Diagnosed with esophageal cancer Most scared of the Feeding Tube

And ,of course, the care from my wife, Denise-who is the love of my life...she makes the best smoothies on earth!

Hi, I was diagnosed with cancerous tumor in lower esophagus several months ago. The tumor was preventing me from eating solid foods. I have now had 3 rounds of chemo and the latest PET scan showed a 40% reduction in the size of the tumor. I can now eat solid food again. I have had a feeding tube since the initial diagnosis and get 6 feedings a day of ISOSOURCE which provides over 2,000 calories plus protein. The next step for me is radiation and chemo for 6 weeks starting in late December. My chemo doc says there is about a 50% chance that all the cancer will be gone at the end of radiation and chemo. Right now the cancer is just in the tumor inside the lower esophagus and a couple of local lymph nodes. I was not considered a candidate for surgery to remove the section of the esophagus with the tumor. I'm 77 and in generally good health but I am on daily medications for high blood pressure and tendency to go into atrial fibrulation coming out of surgery. I'm hoping for good results in the new year as I plan to live another 20 years like my mom so Charlotte and I can enjoy watching our grandchildren graduate from college, get married, and have our great grandchildren. Happy holidays!

Hi, I was diagnosed with cancerous tumor in lower esophagus several months ago. The tumor was preventing me from eating solid foods. I have now had 3 rounds of chemo and the latest PET scan showed a 40% reduction in the size of the tumor. I can now eat solid food again. I have had a feeding tube since the initial diagnosis and get 6 feedings a day of ISOSOURCE which provides over 2,000 calories plus protein. The next step for me is radiation and chemo for 6 weeks starting in late December. My chemo doc says there is about a 50% chance that all the cancer will be gone at the end of radiation and chemo. Right now the cancer is just in the tumor inside the lower esophagus and a couple of local lymph nodes. I was not considered a candidate for surgery to remove the section of the esophagus with the tumor. I'm 77 and in generally good health but I am on daily medications for high blood pressure and tendency to go into atrial fibrulation coming out of surgery. I'm hoping for good results in the new year as I plan to live another 20 years like my mom so Charlotte and I can enjoy watching our grandchildren graduate from college, get married, and have our great grandchildren. Happy holidays!

Thank you for sharing your story!! Amazing!! Sounds like you’re a strong man!!
My stepfather is 78 and is in the process of fighting! He has a complete structure Which has made it impossible to swallow anything including his own saliva. He has had a peg for weeks and The formula (glucerna) Doesn’t seem to be agreeing with him so his intake is very little and I am at wits end. We have an appt with a new GI on Tues and he starts radiation tomorrow! 5 days radiation and 1 day chemo. He’s down so much weight I’m hoping we get answers quickly. I will look up the feed you are on and push for something else or I’m gonna have to find a safe alternative!
Thank you!! God bless… and keep fighting!! ❤️🙏🏻

Sorry to hear about your stepfather. It sounds similar to my case. I could only sip water when I was diagnosed with large cancerous tumor in my lower esophagus. I've had a feeding tube since then and do 6 feedings of ISOSOURCE plus water everyday. I've had 3 rounds of chemo and the latest PET scan showed 40% reduction, and now I can eat soft foods.
Tomorrow I go for CT Simulation and hope to get schedule for 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 5 days a week. I've lost about 15 pounds hope to start gaining it back. I hope you can find something that works for your stepfather. Best wishes and prayers.

Hi. I had my entire esophagus removed and the stomach stretched to replace it. I went from 135lb to 83 now. I eat 4or 5 small things a day and try to eat fattening food like ice cream. I drink Boost at least once a day and have lots of snacks too. Hope this helps. Stay positive!

Hi. I had my entire esophagus removed and the stomach stretched to replace it. I went from 135lb to 83 now. I eat 4or 5 small things a day and try to eat fattening food like ice cream. I drink Boost at least once a day and have lots of snacks too. Hope this helps. Stay positive!

I just received my PETSCAN results from yesterday. Meeting at Duke tomorrow to get results.
Can anyone read this and tell if it's metastasized?
Thank you,
David