Stage IV Esophageal, Lung, Kidney and Liver Cancers

My husband was diagnosed July 2009 with the above cancers.  He is just now beginning his fifth week treatment of Cisplatin and 5FU.  He is not a candidate for surgery due to the size and location of the tumors.  After treatment number 4, he had a barium swallow and CT scan and we are awaiting results.  Thus far, his blood has been good. 

I see a marked decrease in his energy, food toleration and his emotional state.  Is this normal?  We are now experiencing initial rejection by his esophagus of any food, and then he persists with the food and will eventually get it to go down.  Is this typical?  He is also expecting a major amount of mucous....I am just getting very confused and would like to know what to expect, if anyone knows. 

The doctor told us initially that the were treating him palliatively, that there was no cure for his particular cancer.  I see many remarkable results for others, of which I am very happy.  Does anyone know what I can expect?  His initial diagnosis was less than 1 year -- is this right? 

Thanks. 

I wish I had the answers I know you seek...unfortunately, only God has those answers.  If there is one thing I have learned on this journey, it is that even doctors can be amazed, and they can be caught by surprise by turns that are not positive.  

What I chose to do was to take the diagnosis my husband was given, and then assume that was the correct time frame.  I prepared.  I am still prepared ...and I also tried hard to live though, as if that does not have to be the actual outcome.  To do all I could and all he could to change that outcome.  At each juncture we said...if the news is good then this, and if the news is bad then that will be our next step.  

You can certainly fight, and with today's chemos...there is reason to have great hope.  Educate yourself, and try to make the best choice for YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND at each juncture.  And that, is the right choice.  For this is your journey, and it is personal.

My prayers are with you right now.  

Betty J.

Thanks Betty.  We received his test results this week:  his CT number is 2.2; the tumors remain stable (no growth and no reduction); and, he is getting treatment number 5.  Dr. told us that the mucus he is expecting is something he would just have to deal with.  He has less nausea so far on day 2 of the treatment.  He is now taking Reglan.  Thank you for your kind words...we will trudge on and hope he remains tolerant of the treatments and tames the ugly beast within him. 

My mom (87) was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in April 2008, and had only one growth at that time.  She had trouble swallowing and had a barium swallow, then an endoscopy that showed the growth.  Her cancer was also inoperable due to the location and her age. 

She successfully went through chemo and radiation, and that cancer was gone after about 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, with her compromised immune system after chemo, she contracted c-diff, which causes diahrea.  It took 3 rounds of a very expensive medicine over 6 months to get rid of c-diff.  I hope you avoid any infections while your husband is on chemo or afterwards.

Mom had several really good months then this spring and early summer.  Then, she began having some swallowing issues again, and there were several new cancers growing and that was what we had been told by our oncologist (very high likelihood of returning). 

A few weeks ago, mom decided to have a stent placed to keep her esophogus open - not sure that was the right decision yet.  So mom's still with us a year and a half after the initial diagnosis, and is still living at home and doing pretty well.   We don't know what is ahead, but she has surprised all of the doctors on how well she is doing.

I don't know about the additional cancers you are facing, but I wish you the best.  It's really hard, but on the positive side our family has really grown closer during the last year.  The caregivers have been wonderful, and they have made a big difference too.  We've been able to talk about mom's wishes that we might not have known otherwise.

So sorry.

My mom (87) was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in April 2008, and had only one growth at that time.  She had trouble swallowing and had a barium swallow, then an endoscopy that showed the growth.  Her cancer was also inoperable due to the location and her age. 

She successfully went through chemo and radiation, and that cancer was gone after about 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, with her compromised immune system after chemo, she contracted c-diff, which causes diahrea.  It took 3 rounds of a very expensive medicine over 6 months to get rid of c-diff.  I hope you avoid any infections while your husband is on chemo or afterwards.

Mom had several really good months then this spring and early summer.  Then, she began having some swallowing issues again, and there were several new cancers growing and that was what we had been told by our oncologist (very high likelihood of returning). 

A few weeks ago, mom decided to have a stent placed to keep her esophogus open - not sure that was the right decision yet.  So mom's still with us a year and a half after the initial diagnosis, and is still living at home and doing pretty well.   We don't know what is ahead, but she has surprised all of the doctors on how well she is doing.

I don't know about the additional cancers you are facing, but I wish you the best.  It's really hard, but on the positive side our family has really grown closer during the last year.  The caregivers have been wonderful, and they have made a big difference too.  We've been able to talk about mom's wishes that we might not have known otherwise.

So sorry.

My mom (87) was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in April 2008, and had only one growth at that time.  She had trouble swallowing and had a barium swallow, then an endoscopy that showed the growth.  Her cancer was also inoperable due to the location and her age. 

