happening to our world that so many people have cancer younger and younger. Thanks again, I am grateful for the support and encouragement.
    Donna70
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #9
    Donna70 said:

    thanks!!
    Hi Lori and Kath,
    thanks for the encouragement. I know the reality that it can come back and I am 65 but William Marshall was 66 so every good story or victory post makes me see the hope and that I can't give up. I am having a harder time dealing with the sorrow it is causing my family, Ron, my sisters, my son and my grands. If it was my husband, I hate to say how bad I would be taking it. It is easier being the patient but harder dragging your family along with you. I did medical transcription for years and worked for internists so I know a lot more than my husband, sometimes I almost think it is better not to know too much. I say that but I feel better when I know what is ahead, but if it is too hard to deal with, I go by the one step at a time rule. My husband is worrying about how I will get the 10 meds I normally take down the food tube, I tell him, I have to get thru chemo and radiation first, then surgery then we worry about the food tube. I have had a very good life and have no regrets at 65. It makes me sad to see all of younger ones here, keep wondering what is happening to our world that so many people have cancer younger and younger. Thanks again, I am grateful for the support and encouragement.
    Donna70

    Meds and food tube
    Donna,
    don't worry about your meds and the feeding tube they will give it to you by intravenously, they did my husband, but they will watch your blood sugar like a hawk cause the food to the tube has lots of sugar they did my husbands, and he isn't even a diabetic. it was weird, they have ways to get meds to you tell he don't worry, I too work for the same hospital he had his surgery so they didn't mess with me, i know how they can get turned in, but he had excellent care. Someday they will find a cure for this ugly disease named "CANCER" we hope. I have whole different outlook on life being with someone that has cancer as Loretta Marshall says when they have it we have it too, and I believe that. I just want you and your husband to keep your faith and spirits up and know you can fight this "RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF CLOUDS HANGING OVER YOUR HEAD, BUT AT THE END YOU WILL FIND THE RAINBOW" I did.

    Know I am here

    Lori aka MOE

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