Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

Hi Don 👋. How do you make sure constipation isn't an issue? I just had it so bad that I had to go to emergency room 😫. It was truly bad. I wanted someone to kill me, literally! It was agonizing. It was like a brick was stuck in my nausea. I screamed for God to take away the pain. Finally they gave me morphine which eventually calmed me down. Wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Doctors and team keep changing my meds. I think that may have brought it on. But I don't know. Now I have NO energy.

Earnest
I never had constapation, I had the opposite with diahreaa. It has finally stopped now after multiple scans showing the EC is gone. But for a long time I had to wear depends. Has the constapation lessened now?

what stage were you when you started chemo?

Earnest
I was stage 3 with large tumor in lower EC and it was affecting local lymph nodes. But all back to normal now.
Don

Hi, I’m new to the group. I have a positive story to share, Ernest. Not about chemotherapy but it may be a cousin and definitely positive.
I am 73 year old female and was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal adenoma in February. I have DNA markers that showed in the biopsy that that put me in a 5% group that doesn’t respond to chemo or radiation treatments. However, this type of esophageal cancer does very well with immunotherapy.
After 3 months of immunotherapy there is significant reduction of cancer. The timeline of administering immunotherapy is somewhat new territory, but the doctor at MD Anderson is having me stay in the immunotherapy for 3 months, maybe up to 9 months if there is continuing decrease. I was told that I might not need surgery if the reduction shows no more cancer. I get the infusions back in California, where I live.
I might add that I am proactive with other therapies. I am doing mistletoe subcutaneous injections as well as hellebores injections. I do rebounder exercises and dry brush every day.
Diet is no sugar , low carb, pretty much Keto without the heavy amounts of dairy. Lifestyle change was stressed as important by my holistic doctors. I have the luxury of cutting out “doing it all” and have been more relaxed and am enjoying more leisure. Gratitude is a key ingredient in my well being and healing.

My experience has been similar to Don’s. My surgery was last August 3rd. I’m very fortunate, and grateful.

Thank you Lynn for sharing. I had started reading a book in which the doctor eluded to holistic healing even before I was diagnosed. She condoned it , but was still strong on conventional methodology. I still have to get back in the book, although I do remember her,
the auther, speaking about some spiritual practices that I don't subscribe to. I omit the practices aforementioned as to not offend any who may practice these religions. I judge no one. My God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, He's the one I serve. Sorry, I digress. So I didn't have time to look into holistic healing before I started treatments, but I'm still interested in know more about it. Maybe you can tell me more, or should I say tell us more. Again, thanks for sharing. Bless you 🙏

Thanks Don 👍. All encouragement helps. Especially the success stories. And I also know that some aren't going to end up with a clean bill of health. Some will succumb to their illness, but , and it may seem odd or even ridiculous, but people also need to know how to die with dignity. Please don't hear me as being cruel or insensitive, but that is a thing. I really don't know how that goes, but I know that there are people who don't want to go through anymore. But for now, let's just celebrate the good stories and cross that other bridge when we get to it. Be blessed my friend.

Stage 3.

Hey Don. Yes. Weird, sort of. I know not to end a sentence with a preposition, but we're all friends here. No judging. 😆 No more constipation, I had diarrhea for a couples of days though. Bought myself some Depends. I'd rather wear a diaper than go through that agony again. But that seems to be in check a well. Thanks for sharing.