New Encouraging EC Statistics for Stage 2 and 3

I was just exploring other areas of this website and came across the following article "Investigators At University Of Texas Release New Data On Esophageal Cancer" dated Aug. 6, 2009 that showed some favorable statistics 3 year survival statistics for Stage 2 and 3 EC with adenocarcinoma in the gastroesophageal junction (which happens to be where my husband's tumor was located):

http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/1,16067,00.htm

These statistics are based on 2000 - 2003 data so I'm hoping that the statistics have continued to improve.

Maria

Thanks Maria, I can't wait to rush home and tell my husband. He's stage 3 and doing really well despite all the negativity.  He doesn't look like a dying man to me........but then I'm a little partial.

Thanks again for sharing. That's what these posts are so good for. 

Living "La Vita Loco" in San Diego.

P.S. We'll be in our pool tonight when it's pitch black, looking up at the heavens and thanking the Almighty, for another wonderful day.

On 9/11/2009 golfingdeb wrote:

Thanks Maria, I can't wait to rush home and tell my husband. He's stage 3 and doing really well despite all the negativity.  He doesn't look like a dying man to me........but then I'm a little partial.

Thanks again for sharing. That's what these posts are so good for. 

Living "La Vita Loco" in San Diego.

P.S. We'll be in our pool tonight when it's pitch black, looking up at the heavens and thanking the Almighty, for another wonderful day.

My husband is also Stage 3 and looks and feels great (well, most days).   He's now up to an all-time high post chemo weight of 146 lbs. and is starting to really put on the weight that he lost due to surgery and chemo.  He put on about 4 lbs. in the last few weeks.  I love to bake, especially in the Fall, but last year he was just finishing up his last chemo treatment and so sick that I didn't bake a thing.   Tomorrow I will start my Fall baking with a batch of homemade cookies.

 I try to share any good news or encouraging articles I find.  When my husband was diagnosed in March 2008, I was so greatful for finding this board.  As problems and situations came up that were unique to EC, I was able to get the quick answers I needed to make my husband more comfortable and reassurance that gave me hope (I still worry too much but this is starting to ease with the passage of time).

Maria 

P.S.  Our swimming season in Upstate NY is just about finished.  In fact, when I came home from work a few hours ago, it was a chilly 64 degrees in our house and I had to put the heat on.   

Thanks Maria that really is positive news and each year the statistics seem to get better and better as treatments improve and the cancer is found earlier. I do belief statistics will improve as time goes and that someday there will be a cure for all cancer. Enjoy your last days of pool weather, ours here in Canada are basically over now. Again Thank You

Take Care and Be Positive

Evelyn

Maria,

North of Boston was in the 50's...windows closed...heat on low. We're in the midst of painting to sell the house, so it was hard to accept when the weather shifted to fall temps today. We saw a tree turned red too, but mostly it's all still green leaves, with the marsh grasses turning their fall color. The house is too much for me to maintain, and too big...we used to run our business from home, and have a son here but Pat has never been able to get back to work. He's been putting in a couple hours a day in the house, which is the most energy and strength I've seen him muster in a long time. It surprises me when I comprehend what a truly long time it has taken to recuperate from his multiple surgeries and chemos. Last year he couldn't spend 5 minutes in a Home Depot or newly painted space without nausea, and now he is painting a little. It always makes me really happy to hear when people are able to work again...must seem like a much more normal return to life, although we certainly embrace the life we have in all the ways we are able.

Thanks for sharing the good the statistic link. That's a considerable change and encouraging for the stage 2 and 3 folks. They mentioned using the multiple chemo drug approach. I'm certain taking that approach is the only reason my stage 4 husband was able to have surgery a few years ago. It's very aggressive so you probably have to be in very good health to withstand it. That's very encouraging news.