1. < Esophageal Cancer

Just diagnosed with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Very scared

Posted by skwwatkins @skwwatkins, Aug 5, 2021

My husband was just diagnosed with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. We are very scared. Second opinion. And has anyone had this.

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

kissingrhino | @kissingrhino | Nov 28, 2022

I understand Leslie, finally started chemo today thought everyone was moving at snail's pace. If you have problems with eating I added fruit smoothies to my diet. A protein powder was recommended here & does boost caleries.

REPLY
johnstawicki | @johnstawicki | Nov 29, 2022
In reply to @lesliebrigg "My husband was diagnosed on November 1 and we’re terrified also. We got a second opinion..." + (show)
@lesliebrigg

My husband was diagnosed on November 1 and we’re terrified also. We got a second opinion but things feel like they’re moving too slow. We don’t know a Tx plan yet (thanks to holiday). Reading about it makes us at times hopeful, at times it feels like a death sentence. It seems to help to connect with others.

Jump to this post

It’s not a death sentence , your mind will go in places its never gone before , Stay busy I walked , I talked , I cried , I rode by bike everyday , eat and enjoy life , I had surgery Sep 2 2022 , Ive been home recovering for 3 months now , doing well … Keep up POSITIVE VIBES be JOYFUL …

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 1, 2022
In reply to @lesliebrigg "My husband was diagnosed on November 1 and we’re terrified also. We got a second opinion..." + (show)
@lesliebrigg

My husband was diagnosed on November 1 and we’re terrified also. We got a second opinion but things feel like they’re moving too slow. We don’t know a Tx plan yet (thanks to holiday). Reading about it makes us at times hopeful, at times it feels like a death sentence. It seems to help to connect with others.

Jump to this post

Hi @lesliebrigg, How is your husband doing? Are things moving forward now with further diagnostic testing or a treatment plan? How you YOU doing?

REPLY
1 reply
lesliebrigg | @lesliebrigg | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @lesliebrigg, How is your husband doing? Are things moving forward now with further diagnostic testing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @lesliebrigg, How is your husband doing? Are things moving forward now with further diagnostic testing or a treatment plan? How you YOU doing?

Jump to this post

We have a 2-3 hour Zoom appointment this coming Thursday to meet his care team. They’ll tell us the results of the tests and recommended action from there. I feel better knowing we have that coming up, but it also still feels like he should have started treatment by now. I have had some good days where I feel hopeful. My low moments are now just moments and not whole days, so maybe that’s progress?

REPLY
2 replies
doglover888 | @doglover888 | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @lesliebrigg "We have a 2-3 hour Zoom appointment this coming Thursday to meet his care team. They’ll..." + (show)
@lesliebrigg

We have a 2-3 hour Zoom appointment this coming Thursday to meet his care team. They’ll tell us the results of the tests and recommended action from there. I feel better knowing we have that coming up, but it also still feels like he should have started treatment by now. I have had some good days where I feel hopeful. My low moments are now just moments and not whole days, so maybe that’s progress?

Jump to this post

Try to be positive. You'll have lots of help and very kind people attending to you. Time moves quickly and before you know it the surgery and tests will be done and you'll be at home.

REPLY
ajfromchicago | @ajfromchicago | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @lesliebrigg "We have a 2-3 hour Zoom appointment this coming Thursday to meet his care team. They’ll..." + (show)
@lesliebrigg

We have a 2-3 hour Zoom appointment this coming Thursday to meet his care team. They’ll tell us the results of the tests and recommended action from there. I feel better knowing we have that coming up, but it also still feels like he should have started treatment by now. I have had some good days where I feel hopeful. My low moments are now just moments and not whole days, so maybe that’s progress?

Jump to this post

I agree with the other posters - do what you can to keep your husband healthy. Protein shakes for nutrition (keeping his weight up) and exercise are important components, and having a positive attitude definitely helps. He’s not alone on this journey, and you can “lean on” members of this group for support!

REPLY
survivorsuz | @survivorsuz | Dec 5, 2022

Prior to my esophogectomy surgery my surgeon had me drink ‘Impact’ by Nestle, a prescription needed.
My surgery was July 2019 and doing well; you can too!!

REPLY
doglover888 | @doglover888 | Dec 6, 2022

One important thing to do. Make sure you eat a few times a day. Eat fattening stuff like ice cream, french fries, lots of fruit and Boost. I have lost almost 50 lbs. and can't put any weight on. I weigh 83 lbs. It's been 1.5 years since surgery. Most of all, stay positive!

REPLY
kissingrhino | @kissingrhino | Dec 8, 2022

My wife found protein powders to mix with water. The mix also adds about 180 caleries to the glass. This might help you.

REPLY
johnstawicki | @johnstawicki | Dec 8, 2022
In reply to @lori57216 "Greetings, I was dx'd with esophageal ( mid section of organ ) cancer Oct. 2019, 6..." + (show)
@lori57216

Greetings,
I was dx'd with esophageal ( mid section of organ ) cancer Oct. 2019, 6 weeks of daily radiation & 6 weeks of chemo ( which did not make me sick one bit. The only side effect from chemo was restless legs and insomnia believe it or not ). Then after about 4 - 6 weeks of recovery from them treatments I had surgery at Mayo / Rochester to remove the esophagus in April 2020. 2 weeks hospital stay only because one of my drainage tubes became infected. 8 - 10 weeks of a J tube ( feeding tube inserted into my lower intestine because due to the surgery I was not allowed to even have water ). Recovery so far has been fairly well. Thinking back now I am fortunate to have had the knowlege of how to modify food ( retired certified dietary mgr ) for easy consumption. Ground meats ( mechanical ), add plenty of sauce / gravy. Chew chew chew!!! Take small bites chew chew chew!!!! No need for a fancy expensive food processor, a small chopper works. Learn to tolerate the taste of Ensure or the like ( I preferred the choc. mixed with mint choc. chip ice cream ). Make sure he gets the calories and most importantly...... PROTEIN ( red meats ) (eggs are also a good source of protein) especially after chemo to boost them blood cells and keep them up. ( chemo destroys them ). I wish you the very best in this adventure ( which is what my husband & I choose to name it ).

Jump to this post

Any spells with diarrhea . Every once in a while I have a bout where no matter what I eat , a few minutes later I need a bathroom quickly ,happens once a week maybe , thanks for the tip on eating , yes chew chew chew , i always ate fast so I have to learn to slow down

REPLY
2 replies
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.