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Just diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: May 27, 2023 | Replies (46)Comment receiving replies
@knite122, I'd like to add my welcome. As you can see from the experiences shared by @dsh33782 @dave640 @doglover888, treatments plans are as individual tailored to each patient, depending on multiple factors including size and location of the tumor, stage as well as your age, overall health status and personal preferences.
Here's some information from Mayo Clinic about treatment options:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356090
If you scroll to the bottom of the link, you'll see a handy list of tips of how to prepare for your upcoming appointment and questions to ask.
Don, Dave and Doglover (the 3 Ds), what questions do you wish you had asked your team at that first consult to discuss treatment options?
@knite122, it sounds like your cancer was caught early since you were being closely monitored with Barrett's esophagus. Do you know the location or size of your tumor?
Replies to "@knite122, I'd like to add my welcome. As you can see from the experiences shared by..."
Colleen
If I had known then what I know now, I would have asked more questions about the unpleasant side effects:
1. How long does the feeling of being tired all the time last?
2. Is it ok to take Imodium to deal with periodic diarrhea?
3. Is it ok to take Zofran for periodic nausea?
4. Is there anything to help reduce the constant coughing and spitting up phlegm?
5. Is there anything to reduce the tingling sensation in hands and feet?
Hello Colleen,
Thanks for the response. From what I can gather so far, the tumor is small and located under the first lining of the esophagus where it meets the stomach. Last I spoke to the gastroenterologist’s medical assistant, she told me the complete results weren’t in because additional stains were sent in. I’m not sure what that means but from what I’ve been reading, the high grade dysplasia that I’ve had four times is at the 0 stage of 0-4. I’ll keep checking though.
Hi Colleen. Looking back, I wish I had asked what complications might arise. Having aspirated hours after my surgery, I developed pneumonia, 2 blood clots, had 9 blood transfusions, almost passed twice, couldn't be taken off life support because my heart would race and was in ICU for 7 weeks. Then I had injections in the stomach for 2 months and felt like a pin cushion due to so many tests. BUT I'm stronger today, off oxygen, driving, shopping, camping and life goes on. I refuse to worry about the cancer returning. Tough old bird. Lol. Have a wonderful day!
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Not sure, Colleen. We had some good opportunities to ask questions. Would like to have had a better understanding of the/a non-surgical path following completion of chemo/radiation.
Also, it would have been helpful to know in advance, if possible, that inflammation from radiation would make eating solid food virtually impossible until two weeks following the completion of radiation treatments.
Thanks for asking.