CancerCompass message board discussion started by BelindaBrit on 4/20/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23249,0.htm Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My Mum is 67 years old and outside of the EC she has, she is a very healthy person.  She was diagnosed 7 months ago and has received the full treatment of Radiation and 3 sessions of chemo.  We looked into Cyberknife radiation, but with the doses she has already received it was decided after consultation with a few doctors that it was too dangerous.  Her Tumor has shrunk considerably and is located at the level of her voice box.    She is now at the point of deciding whether to do the Esophogectomy or to try and keep the cancer at bay with future Chemo. We have been reviewing statistics of course as would anyone of survival rates  and of course the importance of the quality of life.  she has been told her voicebox would be removed as well.    Could we hear from people who have had the surgery and also from those who have not as to what to expect with time period of pain, rehab time frame, and if they feel their quality of life was worth the surgery.  From those who did not do the surgery for whatever reason.  My Mum would be having the Surgery down at the University of Miami. I have read so many stories here and am so thankful that a site like this exists.  I know we have some excellent Doctors out there doing the best for us, but the importance to hear from those who have gone through this is as vital.  Thank you all.   BelindaBrit Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am sure that you want to collect as much info as possible and although surgery was not an option for my dad these forums are great help with everything. Another really great site is Cathy's EC Cafe (follow the links to the forum). There seems to be a lot of patients on that forum and they all have a bundle of information and everyone seems to have a unique situation. All the best catherine cmullen Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/20/2008 BelindaBrit wrote:My Mum is 67 years old and outside of the EC she has, she is a very healthy person.  She was diagnosed 7 months ago and has received the full treatment of Radiation and 3 sessions of chemo.  We looked into Cyberknife radiation, but with the doses she has already received it was decided after consultation with a few doctors that it was too dangerous.  Her Tumor has shrunk considerably and is located at the level of her voice box.    She is now at the point of deciding whether to do the Esophogectomy or to try and keep the cancer at bay with future Chemo. We have been reviewing statistics of course as would anyone of survival rates  and of course the importance of the quality of life.  she has been told her voicebox would be removed as well.    Could we hear from people who have had the surgery and also from those who have not as to what to expect with time period of pain, rehab time frame, and if they feel their quality of life was worth the surgery.  From those who did not do the surgery for whatever reason.  My Mum would be having the Surgery down at the University of Miami. I have read so many stories here and am so thankful that a site like this exists.  I know we have some excellent Doctors out there doing the best for us, but the importance to hear from those who have gone through this is as vital.  Thank you all.  I am a 40 year old male whom had the surgery on jan 25 08. I weighed 210 pounds before surgery. I now weigh 150. It has been rough I tell you. I was in the hospital 10 days. The first week is rough not being able to eat or drink anything. Being the worst because of pain meds.With tube feedings I felt great. After removed I have been having dumping problems and now learning what to eat and what not to eat. I feel sick alot and do not want to eat.I do not have to take chemo or rad docs say all clear at this time. God willing will stay that way. I had stage 2 tmo 22 cm from my stomach.I have been asked if I would do this again. My answer right now even though I keep being told things will get better. I say no never again.I don't think anyone can tell you what to do about your mother. Except her I would do whatever she wants to do.  gunder Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I had the surgery in February last year.  While I still sometimes wonder did I do the right thing in the end of the day I felt that I had a duty to my dad and husband to fight it as much as possible.  Yes, it is still hard with the eating, the pain and the tiredness but I am still here. Aoife Aoife Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT You may want to consider the method used to perform the surgery. MIE (minimally invasive) versus, Ivor Lewis, etc. Recovery times differ according to many variables but the method of surgery is definitely one to think about. GeorgesGirl Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had the esophagectomy with a stomach pull up April 2nd,2004.  And althought the recovery time was slow and trying, I have so far had clear CT's and blood work ups. In July of that year I had 28 rad treatments and chemo at the same time.  I was probably a year getting back to feeling half way normal, but heck, I'm alive and they only gave me a 20% chance of survival at the time of surgery.  Is it rough? Yes. Is it worth it? I certainly think so.  I still have acid reflux, I eat small meals several times a day, but I travel, enjoy my family, church and community.  