Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

This reminds me so much of what my husband has gone through. He started in June 2023 with stage 1 cancer of the cardia—no chemo or radiation but removal of 10-15% of the esophagus and ¼ of the stomach. Cancer was confined and no lymph nodes were involved.

His journey with the j-tube lasted a year and it was replete with problems—not tolerating various brands of enteral formula, tube falling out, getting clogged, leaking bile around the outside of the tube and excoriating his skin.

About one-year post surgery, the j-tube was removed and he was put on TPN (IV nutrition), which also has its own issues: he was hospitalized three times with gallbladder problems, which are common because of the body’s failure to use its digestive system; he had three ERCP procedures to remove sludge and stones from the gallbladder; and, finally, a bloodstream bacterial and fungal infection.

And, so, after six months, he was taken off TPN and had another j-tube placed. That’s where he’s at today—released from the hospital the day before yesterday and on enteral feeding 24-hours per day, at a very reduced delivery rate. It has been my intention to reduce the enteral feeding while increasing real food, Nausea and vomiting have been an issue with him right from the start so eating will have to be attempted while he is not hooked up to the formula and I want to follow what you’ve done. I hope that this will work and wish you good luck with what you’re doing.

I just noticed the initial posting asking for any good news. I was diagnosed with advanced stage 3 esophageal junction Cancer in early January of 2023. I was age 84 at the time. I underwent only 3 Chemo treatments due to a severe drop in platelet count. I continued my radiation therapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks, along with 2 hours of Hydrogen inhalation daily at my home. I initially had a feeding tube that was inserted through my nose and into my duodenum. Which I kept in use the entire duration, despite their wanting to surgically implant the other type through my skin and into my stomach. I decided that if I could not beat the cancer, I could live out my time with the tube in my nose. If cured, it can easily be removed. I am happy to say that in September of 2023 the tumor had shrunk so much that I was able to swallow very small bites again. I personally pulled the almost 6 ft. feeding tube out of my body. I continued my daily 2 hour Hydrogen inhalation treatments, and still do to this day, and the tumor kept continually shrinking. I am now 86 years old, Can swallow like a 20 year old, and have been cancer free since October of 2023. My hair and beard have grown back, and I have regained 40 of the 68 pounds I lost during tube feeding. I will continue my daily Hydrogen inhalation through my cannula, probably for the rest of my life. I know it played a HUGE part in my battle with Cancer. From all the studies I have found regarding inhalation of Molecular Hydrogen, most suggest it plays a significant role in curing cancer, and also significantly reduces recurrence.

God Bless
Darol Mason

Earnet
I have had a good experience. I was diagnosed with EC and had 28 radiation and chemo treatments which worked great. The turmor shrunk 35% after 3 treatments and scans have been clear of cancer after trreatment. The treatment was not fun with losing 15 pounds and having some side affects. But the final result was great. I feel good now. Have you signed up with nationally recognized cancer center like Mayo?
Don

Don, did you have surgery or only the radiation and chemo treatments?

Earnet
I have had a good experience. I was diagnosed with EC and had 28 radiation and chemo treatments which worked great. The turmor shrunk 35% after 3 treatments and scans have been clear of cancer after trreatment. The treatment was not fun with losing 15 pounds and having some side affects. But the final result was great. I feel good now. Have you signed up with nationally recognized cancer center like Mayo?
Don