CancerCompass message board discussion started by Ideakbw on 3/24/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22304,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My thoughts and prayers are with all of you fighting this awful cancer! I feel bad posting good news when so many of you are in the center of the struggle. I know the struggle, the fear and sadness this cancer causes. I do feel my husband was lucky to have caught it early and therefore, has had a good outcome. I guess I hope it can give some people some hope! My husband had stage 1 EC with a tumor at the junction of the stomach. He had EMR (not surgery) and PDT in August of 2006 at Johns Hopkins (even though we live in California). He had his 1.5 year check up and is still cancer free. He has changed his diet and takes Zeolite (not sure if it does anything, but what the heck). He also stop drinking diet sodas. He drank about 6-8 a day.(not sure if it help, but what the heck)His doctor says his esophagus is really clean and looks really good. The doctor said he really doesn't have to come back to be checked for a year, but to go by the book, we will do one more in 6 months, then go to a year.We feel really blessed that we have had this outcome. I hope this gives someone out there some hope! I know my husband's EC was at an early stage and that is not usual. But the doctors are finding it earlier and earlier now! My thoughts are with all of you! I read everyone's stories but I don't always find the words to respond, so I say a prayer for each and check in to see how you all are doing.God Bless! Ideakbw Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/24/2008 Ideakbw wrote:My thoughts and prayers are with all of you fighting this awful cancer! I feel bad posting good news when so many of you are in the center of the struggle. I know the struggle, the fear and sadness this cancer causes. I do feel my husband was lucky to have caught it early and therefore, has had a good outcome. I guess I hope it can give some people some hope! My husband had stage 1 EC with a tumor at the junction of the stomach. He had EMR (not surgery) and PDT in August of 2006 at Johns Hopkins (even though we live in California). He had his 1.5 year check up and is still cancer free. He has changed his diet and takes Zeolite (not sure if it does anything, but what the heck). He also stop drinking diet sodas. He drank about 6-8 a day.(not sure if it help, but what the heck)His doctor says his esophagus is really clean and looks really good. The doctor said he really doesn't have to come back to be checked for a year, but to go by the book, we will do one more in 6 months, then go to a year.We feel really blessed that we have had this outcome. I hope this gives someone out there some hope! I know my husband's EC was at an early stage and that is not usual. But the doctors are finding it earlier and earlier now! My thoughts are with all of you! I read everyone's stories but I don't always find the words to respond, so I say a prayer for each and check in to see how you all are doing.God Bless!Ideakbw, I know how you feel when you say you feel bad posting good news.... I had stage1 EC in 2005. I had an esophagectomy in July that year and am now cancer free and doing well. (I didn't know about EMR or PDT.) I've posted many times in the hopes that someone will see that there can be a good outcome to EC if caught early. I wish everyone got endoscopies regularly, especially if they have a history of acid reflux.Keep on posting good news and KEEP MOVING,Steve  Cyclist Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't ever feel bad posting good news! It's a triumph for each of us in a way. We're all really rooting for each person here, and it's encouraging to know good things happen amidst the bad. People need to know there is a reason to fight because the battle is brutal, and I would guess there are many moments where people may just want to give up. May you continue to enjoy good health and positive results,and live as one who is truly aware of this gift we call life. tongrenhealer Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Steve, Thank you for your post! I have followed your posts through the last couple of years and you give so much hope to everyone! I also wish everyone would get checked if they have acid reflux. What a difference it could make. Believe it or not, my husband only got checked because he was due for a colonoscopy and he heard if they perform an endoscopy at the same time they would put him under completely. He did not even want to be in twilight while getting the colonoscopy. So, he elected to have both just for that reason. Were we surprised when we got the results! Anyway, thank you for being such a great inspiration to all the wonderful people on this board. Your story is amazing! And we will Keep Moving! Best to you always! Kim Ideakbw Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kim,     I have felt guilty before posting good news about my Mama when I knew there were people out there that didn't have any good news. We must ALWAYS post the good stuff. If this board only had the bad news then how in the world would anyone have hope. I am so happy that you had the news to post. Keep it up !!                                                            Pat Patty5 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you Pat for your support, as you know it means a great deal. There are such wonderful people here! And I just feel so blessed to have this board. I hope your mama continues to do well. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Kim Ideakbw Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for the kind words. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. I am so glad it is not raging! Keep up the good thoughts! God Bless, Kim Ideakbw Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT As a new member of the board whose father was recently diagnosed with stage iv EC I believe it is imperative that GOOD news is posted.  It is inspirational to know that there are survivors, and hearing their stories keeps many of us hopeful when it is hard to be.  Like you, I read all of the postings but often cannot find the right words to respond.  Sometimes the best words of all are simply the courageous stories of others that give us strength to continue the fight.Keep the faith! TheDaughter Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kim,Please don't ever feel bad about posting such wonderful news! Once I got over the initial shock of finding out my dad had stage IV EC (now III) I began to research this terrible disease. There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak that I felt when I read the first hits on my internet search. If it weren't for people like you who are willing to share their lives with others then I can't imagine what I would've done! I agree with you and Steve about being proactive about EC. My family had never even HEARD of EC before my dad's diagnosis and he had treated for reflux, etc. for years!!!! (Incidently, he has squamous cell, not adeno). It would be so simple for the drug companies to mention the dangers of EC while they are advertising the benefits of their little purple pill!Thanks again for sharing and take care.God Bless  GeorgesGirl Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT GeorgesGirl,You said "It would be so simple for the drug companies to mention the dangers of EC while they are advertising the benefits of their little purple pill!".   I absolutely agree!!While they have the attention of the very people who should be tested they only give a guarded suggestion that something may be seriously wrong. Words like, "serious stomach condition may exist....". They should be using the situation to SHOUT the warning in no uncertain terms. It would cost nothing and would absolutely save lives and misery.Good luck and KEEP MOVING,Steve   Cyclist Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I lost my Dad in June to his first round of chemo for Stage IV, E.C. - I LOVE reading the good news!!!  Someone else's victory is my Dad's victory too :-)   So, keep it coming!!   I agree too about the drugs - how about "If you are taking this medication, you should have an endoscopy to rule out esophageal cancer and other serious medical conditions".  God Bless all of you!  Karen Worriedsick Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Amen!  This is exactly what we have talked about since my husband was diagnosed with this nasty cancer.  Why don't docs recommend endoscopies more?  I think they are moving in that direction but it's sooooooooo  slow.  One of our sons got an endoscopy after his dad was diagnosed and he does have Barrett's so there you go.  If his dad had been treated after years of acid reflux but no not one doctor said he should get an endoscopy.......so strange.  God Bless all of you and thank you for your messages.  I don't often reply but sure do need to keep in touch once in a while.  grannie2 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT We have all the doctors who prescribe the pills without doing the endoscopies, and we have all the over the counters like Prilosec that mask the symptoms so people don't see their dr till it's too late anyways, so it's a lose, lose system. tongrenhealer Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT