betsi432000

betsi432000's Recent CancerCompass Activity

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  Hi Angel, My husand was diagnosed last March.  He had a similar story--chemo, radiation and sedated for esophagectomy when they found a liver met. Surgery didn't occur.  He has had one round of chemo since then and is currently in the middle of another one.  His current quality of life is the best it has been since  diagnosis.  I attribute much of that to the use of a j-tube si...

  February 12 at 1:59 AM view post

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  Hi Phil==wonder if you might have any thoughts on my husband's current situation (now Stage 4-new liver mets and increased esophageal fdg activity despite lated round of 5fu and herceptin). He throws up initially after almost every first bite but can subsequently eat and have it go down.  He has a j-tube but enjoys eating.  Last EUS showed ulcerations but he has carafate prior to eating and also protonix.&n...

  January 07 at 2:36 AM view post

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  My husband had an acute episode of confusion around third or fourth chemo -round two. Thought he was making sandwiches in bed and asking that I hand him mayo. etc...Ultimately turned out that the pre=chemo cocktail of ativan, benydryl etc.. had to be reduced and he was not well hydrated enough to process it out quickly enough. He had his kast chemo earlier this week and has had somecognitive issues. He does not re...

  December 03 at 9:41 AM view post

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  Hi--just wanted to respond with some info. from our journey.  My husband--age 54 has Stage IV also.  He was diagnosed in March  2011. He is Her2 positive and herceptin for esophageal CA is now accepted as an insurable treatment.  Our insurer is Highmark BC/BS.  You will find lots of info on the use of herceptin in EC to challenge your insurer's decision.  We just got back from seeing the...

  November 30 at 2:13 AM view post

• betsi432000 has created a new message board discussion

  When Ed began surgery today they found a liver metastisis that had occurred since the PET scan a month -and-a-half ago.  It appears to be a single met site--we are awaiting pathology but the esophagectomy is not happenin.  We fell from a mighty height--last night feeling that we were finally on the road to recovering our lives back.  We are drained and devastated. 

  August 22 at 6:46 PM view discussion

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  My husband is T3--was Her2 positive, had chemo (including herecptin) and radiation.  He is having an esophagectomy Aug. 22.  His cancer shrunk considerably following treatment.  We are still pretty new and overwhelmed as well --have 4, 11 and 14 year olds at home.  Just wanted to send support your way.  Every day has brought new challenges.  Yesterday we discussed how we s...

  July 18 at 8:08 PM view post

• betsi432000 has created a new message board discussion

  M husband had a pre-esophagectomy EUS and biopsies last week at UPMC.  The news on face value appeared extrardinarily good --tumor gone, biopsies negative, still some questionable looking lymph nodes.  I researched and read that some people have survived solely with chemo/radiation, yet others ended up with salvage esophagectomies and/or had fatal reocurrences.  My husband has chosen to still have...

  July 18 at 7:44 PM view discussion

• betsi432000 has created a new message board discussion

  My 54 yo husband is moving towards a possible esophagectomy at UPMC (Dr. Luketich).  His recent PET scan showed cancer activity in three lymph nodes and although the orig. GI junction tumor has shrubk, active ca cells are still evident.  He is having an EUS next Weds. to determine if the extent of active disease not detected by PET precludes resection.  We have seven children-three under 14 still at ho...

  July 05 at 4:48 PM view discussion

• betsi432000 has created a new message board discussion

  We are back from today's surgery consult at UPMC (Pittsburgh).  They made a good case for surgery and I am feeling more confident yet scared.  My husband chose to schedule it asap.  He felt I grilled the physician a bit too thoroughly--yet it is a huge decision with significant consequences. This is the first glimmer of hope since diagnosis --it feels like we are at the top of the roller coaster again....

  June 28 at 11:07 PM view discussion

• betsi432000 has replied to a post on the message board

  How did you locate the trial--I've been unsuccessful in finding one.  Our oncologist told us that there currently weren't any for EC, just breast ca.

  June 28 at 10:57 PM view post