Stage 4 survivor

MaxNZ said:

Thanks Kim.... for encouragement ...
Hi Kim,

Yes, you are absolutely right in saying - the glass is half full not to say this its half empty. It's really is how you look at it, don't look back on what's over or where you are now which will only increase your suffering, always be positive and have faith and "all will be well".

I feel we all should give full support and encouragemnt to all who has cancer through this CSN Board since its a very nasty disease to have (my primary esophagus cancer was 6th out of 200 types of cancer which metas to lymph nodes and liver) and give all the help and advise if you can to make a difference to their lives.

If you can even help one person with your advise from your own experience to live and survive, its worth it since only who have suffered and been through the scary road has the capacity to be able relate and feel what its like to have Cancer...

Max

Hi Max,
thank you so much
Hi Max,
thank you so much for all the information on your board. I have searched every where and of course none of this info was given to us by our doctors. My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He went through chemo and radiation and was operated at Sloane in NYC in September. Part of his esophagus and 3/4 of his stomach were removed. It has been difficult as you know, unfortunately we found out last week that the cancer is back but the good news is that it did not spread anywhere else. He is going to get more chemo and we are in the process of looking at other options. He is losing weight and were very concerned. Have you or anyone else considered the IPT Integrative Medicine?

Thank you for your help

Adele

Sharrae Kidd said:

New
Hello everyone I was hoping I could get some help, information, from people that have gone through this diagnosis. My sister is 31 years old and was just diagnosed two months ago with stage 4 esophageal cancer. The cancer is in lymph nodes as well as her lungs, stomach, and spine. She had a stint put in about a month ago and surgery is not a option for her. My sister is about to have her third round of chemo and as she has 24/7 chemo fanny pack that is given through iv. My sister has a 10 month old baby as well as a 3 and 7 year old. I am finding it really hard to find groups to help with payment of medications and help in general to the family. Does anyone know if there are grants or any assistance to young couple that something like this happens to? I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer to tell me. Thank You all so much for your time and good luck with your battles. God Bless You All!!!!

It may be helpful to repost
It may be helpful to repost your question as a new topic. With this post being at the bottom of a lot of posts, it could get lost. There are a lot of people on this site who are very knowledgeable and helpful.. Good luck and prayers to you and your sister and family.

Thank you
Katanna, Thank you for your post. I was diagnosed March 4th of this year with Stage 4 Rectal Cancer. While that news scared me to death I was determined to fight it (& still am). I had gone to 5 different doctors over a 2 year period complaining about my "tailbone region" hurting while doing a lot of sitting. It just kept getting worse & I could not get comfortable no matter how I tried to sit. The last Dr. I went to patted me on the head and told me I just had arthritis (he had asked when I went if I had ever had any injuries to my tailbone area & when I said yes it was broken when I was a teenager he went no further.) He literally patted me on the head and sent me home telling me to get Tylenol Arthritis Pain Reliever OTC & try that. I went to work the following day and was just miserable. I grabbed the yellow pages & looked for a specialist that would see me without a referral and thank God I found one, he saved my life. I went in, he sent me for a colonoscopy & discovered I had Stage 4 Rectal Cancer, I had several rounds of chemo, then surgery for a colonostomy. The cancer had metasized (sp) onto my liver. On Friday the 22nd I will be going to the hospital to have 1/2 of my liver removed as well as my gallbladder and bile duct. The surgeon will then attach my small intestine to the other 1/2 of my liver. So far I have had 12 rounds of chemo and while it did make me sick, I actually gained weight. The Dr. said it was due to the steroids. I did lose some of my hair but kept most of it (it was extremely thick to start with). I had been "paying" to have it thinned out and now the chemo was doing it for me, lol. I have had numerous PET Scans, CT Scans & MRI & so far it is just in the liver. They removed the cancer from my rectum when they did the colonostomy so I am praying this will take care of it. I am praying that I will be a Stage 4 survivor like you. I have a wonderful support team (family & friends) and am very thankful for everyone & especially to God for bringing me this far. I only hope I can help someone else with their cancer and outlook on life. Attitude is the most important part of all. Take care, Donna

My dad has Esophycas & Stomach Cancer
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My dad was diagnosed with Esphopycas and Stomach cancer in May 2010. He received 4 sessions of chemo prior to his surgery. They removed 3/4 of esophycas and 1/4 of his stomach + 22 lynph nodes. He recovered from his surgery like a champ. On Monday October 25th he was check prior to his 1st chemo treatement after surgery and a lump was found on his neck. The biopsy on the same day showed that it is cancer., The doctor ordered CT Scan and they found out nodules in his lungs, and the lynph nodes in his chest seems larger. We are truly devasted. Your story is giving us hope. Is there any experimental drugs for this type of cancer or any cancer? God bless.

cherseg said:

Dear Katanna, So good to hear your encouraging news!! My husband was diagnosed last June, stage 4, mets to distant lymph nodes, so he cannot have surgery. He had 19 weeks of chemo, from August until December, and as of today is "NED". Did you have metasis to distant nodes or other organs? Every doctor we're talked to insists that the surgery is not recommended, or not an option since the cancer was elsewhere in the body, and it would only be a "band aid", because eventually it will come back in the liver, brain, or bones. He has PET scans every 3 months, and so far, he's "clean". So we take each day with love and gratitude. I hope you continue to do well, I am sorry you continue to have unpleasant health issues. There should be supplements or nutrition suggestions that could help you. Have you seen a good internist, in addition to your cancer team? Thank you for sharing your story, it gives me some hope.

