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Esophageal cancer treatment: Anyone have good experiences to share?

Posted by earnest @earnest, May 28, 2024

Hello troops. Does anyone have any good news about their treatments? All I've been reading are horror stories. Not very encouraging at all. I'm on my second week of radiation and chemo, and the first chemo didn't go well. Not meaning to add to the horror stories, but it made my stomach ache really bad. They stopped and gave me steroids, I think. Now I'm hearing these stories about leaking chemo causing pain, makes me apprehensive. So if anyone has had a GOOD experience, PLEASE share it!

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v132077 | @v132077 | Jan 6, 2025
In reply to @mrmac1234 "What stage were you ? I sm stage 4 advanced" + (show)
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What stage were you ? I sm stage 4 advanced

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At first my Oncologist classified me as Stage 4, but changed to 3 after another PET Scan ruled out that it had spread to my liver. I then went through 7 Chemo, 34 Radiation treatments and then the Surgery from hell that pretty much everyone else goes through. That was a little over 5 years ago. I still deal with a few complications and have to self dilate my esophagus daily but I thank God, and everyone else who helped me get through this. I hope your journey goes as well as mine and feel free to ping me anytime. Take Care!!!

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Don Higgins | @dsh33782 | Jan 5, 2025
In reply to @mrmac1234 "What stage and did it spread" + (show)
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What stage and did it spread

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mrmac
I had stage 3 tumor in lower esophagus. It effected lymph nodes but had not spread, and the radiation and chemo worked.
Don

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mrmac1234 | @mrmac1234 | Jan 5, 2025
In reply to @v132077 "Well said. I am also a 5 year survivor. I have experienced many of the same..." + (show)
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Well said. I am also a 5 year survivor. I have experienced many of the same issues mentioned (and a few not mentioned) on this site by fellow EC patients. I am not a doctor and don’t consider myself a support person but rather someone that anyone can lean on at anytime to discuss whatever is on their mind. EC can be intimidating, especially when first diagnosed. The feeling of satisfaction one gets from being able to help others is beyond words. I feel these type of groups (whether considered support or not, that is just a word) can help play a major role in someone’s journey in dealing with EC. It has helped me for sure.

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What stage were you ? I sm stage 4 advanced

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mrmac1234 | @mrmac1234 | Jan 5, 2025
In reply to @dsh33782 "Earnest I had 28 chemo and radiation treamtents for EC and it worked. My tumor is..." + (show)
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Earnest
I had 28 chemo and radiation treamtents for EC and it worked. My tumor is now gone. I did have some side affects including caughing and being tired all the time. Scans are clear now. I'd be happy to answer questions.

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What stage and did it spread

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gdj | @gdj | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @stever1 "Yes there is hope. Let Western medicine do all they can with the current treatment plan...." + (show)
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Yes there is hope. Let Western medicine do all they can with the current treatment plan. Do what you can and together miracles can happen. If you send me your address, I will send you a book by Kelly Turner - Radical Remission , Surviving cancer against all odds. She outlines what people who beat cancer did after being told there is no hope. Inspiring and helpful. I also think that your faith will save you. I wish the best for you and you are now in my daily prayers. Steve

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I've read that book too; it's well written. Offers hope, with examples of success!

Gary

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stever1 | @stever1 | Dec 26, 2024
In reply to @mrmac1234 "I have esophagus stage 4 spread to lyphnodes on top of stomach and just below my..." + (show)
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I have esophagus stage 4 spread to lyphnodes on top of stomach and just below my lobes of my lungs two 2cm lesion's on my liver. They are not giving me any hope . I do jot fell sick thank God I am still eating no pain or systems. Is there any hope ? Has anyone had remission at this stage . I am on chemo pills keytruda and herceptin for my hers 2 + . I don't smoke drink or do drugs . I believe in kircles and in my faith 🙏 . They will not operate of do radiation as they say it is to advance . Mostly I would not have known anything was wrong but had a colonossophy done and a upper Gi . Any good stories out there ?

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Yes there is hope. Let Western medicine do all they can with the current treatment plan. Do what you can and together miracles can happen. If you send me your address, I will send you a book by Kelly Turner - Radical Remission , Surviving cancer against all odds. She outlines what people who beat cancer did after being told there is no hope. Inspiring and helpful. I also think that your faith will save you. I wish the best for you and you are now in my daily prayers. Steve

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mrmac1234 | @mrmac1234 | Dec 24, 2024
In reply to @dsh33782 "Earnet I have had a good experience. I was diagnosed with EC and had 28 radiation..." + (show)
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Earnet
I have had a good experience. I was diagnosed with EC and had 28 radiation and chemo treatments which worked great. The turmor shrunk 35% after 3 treatments and scans have been clear of cancer after trreatment. The treatment was not fun with losing 15 pounds and having some side affects. But the final result was great. I feel good now. Have you signed up with nationally recognized cancer center like Mayo?
Don

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They say I am stage 4 advance no operations no radiation just trying to slow it down control it's advancement.? I feel fine did not know anything was wrong except sometimes not being able swollen good without chewing it good . Now I just keep my meals blended not agitated ot

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mrmac1234 | @mrmac1234 | Dec 24, 2024

I dint feel sick I work out and walk and lift wright's. I am hoping to hear something pistive that someone had put this esophagus stage 4 advanced in check .thank you

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mrmac1234 | @mrmac1234 | Dec 24, 2024

I have esophagus stage 4 spread to lyphnodes on top of stomach and just below my lobes of my lungs two 2cm lesion's on my liver. They are not giving me any hope . I do jot fell sick thank God I am still eating no pain or systems. Is there any hope ? Has anyone had remission at this stage . I am on chemo pills keytruda and herceptin for my hers 2 + . I don't smoke drink or do drugs . I believe in kircles and in my faith 🙏 . They will not operate of do radiation as they say it is to advance . Mostly I would not have known anything was wrong but had a colonossophy done and a upper Gi . Any good stories out there ?

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Don Higgins | @dsh33782 | Dec 23, 2024
In reply to @journey99 "Don, did you have surgery or only the radiation and chemo treatments?" + (show)
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Don, did you have surgery or only the radiation and chemo treatments?

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I just had radiation and chemo and it worked. They chose not to do surgery.
Don

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