CancerCompass message board discussion started by angree on 3/8/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21805,0.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/ Hi all,  My Dad was diagnosed before Christmas with EC, adenocarcinoma...we think a late stage III...I say think because they said it was localized with a questionable local lymph node. But its also a large enough tumor that it nearly blocks his passageway...  The oncologist and GI docs wanted to do surgery, 2 surgeons disagreed.  He had a lot of problems eating and has survived on Ensure and milkshakes... My Dad was and is extremely thin. ...So,they tried to place a stent, but it migrated, and tried some argon laser therapy...Neither got the restults they wanted...which were basicly that the tumor would recede enough that he could put on a few pounds...So..now wer're into radiation and chemo...he also had a feeding tube placed, which should have gone smoothly but he ended up in the hospital with awful pain... The problem is, Im scared that while they were trying to do all these things to make his life easier that the cancer has spread ...We just started the radiation in Feb..and chemo last week...I know I really shouldn't focus on that...BUT, sometimes you hear so much negative with this disease that you can't help yourself. We need this tumor to shrink so he can eat...and right now he can hardly swallow anything because he said it just plain burns..and anything he does drink he says just doesnt taste right....which I have been told is not uncommon...It's just really hard to keep your chin up sometimes. Luckily, so far he tolerates the feeding tube very well...I just want to not have this "bad " feeling...it's just come on lately and I want my optimism back..HELP.Angie angree Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Angie,  Ian so sorry your Dad is having such a bad time.I pray the Drs. will be able to help him soon.You kno, we can't always know what we will have to face in this life,but we can know someone who will go with us to guide,strenghten and carry us thru whatever we must do.He can give us the peace we seek and the comfort we so desperately need. I am a cancer survivor just starting my 11th yr.I cannot tell you how much God has enabled me to endure everything that has came my way.Not only me,but my whole family.He alone can give you the optimism you seek. he can also bring comfort , peace even joy when it doesn't seem possible.You are not alone he is closer than you think,just call to him jorolo1 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT