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Fit 61 year old man, newly diagnosed with stage III adenocarcinoma
I’m not even sure what to ask here. I got my diagnosis two weeks ago, and my staging 5 days ago. I’m otherwise healthy - good heart & lungs, good blood chemistry (except for the low hemoglobin that led to the endoscopy that found the lesion). I’m a few pounds over ideal, but not more.
I’m being treated at the Manhattan VA. They are treating me with “curative intent”, using neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy, then surgery, then more chemo & immunotherapy. They approximated six months of treatment.
And I’m scared.
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Hello from Tasmania, I don’t often contribute to Mayo’s discussions re EC but these posts took me back to the time of my diagnosis - thought I’d add a few thoughts.
Your world and the world of those close to you gets turned upside down by the diagnosis - not knowing how the disease and treatment will play out makes it a very difficult issue to process. There are a few bits of advice worth considering.
Being as physically fit makes everything more manageable - get walking, running, exercising as much as possible. It helps you physically and mentally. Family and friend support is hugely important.
It’s very easy to become overwhelmed by the possible paths the illness may take, by the challenges of the treatment and by the significant changes about to affect your life. It was important for me forget about yesterday ( it’s gone), worry about tomorrow when it comes and to live only in the present day. There are many aspects of your life that you will not be able to control, so focussing your efforts on issues you can influence is the way forward. Focus on one issue at a time - that may simply be how to get through the day.
Chemo / radiotherapy and surgery all involve major challenges as does adapting to a very different life post treatment. It was a very difficult period of my life but doable with the right approach.
I’m now 2 and 1/2 years post surgery still upright and enjoying life - having started with stage 3 EC and the thought I may not see Xmas 2024.
Best wishes to those in the early days of the journey. Geoff
Every account reported is similar to mine. I was also T3N1M0. Went through the FLOT protocol with Imfinzi immunotherapy. No feeding tube needed. Surgery was performed and successful. I was eating liquids after surgery and slowly increased texture. Almost a year since surgery back to Pilates, had a knee replacement and eating more or less normally. Sleeping on adjustable bed and wedge pillow. Still have reflux occasionally. Follow up CTs and endoscopy are on going. Good luck be patient with yourself.