Just Found Out I Have Esophgel Cancer

Hello Everybody, 

I am really sorry you are in this boat with us. My mother found out she had it in Dec and she just started her treatments. I wish I had something more to tell you. This is a great site to seek support and find out information on. I hope I can share good news in about 5 or 6 weeks when my mom finishes treatment and has test to see if it worked.  Please hang in there and vent anytime you want. I will add you to my prayer list and keep us updated.       Pat

I'm also sorry to hear you are on this boat with us- its not a fun place to be thats for sure!  I hope you are able to find some support in your local area. The treatments to fight this beast are not easy.

 

My mom was diagnosised about a month ago. She had been seeing the doc for about 6 weeks before they discovered the EC.  She has a total blockage between her stomach and esoph.  She survived breast cancer 8 years ago. 

Wishing you the best of luck in this battle.

It's hard to know what to say. This is a tough one, but as you read and share here, as well as other support sights or groups, you will find hope and confidence. So, it's a good place to start. My husband was dx 4/05, and is still hanging in there. It's alot of work, but as long as you have doctors on your side willing to walk along side of you, it may not be so frightening.   Actually - I am talking from a caregivers point of view, so I probably should not be saying to you what is more or less frightening. What I do know, is what I see from him. A fighter, a positive attitude, hope,  and making sure he gets the best care that he deserves.It's worked for him so far. Where exactly did the cancer start? Have you been through your options yet? Let us know.  God Bless.

So sorry to hear about your situation.  My husband was diagnosed in June.  He had radiation & chemo.  Cancer in lung disappeared, lymph nodes and esophogus tumors shrank alot and are stable.  No new growths and no growth in the ones that are there.  There is hope.  Don't give up.  Have the treatments and keep a positive attitude.  I know it's scairy, but you have all of us to talk to.  Let us be there for you. 

Thank You all for your kind thoughts. It helps since most of what I read is so depressing.  I'll know more next week.

Rick 

 

Hang in there Rick, my dad was diagnosed last June, went through wicked radiation and chemo, thought he was going to have an esophagealectomy, but when they opened him up they had found that it had spread to the lung.  They did cut that piece out, placed a stent and he has had two scans since that there has been no change in the tumor.  He has gained 30 pounds since last October when they got him off the feeding tube.  We are always crossing our fingers and praying! 

Rick:

I was diagnosed with T3N0M0 EC in June. I am 65 years old.  I underwent 6 weeks of radiation and 4 chemo treatments prior to my surgery in September. I also had to have an angioplasty done to install a stent on my heart prior to the surgery. The chemo and radiation treatments were not pleasant, but were certainly worth it. I was operated on September 20 and was out of the hospital 6 days later. They removed 75% of my esophagus (through my neck) and 20% of my stomach (through my abdomen). My stomach was reshaped to replace my esophagus. The pathology report came back saying the tumor was virtually gone as a result of the chemo and radiation. There were only a few microscopic cancer cells remaining in the area. All the lymph nodes were clear. I then underwent 4 chemo treatments in December and January as a precaution. I was not thrilIed about doing this, but my doctors all recommended it and I felt I had to do everything possible to ensure the elimination of this agressive cancer.  I just had a PET scan done on Friday.  The report came back that I am cancer free.  Keep your spirits up. I am sure they will defeat it in your case also. I think they have made great strides, expecially what I have experienced compared to some of the dire reports you read on the internet.  Just follow the recommendations of your oncologist.

Bill

Thank goodness you went for help early. It sounds as if you do have a good team of doctors working beside you. I know your family is far away, and "cyber support" may not be the same as having your sister right there with you. ~~I am not quite sure what to say, but we have family right here, and sometimes nothing is enough. The support here is wonderful and if you need to, I am --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed.  Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----. Hopefully the administration won't delete this, If they do, I will send a private message. None of us here want you to go through this alone. BUT - it does sound like your doctors care and caught this thing early enough that you can beat this. If for some reason you feel you are not getting what you need, GUESS WHAT - use us for strength because we all have been kicking some serious a-- here! And will do anything we can to get you through this. It really does help to help others. When we give advice and support, it helps us as well and reminds of the strength within us that we sometimes may forget we have to get through. Come back when you need something - someone is always here for you - God bless