My husband diagnosed 4 weeks ago -Esophageal Cancer- HELP
Hello,
I am looking for advance and success stories to help us navigate this difficult journey. My husband, just 50, started this journey not feeling in August, dropped about 20 lbs and started throwing up while eating. He scheduled an endoscopy and colonoscopy and in the office they told us he had a bleeding mass in his 3rd quadrant. That day we got a CAT scan which revealed a spot on his liver, thank god it turned out to be a hemangioma (blood vessels) - the PET scan revealed it had not metastasized to his organs, so we are in a window of cure as the doctor stated. We are working with a team of doctors at a Pennsylvania a Hospital in the thoracic surgery, division. All the doctors seem wonderful, and have great reviews and accolades. He had a feeding tube placed last week, which landed us in the hospital for four days as they want it to monitor his feeds, and he had his port placement this week. To say the least we have been so scared and a roller coaster of emotions. My husband still hasn’t cried in front of me. I’m 44 years old and I’m scared shitless and I consider myself a super strong. This is definitely the hardest thing I/ we ever had to face. My husband was still eating soft food like mashed potatoes, soups, yogurt, smoothies, and pudding but yesterday he started throwing up while eating a smoothie so it’s been hard to get to the a lot at 2200 cal that the dietitian wants him to eat. Were using the feeding tube at 100 mL per hour. He gets a lot of cramping in his stomach after the feeds and we tried feeding at night but he’s uncomfortable on an incline. I can’t sleep, which is always had sleeping issues more over. He usually sleeps on his stomach and now can’t do to the port in the feeding tube. Last night he tried to take an Tylenol and it got stuck in his throat and threw up. We start chemotherapy on Friday of this week, and I’m scared that due to all the complications with getting him allotted calories already that this is going to fail. The plan is that he will be doing chemotherapy for two months to shrink the tumor and hopefully attack the lymph nodes that are lighting up on his pet scan if all goes well, he would move to radiation for 6 to 8 weeks targeted on his third quadrant of his esophagus, if that goes well, he would move to surgery after four weeks of rest. They prefaced the post up with about 12 weeks of recovery and about 1 to 2 weeks in the hospital. They placed a feeding tube preemptively because he had lost so much weight and they wanted to keep his caloric intake up and didn’t want to have to operate during the treatment which would altar in delay possible outcomes. The doctors didn’t tell us the stage of the cancer but they said it was aggressive and therefore they’re attacking it with an aggressive treatment and someways. I’m glad we don’t know the staging. We are so numb and feel like our lives have been ripped out from under her feet. I can’t stop crying uncontrollably I took leave from work to care for Joe and to deal with my own emotions and Joe has not been working since he found out. On top of the health stress. We also now have financial stress and worry. I’m just wondering with all of this what to expect. Although we are so scared and so worried I’m grasping desperately to Hope.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.
My husband had a CT scan last week and his primary care doc is making an appointment with an oncologist this week to go over the results. We’re very nervous now waiting; I’m thinking they will let us know what stage this is at and then they’ll tell him what he needs to do next. I’ve been praying for the best possible results and hoping they can get him on a treatment plan that works. I really appreciate everyone here offering their experiences as it feels overwhelming at times.
It seems like maybe early stage if it’s localized? It sounds good that they’re going after it so hard. I’m new to this too; I hope all goes well for you and your husband.
Thank you. I want to learn as much as I can so I can be proactive. I’ve never been this afraid in my whole life and I know my hubby is feeling overwhelmed with it all.
My husband had esophageal cancer in 2013. Treated at the Mayo in Rochester. Then 67. Had chemo & radiation & the surgery to remove esophagus & pull up stomach. Successful surgery. Lost almost 20 pounds. Feeding tube for a few days. Eating & swallowing successfully almost immediately after. Eating continued as normal. Cancer free. Also dealing with heart damage & a past heart attack. One day at a time. Full trust in the Mayo Clinic!
Hi @emersonmoon I thought I’d check in. Any update on the stage and treatment plan? How are YOU doing?
Natalie, I am also a wife scared shitless. PET scan today for what appears to be an aggressive cancer with lymph node involvement on his EUS
You are a few months ahead of us.
I think this blog is a wonderful resource, and I feel better when I read all the stories. The bad ones help me see what might happen, but most people pull through and continue to fight. If you ever need to talk, message me. It might help both of us. I know it would me.
@cmmacy1949, what a helpful and hopeful post.
Was the damage to your husband's heart caused by esophageal cancer treatment? Is he followed by cardio-oncology at Mayo Clinic?
My hubby and I had a good visit with the oncologist this past Wednesday. He was encouraging and said he believes this to be curable. We have a PET scan scheduled for the 28th (it was the earliest appointment available) and then he needs to see the surgical oncologist. Praying for a good PET scan result; I’m stressed that we couldn’t get one sooner. They seem to be moving in the direction of surgery, provided the scan is favorable for that. Then probably chemo/radiation. The roller coaster ride of emotions is tough!
Nice Doctor.