1. < Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

Posted by earnest @earnest, May 28 9:28am

Hello troops. Does anyone have any good news about their treatments? All I've been reading are horror stories. Not very encouraging at all. I'm on my second week of radiation and chemo, and the first chemo didn't go well. Not meaning to add to the horror stories, but it made my stomach ache really bad. They stopped and gave me steroids, I think. Now I'm hearing these stories about leaking chemo causing pain, makes me apprehensive. So if anyone has had a GOOD experience, PLEASE share it!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

relicmeister | @rselicmeister | Aug 31 8:51pm
In reply to @jcrs "Hi @rselicmeister, My husband is on the same boat, but his met is on the shoulder..." + (show)
@jcrs

Hi @rselicmeister,
My husband is on the same boat, but his met is on the shoulder ( very painful). If it wasn't for the shoulder, he would be feeling fine.
May I ask what kind of immunotherapy are you on?
Can you also share your doctor's opinion on CADD522, I'll send a email to his onco to have his opinion as well.

Thank you!!

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Hi jcrs,

I’m getting Herceptin and Keytruda every three weeks.
This is in addition to folfox chemo. Not sure which or if it’s a combination, but it’s definitely working. I will absolutely report my onco’s thoughts on the CADD522

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relicmeister | @rselicmeister | Aug 31 8:54pm
In reply to @jcrs "Hi @rselicmeister, My husband is on the same boat, but his met is on the shoulder..." + (show)
@jcrs

Hi @rselicmeister,
My husband is on the same boat, but his met is on the shoulder ( very painful). If it wasn't for the shoulder, he would be feeling fine.
May I ask what kind of immunotherapy are you on?
Can you also share your doctor's opinion on CADD522, I'll send a email to his onco to have his opinion as well.

Thank you!!

Jump to this post

My immunotherapy consists of Herceptin and Keytruda, administered every three weeks.

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bryan18603 | @bryan18603 | Sep 1 10:56am
In reply to @rselicmeister "It’s not a hospital but a treatment center in Mountain Lakes, NJ “ Oncology and Hematology..." + (show)
@rselicmeister

It’s not a hospital but a treatment center in Mountain Lakes, NJ
“ Oncology and Hematology Specialists “ P.A.” Oncologists, Bloodwork Labs, Infusion center. Tests are done at hospital or imaging centers.
I have great confidence in my Oncologist

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Thank you for the info

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relicmeister | @rselicmeister | Sep 7 3:47pm

Went Wednesday for my 6th round of chemo, and also my immunotherapy ( usually not same day, but occasionally lines up). Drew blood as per usual and then a brief consult with the physicians assistant. The oncologist said they have to postpone treatment until next week due to my platelets being very low ( low 40’s) Apparently I have chemo induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) they will treat me with an injectable to counter and hopefully, my platelets will recover enough to not have to postpone further. I admit this concerns me somewhat. I searched around for info on CIT and found that with the added treatment and sometimes altering the treatment schedule chemo can (usually) resume. I can only have faith that this will be the case for me. The persistent back pain continues to concern me, but my increasing ability to eat is very encouraging.

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1 reply
earnest | @earnest | Sep 10 9:26pm
In reply to @rselicmeister "Went Wednesday for my 6th round of chemo, and also my immunotherapy ( usually not same..." + (show)
@rselicmeister

Went Wednesday for my 6th round of chemo, and also my immunotherapy ( usually not same day, but occasionally lines up). Drew blood as per usual and then a brief consult with the physicians assistant. The oncologist said they have to postpone treatment until next week due to my platelets being very low ( low 40’s) Apparently I have chemo induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) they will treat me with an injectable to counter and hopefully, my platelets will recover enough to not have to postpone further. I admit this concerns me somewhat. I searched around for info on CIT and found that with the added treatment and sometimes altering the treatment schedule chemo can (usually) resume. I can only have faith that this will be the case for me. The persistent back pain continues to concern me, but my increasing ability to eat is very encouraging.

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Praying for you. I'm heading for surgery in a couple of days. Keep me in your prayers. If you're a God fearing person.

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relicmeister | @rselicmeister | Sep 10 9:41pm

May God bring you safely through your surgery, and be on your way to becoming completely healed.

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1 reply
earnest | @earnest | Sep 12 7:17am
In reply to @rselicmeister "May God bring you safely through your surgery, and be on your way to becoming completely..." + (show)
@rselicmeister

May God bring you safely through your surgery, and be on your way to becoming completely healed.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

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bea4me | @bea4me | Oct 26 6:16pm

I had chemo & radiation prior to my Stage 4 esophagectomy surgery. No problems at all with chemo - no hair loss etc. Radiation really burned my throat and doctor took me off of it for 2 weeks. When it healed up we finished the course.

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vickiinalaska | @vickiinalaska | 6 days ago

I am a long term survivor of ec. I was diagnosed in April 2012 and finished treatment in October 2012. That treatment is hard is an understatement. But I’ve had an extra 12 years of life with my husband and family, grandkids, travel, a full life, and still going strong! Almost the first advice I got from my doctor was to stay away from online support groups.

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