Hello All!

I happened to stumble upon this site the other night while searching on the internet.  I have read alot about what other patients, caregivers, and family members have gone through.

 I thought that I would introduce myself.  My name is Jeremy and I am a 27y/o (well 28 next month) male.  I have a fiance (caretaker) and 3 children (9y/o, 5y/o, 7months).  I was diagnosed with EC in Aug 07 after I was having problems swallowing foods.  I went through 28 radiation treatments and 3 cycles of chemotherapy pre-op.  I had my surgery Nov 23 at St. Mary's Hospital with a surgeon from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  Post-op pathology showed that there were still some live microscopic cancer cells present.  My father asked the surgeon right away if more chemotherapy was needed and he responded "No" but I have since seen my oncologist at home and a follow-up oncology appointment at Mayo.  I have been told that I should have 3 more cycles of chemotherapy.  Not the best news that I wanted to here for my follow-up/check-up, but I guess if it is in the best interest for me I better do it.  I am still in some pain from the surgery and sleeping back in bed is a nightly challenge.  I had an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and my right side is numb/sore most of the time.  I am hoping that this goes away over time and I am thinking about asking to go to physical therapy to help it.

 I am looking forward to making friends and hearing more about the outcomes of others.  I know that there is the good and the bad.  I am so sorry for the people that have gone through the bad part of all of this.

 

Regards,

Jeremy 

Jeremy-From my husband's experience I would say the soreness in your side will get better.  It's takes quite awhile to heal from the Ivor-Lewis (I laughed at one of the hospital websites that said it was a 2 month recovery).  You have youth in your favor.  I think he still has some lack of sensation there but has gotten used to it.  Pat had residual cells in 3 of the lymph nodes they removed.  Surgeon recommended chemo and oncologist didn't.  He had about 6 months of recovery before the lung mets present at diagnosis returned, so at 9 months out of surgery he faced a 2nd lung resection.  2 months later it was in both lungs, so we began two very aggressive rounds (planned three) of chemo, and he has been clean since after the 1st round.  He was so beat after surgery the oncologist preferred to wait and see, and have him be stronger during treatment, and I trust her judgement on it still.  But each case is different, and you are a much younger man, so you are probably able to bounce back easier.  You and your fiance must have your hands full.  Welcome to the group. 

Jeremy,

It sounds like the worst is over. I had the Ivor-Lewis in July 2005. I'm right at twice your age and have done very well. You should recover even more quickly and completely - at least I hope so.

If I was to give advice (which I am NOT qualified to give), besides that which you hear from everyone, it would be to KEEP MOVING. I believe that helps as much as anything you can do. Doing something aerobic helps you heal and lifts your spirits.

Steve 

 

 

On 1/14/2008 jbmx4life wrote:

I happened to stumble upon this site the other night while searching on the internet.  I have read alot about what other patients, caregivers, and family members have gone through.

 I thought that I would introduce myself.  My name is Jeremy and I am a 27y/o (well 28 next month) male.  I have a fiance (caretaker) and 3 children (9y/o, 5y/o, 7months).  I was diagnosed with EC in Aug 07 after I was having problems swallowing foods.  I went through 28 radiation treatments and 3 cycles of chemotherapy pre-op.  I had my surgery Nov 23 at St. Mary's Hospital with a surgeon from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  Post-op pathology showed that there were still some live microscopic cancer cells present.  My father asked the surgeon right away if more chemotherapy was needed and he responded "No" but I have since seen my oncologist at home and a follow-up oncology appointment at Mayo.  I have been told that I should have 3 more cycles of chemotherapy.  Not the best news that I wanted to here for my follow-up/check-up, but I guess if it is in the best interest for me I better do it.  I am still in some pain from the surgery and sleeping back in bed is a nightly challenge.  I had an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and my right side is numb/sore most of the time.  I am hoping that this goes away over time and I am thinking about asking to go to physical therapy to help it.

 I am looking forward to making friends and hearing more about the outcomes of others.  I know that there is the good and the bad.  I am so sorry for the people that have gone through the bad part of all of this.

 

Regards,

Jeremy 

Dear Jeremy,

I first want to say to keep up the fight and my thoughts are with you and your family.

I am just starting this battle with my father who is 63yr.  The surgery will be Friday, the same as yours.  My father is very lucky that his was found at Stage I.  The surgery is just as tough though.  

Obviously I don't have any advice, I came upon this site by accident and have gone away with sort of feeling like our family wasn't alone.  I hope that for you and your family.  Not being the patient but a family member, I would tell your wife that she might find some comfort in reading some of these messages as well.  As tough as all this is on the patient, it is also tough for the family.  I think we all feel so helpless but can gain strength from the kind words of encouragement from those who have walked or are walking in our shoes.

I wish you all the best!

As I tell my Dad....stay strong!!

Laura 

 

Hi Jeremy,

       Wecome to the board. I am sorry you had a reason to come here. It is a great place to get support. I am here because of my mother. She was diagnosed Dec 07 with stage 3 EC. She had chemo and radiation and as of her last follow up she is cancer free. I hope your next check up will show that you are cancer free too ! keep us posted. God Bless,

                                                                               Pat 

Dear Jeremy:  I wish you and your family the best of luck.  I will keep you all in my prayers.  My son, Robbie, was diagnosed with Stage 4 EC on April 6, 2006.  He battled very hard but was one of the unlucky ones and lost his battle on October 7, 2007.  Do the chemo treatments and I reallly hope that you will be cancer free.  My son always told me - one day at a time, just one day at a time.  I still live that way.  He took each day as a gift and lived each and every one to its fullest.  Unfortunately, Robbie was not as lucky as you and was not a candidate for surgery.  Keep fighting.  This site is wonderful.  Robbie also left his wife and 2 daughters aged 9 and 5.  We are learning to cope, and I pray that you beat this demon.

Hugs to all in your family

Lynn

Hi again to everyone!!  I would first like to say "Thank You" to all that responded/replied to my message. 

Here is my latest update:  I went through 1 round of chemotherapy in early February.  That was not the nicest thing that I wanted to go through again but I did it and it took me about a week to recover from it.  Last Tuesday (Feb 26th) I had a PET scan and CT scan done.  Last Friday (Feb 29th) I had a follow-up with the oncology Doctor.  I found out from the scan results that my cancer has spread to my liver now.  I was totally devastated to find this out.  I was hoping to go in there and here that nothing had shown up and that I was good to go until June/July when I would go back to Mayo Clinic for my check-up with them.  Since last Friday I have been lost.  I don't know what to do or what to think anymore.  Dealing with all of this has driven me mentally insane.  The worst part about it is that my g/f and I have decided to get married next year and she is now fearing that it might not happen depending upon my situation at the time.  I feel so bad for her right now.  She is a very strong person in having to deal with not only my situation but also raising our 9 month old son at the same time.  She is also doing 2 online classes for college.  I just cannot imagine the stress level that she is going through.

I have an appointment this morning to go back and see my regular oncologist and talk to him about my next treatment and options.  I have also contacted the Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA) and I think that I am going to be seen there also by one of their doctors to get a 2nd opinion about the treatment and options that are available.  I truly believe that going to CTCA is in my best interest since they are strictly a cancer hospital/clinic.  I chatted with a nice lady online for a bit and then she asked if she could call me.  We then talked on the phone for awhile and she got my insurance information from me so that they could check on my eligibility to be seen by them.  I am hoping that all works out fine because I really want to go there.

I would appreciate any and all feedback/suggestions.

Thank you,

Jeremy 

You must be one of the youngest people ever diagnosed with this