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

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@lionsfan

I originally was diagnosed with stage 3, locally advanced esophageal cancer in May, 2024. Ultimately, they said it was stage 4 due to leakage to a neighboring lymph node. I was on a clinical trial and received two sessions of Folfox 5 chemo along with 5 weeks of radiation. Medicare initially declined Proton Beam radiation so I received standard Photon treatment. After 4 sessions, I developed pericarditis which mimicked a heart attack and I spent 5 days in the hospital, two in cardiac ICU. I recovered from the pericarditis and continued on with the original plan of Proton beam radiation (Medicare finally approved our appeal). By this point, it's mid-Septmber and my Ivor Lewis esophogectomy was scheduled for November 1. By then, my tumor was essentially gone. I underwent successful surgery with full removal of the tumor and clear margins. I spent 10 days in the hospital and another 3 weeks of home care on a feeding tube. I'm happy to say I'm in remission, but continuing treatment of immunotherapy for 12 months to decrease the odds of recurrence. I'm 11 weeks out and spending 2-3 hours at the gym doing strength, balance, mobility and aerobic training. My appetite continues to improve and I continue to get used to small meals and snacks 5-6 times per day. I'm getting stronger each day and more comfortable with my new norm. It hasn't been easy, but with work, positive attitude and family/friend support, it gets better.

I wish the best for you and feel free to send me a question if you want while you recover.

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Replies to "I originally was diagnosed with stage 3, locally advanced esophageal cancer in May, 2024. Ultimately, they..."

You have so many more changes coming... and much more improvement coming as well (I'm stage 3 too, and pretty much did everything you did). But it's so slow in coming... can be very depressing. I saw major improvements in eating, volume, sleeping, pooping, you name it... even from 12 to 24 months post-op. Just accept nothing as the new normal... my view was I wanted to be like I always was... in terms of what I ate before EC came calling. And since most everything hurt my new stomaphagus and caused me intestinal issues... I thought what the hell am I going to cut out of my diet?! Everything?! So instead, I changed nothing... dairy, sweets, carbs, proteins... I just kept shoveling it in until my body re-wired itself to get the job of digestion done once again. Took a good bit... but I'm there now. And I'm shocked how much I can eat now... in one sitting. Just a weird journey. Hang tough... but your attitude is great!

Gary

With attitude and committment like yours, I think you should do very well. sounds like you're doing it right.