Update on my husband Tom

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ChiefTom
ChiefTom Member Posts: 15
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I have to apologize for my absence from this site. A lot has happened since June 2010/dx EC4b.
Tom started his chemo on 6/22 and had the lifeport insertion on 6/25. I am happy to report that he has not had to take any pain medication since 6/24/10. That in itself is a miracle. Prior to that, he had been taking dilaudid or vicodin since 6/1. (His cancer had metastasized to his spine.)
He started radiation to his spine on 6/30 and tx was completed on 7/20 after 14 sessions. Other than radiation dermatitis burns on his chest and some swallowing difficulties for a few days, it was pretty uneventful. He did suffer from some fatigue near the end of tx, but we were told to expect that.
His attitude throughout all of this has been amazing. He has chemo for 4 hours, one day per week for 2 weeks, then off the 3rd week.
He golfs at least 1-2 times per week and continues to take his flying lessons every week. (He began working on his single engine plane pilots license last fall.) He goes bike riding with our 16 year old son every week. (They have really bonded over the summer.)
We took a few short vacations, Niagara Falls, Can & US, New Orleans, LA and Baltimore, MD.
Our oldest started college out of state a few weeks ago. That was difficult, but with texting, skype and email, it is easy to stay in touch. (If only she would accept my friend request) Ha-ha.
Last Wednesday was the repeat pet scan and today was our second opinion at Sloan. We went in there not knowing the results of the test. The Dr told us that the scan results were very good. Tom is responding to tx. The tumor in his esophagus and all of the bone lesions had significantly shrunk. (Thank God) They were minimally responsive, compared to moderate to intense activity (initially). The doctor concurred with the chemo regimen. So for now, he will continue with the treatment he has been receiving.
Overall, he has a good quality of life. He can eat anything he wants and has not lost any weight. I realize that this can change at any time. We realize that everyday is a gift and we feel blessed for what we have now. We take nothing for granted. We pray as a family. You are all in our prayers, Liz, Tom & family

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  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
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    Good News!!!
    Liz,

    It is great to hear that things are going well for Tom. I am glad that you and Tom and your family have this time to share. I used to take so many day to day things for granted before I was diagnosed that now have great value. As you said, each day is a gift. What a shame it takes something like cancer to help us understand that.

    Great to hear about Tom’s attitude and quality of life and great to hear positive scan results!!!

    Best Regards

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 – Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 – 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    6/21/2010 CT Scan NED
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #3
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    I'm so happy to hear such good news
    I'm thankful to hear your news. We've battled ec for a year now..last year at this time my husband was doing 3 chemos once a week, radiation every day, and hydration twice a week..so far he's fine...know as you said, it can change in a heartbeat, we take each day at a time and do a whole lot of praying..I've got the golfer here also..funny how I taught him and now with two knee replacements just hit balls but don't golf..You and your family are in my prayers.

    orion
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • LivingFaith
    LivingFaith Member Posts: 74
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    unknown said:

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    Good news
    It is great to hear from other stage 4b fighters and that they are enjoying life given the gravity of the illness. I think all of us touched by EC have a whole new appreciation for life. For me, just seeing my dad buy my little girls huge ice cream cones and jelly beans in the same day, brings tears to my eyes. I know this bit of "spoiling" is what they are going to remember. Before his EC I would not have been pleased about him giving the girls candy and ice cream. Now I see the love in his ways and eyes as he does it. It is bringing him joy doing it and I'm not going to spoil his "spoiling" of his granddaughters.
  • ChiefTom
    ChiefTom Member Posts: 15
    #7
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    LivingFaith said:

    Good news
    It is great to hear from other stage 4b fighters and that they are enjoying life given the gravity of the illness. I think all of us touched by EC have a whole new appreciation for life. For me, just seeing my dad buy my little girls huge ice cream cones and jelly beans in the same day, brings tears to my eyes. I know this bit of "spoiling" is what they are going to remember. Before his EC I would not have been pleased about him giving the girls candy and ice cream. Now I see the love in his ways and eyes as he does it. It is bringing him joy doing it and I'm not going to spoil his "spoiling" of his granddaughters.

    Thank you all for the
    Thank you all for the prayers and support!

    We just came back from Tom's onc appt. His dr said the results are extremely positive (and I can honestly say that this is the first time we've seen this dr smile.)

    Although Tom's blood cell counts were too low today for chemo, the dr gave him off this week (with the addition of some type of injection) to boost his blood counts.

    The dr said the next scan will be in three months. Even if there is no change at that time, we are still ahead of the game. This news definately made Tom's day!

    BTW, William, I am terrified of hights. So, no, Tom is not flying me anywhere! Ha-ha.
  • ChiefTom
    ChiefTom Member Posts: 15
    #8
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    ChiefTom said:

    Thank you all for the
    Thank you all for the prayers and support!

    We just came back from Tom's onc appt. His dr said the results are extremely positive (and I can honestly say that this is the first time we've seen this dr smile.)

    Although Tom's blood cell counts were too low today for chemo, the dr gave him off this week (with the addition of some type of injection) to boost his blood counts.

    The dr said the next scan will be in three months. Even if there is no change at that time, we are still ahead of the game. This news definately made Tom's day!

    BTW, William, I am terrified of hights. So, no, Tom is not flying me anywhere! Ha-ha.

    Just wanted to add one more
    Just wanted to add one more thing. The dr stated that some of the bone lesions had actually disappeared altogether!

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