CancerCompass message board discussion started by Minou on 3/12/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10284,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I have been reading all the postings, and was wondering if anyone has any family,friends, lover,father etc that live past the 5 years mark...What is the longest survival rate for EC.. what is the shortest?  My very best friends was just diagnosed last month with stage 2b (they think), they believed it spread to his lymph node, but he is going for a 2nd opinion this thursday....then he will decide what course of treatment he could have...It is scary........Already he lost several pounds...Need encouragement... Minou Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Your friend has found out earlier than most dx with ec. Second opinions are generally where we have found the most hope. One of the most important to remember in this, is that treatment is needed and needed NOW. Any delays are unacceptable. And, only if your friend wants to know, let no one put a time line on his/her life.  No one knows how far those dx can go. My husband was dx stage 3, a month later it was already stage 4. Something like that. He was dx April 2005. He has been through hell. But his spirit and will to love and live life have kept him here.He refuses to let this take him down. And I am right beside him every single step of the way. Hope and determination along with doctors who are willing to walk beside him in this, are the best defense. Those affected are warriors and we are the fierce army behind them. (Kinda corny, but...) This is an early dx for your friend. Go in strong and do not accept anything less from the doctors that you wouldn't accept for your  Mother, Father, sister, brother, wahtever. With the right care, it will be ok.  Keep checking in - God Bless Lou38s Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/12/2007 Lou38s wrote:Your friend has found out earlier than most dx with ec. Second opinions are generally where we have found the most hope. One of the most important to remember in this, is that treatment is needed and needed NOW. Any delays are unacceptable. And, only if your friend wants to know, let no one put a time line on his/her life.  No one knows how far those dx can go. My husband was dx stage 3, a month later it was already stage 4. Something like that. He was dx April 2005. He has been through hell. But his spirit and will to love and live life have kept him here.He refuses to let this take him down. And I am right beside him every single step of the way. Hope and determination along with doctors who are willing to walk beside him in this, are the best defense. Those affected are warriors and we are the fierce army behind them. (Kinda corny, but...) This is an early dx for your friend. Go in strong and do not accept anything less from the doctors that you wouldn't accept for your  Mother, Father, sister, brother, wahtever. With the right care, it will be ok.  Keep checking in - God BlessHi Lou38,Thank you so much for your reply..I've read several of your postings, but did not see any in the last few days, so I was wondering if everything was fine with you and your husband.It seem like your husband has been going thru a lot..I just can't imagine how they feel going thru such a traumatic experience..I try to cheer my friend and I am constantly looking for new information on the internet, hoping to find a miracle cure...It is not easy, he is putting such a good front, but I know that inside he is scare to death and so I am.Anything information you can give me would be greatly appreciated..I pray that your husband get better..I believe that a good spirit and laughter is key..Thank you so much for your help.Minou        Minou Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Don't let the info on the internet get to you!  Most of the stories you read are dated. The treatments are improving all the time.  You  might take a look at Cathys EC cafe (sorry, no link, but if you google it you wont have any trouble finding it). There is also a msn support group you can google.My mom was dx in January of this year. She had lost considerable weight and was unable to even swallow her own saliva at that time, much less eat.  Now, after 22 rad treatments and 2 rounds of chemo she is eating again.  They will scan her in 5 weeks and decide at that time where to go with treatment. They are hoping for possible remission with a few more rounds of chemo.  Will they cure her? Will she make it 5 years? No one knows. But they have bought her some time and quality of life, and for that we are thankful.   2cats Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for the word of encouragement..I need this today...I will check that website...God bless you   Minou Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT