Looking for others' experiences with Esophageal Cancer treatments

Posted by zzonner @zzonner, May 24, 2023

I am looking for folks that have been through this process, particularly in Phoenix. Any recommendations? I am in week 3 of Chemo and Proton Beam here in Phoenix and things are going well. Stage 2B or 3, with no Mets, yet. 3 more weeks to go then 6-8 weeks of healing prior to surgery. Trying to stay focused on getting through the chemo and radiation, then deal with the surgery. I am near 70, in good health and holding my weight. What support mechanisms do you recommend? I am talking to the Social Workers, Dieticians, and my doctors, Sio, Ahn and Beamer. Do you have any experience with any of them? I live 10 minutes from the hospital, which is nice. To this point, I can't say enough about the care and professionalism. Mayo is simply the best. To say I am nervous about the surgery would be an understatement. I am very active, built like a linebacker, and worried about the future. I looking for someone to bounce things off of as I move down this challenging road. My wife is my hero and keeps me focused, as do my 5 children and 5 grandkids. I have everything to live for. Thanks for listening.

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

@cbnova

Sorry to hear he is having such a hard time. I was fortunate to only have the nausea issue in the last week of chemo and radiation. I was being stubborn and wouldn't let my wife take me to treatment but had to give in during the last week. I also needed iv hydration for a couple weeks after treatments finished and needed to take a month break before going into surgery. I have found asking for help is something we all need to do during treatments and surgery.
Unfortunately with surgery sleeping will be different for the rest of our lives. I sleep on a foam wedge that keeps anything in your stomach instead of coming up into your throat or into your lungs.
I was 60 when diagnosed and am now 63, I to other than being overweight was otherwise healthy before cancer.
With all that being said it's still worth what we go through to beat this terrible disease. Keep fighting and remember when going through this we are stronger together. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Good luck with your surgery.

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Thank you so much. Very encouraging. My husband is stubborn too but the nausea and vomiting is wearing him down. I just read your response to him. I hope he regains hope that the nausea may not be forever!
We bought the adjustable bed already and he loves the zero gravity feature . The wedge was way to uncomfortable for him. But lately he has to be 90 degrees upright. After the surgery I imagine the bed will work out great .
I will keep you posted. Thank you for shedding the light at the end of the tunnel!

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@bunnymom

Im so sorry to hear how hard it has been for the both of you. I’m praying with everything inside of me that things will turn around for him soon. I know it’s hard, but you have to try to stay positive and keep fighting. You WILL win this battle.

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Thank you so much ! This is definitely a battle! If he can get past the nausea and vomiting he would be able to take in his tube feedings. Praying for this now!
Thank you ! Will keep you posted

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@pj03

Thank you so much. Very encouraging. My husband is stubborn too but the nausea and vomiting is wearing him down. I just read your response to him. I hope he regains hope that the nausea may not be forever!
We bought the adjustable bed already and he loves the zero gravity feature . The wedge was way to uncomfortable for him. But lately he has to be 90 degrees upright. After the surgery I imagine the bed will work out great .
I will keep you posted. Thank you for shedding the light at the end of the tunnel!

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There are so many challenges we face with Esophageal Cancer. If what I have been through can in any way help someone else I consider that a blessing.
We also an adjustable bed but I found that I was continously sliding down the bed which gave too many nights with reflux happening. Since this is very uncomfortable and dangerous for our lungs I decided to go back to the wedge. The difference is I went on line and found a wedge that was larger than the 24"×24"×12" one I was given by the surgeon. This one is 31" wide by 33" long and 12" deep. By being wider I don't fall off, by being longer I don't slide down. I like it so much I bought another for our camp so sleeping is the same in both places, continuity is important with all the changes we face.
Eating will also be much different after surgery. The will probably give you a list of what you can and can not eat. What I have found two years post surgery is you body will quickly tell you what you can eat and even quicker what you can't. Don't get discouraged though because you will find a balance in your journey. I have lost over 80 pounds since my journey began but have maintained my current weight for about a year.
You will probably have other times after surgery that will be very tough but it is worth it .

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@zzonner

Thanks for the note. Did chemo and radiation without any issue until treatment stopped, them two weeks of feeling poopy and loss of appetite. Starting to feel better now. PET scan July 13 and meet with the surgeon July 17. Shooting for mid August surgery? I'd like to take a few weeks off at my cabin in Colorado before surgery but I'll have to see how I feel. I will definitely reach out to you in the next few weeks before meeting the surgeon. Lots and lots of questions, but then again what you don't know won't hurt you. I know there can be a lot of complications but everyone is different. You only hear of the horror stories on the internet. Thanks for reaching out and Happy 4th!!!

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I am brand new to this site... still have no clue how to even navigate this thing. Not sure how to private message yet either. ... but I'm just here to help and advise should you need it. I'm still on my own EC journey, now 3 years post-op. I always provide others my cell phone... but not yet sure if this is in private... and most EC sites consider private info out in the open a faux pas. Should you need any help or have questions... about surgery, post-op journey, immunotherapy... maybe then I'll be able to figure things out.

Gary

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@cbnova

There are so many challenges we face with Esophageal Cancer. If what I have been through can in any way help someone else I consider that a blessing.
We also an adjustable bed but I found that I was continously sliding down the bed which gave too many nights with reflux happening. Since this is very uncomfortable and dangerous for our lungs I decided to go back to the wedge. The difference is I went on line and found a wedge that was larger than the 24"×24"×12" one I was given by the surgeon. This one is 31" wide by 33" long and 12" deep. By being wider I don't fall off, by being longer I don't slide down. I like it so much I bought another for our camp so sleeping is the same in both places, continuity is important with all the changes we face.
Eating will also be much different after surgery. The will probably give you a list of what you can and can not eat. What I have found two years post surgery is you body will quickly tell you what you can eat and even quicker what you can't. Don't get discouraged though because you will find a balance in your journey. I have lost over 80 pounds since my journey began but have maintained my current weight for about a year.
You will probably have other times after surgery that will be very tough but it is worth it .

