Kymeg

My husband was diagnosed in 11/2011 with stage 4 esophogeal cancer.  Since that time, did chemo, esophgectomy in 2/12 and then when it came back in November 2012 had radiation.  Since November of 2012 he has lost weight every week.  Went from holding at 175 to 132.  He is weak, and hasn't been able to take the chemo treatments the past weeks.  His blood counts are good, just so weak.  Doesn't eat much at all.  He also had brain radiation as he had a 1mm spot in the orbital region.  My husband will never say give up, its just not in his DNA.  Although he does say he is just exhausted.  I have no idea when to call in hospice or what to do next.  Our onocologist said to see if we can get his weight back up, can look at doing more chemo.  I don't think he can do more chemo.  I know the markers in the blood count showed a drop from onlly one treatment of the new chemo.  What do I do next??  I have no idea how to have this conversation with my husband who is 56 and not ready to go yet.

Thanks for any suggestions

Kymeg

Not sure where you live at but you need to find a thoracic surgeon that specializes in esophogeal cancer.  We found that person at Rush Hospital in Chicago IL.  My husband was stage 4, and not sure why they are calling your mom's stage 3 since it is involved in the lymph nodes.  If its not anywhere else I would think surgery would be an option for her.  My husband who was only 55 when diagnosed,  had 8 rounds of chemo, and then everything had shrunk enough to have the surgery.  That was a year ago.  He is doing ok, but now the cancer has moved. He is still taking chemo/radiation and we will see if he gets good results.  Will know more on that in 2 weeks after ct scan. He has lost alot of weight too, 142 pounds and he is 6ft tall.  Sounds like your mom may need a feeding tube to help her gain some weight.  Don't give up, if your doctors aren't giving you answers look for different one's.  If you are near a big city look at the larger hospitals.  Hope some of this helps.

My husband is getting Taxol.  It was suppose to be every week, but it has dropped his white count quite low, and the last 2 treatments have went to 3 weeks apart.  My husband is only 56 and has been battling this for 15 months.  Not sure what your mothers health is like but at 87 I would think the taxol would be tough on her.  But each person is different and they use different doses too.  Need to talk to the doctor about it and see how she handles the treatments. 

Hang in there

Kymeg

This same thing has happened to my husband.  He had chemo/ and the surgery to remove esophogus.  Was cancer free for about 3 months.  Then when they went in to dilate his esophogas as he was having trouble swallowing they found more cells.  Then later a new tumor began to grow.  So now he is getting radiation and chemo to reduce the cancer cells.  Don't give up, if you aren't sure about your doctors or they don't have answers go to someone else.  Even though it came back they maybe able to put it back into remission.  You will probably have more chemo, don't know about the radiation.  Hang in there and get more information from your doctors.

All of the survivors and care takers of this horrible disease need to be talking about it everywhere.  This cancer is on such an incredible increase and is a silent and deadly cancer.  Most people don't notice this disease until they are stage 4.  And if doctors are giving this new purple pill to stop the acid gas from coming into the esophogus yet the cancer is on the increase maybe its not the acid that is creating the cancer.  And why would some people have issues all their lives with acid reflux and Barretts and never get cancer.  Got to be another reason.  We are suppose to get colonoscopy's why not the EDG's at the same time??  This cancer is as deadly as colon cancer.  Need to get to insurance companies to get them to approve diagnostic testing.  This is a horrible disease and we need to bring stats back down and hopefully cure some people!!!

Husband was diagnosed in 11/11 with EC, and went thru chemo only, then had surgery end of 2/12. and 4 more rounds of chemo which ended early june 2012.  ct end of june and all was well.  then he had issues with swallowing again, and they did a endoscopy to clear out the esophogas and took a biopsy while in there and was positive for some cells!!  Not what we expected at all, he is doing so well and feels great.  now next week we are getting set for another pet scan to see if its anywhere else.  anyone have something like this??  i am hoping that it is only in the esophogus and maybe they can treat it and get this thing to go away.  He is only 55 years old.  I was really beliveing that they got all the tumor and it was gone.  Now this.  Once we get pet scan results they will put together a plan of action.  Kymeg

Great doctors at Rush University Hospital in Chicago

Dr Gary Chmielewski Thoracic surgeon

Dr Bill Leslie, Oncologist

Haven't done the radiation as of yet, but these 2 guys are great and wonderful bedside manor.  Dr C specializes in esohogeal cancer and the surgeries.

My husband had the esophogetomy end of Feb 2012, and he was actually in the hospital 10 days.  They wanted him to cough to keep the mucus coming up and out.  He had a suction tube he used constantly.  I know I kept noticeing the cough too, but as days go by it does lessen.  He is now 6 months from surgery and doesn't cough much at all anymore.  But if you don't see it getting better call the doctor and see what they can give him to help.  But since the surgery is so recent they probably want the stuff to come up.  As he gets farther out from surgery you should notice him getting better.  Good Luck

On Jul 25, 2012 8:18 PM BeckyandKent wrote:

Hi Kathy,

SO sorry to hear about your mother.  My Husband 63 was diagnosed with adencocarcinoma of the esophagus T3N1M0 in March.  He had Chemothrapy Cispatin and 5FU for six weeks with a pump, in combination with a 28 day radiation cycle. Our doctors recommended surgery, complete esophagectomy and gastric pull up afterwards.  The chemo and radiation cycle was tough, but not as tough as the surgery.  Even the so called "minimally invasive" surgery is major surgery.  We were told that this combined approach  was that which would provide us with the best chance of "cure".   At the University Hospital which we went to,  surgery for esophageal cancer T3's were accepted per a protocol including age, weight and weight loss, past history, fitness level, pulmonary function, bloodwork, and prior and prescribed chemo and radiation.    This is an awful disease and I wish you the best with your Mom.  We went to three hospital networks and the education that we received along the way helped us learn about all the options we had. Kent is 4 weeks post surgery, dong very well, a bit better everyday.  Our best wishes and prayers go out to you and your Mom.  This site provides wonderful support and education through others experience , stregth and hope.

Becky

My husband was diagnosed 10/2011 with the same T3N1, and had chemotherapy the 5fu, and had surgery in February minimally invasive.  He is 55 and has done well after the surgery.  He has lost of lot of weight, but is eating well.  At your mom's age, I would think the surgery would be really tough on her.  She could do well on just the chemo and radiation therapy as that was one of the options for my husband, but he chose the surgery.  His age and good health prior to surgery helped him recovery quickly.  Good Luck.

Michelle

My husband was diagnosed back in October 2011, he's 54 so older than you.  But was in good health when it was found.  He was stage 4, went thru chemo 8 treatments of 5FU and oxyplantin.  He responded greatly, and a month ago had an esophogectyomy.  I did all kinds of research for his diet for after surgry, and he is fortunate as he has not had any of the issues like many of the postings talk about.  He eats frequently, pretty much anything.  Eats small meals and chew food alot.  You need to find your self a good surgeon and one that is adamant about doing the surgery after your chemo.  Get to a university hospital in your area.  We are from Chicago and Rush University Hospital has a great thoracic surgeon.  Don't give up, keep a positive attitude and keep fighting and you will win.

Kymeg