HUSBAND 3 YEARS POST TOTAL GASTRECTOMY DIAGNOSED EC T3N1MO

jbright
jbright Member Posts: 8
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Good morning

My names is Julie Bright.My husband and I are both 70. My husband Dave had a total gastrectomy for Cancer in June 2008 at Mass General in Boston where we were living at the time. We moved to Kansas City area about 2 years ago as some of the children and grands live there.Doing wonderfully until about two months ago when, after eating, he felt what he described as a bubble in his chest.

Endoscopy performed and path results EC. Had endoscopic ultrasound Tues and results above T3N1. Met yesterday with Oncologist and will meet again next Thurs for full treatment plan. Has had CT Abdomen and Chest and they are clean. PET today. PORT on Monday. See Radiation guy Tues. We were told 5 days a week for 5 weeks of radiation, but do not know what chemo drugs until next Thurs. The hope then would be surgery.

While at the Oncologist I questioned the N1 as the measurements of the 3 lymph nodes were smaller than what is usually considered dangerous. She agreed and called the Ultrasound doc and he explained that he felt one of them was compromised, but could not biopsy because it meant going thru the tumor. Tumor size is 1.5-2.0inches.

We have spoken to our surgeon at MA General in Boston and he said Dave's surgery would be extremely technically challenging since he has no stomach. They would remove approx 1/3 of what is left of the esophagus.

We are meeting with a surgeon here soon, but the Oncologist did not know if he had ever done a surgery with the TG (total gastrectomy) involved. So if surgery becomes an option I will need to cast about for someone who HAS done these or go to Boston.

What testing is done during the radiation/chemo therapy and when to determine if the tumor/lymph nodes are decreasing?

Is eating solid foods likely to get better during therapy or no?

What should we expect in terms of how he is likely to feel during the therapy period? Are there restrictions, such as lifting, or anything during the therapy period?

I, myself, am a 19 year survivor of double mastectomy breast cancer and had chemo, which was only problematic on one occasion, but have never had the combo Dave will have.

I have probably asked too many questions, or possibly do not know the right questions to ask.

Thank you all for any thoughts.

julie

Comments

  • jbright
    jbright Member Posts: 8
    #2
    Should have told you
    that Dave's is adenocarcinoma and the junction where the small intestine was connected to the esophagus during the TG

    julie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    jbright said:

    Should have told you
    that Dave's is adenocarcinoma and the junction where the small intestine was connected to the esophagus during the TG

    julie

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jbright
    jbright Member Posts: 8
    #4
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you so much for such a thorough response.

    Interestingly Japan has an extremely high incidence of stomach and esophageal cancer. In fact, they test for stomach cancer routinely. The only studies I could find online for esophageal post TG were done in Japan and those that had surgery for EC AFTER gastrectomy had much better odds than those that were just esophageal. Of course, that may have been just the one study. If there were some way to contact a surgeon in Japan that would probably be helpful, but since that is not likely to happen perhaps the west coast is a better bet. I did mention that we now live in Kansas City so really any direction is about the same as another.

    David feels fine. He is healthy otherwise and very active. He is eating regular food, but with emphasis on softer. He just chews very well before he swallows.

    I will report back with PET results and treatment plan late next week.

    And just for clarification it was the Oncologist who did not know a surgeon who had done this type of surgery. It may be that there is someone here, although I doubt it.

    julie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    jbright said:

    Thank you so much for such a thorough response.

    Interestingly Japan has an extremely high incidence of stomach and esophageal cancer. In fact, they test for stomach cancer routinely. The only studies I could find online for esophageal post TG were done in Japan and those that had surgery for EC AFTER gastrectomy had much better odds than those that were just esophageal. Of course, that may have been just the one study. If there were some way to contact a surgeon in Japan that would probably be helpful, but since that is not likely to happen perhaps the west coast is a better bet. I did mention that we now live in Kansas City so really any direction is about the same as another.

    David feels fine. He is healthy otherwise and very active. He is eating regular food, but with emphasis on softer. He just chews very well before he swallows.

    I will report back with PET results and treatment plan late next week.

    And just for clarification it was the Oncologist who did not know a surgeon who had done this type of surgery. It may be that there is someone here, although I doubt it.

    julie

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jbright
    jbright Member Posts: 8
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Good idea:>)

    We lived on Cape Cod until two years ago so I know all about hurricanes. Batten down the hatches and stay safe:>)

    julie
  • jbright
    jbright Member Posts: 8
    #7
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Dr. LUKETICH
    William

    I am watching as the hurricane goes up the coast and hoping you and yours are safe.

    I wanted to let you know that we are faxing Dr. Luketich today and plan to call his office tomorrow after Dave has his port put in and we get the PET results.

    I so much appreciate your support.

    julie bright

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