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Thank you so much for the encouragement. I am afraid of him losing too much weight, but I know once the surgeries over the challenge will begin. Thank you.

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@mrgvw

I am brand new to this site... still have no clue how to even navigate this thing. Not sure how to private message yet either. ... but I'm just here to help and advise should you need it. I'm still on my own EC journey, now 3 years post-op. I always provide others my cell phone... but not yet sure if this is in private... and most EC sites consider private info out in the open a faux pas. Should you need any help or have questions... about surgery, post-op journey, immunotherapy... maybe then I'll be able to figure things out.

Gary

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Thank you Gary! We are just in the beginning of the journey. I’m not quite sure from the endoscopy on April 14 until now it’s definitely been a fast ride. I got him into appointments quickly by the grace of God making sure I called for every cancellation of appointment so that I could get in quicker. Six weeks of radiation and chemo are done, but it wasn’t until the last couple weeks that I see my husband deteriorate. Now we are in that six weeks of recovery, but it sure is difficult. The nausea and vomiting are real. He does not do well with that. Surgery will be in six weeks. Did you ever regain your immune system and your strength for such an extensive surgery? I’ve been a postsurgical nurse for majority of my career, and it’s very difficult to recover from such an extensive surgery if you’re going in very weak and somewhat immunocompromised.
I want to take the entire month off after his surgery to assist him. But he thinks the whole we need a week off and then back to work. How long did it take before you became more independent after your surgery? To drive to doctor appointments, to be able to manage your activities of daily living, including tube, feedings by yourself etc .
Just some questions I have. Thank you.

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@pj03

Thank you Gary! We are just in the beginning of the journey. I’m not quite sure from the endoscopy on April 14 until now it’s definitely been a fast ride. I got him into appointments quickly by the grace of God making sure I called for every cancellation of appointment so that I could get in quicker. Six weeks of radiation and chemo are done, but it wasn’t until the last couple weeks that I see my husband deteriorate. Now we are in that six weeks of recovery, but it sure is difficult. The nausea and vomiting are real. He does not do well with that. Surgery will be in six weeks. Did you ever regain your immune system and your strength for such an extensive surgery? I’ve been a postsurgical nurse for majority of my career, and it’s very difficult to recover from such an extensive surgery if you’re going in very weak and somewhat immunocompromised.
I want to take the entire month off after his surgery to assist him. But he thinks the whole we need a week off and then back to work. How long did it take before you became more independent after your surgery? To drive to doctor appointments, to be able to manage your activities of daily living, including tube, feedings by yourself etc .
Just some questions I have. Thank you.

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You call... we'll chat... anything and everything.

Gary,

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@pj03

Thank you Gary! We are just in the beginning of the journey. I’m not quite sure from the endoscopy on April 14 until now it’s definitely been a fast ride. I got him into appointments quickly by the grace of God making sure I called for every cancellation of appointment so that I could get in quicker. Six weeks of radiation and chemo are done, but it wasn’t until the last couple weeks that I see my husband deteriorate. Now we are in that six weeks of recovery, but it sure is difficult. The nausea and vomiting are real. He does not do well with that. Surgery will be in six weeks. Did you ever regain your immune system and your strength for such an extensive surgery? I’ve been a postsurgical nurse for majority of my career, and it’s very difficult to recover from such an extensive surgery if you’re going in very weak and somewhat immunocompromised.
I want to take the entire month off after his surgery to assist him. But he thinks the whole we need a week off and then back to work. How long did it take before you became more independent after your surgery? To drive to doctor appointments, to be able to manage your activities of daily living, including tube, feedings by yourself etc .
Just some questions I have. Thank you.

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Things still to discuss... to bring to your attention... even as you are awaiting his surgery date.

When I say call me... I mean it... I will discuss things with you, and you get to ask ANYTHING! The journey is long, and there are distinct differences in how we suffer... both physically and mentally, at the various stages of the EC journey.

I'm free... even though it's the 4th of July... so you two call if you have the time. I've done this with hundreds now (no exaggeration). Without exception, they all find these conversations beneficial. Maybe I'm selfish... I do this because it makes me feel better. Be well...

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I developed esophagus cancer summer 2021 and was simply diagnosed with dysphagia, by September 2022 I was diagnosed with stage 3
and 95 pounds and needed a feeding tube. Started chemo in Dec. 2022 with no positive results as of late June. My Oncologist wants me on daxiltaxol which is hardcore poison and side effects ( life threatening infections, permanent nerve damage...) I decided to take a break and try herbal teas, high protein ,high calories... My weight is over 125 and holding, sleeping well and good energy. I have only liquids from a feeding tube but Im enjoying life and discomfort is minimal. In the end though we each have to weigh quality or quantity of life. I'm 50 and will take quality.

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Love it... getting to surgery... being surgery eligible, is a big deal. That being said, the surgery itself is a big deal too... and recovery is worse than watching grass grow. Just slow... a bit depressing, because you feel like nothing changes and you are not seeing any improvements. But it comes... you just have to look for changes in maybe 3 month chunks. I'm just now 3 years post-op... and my 2nd year post-op was waaaaayyyy better than my first year! I'm amazed at how much I can eat now. Digestion has come along... sleeping has improved greatly... I lay pretty flat now, on either side... and I never thought that would be possible. But the first year is a challenge... a real bitch. Get your mind right... ready for some discomfort... it's a long slow grind.

You contact me if you need to...

Gary,
Southern California

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