My Dad

Hi all,
  My Dad was diagnosed before Christmas with EC, adenocarcinoma...we think a late stage III...I say think because they said it was localized with a questionable local lymph node. But its also a large enough tumor that it nearly blocks his passageway...  The oncologist and GI docs wanted to do surgery, 2 surgeons disagreed.  He had a lot of problems eating and has survived on Ensure and milkshakes... My Dad was and is extremely thin. ...

So,they tried to place a stent, but it migrated, and tried some argon laser therapy...Neither got the restults they wanted...which were basicly that the tumor would recede enough that he could put on a few pounds...So..now wer're into radiation and chemo...he also had a feeding tube placed, which should have gone smoothly but he ended up in the hospital with awful pain...
 
The problem is, Im scared that while they were trying to do all these things to make his life easier that the cancer has spread ...We just started the radiation in Feb..and chemo last week...I know I really shouldn't focus on that...BUT, sometimes you hear so much negative with this disease that you can't help yourself. We need this tumor to shrink so he can eat...and right now he can hardly swallow anything because he said it just plain burns..and anything he does drink he says just doesnt taste right....which I have been told is not uncommon...It's just really hard to keep your chin up sometimes. Luckily, so far he tolerates the feeding tube very well...
I just want to not have this "bad " feeling...it's just come on lately and I want my optimism back..
HELP.
Angie

Hi Angie,

         My mama was diagnosed in Dec also. 2nd week I think. I know it was the end of Jan or the first of Feb before she started chemo and radiation. Sometimes it seems like the Dr's just take their own sweet time.

      You are going to have those days when you are scared and full of doubt. It is like a roller coaster ride. Take the good days and treasure every moment and when you have the bad ones just know that you will get through it. I hope you have a "good day today".

                                                                                  Pat

On 3/8/2008 angree wrote:

Hi all,
  My Dad was diagnosed before Christmas with EC, adenocarcinoma...we think a late stage III...I say think because they said it was localized with a questionable local lymph node. But its also a large enough tumor that it nearly blocks his passageway...  The oncologist and GI docs wanted to do surgery, 2 surgeons disagreed.  He had a lot of problems eating and has survived on Ensure and milkshakes... My Dad was and is extremely thin. ...

So,they tried to place a stent, but it migrated, and tried some argon laser therapy...Neither got the restults they wanted...which were basicly that the tumor would recede enough that he could put on a few pounds...So..now wer're into radiation and chemo...he also had a feeding tube placed, which should have gone smoothly but he ended up in the hospital with awful pain...
 
The problem is, Im scared that while they were trying to do all these things to make his life easier that the cancer has spread ...We just started the radiation in Feb..and chemo last week...I know I really shouldn't focus on that...BUT, sometimes you hear so much negative with this disease that you can't help yourself. We need this tumor to shrink so he can eat...and right now he can hardly swallow anything because he said it just plain burns..and anything he does drink he says just doesnt taste right....which I have been told is not uncommon...It's just really hard to keep your chin up sometimes. Luckily, so far he tolerates the feeding tube very well...
I just want to not have this "bad " feeling...it's just come on lately and I want my optimism back..
HELP.
Angie

Angie, I was in your shoes about 2.5 years ago and its hard for people to think of something hopeful and good to say about this cancer.  It is extremely hopeful that your dad's cancer is in stage 3.  We had a close family friend who lived for 6 years with stage 3...trust me, I know 6 years sounds way too short, but this cancer is so aggressive that I would've given anything for 6 more years with my dad.  If you havn't checked out Cathy's EC Cafe yet, its a really good website to go to if you want to read some uplifting stories.  Theres a tab on it with EC survivors of 5 years and longer.  I also have a website www.frankies5k.com that has some good sites to check out.  I am so sorry your dad and family are going through this.  Just remember that the statistics are horrible, but everybody is different.  If we had listened to the statistics, my family wouldve been miserable, but instead we enjoyed the time we had with my dad.  God Bless and hope some of this helps a little.  I wish I had the right answers,

Katie

Hi Angie,

I certainly know how you feel. It seems how my dad feels effects my outlook for the day as well. We've been so excited about his good news and he was feeling better since he had a week off in between treatments. The last two days he has felt horrible, though. He started back with the nausea and dry heaves. I cried the entire way home when I left today. I just hate leaving him when he feels so bad.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is very much a roller coaster ride that we can't choose to get off of. Some days the only good thing seems to be knowing that God is in control, others I'm on cloud 9.

Just know that I am hear if you ever want to talk or need anything.

You and your dad are in prayers.

HI Am so glad to have found this site, my dad was diagnosed with this cancer in June of 06 and it has been horrible as I live in NZ and he lives in Brisbane. I am really really confused as I am thinking that we (my husband and myself and our baby boy) should just move back to Brisbane but it's so hard to get information out of mum and dad as they obviously are staying very positive but I keep feeling like I am not hearing everything as maybe they don't want to process all the information?

Dad had a total oesophagectomy in June of 06 without doing any prior radiotherapy or chemo (even though I am now reading that this is a good idea?) and he had HEAPS of complications including ending up in hospital for almost 3 month. In the last 18months he has lost almost 20 kilos and has lots of trouble eating as he tends to throw up a lot or get food caught in his throat.

 At his last check up they found the cancer back and so now he starts combined chemo and radiotherapy next Monday. I am really lost as I have started reading up again and now dont know what to ask the DR's - about his treatments, outlook,side effects etc- as the more I read the more I realise I know nothing.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what questions I should be asking? Should we make the move back to OZ? What is his long term outlook?

I can't seem to think straight and obviously I will come home for the treatments and to be with him but I am also a bit lost as of course I would come back to OZ for him to live but I am trying to get the facts first so we can make an informed decision about what to do. I hope I don't sound selfish but I guess it's just one more stress on top of dad already being sick by moving my husband and baby to Australia as well???