Esophageal Cancer: Anyone else?

Posted by puprluvr @puprluvr, Jan 29, 2019

I’ve completed 15 chemo treatments and 1/25 proton radiation treatments for my stage 2 esophageal cancer. I’m jst looking for helpful advice from anyone going thru this past or present. I’m a bit frightened wondering how this treatment will affect me.

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

@patricia1952

This all happened a few weeks ago. Going into Cancer center for Simulation today . Waiting for definite biopsy results but all the cancer doctors agree its Stage 3 esophageal cancer . Just need advice and suggestions. I'm 70 years old with liver cirrhosis and low platelet count so scared about if the radiation and chemo is going to work and be worth it ?

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My husband was Stage 3 esophageal cancer. He did radiation and chemo prior to his Esophagectomy which was Aug 10 of last year. The robotic surgery went well. He was on a feeding tube for 6 weeks. It was a challenging road for him yet one year later he is enjoying his new normal which includes eating most everything in much smaller portions with some indigestion but no dumping or vomiting. He is 75, walks approximately 2 miles a day…some days are better than others. His outcome is better than many but that said he conquered prostate cancer the previous year and had a cancerous kidney removed in December…4 months after his esophagectomy. We truly believe we got a miracle. We are hopeful that you will be as fortunate.

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@patricia1952

This all happened a few weeks ago. Going into Cancer center for Simulation today . Waiting for definite biopsy results but all the cancer doctors agree its Stage 3 esophageal cancer . Just need advice and suggestions. I'm 70 years old with liver cirrhosis and low platelet count so scared about if the radiation and chemo is going to work and be worth it ?

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Hi Patricia, I'm tagging some other members who have experience with esophageal cancer like @puprluvr @dtaylor75 @slisa729 @rexsan20 @survivorsuz @pellaw @yinouye @advocatepaul. I'm hoping they can share their tips and experiences with you, especially as you prepare for radiation treatment.

Patricia, how did the simulation appointment go earlier this week? As you like know the simulation is the longest appointment. The following radiation appointments will be much quicker. When do you start radiation? Will it be daily? Do you have far to travel to get to the cancer center for radiation?

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@amandaa

Hi @patricia1952 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I moved your post to this discussion:
- Esophageal Cancer: Anyone else? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-2/
I did this so that you could meet more people with similar situations.

When did this happen?

Jump to this post

This all happened a few weeks ago. Going into Cancer center for Simulation today . Waiting for definite biopsy results but all the cancer doctors agree its Stage 3 esophageal cancer . Just need advice and suggestions. I'm 70 years old with liver cirrhosis and low platelet count so scared about if the radiation and chemo is going to work and be worth it ?

REPLY

Hi @patricia1952 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I moved your post to this discussion:
- Esophageal Cancer: Anyone else? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-2/
I did this so that you could meet more people with similar situations.

When did this happen?

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I'm being told I have squamous cell esophageal cancer. Waiting to take another biopsy in order to start definite radiation and chemo. Not a candidate for surgery due to my large veins varices. Put bands around them . Started with hard to swallow gastrointestinal doctor took biopsy said carcinoma insitu. More testing leading to squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. Oncologist won't start chemo due to my bad liver until biopsy comes back . Any thoughts or anyone with similar diagnosis.

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@colleenyoung

Hi @puprluvr, I wanted to check in and see how you are doing after your surgery. If you're feeling up to it, it would be great to hear from you. How are you doing?

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Hi Colleen,

Thx for asking! I am one month and 4 days post surgery and have been home since April 22. I’m on a feeding tube and am gradually weening off from 7 cartons and am now down to 2 per day. I’m also on a regular diet and am trying to eat 6 small meals per day. I’m only down 6lbs from my admission weight to the hospital but eating when I’m not hungry is going to be very challenging going forward. I’ve had no issues with dumping syndrome only some spasms in my new esophagus and a little rapid heartbeat for a short time.

I have had an unproductive cough since surgery and have been reading this is a common symptom with EC surgery which some say should go away within a month to longer. I am walking daily 1-1 1/2 miles per day plus doing flexibility exercises daily and strength training with bands 3 days per week per instruction from St. Mary’s Respiratory therapy program.

I am still fatigued but do take my daily nap. I’m sleeping better @ night(not on pain meds)now that I have no pain in my right shoulder area.

Check up coming up in a couple of weeks to have the feeding tube removed, some testing and hopefully I am on the slow road to recovery. I’ll remain hopeful and thankful for how far I’ve come.

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@puprluvr

I’m having an esophagectomy in April for stage 2 esophageal cancer-(adenocarcinoma). Though I was initially staged a t2n1, my thoracic surgeon calls it stage 3. I would welcome survivors of this cancer and surgery to connect with me to give me all the information they’d like to share about their journey with this cancer and life after an esophagectomy.

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Hi @puprluvr, I wanted to check in and see how you are doing after your surgery. If you're feeling up to it, it would be great to hear from you. How are you doing?

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I’m having an esophagectomy in April for stage 2 esophageal cancer-(adenocarcinoma). Though I was initially staged a t2n1, my thoracic surgeon calls it stage 3. I would welcome survivors of this cancer and surgery to connect with me to give me all the information they’d like to share about their journey with this cancer and life after an esophagectomy.

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Hi my name is Alex i have throat cancer and my mouth soars are not going away

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@colleenyoung

Just checking in @puprluvr. How are you doing?

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So far no nausea from the chemo and beginning to feel some pain when swallowing. Actually this am when drinking some water, I did experience some swallowing difficulty. I’ve completed 3/5 chemo therapy treatments and 13/25 proton radiation treatments. I wonder how much difficulty I will have swallowing as I continue these treatments.

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