Has anyone survived esophageal Cancer?

Hi Judy,

I am so inspired to your message, my husband was diagnosed stage 4 esophageal cancer the same as your husband "incurable and inoperable"  just this July. What kind of food do you give to him, I am so desperate on what to feed him. do you know some books that has a good menus for this kind of cancer.

thnks,

cecilia 

My husband has esophageal cancer; he has undergone chemo/radiation, then surgery, now is back on chemo for 12 weeks.  Nothing we had read on the internet had given us much hope of a long life after this, but we went to a support group last month and met people who are 13, 10, 8 year survivors, which was such a positive thing.  It is not easy, life will never be the same, but it is possible to go on living.  The people in the group worked and traveled, and had learned to manage lots of small meals during the day, which is something we are working on now (my husband is still using his feeding tube for most of his nutrition).

If your brother can find a support group, and join in even before he starts treatment, that probably would be beneficial.  Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where my husband had surgery, has an esophageal support group.  Perhaps your oncologist can help locate one, or the American Cancer Society or CancerCare (I've not used those resources but I've heard CancerCare can provide a lot of info).

 Best of luck to your brother and to all who will be with him on his journey.

Hello Judy,

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband.  My best friend is battling cancer very similar to your Jim's.  If you are still reading this board and could send me your 15 pg. of nutritional info, I would be so very appreciative.  Thank you, ~Janet

 

On 8/14/2009 janet371 wrote:

Hello Judy,

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband.  My best friend is battling cancer very similar to your Jim's.  If you are still reading this board and could send me your 15 pg. of nutritional info, I would be so very appreciative.  Thank you, ~Janet

 

Hi there! I have been reading these posts for a couple of days now. My dad had been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer which is now spreading to his liver. Everything I read is just so grim. Any words of advice?

 

 

On 6/18/2003 Sue S. wrote:

My husband has just had the surgery for this cancer. He is still in the hospital. It is a terrible surgery where they remove the esophagus and part of the stomach. They had hoped that they found it in time but found that it had spread to the lymph nodes. They have not started any type of treatment yet but are saying that he will have chemo and radiation after he recovers from this surgery. I can use any help I can get from anyone on different treatments and now I am seeing a lot about diet and nutrition also coral calcium. I am trying research as much as I can so I can help him. Anyone with advice on anything that might give him a better chance? We have all kinds of friends and family praying for us and I know that has helped to let him come thru the surgery.

I want to let everyone know that if caught early this does not have to be a death sentence. My mom is 54 and was diagnosed in Sept. a year ago with stage 1 esophageal cancer. She had suffered with Barrette's esophagus for 20 years. She tried a technique called oblation to see if that would get rid of the cells. It did not work the only other alternative was to remove the entire esophagus.In January she had the surgery. It was scarey, but she was a young, so this had to be done. She had the surgery and stayed in the hospital 4 days. She had to start off eating liquids, then soft foods, now she eats anything. She didn't have any problems she's lost about 30 lbs. which she needed to anyway. she is going to have an endoscopy next week, and a PET scan for her yearly checkup in January. She is doing great, she is active, and she has a new look on life. We couldn't find any info. when mom was diagnosed. i thought this was a death sentence, but it is NOT if caught early. we researched the doctor. that is very important that you have someone who has done the procedure. she lost her voice for a month from the surgery, but that was it. please know there is hope. thank God for the wonderful doctors in the richmond va. area!

Has anyone in the Nortwest Oregon/Southwest Washington area found a great doc to guide you through this?

We have just begun our journey.

Is Judy still writing and offering her 15 pages of good food advice? 

Thanks to all.   ck