Just looking for hope

Hi all,

 My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in february 2007. he had chemo and radiation therapy followed by surgery. we were completely devastated at the time and feared the worse but he seemed to make a good recovery so much so that him and mother retired and spent time travelling. At his checkup scans we were told we had reason for "cautious optimism". However a few months later they found a small spot on his liver. he underwent radiofrequency ablation but this was unsuccessful. They decided to operate but never went ahead with it as they saw there was cancer in the wall of the stomach and on the lining. we were told then that our only option was chemotherapy with the hope of putting it into remission. however in the weeks before the chemo was to start my father was really sick and constantly vomiting. he lost a huge amount of weight. when the chemo started he took a turn for the worse and they had to stop it. Our regular oncologist was unfortunately on leave at this time but his colleague rather brutally told my mother and I that my father had weeks to live and he couldn't really see the point in continuing the chemo. This was back in April. When our own doctor returned he decided to persevere with chemo but a lesser dose. My father has now had 5 six-day sessions of chemotherapy. During the week of chemo he feels sick and has no appetite and no energy but in the weeks in between he has definitely improved. His appetite has returned, he has put on a bit of weight, he can go for walks and drive the car, he was even able to play with his grandchildren last weekend. He is vastly improved since April.

  At present we are waiting on more scan results to see what is going to happen next. I suppose I'm really just looking for some hope - maybe someone with a similar story and prehaps evidence that sometimes doctors aren't always right and sometimes people can get better...maybe im being naive but I think we just need to hear some hopeful stories now..

 Thank you.

 

When my grandmother was in her 70's, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer.  The doctor told my mother and aunt and they decided not to tell anyone else, including my grandmother.  The doctor said my grandmother had no more than 5 years to live.  My grandmother passed away at the age of 95 and it wasn't from cancer, it was 'natural causes'. 

Never give up hope,

Helene

Sounds like you may not have discovered the EC-Group on the ACOR website.  They are a GREAT group-  with a core of long time survivors of EC. 

www.acor.org/mailing.html?l=e - Cached

 

 

Never give up hope. God can perform miracals. I have seen them. I had a very direct Doctor and I ignored him and listened to other more supportive people instead.  God bless and good luck

I had a renal cancer in 2002 and a metastesis in 2005.

Both times I went through surgery, first one removing one rein, second one removing three vertebras and replacing them with ones in titanium. Unfortunatelly this second time my medule was hurted and I have since then reduced mobility, clutches and only small 100 / 200 meters distances.   

Doctors doubted I will survive to second surgery, but as I was not too old (60) they went ahead. After the surgery they estimated a survival of 6 months or less.

The reality is that I had chemo (Sutent, pills you take at home) until now and I have survived more than four years. The problem is the medular damage and all related consequences, chemo impact is bad but second line.

I am still working (64), and I lost fear to death. Death is something natural and we have to be ready to accept it when it comes. I do not want more suffering, no extra care for surviving in worse conditions than now.

 

On 9/2/2009 eimear16 wrote:

Hi all,

 My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in february 2007. he had chemo and radiation therapy followed by surgery. we were completely devastated at the time and feared the worse but he seemed to make a good recovery so much so that him and mother retired and spent time travelling. At his checkup scans we were told we had reason for "cautious optimism". However a few months later they found a small spot on his liver. he underwent radiofrequency ablation but this was unsuccessful. They decided to operate but never went ahead with it as they saw there was cancer in the wall of the stomach and on the lining. we were told then that our only option was chemotherapy with the hope of putting it into remission. however in the weeks before the chemo was to start my father was really sick and constantly vomiting. he lost a huge amount of weight. when the chemo started he took a turn for the worse and they had to stop it. Our regular oncologist was unfortunately on leave at this time but his colleague rather brutally told my mother and I that my father had weeks to live and he couldn't really see the point in continuing the chemo. This was back in April. When our own doctor returned he decided to persevere with chemo but a lesser dose. My father has now had 5 six-day sessions of chemotherapy. During the week of chemo he feels sick and has no appetite and no energy but in the weeks in between he has definitely improved. His appetite has returned, he has put on a bit of weight, he can go for walks and drive the car, he was even able to play with his grandchildren last weekend. He is vastly improved since April.

  At present we are waiting on more scan results to see what is going to happen next. I suppose I'm really just looking for some hope - maybe someone with a similar story and prehaps evidence that sometimes doctors aren't always right and sometimes people can get better...maybe im being naive but I think we just need to hear some hopeful stories now..

 Thank you.