She successfully went through chemo and radiation, and that cancer was gone after about 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, with her compromised immune system after chemo, she contracted c-diff, which causes diahrea.  It took 3 rounds of a very expensive medicine over 6 months to get rid of c-diff.  I hope you avoid any infections while your husband is on chemo or afterwards.

Mom had several really good months then this spring and early summer.  Then, she began having some swallowing issues again, and there were several new cancers growing and that was what we had been told by our oncologist (very high likelihood of returning). 

A few weeks ago, mom decided to have a stent placed to keep her esophogus open - not sure that was the right decision yet.  So mom's still with us a year and a half after the initial diagnosis, and is still living at home and doing pretty well.   We don't know what is ahead, but she has surprised all of the doctors on how well she is doing.

I don't know about the additional cancers you are facing, but I wish you the best.  It's really hard, but on the positive side our family has really grown closer during the last year.  The caregivers have been wonderful, and they have made a big difference too.  We've been able to talk about mom's wishes that we might not have known otherwise.

So sorry.

My mom (87) was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in April 2008, and had only one growth at that time.  She had trouble swallowing and had a barium swallow, then an endoscopy that showed the growth.  Her cancer was also inoperable due to the location and her age. 

She successfully went through chemo and radiation, and that cancer was gone after about 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, with her compromised immune system after chemo, she contracted c-diff, which causes diahrea.  It took 3 rounds of a very expensive medicine over 6 months to get rid of c-diff.  I hope you avoid any infections while your husband is on chemo or afterwards.

Mom had several really good months then this spring and early summer.  Then, she began having some swallowing issues again, and there were several new cancers growing and that was what we had been told by our oncologist (very high likelihood of returning). 

A few weeks ago, mom decided to have a stent placed to keep her esophogus open - not sure that was the right decision yet.  So mom's still with us a year and a half after the initial diagnosis, and is still living at home and doing pretty well.   We don't know what is ahead, but she has surprised all of the doctors on how well she is doing.

I don't know about the additional cancers you are facing, but I wish you the best.  It's really hard, but on the positive side our family has really grown closer during the last year.  The caregivers have been wonderful, and they have made a big difference too.  We've been able to talk about mom's wishes that we might not have known otherwise.

So sorry.

My mom (87) was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in April 2008, and had only one growth at that time.  She had trouble swallowing and had a barium swallow, then an endoscopy that showed the growth.  Her cancer was also inoperable due to the location and her age. 

She successfully went through chemo and radiation, and that cancer was gone after about 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, with her compromised immune system after chemo, she contracted c-diff, which causes diahrea.  It took 3 rounds of a very expensive medicine over 6 months to get rid of c-diff.  I hope you avoid any infections while your husband is on chemo or afterwards.

Mom had several really good months then this spring and early summer.  Then, she began having some swallowing issues again, and there were several new cancers growing and that was what we had been told by our oncologist (very high likelihood of returning). 

A few weeks ago, mom decided to have a stent placed to keep her esophogus open - not sure that was the right decision yet.  So mom's still with us a year and a half after the initial diagnosis, and is still living at home and doing pretty well.   We don't know what is ahead, but she has surprised all of the doctors on how well she is doing.

I don't know about the additional cancers you are facing, but I wish you the best.  It's really hard, but on the positive side our family has really grown closer during the last year.  The caregivers have been wonderful, and they have made a big difference too.  We've been able to talk about mom's wishes that we might not have known otherwise.

So sorry.

my wonderful husband was dx with stage iv EC w/mets to many lymph nodes 2/16/09....he passed away 10/25/09, he was only 47.  We were also told his tx was palliative, no cure.  He opted for a clinical trial & the first 7 weeks it seemed to be working....tumors were shrinking, we were very hopeful.  Then there were complications with his liver/kidneys, mid may-june.  They did not think he would recover from that but he did.  Early sept. the CT scan showed no new growth which was amazing since he had not been able to have chemo since mid-may.  However, the end of Sept/Oct he started to have increased back pain (which is where his symptoms began).  And at the end it was his liver that failed again.

Please just enjoy each day you have, I keep wishing for one more day.....never give up.  My husband was fighting every day, even though he was in so much pain....he did not want to give up.  Everyone's experience is different, every body is different....he was so young & otherwise very healthy...I really thought he could prove them all wrong.

Keep the faith!

I really feel that my husband's caregivers are the best.  They are very professional yet compassionate and know the entire family, not just the patient.  My husband is 58.  There are days he tolerates food very well, however, there are days he cannot eat broth without experiencing problems.  I don't know if stents are an option for my husband or not.  He is not a candidate for radiation, only chemo.  No infections so far. 

Good look with your mother.  She and your family are in my prayers.