Upcoming Surgery

Hi all,

Just thought I would update everyone. My husband's (EC) surgery is scheduled for the 21 of Feb. They will be doing a PET scan the day before and if all goes well surgery the next. My husband seems to think and keeps telling everyone that no matter how the outcome of the PET scan is, the surgery will go on. I knew he was wrong, but  I called the surgeon's office to confirm my thoughts. What I was told kinda confused me even more. She said to me....if the PET doesn't light up in the EC area, yes they will do the surgery, If it lights up elsewhere, that is a different matter. They are thoratic surgeons, and strictly are there for that area only. MY fear is....I've heard that if a person with cancer is opened up, it could cause the cancer to spread???

I know we are just starting our journey, and it sure has been a tough one! I just can't help having mixed emotions, mixed feelings, some positive, others negative. I wish I could get all my questions answered, but I know thats not possible. This *beast* seems to be different for each person. I've read each and every message on this board, and some have given me hope, others have prepared me for what lies ahead. I know that I have read , what some of you would consider success stories, but thats where my negative thoughts come out. Seems to me the word *success* is when a person has made it through one of the many stages of their treatment. Don't get me wrong, I applaud any and all who have made it this far. But what I question is, how long before you have to start the process over again, because it has *come back*?

I've read in MOST cases, people have survived the 1 year mark, some the 2 year mark...but how many have made it past the 5 year mark? I haven't come across anyone who has *successfully* survived this type of cancer.

Back to the update...sorry my question filled mind tends to distract me.

My husband has actually put back on 5 pounds since his chemo and radiation ended on New Years. He still has trouble eating certain things, but insist on trying them. His spirits were getting better, until last week. I think he is worrying about the surgery. He has been having chest pains, but he keeps telling me he thinks it is from the radiation. I am in fear that it may be something else. But I will be positive until I'm told otherwise.

He doesnt get out much, a shower alone wears him out. He refuses to go anywhere, he is afraid of catching something. So the TV is getting alot of *ON* time. We talk alot, but never about the cancer. I think it's better that way, because I don't want him knowing how negative I get about it. I want him thinking positive!

I'll update again after surgery!

My prayers will remain with each of you!

 

So much of what you said is familiar. My husband had mets to lungs pre chemo, so surgeon originally said she would do lung resection to make sure lungs were clean before starting Ivor Lewis. By end of chemo and radiation PET was clean so we did Ivor-Lewis first then went on to lung biopsy (6 lymph nodes too with 1/2 showing cancer). I would be lying if I didn't say the roads been up and down, but I wouldn't give up because we've had a lot of great days in between in spite of lung mets recurring. Yes life is different and change is hard, but can also be a great thing. It can make us grow in new ways. Our most recent lungspots seem to have cleaned up with tongren alone, but it still came to scare us again. In terms of surgery, you could ask Dr about tramadol for pain (we had epidural but surgeon who did bowel resection on him recently said that was because of lung resection-hard to say). Tramadol doesn't suppress immune system like morphine does so it can be a better choice after cancer surgery if he can tolerate it. That would be my choice in the future, but so far we've used whatever the dr gives and have reacted to many of them (PCA dilaudid worked well without making him really sick but suddenly the dread spots reappeared). There are definitely survivors at 5 years out, and more of them all the time. The survival statistics have clearly risen even in the 2+ years I've been doing this dance. They are finding ways to treat and buy time. Don't give up hope! If there is one thing I've learned it is to see each day for the gift it truly is. If things go bad there will be plenty of time to fuss and worry over it later if that seems like the right approach in that moment. It may never come. At this point we look forward to his 52nd birthday in a month (remember wondering if he'd make 50), and a 25th anniversary in the fall. You'll probably feel tense and edgy till the surgery-waiting for the next step is difficult. I recommend tongren to everyone. He sounds like hes in the rough kind of shape my husband was in, where a shower was the big event and took everything he had. It's great he's put on 5 lbs and he will recuperate a bunch more from his treatment in the next week or two. There's a 15 minute tongren conference call for Stage 4's midday ET that is done 5 days out of the week. My husband added it to our regimen a few weeks back when the spots came back. He relaxes very deeply during and after the call (the TV actually goes off), and my experience using it during round 2 and 3 of chemo convinced me that it helped to build the system back up quickly after treatment. I know it seems crazy. I had a friend I met through school who came to class last night for the first time. She just heard a lymph node removed 2 months ago had cancer cells in it. She and her husband got there before us and when I walked in she said she was amazed at the energy in the room before we started class-the space where we hold class almost hums with the energy. I know energy healing is an odd concept, and tapping or lasering acupuncture dolls seems really weird, but it certainly can't hurt you so what is there to lose but our anxiety and sickness possibly. May your husband experience deep healing over the next week or two in preparation for the surgery. Take good care of yourself.      

