1. < Esophageal Cancer

Diagnosed with esophageal cancer Most scared of the Feeding Tube

Posted by ddunavin @ddunavin, Dec 9, 2022

Going to Duke Medical in a few days to:
1. PET scan results to determine if it's metastasized.
2. Determine Stage and Treatment Plan
3. Feed Tube Install in Abdomen? (this scares me more than the cancer)

Any words of advice?
What are chances this large mass has spread to other places, is it common?
My #1 goal right now is to stay positive for my wife.
Thank you,
David

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ddunavin | @ddunavin | Dec 12, 2022

Thank you Colleen,
On our way to Duke now. Meeting with radiologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist and surgeon tomorrow.
Yes, Holly has been my service dog for 7 years (I have seizures).
She certainly knows something is up.

REPLY
harleyrider | @harleyrider | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @dsh33782 "Hi, I was diagnosed with cancerous tumor in lower esophagus several months ago. The tumor was..." + (show)
@dsh33782

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!

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Good luck to you man!!!

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 18, 2022
In reply to @staceyrebecca "Thank you for sharing your story!! Amazing!! Sounds like you’re a strong man!! My stepfather is..." + (show)
@staceyrebecca

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!! ❤️🙏🏻

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I’m doing a group checkin. How is everyone?

@staceyrebecca, I can imagine you and your family are at their wit’s end. It is so hard to see someone losing weight. How did the meeting with the GI go? Any ideas?

@dsh33782 Don, have you started chemo and radiation now? Will you be away from home for the holidays?

@ddunavin, how did your appointment with the oncologist go? Any change to your diagnosis?

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1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Dec 18, 2022

Hi I am feeling better this week after having 3 rounds of chemo and a few weeks with lingering side affects. I have another week off before Dec. 27 when I start 28 days of radiation and chemo ending Feb. 6 to try and kill the cancerous tumor in my lower esophagus. The good news is that the last PET scan after 3 rounds of chemo showed a 40% reduction. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year. Thanks for all the kind responses and well wishes.

REPLY
sjw6358 | @sjw6358 | Dec 19, 2022

i am on radiation 19 out of 28 today and this thursday 5th out of 6 chemo...i am having a difficult time with nausea/pain in radiation treatment area and eating has been a challenge; plus i get extremely fatigued at times and have to rest. smoothies , boost, premier drinks, eggs, toast peanut butter help with calories so i have not lost any weight since i started treatments over a month ago.

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rikardlykling | @rikardlykling | Dec 19, 2022

I will have esophagus surgery on Feb 2 2023 I breezed thru chemo and 30 rad.I have to find out more facts about surgery .Does anyone have any facts on their surgery please help?God bless and Merry Christmas.Rik

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3 replies
davidwrenn | @davidwrenn | Dec 19, 2022

David, I'm just checking in with you to see how you are doing physically and your experiences at Duke Cancer Center. I hope you are doing well.

REPLY
sjw6358 | @sjw6358 | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @rikardlykling "I will have esophagus surgery on Feb 2 2023 I breezed thru chemo and 30 rad.I..." + (show)
@rikardlykling

I will have esophagus surgery on Feb 2 2023 I breezed thru chemo and 30 rad.I have to find out more facts about surgery .Does anyone have any facts on their surgery please help?God bless and Merry Christmas.Rik

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Rik, do you know how long it usually is between last radiation or chemo treatment and surgery?...my last chemo is 1/03/23...MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

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1 reply
ddunavin | @ddunavin | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "I’m doing a group checkin. How is everyone? @staceyrebecca, I can imagine you and your family..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I’m doing a group checkin. How is everyone?

@staceyrebecca, I can imagine you and your family are at their wit’s end. It is so hard to see someone losing weight. How did the meeting with the GI go? Any ideas?

@dsh33782 Don, have you started chemo and radiation now? Will you be away from home for the holidays?

@ddunavin, how did your appointment with the oncologist go? Any change to your diagnosis?

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Hey,
Thank you for asking.
I had the feeding tube installed at Duke last Tuesday. I was in the hospital until Saturday, they were just making sure I was healing up and accepting of the feeding...

I also met with my entire Team. The PETScan revealed areas of concern in my neck and vocal cords (chords). Heading back to Duke this Wednesday for a procedure on my neck??

REPLY
1 reply
ddunavin | @ddunavin | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @harleyrider "Good luck to you man!!!" + (show)
@harleyrider

Good luck to you man!!!

Jump to this post

Awesome! Thank you for sharing the encouragement!

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