Cherseg curious of which distant nodes
My husband is going through a similar situation. The doctor is insisting he is stage III, however he has celiac lymph node involvement. Everything I have read tells me he is a stage IVa. It would help me if you could give me more information regarding your husband. Congratulations on his survival. I hear so many horror stories of surgeons insisting they can operate when it is inevitable the cancer will come back. We are going to our second opinion hospital in Portland, Or tomorrow for consults and my husband's petscan after chemo and radiation. I am on pins and needles. Thank you for any information you can pass on. I would also be interested in knowing where your husband was treated. The chemo and radiation almost killed my husband. He has some heart issues as well.

God Bless,

Linda

linda1120 said:

Cherseg curious of which distant nodes
My husband is going through a similar situation. The doctor is insisting he is stage III, however he has celiac lymph node involvement. Everything I have read tells me he is a stage IVa. It would help me if you could give me more information regarding your husband. Congratulations on his survival. I hear so many horror stories of surgeons insisting they can operate when it is inevitable the cancer will come back. We are going to our second opinion hospital in Portland, Or tomorrow for consults and my husband's petscan after chemo and radiation. I am on pins and needles. Thank you for any information you can pass on. I would also be interested in knowing where your husband was treated. The chemo and radiation almost killed my husband. He has some heart issues as well.

God Bless,

Linda

Linda
My husband was and still is being treated at St.Vincent Hospital on Barnes road in Portland
Dr. Wolfe is a wonderful surgeon, along with Dr Anderson our Oncoligist and Chemo doctor, Dr Gannett was his radiation doctor, and Dr Lobitz at Petercourt next to the hospital Larry was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophagas cancer Jan.14 2010. He did the port that pumped chemo every 10 minutes and then every thursday went in a received two other chemo drugs for six weeks along with 33 radiation treatments. What kept him going we made protien shakes with whey and ice cream, it calls for 1 scoop but we would use 2 to 3. He didn't really like it but it kept the weight on before surgery and gave him energy.

My husbands surgery took 12 hours and he had complications that kept him in the hospital for 3 weeks, he went in April 15 and was released May 5th, the hospital and staff were wonderful and still are.
My husband still has complications mostly when he eats but our life is about 75% normal,
besides getting his throat stretched every 3 weeks which is better then every 7-10 days at the beginning.

God Bless,
Cari

jessicalla said:

thank you
Katanna and Sherry,

Thank you for your uplifting posts. My dad, who is 62, who diagnosed with stage IV EC on Friday. We are devastated and looking for anything that can provide us hope. Please keep all of us updated on your treatment.

Hugs,
Jessica

How is your dad doing?
Hello Jessicalla: my hubby 60y/o was diagnosed late August stage IV with metastases in lymph nodes and liver. Has had brachytherapy (radiation) and now on chemo. Lots of trouble eating and has a g-peg inserted in his stomach so I can feed him when he cannot eat by moth.
Wondering how your dad is doing now.
Take care
Karen in Hamilton, Ontario CANADA

Esophagus cancer stage 4
Hi,

My father was diagnosed with stage 4 esophagus cancer. He has finished with 2 sessions of chemo and 4 weeks of radiation. He has constant pain and can't eat or drink, not even water. Can anyone suggest me what diet should we choose for him or is feeding tube the only option. I am looking out for more survivor stories, so that it gives us some hope. I can understand now, what pain and suffering one goes through so see your loved one suffer.

cherseg said:

Dear Katanna, So good to hear your encouraging news!! My husband was diagnosed last June, stage 4, mets to distant lymph nodes, so he cannot have surgery. He had 19 weeks of chemo, from August until December, and as of today is "NED". Did you have metasis to distant nodes or other organs? Every doctor we're talked to insists that the surgery is not recommended, or not an option since the cancer was elsewhere in the body, and it would only be a "band aid", because eventually it will come back in the liver, brain, or bones. He has PET scans every 3 months, and so far, he's "clean". So we take each day with love and gratitude. I hope you continue to do well, I am sorry you continue to have unpleasant health issues. There should be supplements or nutrition suggestions that could help you. Have you seen a good internist, in addition to your cancer team? Thank you for sharing your story, it gives me some hope.

wondering
Hi

This is my first time writing and your post stuck out to me. My dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 EC and it has spread to his liver. He started aggressive chemo this past week in Boston. My dad is a healthy 54 year old guy. Like your husbands doctors, his dr's also said surgery isn't an option. He's part of a clinical trial now and we're all hoping and praying. I'm just wondering if you (or anyone else out there) perhaps has any advice or encouraging words while going through this.


Thank you