 

Never give up hope! The doctors give you statistics of what happens to the average patients, but everyone is different. Positive thinking, the will to live and not give up and faith in God can do wonders! I have brain cancer and the doctors have given me 10 years to live if I have deletions and do chemo. I'm waiting to hear from them before starting chemo. I've been reading books on healing from God and they are awesome. I always knew God could heal anyone but only if he wanted to. After reading these books, I realized God does want to heal everyone and you just need to ask and believe that he will heal you. Tell your dad to keep fighting and never give up!

Hi,

Going through a tough time with my wife who had gotten angiosarcoma of the breast from radiation she had gotten 7 years ago. This information might be helpful . I continue to read articles about how glucose feeds all cancers. They appear to have a voracious appetite for this . The cancer cells do not use the energy produced in our mitocondria , they seem to use a difference process like fermenation. There was an article in cancercompass last week about glucose  and cancer connection. I ordered a book about this individual using a ketogenic diet ( similar to the Atkins diet) but using antidiabetic drugs to keep glucose in the 70 to 80 range . The body then uses ketones for its energy . Cancer cells cannot use Ketones as an energy source but normal  cells can . He had lung cancer and it disappeared in 30 days. In combination with drugs that limit the bodies ability to make vessels might stop all cancer cell growth in the body... .Read a few articles how with 3 agents used primarily to stop new  vessel growth in the retina they can stop new vessel growth completely in the body  . Without a source of energy and with the abilty to grow vessels might be what will  resolve this issue. I intend to use this in my wifes case if her condition worsens..... Good luck .....My prayers are with you ....Jeff

I agree with  Cancer Compass  member shariv who in this thread stated

 

“Never give up hope! The doctors give you statistics of what happens to the average patients, but everyone is different. Positive thinking, the will to live and not give up and faith in God can do wonders! Never give up hope! The doctors give you statistics of what happens to the average patients, but everyone is different. Positive thinking, the will to live and not give up and faith in God can do wonders!”

 

I have advanced prostate cancer In 2007 a scan found I had prostrate bone Mets. Two deferent Urologists in different parts of the country give me just five years. Than a naturopath told me to stop having any sugary foods or drink and start having very high dose of vitamin C this worked for a while a scan a year later found no cancer in my banes though you could see where it had been I’m on other stuff , that I want go into right now. I just want to say don’t let him give up cheers Ray    

Lance Armstrong, the strong biker, has had metastatic cancer for many years, (at least 5). He just keeps on biking! My heart goes out to all of you. Prayers and Blessings, Bonnie

On 9/2/2009 eimear16 wrote:

Hi all,

 My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in february 2007. he had chemo and radiation therapy followed by surgery. we were completely devastated at the time and feared the worse but he seemed to make a good recovery so much so that him and mother retired and spent time travelling. At his checkup scans we were told we had reason for "cautious optimism". However a few months later they found a small spot on his liver. he underwent radiofrequency ablation but this was unsuccessful. They decided to operate but never went ahead with it as they saw there was cancer in the wall of the stomach and on the lining. we were told then that our only option was chemotherapy with the hope of putting it into remission. however in the weeks before the chemo was to start my father was really sick and constantly vomiting. he lost a huge amount of weight. when the chemo started he took a turn for the worse and they had to stop it. Our regular oncologist was unfortunately on leave at this time but his colleague rather brutally told my mother and I that my father had weeks to live and he couldn't really see the point in continuing the chemo. This was back in April. When our own doctor returned he decided to persevere with chemo but a lesser dose. My father has now had 5 six-day sessions of chemotherapy. During the week of chemo he feels sick and has no appetite and no energy but in the weeks in between he has definitely improved. His appetite has returned, he has put on a bit of weight, he can go for walks and drive the car, he was even able to play with his grandchildren last weekend. He is vastly improved since April.

  At present we are waiting on more scan results to see what is going to happen next. I suppose I'm really just looking for some hope - maybe someone with a similar story and prehaps evidence that sometimes doctors aren't always right and sometimes people can get better...maybe im being naive but I think we just need to hear some hopeful stories now..

 Thank you.

 

Don't give up hope! Trust me the docs don't know everything. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 5 years and 2 months ago, but who's counting. They gave me from none to zero chance of surviving. I went through surgery, radiation, and chemo for 2 years, just to extend my life. Well here I am, cured and doing well. I spent 3 years having all the tough times you go through, but it was worth it. My friend and neighbor was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with 3 months to live. That was 12 years ago and she is doing fine. One of my customers and friend had multiple myeloma with little chance of surviving. He had surgery and extreme chemo and continues with chemo today. That was 7 years and 1 month ago, but who's counting. He still runs his own small business. My point is to NEVER give up and live for the small gains. You are not naive!!!! Glen