jmcgehee

On Aug 01, 2012 6:18 PM rettaschu wrote:

My boyfriend of 10 years was dx'd with Metastatic Esophageal cancer in January of 2012.  The cancer had spread to his liver (several spots).  He has been getting chemo every 3 weeks and is still doing wonderful with it.  Spots on liver had shrunk 30-40% with 1st CT and another 30-40% with 2nd CT.  He started at 246 pounds and now weighs 252.  I guess I just want to hear how other people are doing because a lot of the internet searches turn up things that are 5-10 years old and may not apply.  I feel I need to plan for the future but don't feel comfortable discussing with him because he is doing so well.  Is this normal? Can I expect a long life.  It is so hard the wondering.  I don't know what to feel.  I feel selfish for even thinking about myself.  I am in a part of the country that just doesn't have people participating in the availabel support groups.

I had the same diagnosis in March 2012. I’ve been on weekly chemo , and will get my 14thtreatment on Aug 6. It had metastasized to lungs and lymph nodes around esophagus. Like your boyfriend my latest CT showed lungs clear and nodes smaller.  Cancer itself has shrunk some, since I no longer have trouble or pain swallowing. I too am doing pretty well; just have fatigue and periodic runs. I was an active runner and weight lifter…no more. But, I have purchased some of those bungee like workout systems and they seem to help with the feeling of weakness. I also found a lot of inner peace by keeping a journal that I update every day. I mostly talk about the cancer related events, but also about how I feel, physically and psychologically and things going on around me that spark my interest. It really helps me. He needs to find a buddy outside your personal relationship. I have one who is in the same chemo sessions as me. 

I really appreciate everybody's advice.  I'm going to talk more about the issue with my Oncologist when I do my Monday chemo.  I seem to have this phobia about taking drugs.  At this point that's pretty stupid, I know.

I am an active 71 Year old male diagnosed with EC in March 2012. I have just finished my 7thweekly chemo session (carboplatin, taxol and 5FU in a 3 hour session followed by a portable pump for another 24 hours). Besides the expected fatigue, I really only have two side effects: low red cell count, which is being treated, and sleep deprivation. I only sleep an average of 4 hours at a time then catnap off and all day. Since one of the Oncologist’s recommendations is to stay well hydrated, I also have to get up and urinate at least once during my sleep cycle, which doesn’t help.

I’ve tried all the milder sleep aids from melatonin up through Ambian. I am afraid to go any stronger than Ambian. Anybody else have this problem? What worked for you?   

I had a port installed about 7 weeks ago and have taken 6 chemo treatments. The port insertion is a piece of cake, done in outpatient status. They will give him an injected sedative that will not put him to sleep just helps ignore pain. During the procedure he will feel pressure, but no pain. Be sure and tell the surgeon if he feels pain and he’ll get more “no sweat” stuff. Procedure takes about a half hour. Make sure someone is there to drive him home as the residual “no sweat” stuff will impair his judgment and senses for a few hours. At least it did mine.

Expect to feel pain in his neck and chest for a few days, not significant or strong, but he’ll know it’s there. I also had some bruising around the port. There will be two incision points: One in his neck where they insert the tube and one in his chest where they insert the port. The insertion pressure comes from the surgeon routing the tube from the artery to the port.

Then comes the first chemo. He will be apprehensive. But all he will feel is a slight prick…or in my case, “click” as they insert the chemo needle…actually its less pain than giving a blood sample. Then he will lay there awhile. Take something to do: book, laptop, snacks. I also take a light blanket as it tends to be cold in the room. He can get up and walk around, go to the bathroom, whatever if he needs to, just rolls the insertion pump around on a stand wherever he goes.