Radiation question

Lylesmyprince
Lylesmyprince Member Posts: 130
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Lyle started radiation today and chemo on Thursday. Tomorrow he will have a stent placed in his esophagus and we have questions. We understand that the stent may not work and that it may fall into the stomach...but he used to have a tube catheter in his body cavity for a type of dialysis and it kept getting infected with staff and ecoli. Very painful. So he is reluctant to get a feeding tube just yet. He wants to try the stent first...I don't blame him. When do the effects of radiation begin to show? I know it will be different in everyone...but we are just curious. Also, we met with a surgeon today...and she admitted she has not done surgery on someone with Lyle's combination of health issues...she feels surgery would be an option if treatment goes well and the cancer doesn't progress. Still feeling overwhelmed...but facing each day together.

Susie

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • Lylesmyprince
    Lylesmyprince Member Posts: 130
    #3
    unknown said:

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    Thanks Sherri....Lyle is
    Thanks Sherri....Lyle is having a tough time getting his food down lately. The doctors are concerned it will get worse before it gets better and because he doesn't have any kidney function...his nutrition is a balancing act before you throw in cancer! I will be sure to ask when the stent can be removed...and how they monitor if it is still in the correct place. I appreciate your feedback.

    Susie
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #4
    Lylesmyprince said:

    Thanks Sherri....Lyle is
    Thanks Sherri....Lyle is having a tough time getting his food down lately. The doctors are concerned it will get worse before it gets better and because he doesn't have any kidney function...his nutrition is a balancing act before you throw in cancer! I will be sure to ask when the stent can be removed...and how they monitor if it is still in the correct place. I appreciate your feedback.

    Susie

    Sherri my dad starts
    Sherri my dad starts radiation treatment next week - 10 minutes 5 times a week for 30 days. They are attacking the tumor and the lymph node. He was just in to map the spots the radiation will attack. They said that it will be like having a sunburn and that he may end up only being able to swallow a soft or liquid diet and may need a feeding tube - not sure if this is only temporary and he will once again be able to eat normally or when. Perhaps you will have the answer to that for me:)Of course because I wasn't there I have a million questions he didn't ask but will begin some more research. I would have thought they would have waited for the pet scan to determine the size and placement of the tumor and hot lymph nodes --- call me crazy but the doctors treating my dad seem so uninformed.

    And they will continue his chemo. And He has a Pet Scan tomorrow to see what has happened since the chemo started.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    unclaw2002 said:

    Sherri my dad starts
    Sherri my dad starts radiation treatment next week - 10 minutes 5 times a week for 30 days. They are attacking the tumor and the lymph node. He was just in to map the spots the radiation will attack. They said that it will be like having a sunburn and that he may end up only being able to swallow a soft or liquid diet and may need a feeding tube - not sure if this is only temporary and he will once again be able to eat normally or when. Perhaps you will have the answer to that for me:)Of course because I wasn't there I have a million questions he didn't ask but will begin some more research. I would have thought they would have waited for the pet scan to determine the size and placement of the tumor and hot lymph nodes --- call me crazy but the doctors treating my dad seem so uninformed.

    And they will continue his chemo. And He has a Pet Scan tomorrow to see what has happened since the chemo started.

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  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Lyle's Stent
    Hi Susie and Lyle,
    Lyle will have difficulty swallowing until he does get that stent put in. The stent will open his esophagus, and keep it open. My dad had his stent put in in December. He loved it. His stent worked very well for him. Like I have said before, what works for some, may not work for others. Yes the stent could fall into the stomach, but it also could not. That is the chance you have to take. Trial and error. If the drs are recommending it, go for it. Lyle will be able to eat a whole lot better after the stent is placed in. Good luck.
    Tina

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