 

On 2/9/2008 sweetbabegirl wrote:

Hi all,

Just thought I would update everyone. My husband's (EC) surgery is scheduled for the 21 of Feb. They will be doing a PET scan the day before and if all goes well surgery the next. My husband seems to think and keeps telling everyone that no matter how the outcome of the PET scan is, the surgery will go on. I knew he was wrong, but  I called the surgeon's office to confirm my thoughts. What I was told kinda confused me even more. She said to me....if the PET doesn't light up in the EC area, yes they will do the surgery, If it lights up elsewhere, that is a different matter. They are thoratic surgeons, and strictly are there for that area only. MY fear is....I've heard that if a person with cancer is opened up, it could cause the cancer to spread???

I know we are just starting our journey, and it sure has been a tough one! I just can't help having mixed emotions, mixed feelings, some positive, others negative. I wish I could get all my questions answered, but I know thats not possible. This *beast* seems to be different for each person. I've read each and every message on this board, and some have given me hope, others have prepared me for what lies ahead. I know that I have read , what some of you would consider success stories, but thats where my negative thoughts come out. Seems to me the word *success* is when a person has made it through one of the many stages of their treatment. Don't get me wrong, I applaud any and all who have made it this far. But what I question is, how long before you have to start the process over again, because it has *come back*?

I've read in MOST cases, people have survived the 1 year mark, some the 2 year mark...but how many have made it past the 5 year mark? I haven't come across anyone who has *successfully* survived this type of cancer.

Back to the update...sorry my question filled mind tends to distract me.

My husband has actually put back on 5 pounds since his chemo and radiation ended on New Years. He still has trouble eating certain things, but insist on trying them. His spirits were getting better, until last week. I think he is worrying about the surgery. He has been having chest pains, but he keeps telling me he thinks it is from the radiation. I am in fear that it may be something else. But I will be positive until I'm told otherwise.

He doesnt get out much, a shower alone wears him out. He refuses to go anywhere, he is afraid of catching something. So the TV is getting alot of *ON* time. We talk alot, but never about the cancer. I think it's better that way, because I don't want him knowing how negative I get about it. I want him thinking positive!

I'll update again after surgery!

My prayers will remain with each of you!

 

Hello,

My 62yo father was diagnosed with Stage 1 and had the dreaded surgery Jan. 18th.

I am a nurse and so understand about having your questions answered.  This is such a huge, risky and scary surgery.  I must have asked a MILLION questions and as you, read so many messages on this site.  In the end, I felt very comfortable with my fathers surgeon and the care plan.  My father was so very fortunate that he did not need chemo or radiation prior to or after the surgery.  But there was a concern about a "spot" that lit up on a PET prior to surgery (it was on the back of his throat).  A PET is not always accurate, and we had further testing to verify that there was NO other cancer present before undergoing the surgery.

I guess I am writing to tell you, NEVER stop asking questions or  investigating the surgeon and the hospital where the surgery will be performed.  Mortality rates change VERY much between hospitals and surgeons.  I know time is not on our side, but we need to be great advocates for our family members.  I think it was harder for me since I am in the medical field in some ways, but in some ways it was a help. Knowing where to look for help and what questions to ask.

 

I wish all the best, my prayers will be with you and your family.

I should add that my father has done very well.  He was home in 12 days.  The recovery is going well, but is a very slow process.  Baby steps for sure.  But he has survived and is told he is cancer free!!  The battle is long and hard against this BEAST, but we can gain strength from each other and achieve VICTORY!! 

I will be glad to share any other information you might want to hear about.  I know how difficult it is to be a caregiver in this situation.

Stay strong,

Laura 

 

Laura-Glad to hear your dad is doing well! Will keep you in my prayers.