Getting ready to move from sophomore to junior class!

John had all of his post radiation/chemo testing done in the last couple of days.
CT-Chest, Abdomen, & Pelvis with Contrast, PFT (Pulmonary function), Pet/CT, & appointment with his Internal medicine physician for pre-surgery clearance.
Results:
CT
1. Increased Soft Tissue thickening involving the distal esophagus when compared to the prior examination. Persistent thickening at the GE junction is again seen grossly similar to prior examination. The findings may reflect Post -radiation edema.
2. Lingular scarring which may reflect post –radiation changes. No evidence of pulmonary nodules.
Pet/CT
1. Increased FDG uptake in the distal esophagus and gastro esophageal junction. This can be seen with post treatment inflammation however residual neoplasm cannot be excluded. There is no evidence for metabolically active disease elsewhere.
PFT (Pulmonary Function)
1. Borderline Obstruction (COPD)
2. Lung Age 77 years (OMG he is 59)
Internal Medicine clearance for surgery
1. No medical contraindications for surgery

Wednesday (today) we meet with surgeon to discuss results and talk about surgery. Moffitt set a date of Aug. 26, 2011 for surgery. The authorization process for John's surgery (out of network) as begun. Moffitt requested authorization yesterday. I called my contact in the benefits office (late yesterday) I have not received call back yet. I was freaked out by the Imaging reports. I have read on this site that other patient’s tumors are gone post treatment. I guess I was hoping that the tumor was gone. I guess I knew it wasn’t because he is still having difficulty swallowing. The PFT freaked me out too; John is in such denial about his smoking. He told Dr. that he has slowed down that he smoked one pack in 4 days(not sure that is true but…).
I have never smoked so I don’t know what it is like to try to quit but I sure wish he could kick this before surgery (he is running out of time) I worry about his lungs post surgery. When I try to talk to him about smoking he totally shuts down, and gets angry. His weight is down to 140.3 (with shoes on) but the internal medicine doctor did not seem concerned and no one mentioned his weight today at Moffitt. Dr. Meredith wants him to have a colonoscopy before the surgery it would be so easy if we could just have it done at Moffitt but NO I know have to jump thru hoops to get the procedure booked and performed in 6 business days. I called Gastro doctor’s office (the one that did scope in May) the women I talked to sounded very frazzled about getting the procedure booked quickly but she did seem like she would get it done. It seems like a lot to go thru in the next few days having to do the prep for a colonoscopy and then a day or two later having to do a prep again the day before surgery but it is what it is. John & I meet Michael today at Moffitt he needed more testing so I am praying that he gets good news and gets a surgery date. After leaving surgeon office we went to PAT (pre-anesthesia testing) sent 1-2 hours there. They spent a long time going over the procedure again. By the time we left Moffitt (about 3 PM) John was freaked out. He has not wanted to know the details and he was on information overload. I will keep everyone posted. I have been reading everyone’s post and I know that they’re a lot of people right now going through some very difficult times. Losing their loved ones to this terrible disease. I can only read a little at a time and like Jeff I have not been able to write my condolences but my heart goes out to all that have lost someone in this battle. Fighting cancer for both the patient & the spouse (caregiver) is so hard. I feel like I am on a roller coaster (I hate roller coasters). I am exhausted but I know I have it better then most because John can have surgery. The people on this board give me strength to keep pushing and keep fighting this battle. When I feel tired or down I come on here and read to find strength. I do not post as much as I read. There are so many excellent writers on this board. I write and re-write before I post and it is a lot of work (I have a perfectionist problem, lol). Again want to thank everyone for your support! On to the next step (or Junior class)!