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Encouraging story of success through 1.5 years
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 esophageal cancer on Valentine's day 2024. Through 1.5 years of some ups and downs my outcome has been very positive to date. I know when I used this site during the first months of my journey that many of the posts talked about problems encountered. While this can be very helpful I realized that there were not as many stories of positive outcomes. This is understandable as most of us want to return to normalcy when given the chance and get too busy to post here..
During my cancer journey I used caring bridge to keep friends informed and found the writing to be very helpful. I have compiled the journal entries over this year and a half and have attached it as a possible aid for patients facing the uncertainty of an esophageal cancer diagnosis. Warning- it is long but I thought you might enjoy a story told from the perspective of a patient like yourself. I hope this story of success (so far) through 1.5 years is helpful. Have faith that there is hope and that you are not alone.
Eds 1 (Eds-1.5-year-story.pdf)
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Thank you for doing this journaling and posting it here. I look forward to reading it. We all need to learn from people who are willing to share the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a scary journey and there is great comfort in "comparing notes" with someone who is further along in the process. Thank you!
I'm glad that this might be helpful. I appreciate your comment.
Thank you Ed, for sharing your story.
I sat with my morning coffee and read your entire story. I am beyond happy for you. It is so good to hear about people like yourself who have foresight, courage, and a positive way of looking at life, despite the challenge of fighting cancer.
My journey with Stage 2 (T2N1M0) began in late 2023 when a routine endoscopy located an 11 cm tumor. I have had chemo, radiation, and am currently looking at my last immunotherapy treatment, which has been harder on me than the chemo and radiation combined. I had to attend the ER last week because of breathing difficulties. The ER doctor and radiologist determined that my right lower lung lobe is collapsed. I do not know if that happened recently or if it was a fairly immediate result after surgery. I will go forward with my team and determine how that can be remedied. I had a PET scan yesterday and am awaiting the results. The 'scanxiety' gets a little easier each time. There is an area in the bottom right lobe that is being watched carefully. So far, my team feels like it is some old lung scarring; however, the defined shape of it worries me, in addition to the size - 11 cm x 14 cm. I will remain calm and not allow myself to feel the stress of waiting for the results. I will have them soon enough, and then we will go from there.
Here is a recent photo of my darling 8-month-old basenji puppy Kopper. He is my spiritual caregiver. Currently 22 pounds, he will probably be 26 pounds at two years old. The other photo is me at the Cancer Center, getting immunotherapy treatment.
Continue to stay well. All the best to you and your family.
Frances
British Columbia, Canada
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6 Reactions@kopper Thanks so much for the note. I hope your Pet scan continues to show no new developments. Sorry to hear about the ER visit. It is amazing how complications can come up out of nowhere. Let's hope this is just another one of those complications that comes and then gets resolved on the road to recovery. Immunotherapy is an amazing development. I have a friend with stage 4 Melanoma. Immunotherapy has been the one saving grace and she is cancer free for the last year... amazing considering the prognosis before immunotherapy. Of course like you she had some serious damage due to side effects. I'm glad to hear that you are looking at your last treatment. Hopefully you can recover from the side effects and enjoy some quality adventures with Kopper. Thanks again for your note. Ed South Lake Tahoe CA
My husband had esophageal cancer in 2014. One month of chemo & radiation. One month of rest. Full esophagectomy. No major problems other than a chile leak which added a couple of weeks to hospital stay. A few episodes of Dumping syndrome. Still cancer free today 13 years later.
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7 ReactionsThat’s Fabulous and Encouraging News! Thank-you for posting!
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1 Reaction@kmordan Thanks for the support.
@cmmacy1949 That is a wonderful report. Hopefully it is encouraging for those just beginning their journey.
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2 ReactionsHello, a question someone may be able to give us some advice on. After minimally invasive Ivor Lewis, has anyone suffering from delayed gastric emptying had Botox injections to help and dilating the valve to help food pass through quicker ? And was it successful ? Side effects ?
Thankyou
Deb
@deb005
Many... usually 3 things will be tried, in order, to improve motility. They are botox, dilation, G Poem surgery. You may receive multiple botox injections over the next 6 months... as they may not last. Our twice-weekly EC Zoom calls... this is often discussed. Pop on in... today, Wednesday, at 6pm Eastern... 3pm for me in California. Need the one-touch Zoom link?
Gary