First I'd like to say Thank You all from the bottom of my heart. It has been a journey, but your support and guidance helped me get through this past year, I love you all for that.
Steve:
Yes the poutine definitely helped, see the cheese held everything together,(Ha Ha)
Phil:
Yes another fifty years of NED and maybe more, lets see I'll only be 98 in fifty years(Ha Ha)
Stacey:
I knew your one year was around the corner from me and I am glad we took this journey together, it helped having someone go through it with.
Tulip1:
I was dx in April of 08, in May 08 I started 9 weeks of Chemo, major Chemo in the hospital every third week, followed by continuous infusion 24/7 for three weeks, and another 2 cycles of the same. I finished Chemo on July 17/08 and rested until August 14, when I had Ivor Lewis surgery to remove my complete esophagus. I was in hospital a total of twelve days, with a few complications. First few days was nothing by mouth, then fluids, then soft foods which I continued with for 6-8 weeks then I slowly introduced regular foods. It was a hard recovery, the first 5 months or so I was consently in the bathroom throwing up, but I knew to get better I had to eat so I forced myself. I lost a total of 48lbs, but gained back 12 in the past 7 months. I was suppose to have follow up Chemo after surgery, but the first round knocked me down and I was in hospital for 9 days and all I did was throw up so they discontinued any further Chemo. I never had a feeding tube because it fell out of my intestine 2 days after surgery, so they removed it, boy was that painful. I was back at work part time in Nov. 08, and now I work full time, lately 6 days a week, 9 hours a day. My energy level is getting better since they found my B12 to be low and put me on a supplement. I still get tired at times and have the odd pain and throw up, but all in all life is good. I am at about the best I will ever be after this type of operation, but the doc says I will never be back to the 100% prior to the operation, but that's ok, I am still here. It takes alot of positive thinking and not giving up even when it seems like things are not getting better. And support, all the support you can get, I got alot of it here, and any question, or sympthom I had was answered here. Stay strong, eat even when you don't feel like it, drink then drink some more, eat less more often, and exercise, it really helps. I'm sure there are alot more details I can write, but I think I've gone on long enough and I don't want to bore anyone. So everyone stay Strong and
Take Care And Be Positive
Evelyn