When chemo was mentioned, I had a choice.  I told the doctors that if I did every thing they said and two years down the road, had a relaspe, then I could say I tried my best.  If I did nothing, then I would have regrets.  Life is short, and no one wants the decisions that you have had to make, and that I have had to make in the past.  But do every thing you can to fight this monster.  Life is sweet.You will  be in my thoughts and prayers.  You have already faced the toughest day, the day you were diagnosed.  The remainder is a slow process, but so worth it.Gerri   Gerri Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/20/2008 BelindaBrit wrote:My Mum is 67 years old and outside of the EC she has, she is a very healthy person.  She was diagnosed 7 months ago and has received the full treatment of Radiation and 3 sessions of chemo.  We looked into Cyberknife radiation, but with the doses she has already received it was decided after consultation with a few doctors that it was too dangerous.  Her Tumor has shrunk considerably and is located at the level of her voice box.    She is now at the point of deciding whether to do the Esophogectomy or to try and keep the cancer at bay with future Chemo. We have been reviewing statistics of course as would anyone of survival rates  and of course the importance of the quality of life.  she has been told her voicebox would be removed as well.    Could we hear from people who have had the surgery and also from those who have not as to what to expect with time period of pain, rehab time frame, and if they feel their quality of life was worth the surgery.  From those who did not do the surgery for whatever reason.  My Mum would be having the Surgery down at the University of Miami. I have read so many stories here and am so thankful that a site like this exists.  I know we have some excellent Doctors out there doing the best for us, but the importance to hear from those who have gone through this is as vital.  Thank you all.  Ok here goes. Was diagnoised with esophagas cancer july 06. Am 58and before this was  feeling on top of the world.  Went to oncologisit and they prescribed 37 treatments of radar and 2 92 hours of chemo.  Rested 2 weeks then had the big surgery.   They removed my esophagas and subed with my stomach.  The surgery went very good. Every thing came our working fine.   By the way they did it laproscopicly   (misp)......... Would be glad to talk to you over the phone... But i would not have the surgery or the treatment if i could have a second chance.  Live you life to the best and enjoy each day......god bless you    THUNDERVIOLET Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my message. My thoughts and hope to you is that as time goes by it becomes easier and that you can look behind you with this terrible experience gone. It is a fight and a struggle and I see from so many messages on this bulletin board that everyone is very different. Some people do alot better than others. Our bodies react in so many ways at recouporating from such a major surgery. there really is no way in knowing. All we can do is listen, be knowledgable and make that gut decision based on knowing your own body. Thank you everyone who also replied to my message. My Mum has a difficult decision, one that I believe will include her view on her quality of life. I will keep the Bulletin Board updated as time goes by as to what my mum decides to do and how she is doing as I know there are people out there who will want to know not just the stories from taking the surgery but also the story from those who do not.Stay positive as the mind is a powerful tool and my thoughts to all.Belinda BelindaBrit Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for responding.  Keep me up to date on your decision.  What i would give anything in this world for is the way i could eat before.  Sure i was alittle over weight, but i sure would love to eat a whole plate of food instead of the 1/8 plate now. Thank , donna      THUNDERVIOLET Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi,I have just had surgery (Ivor Lewis) on March 18th and yes, it hasn't been an easy ride, but I truly believe that the only good tumour is the one that's NOT in your body. All the time that it is there, there is a possiblity of spread.Just my 2c worth.Chrissy, Australia ... starting chemo in 2 weeks.  ChrissyN Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am 67 years old and had stage IIA Esophageal Cancer and had my surgery in September 2006.  Prior to the surgery I went through radiation and chemo which included 28 radiation treatments and 4 cycles of Cisplatin and Irinotecan chemo.  This was done in July to shrink the tumor as much as possible.  During this time it was discovered that I had a coronary blockage that required the installation of a stent.The surgery went well and I was home in 6 days.  I was given permission to eat whatever I could as long as it did not bother me.  I was told to eat 3 meals a day and supplement the meals with snacks in between.After the surgery it was recommended that I have another round of chemo to minimize the risk of any cancer cells remaining.  I went through another 4 cycles of chemo consisting of Cisplatin and Flurouacil.I just had my yearly CT and PET scans and have been given a clean bill of health.  Next week I will have my yearly endoscopy.Bill Bill1941 Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT