Stage Ii - B? - What To Expect As I Am Flying Blind

On 4/27/2008 sissummer wrote:

Hi Everyone -

 

My mom was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with as she told me at the time, a tumor that had a couple cancer cells in it and she was going to have the tumor removed.  It was naive of me to believe it was this simple and I learned the night before that she was actually having the Esophagus removed and really it took me still another day or 2 to realize, duh she has esophageal cancer....  So here we are now 11 days out of surgery, which went well, she seems to be recovering fantastic, some bloating, constipation and tiredness, but for what she has been thru quite fantastic.  She chose to go to a skilled nursing home temporarily to recover before coming home.  The doctor did tell her in the hospital that she was Stage II and they did find some cancer in one of her lymph nodes.  No Oncologist has come by, I don't think she even consulted an oncologist ever, just the surgeon.  I ask her and she won't talk about it to me or any of my siblings.  I realize she can't do any chemo or radiation for at least a few weeks, if she will even choose to.  With the limited facts I have I have read far to much online and have questions for doctors that don't seem to exist.  I left notes and phone messages asking questions at the hospital, checked every day to see if an oncologist had come by, but nothing. I feel like I am getting no where and asking the wrong questions to the wrong people?

 

I am concerned that they are feeding her regular meals, like meat loaf that she barely eats and they are just feeding her 3 meals a day, not the 5-6 meals a day of soft foods that I read online she should be following?  She does get J-tube feedings at night.  She is 74, over weight (30 lbs lost before the diagnosis), stubborn and driven.

 

How can I get more information from the doctors, I do have medical power of attorney.....  Should I go behind her back and find an oncologist to look at her pathology results and give recommendations?  I think she is just in a denial and processing, i want to let her have the time to do that, but to be prepared to move forward when she is ready.

 

What is the general prognosis for Stage II, I am assuming B since he said they found some in 1 lymph node, but since she was on heavy pain meds when he told her, I have no idea if that is even completely correct. At her surgical consultation, she was told 3-5 years with the esophagus removed?

 

Is it normal to have Chemo before or after in stage II?

 

Anything you can send my way would be great.

 

Thanks,

 

June

Hi June,  I can hardly believe what you are saying.  I have power of attorney over a person and that is only for money matters.  However, I will share with you how I went about getting all the facts.  I went to a uniform shop and bought scrubs.  Worked like a charm.  I told the I was the persons private caregiver, which I was. You should be able to get the imformation without difficulty because you are blood related.  Unfortunately, she could have signed the papers stating that no person could have access to any of her medical information.  You can ask the hospital personal if she did infact do that.  You can go with her to all appointments and at least try to accompany her to see the doctor.  I didn't ask, I just did it.  I had my scrubs on too.  I hope you have been able to find out more, but if not, maybe my experience will help you. 

Good Luck and as you have news, please share.