Esophageal Cancer: Anyone else?

My pleasure, happy to answer any other questions.
Have a merry xmas!

hello everyone, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL; i just finished my 23rd radiation treatment-5 more to go and 4th chemo infusion-1 more to go...i have been keeping up with 2000calorie, 100 grams protein, 100 oz fluid diet to keep my weight steady; going to gym and walking dog to stimulate exercise and strength in my body...what helps me is a daily log of everything i eat, drink, think, pills, need to take care of, ect...

So glad I stumbled onto this group! My 57 year old husband was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer on Nov. 28...shocked, scared, mad! This has changed our lives. As a workaholic, Cancer has stopped him in his tracks. We are 3 treatments into Radiation Therapy and he feels miserable, weak, fatigue, depression and has little hope. I welcome any advice, my husband is my world.

Is there a list of people to talk to about what you are going through with Esophageal Cancer?

Hello @bentley08 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw your post and thought you'd appreciate being connected with the members who have been sharing in the discussion below, so you will notice I have moved your post there:
- Esophageal Cancer: Anyone else?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-2/

How long have you had esophageal cancer and what are you finding to be most challenging?

rk6344
I just finished my first week of radiation and chemo with 5 more weeks to go. I feel tired all the time and have a few side effects such as sensitivity to cold and diarrhea which I take Imodium for. I'm not looking forward to the irriation of the esophagus from radiation. I do have feeding tube which will be backup to swallowing if needed. You can find my website with updates here http://www.mycancertale.com

Learn as much as you can about the cancer.When eating go slow small bites and chew well.I just finished 30 rad and 5 chemos it gets better with time.Trust in the Lord he will carry you thru the fire.I am77 and still work part time Rik.

Hi @rk6344, esophageal cancer has a way of upturning lives. Depression and cancer sometimes become bedfellows. You may appreciate these related discussions:

- Depression and cancer diagnosis: Today is a rough day https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-cancer-diagnosis/
- Husband fighting neck cancer, depressed and gloomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/husband-fighting-neck-cancer-depressed-and-gloomy/
– Anxiety due to Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-due-to-cancer/

Advice? Gosh, that's a tough one, but I bet fellow members like @puprluvr @michaelfnz @lori57216 @dsh33782 @survivorsuz can relate and share their experiences and tips. I just want you to know that it's normal to have a rollercoaster of emotions from shock, fear, sadness, anger and more.

How is your husband doing today? How are YOU doing?

rk6344

Hi I could no longer swallow food several months ago. The docs did endoscopy and found large cancerous tumor in lower esophagus. Now I have started radiation and chemo to kill the tumor and nearly lymph nodes that lit up on PET scan. I will be done with 28 R&C treatments on Feb 6 and then I have to wait a while for irriation to calm before final endoscopy and PET scan to see if cancer is gone. I have a few side effects such as always tired, cold touch sensivity, and some diarrhea which I just treat with Imodium. I try to just take one day at a time. I started a website http://www.mycancertale.com which has my Facebook posts and reflections on my cancer. I find that telling my story and getting prare and well wishes do help.

Thank you for this information, it has been very helpful. My husband is doing pretty good, just completed 10 radiation treatments. He starts chemo next week. Has been able to eat some solid food which helps. Still quite depressed, but we are working on this. I'm doing OK thank you for asking.