← Return to Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

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@treh00jamc

I came through my 5 chemo (carbo/taxol) treatments and my 28 radiation treatments without side effects except for about every 3-4 days after treatment I was fatigued. After my treatments were over I did have 2 weeks or so of what I would categorize as horrible side effects. If you have the right meds though it gets you through it. Nausea, I was given Zofran (Ondansetron), but it didn't work well, Phenergan suppositories worked much better. Also for esophageal spasms (which made me throw up anything I'd try to drink/eat ) was prescribed hyoscyamine which you let dissolve under your tongue up to 6 x a day. I also received supplemental fluids at the infusion center probably 4-5 times which helped rehydrate me. When I took the hyoscyamine(antispasmodic), I'd wait 30 min and then eat/drink soft, liquids, not too cold and not too hot. I also had symptoms of copious amounts of mucous secretions. Mucinex worked for that. Spit out as much mucous as you can because mucous irritates the stomach. After the 2 weeks immediately after radiation treatments I didn't need the anti-spasmodic, mucinex, phenergan, and you'll be able to eat colder and hotter foods, liquids. Albeit the amount of food I can take in is about 1/3rd what I took in before. My throat is slowly decreasing in pain, discomfort. My stamina is slowly increasing. I'm taking small walks in my yard every day, doing more housework (as tolerated). I nap when I feel I need to. Eat 4-5 very small amounts of a balanced diet a day. Always get in your protein. Next for me is my surgery in July. I will have the lower 3rd and 30% of my stomach removed. I will have a J-tube (feeding tube in my small intestine) inserted during surgery. I will not be able to eat/drink for about a month while the surgery heals. Dietitians will work with me on my tube feeding supplements and work on getting my bowels to be regular and not diarrhea. The feeding tube will only be in about a month or so, then I will gradually learn to eat/drink again and in the right amounts with supplementary things like Metamucil to help with elimination. So as you see it's a journey with hope sprinkled here and there with the ultimate goal of being without cancer. I hope and pray your journey is better and better and you are successful. I lean on my faith for the most part.

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Replies to "I came through my 5 chemo (carbo/taxol) treatments and my 28 radiation treatments without side effects..."

Hello. I'll just call you tre for short, if you don't mind.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is both inspirational and candid. No sugar coating the facts. I also appreciate the fact that you make mention of your faith. I'm walking in faith through this journey as well. Thanks for the part about mucus. I've been having a lot of mucus and it aggravates the heck out of me. I'm going to ask if I can take Mucinex, because that crud is nauseating. Praying for you🙏

Nice picture, @treh00jamc. Please add it to your profile too. See how in the Help Center: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

I wish you all the best as you gain strength and prepare for your upcoming surgery. You might appreciate this related discussion:
- Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophagectomy-surgery/

Hi trehoo. I like your story. This is what I'm going through. I hope to have a similar outcome. I'm sure I will. I think we have the same God 😉👍