Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

Other than my PEG tube falling out last night and going to the ER where they put in a foley catheter until I get the correct one put in by my gastroenterologist today, I do have something positive to share. Over the past week, I’ve been able to drink fluids quite well, and I’ve been able to swallow loose mashed potatoes with gravy, which means there are many soft/ wet foods I will be able to eat. These are the first foods by mouth since mid June so I’m quite excited. Of course I get almost all of my nutrition through my feeding tube, but will be supplementing with “real foods” every day now, and hoping for small, well chewed and rinsed-down pieces of burger/ hot dog, etc at a BBQ our son is having Sept 1. Well, that’s the goal anyway.
Also- my pain from the spine metastasis has diminished noticeably and I’m beginning to drop down in the amount of pain meds- and my stamina has increased somewhat, although the chemo keeps that down.
Starting chemo round 5 tomorrow. Wishing everyone well in their treatments. Stay positive.

Your factual, no nonsense approach to the difficulties of EC is inspirational.
Wishing you continuous progress on the road of recovering quality of life,
clawing your way through and out, appreciating the little victories which for us
are huge victories. Best wishes and YES! Stay positive!

My husband was able to eat anything before the surgery. The husband has had no real side effects a few times stomach was queasy. This was after radiation. At chemo none. Being a nurse I asked for an extra bag of fluids with each chemo. He sat longer but never got dehydrated or sick. Dehydration can go with chemo often. He just had his surgery and all went well. Jtube is unusable and clogged. So I am trying to figure out calories and protein. He gained a few pounds from the hospital. I ordered unflavored Whey powder that you can add to anything to increase calories and protein. He takes his pills with Gatorade. I have been making pureed food. Will increase his diet in a few weeks I need to make sure his new innards are working well. Saw our PCP today she is amazed at how well he looks.

Hi Rick,
What an encouragement. I sit now, next to his death bed, my 12-year-old on her device nearby and my 7-year-old sleeping at Auntie’s house. I don’t want to see anyone else, because I know the look in their eyes will force me into the reality that this is really happening.

I learned a lot this year and I strongly encourage all esophageal cancer patients to attend Molecular Hydrogen Institute’s Summit in September.
https://h2mhisummit.org/

When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 EC, I searched online and found someone who had survived, at that time, 18 years after treatment. He was very encouraging and I did everything he said to do. I had chemo, radiation and surgery, and also did natural approaches such as hypnotherapy, massages, reducing stress, flower therapy, healing, ginger water and anything and everything anyone suggested. I am now going on celebrating 11 years. There were challenges of course -- I got a pulmonary embolism after chemo -- but a positive attitude and trying every possible avenue to find success contributed to my outcome. It also kept me very busy so I didn't have as much time to reflect on it all. It is difficult when you're in the middle of it, but there will be brighter days! My best wishes to anyone facing this situation at this time. Also, of course, get the best doctors you can find.

Hello GB, when were you diagnosed? Where did you get treatment? My husband s doctors just told us yesterday that surgery was not an option. We sre stage 3 with lymph nodes involved. We also thought chemo radiation then surgery with possible immunotherapy, advice appreciated.

I had stage 3 with lymph nodes involved (2 of them). I did Neoadjuvant chemo followed by gastroesophajectomy. Stage 4 is argued to be inoperable, but i haven't heard of stage 3 being inoperable unless perhaps many nodes were involved.

I’ll have to ask the doctor I know the tumor is around 4 inches but still if the chemo radiation shrinks it I would think if any leftovers they could be removed surgically

Thank you gentlebreezes. I am a couple of weeks away from surgery after chemo and radiation. Kinda scary times, but faith in God and testimonies like yours are encouraging. Pray for me... if your a praying person
If not, wish me luck!😄

My prayers are with you. Stay strong and God bless 🙌 🙏