I’m afraid stage 4 esophageal/lung Her2+ PD-l1+

Hi . I am new to this support group. My husband was dx last month with stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma HER 2 Negative (0) PDl1 CPS is 30 % . He started chemo this week he is on Nivolumab Folfox and Xelox. we have a consult for radiation this Wednesday. Since his treatment on Wednesday, he is very week, sleeping a lot. I know this is normal after chemo. He has very high anxiety (ALOT) I don't blame him. I was just wondering as a caretaker is there anything i can do to help him lower the anxiety and have 1 good night sleep. He does sleep in a recliner maybe 2 hrs. at a time. then wakes up due to the pressure on his chest. He does complain a lot that he is so thirsty. If there any tips for the both you us - would greatly appreciate. thank you

@jen29732
Hi Jen
I understand it is scary. I went to my regular doc for endoscopy because I was having trouble swallowing normally, and he found a tumor. It turned out to be cancer and I was started on chemo. The tunor shrunk 30% after the first 3 treatments. I got tired, lost my appetite, and coughed up flem a lot. I got a feeding tube to enable me to get food down. I also got radiation. It was not easy and I was always tired, but it worked. And after a few months the tumor was gone, my scans were clear, my appetite came back, and I started to gain back some of the weight I had lost. I did not have to have any surgery. I'd be happy to try and answer any questions you have? Please let us know how your husband is doing?
Don

@jen29732

Ativan for anxiety is the common go to for us EC patients. He can get from his PCP or his oncologist. Some gummies can help as well... if you live where dispensaries are legal.

Gary

It's enormously scary and I too became hugely anxious, depressed etc. I was prescribed half a lorazepam tablet. Reduced my anxiety immediately. I know it's another drug being added to the cocktail but sometimes necessary. I too was stage 4.

Hi everyone. My dad had an endoscopy yesterday because he was feeling uncomfortable when eating and the endoscopy showed a mass in the esophagus near the stomach which they did a biopsy but doesn't look benign. I started researching esophageal cancer and I am freaking out. Between Google and AI everything I read makes me feel so scared. We already have an appointment with an oncologist Thursday so not waste any time with the stage diagnose. I am very scared. My dad is only 64 years old.

@dsh33782
Hi Don. I am glad it worked out for you. Did you get a diagnosis of what stage was it? Were did you do treatment the Mayo clinic?

My dad had an endoscopy yesterday because he was feeling uncomfortable when eating and the endoscopy showed a mass in the esophagus near the stomach which they did a biopsy, no results yet but doesn't look benign. I started researching esophageal cancer and I am freaking out. Between Google and AI everything I read makes me feel so scared. We already have an appointment with an oncologist Thursday so not waste any time with the stage diagnose. I am very scared. My dad is only 64 years old.

Just want to say “chin up” — what my dad used to say to me when times were challenging. Second, don’t give up! There is a LOT medicine can do for you that may be short of a total cure. Third, your diagnosis may be flawed. I was initially told I had Stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the second medical institution I consulted eventually rolled me back to a possibly early Stage 3. Whatever happens in your case, it will not be as bad as your dread — or death. It’s great you’ve come here for support!

Please don't be afraid. If you haven't put your trust in the lord Jesus trust him to save you. Lay it all with him and don't let Satan steal joy. I have it been doing chemo for 2 years it's stable but not gone. Just trust your care team . It's rough but I've had the best time going through it . I know without a doubt that when it's over one way or another I win . Just know you are never alone. You are being prayed for.

I dont have EC, my brother does. I needed to do med research for the job i had. Its how I found this group. Its a great group with goof info or info how to get good info. Its saved me a few times when I was frozen with anxiety. Consider staying connecred and positive as part of your treatment. He had an esophagectomy. It terrified me and then had some of the complications that had terrified me but we dealt with them as they came up and he's doing ok 🙂🙃 hang in there my dear. There are many other people here with positive stories at the same stage as yours.