Treatment options

I went through the Folfox clinical trial concurrent with initially 4 sessions of photon beam radiation, then switching over to proton beam. Insurance delayed approval initially on proton beam until it was concluded that photon beam caused my pericarditis. As such, my oncologist only had me go through two sessions of chemo instead of the normal three. After completion of the trial and prior to surgery, my tumor was nearly gone (only microcells left). My surgery successfully removed the tumor with clear margins and no evidence of disease. I am on Opdivo immunotherapy for a year due to the microchips being there. The Folfox trial caused some fatigue and nausea, but the anti-nausea meds worked well. Overall, I think it was a success. I go for my third scan at the end of August with positive thoughts. Best of luck!

Hello so I went through Flot treatment. Started October of 24 4 chemotherapy treatments every other week for two months. For me a little nausea and a little fatigue nothing I couldn’t handle. Walking helped me tremendously. Then waited 5 weeks had my surgery January 3rd in the hospital 8 days 9 hour surgery. It is major surgery. Waited 4 weeks then had 4 more chemotherapy treatments same way. Finished April 5th 2025. Nausea and fatigue harder this time took a few weeks to recover. But I’m feeling almost normal now biggest thing now is just eating smaller meals most food tastes good but not all. Continue to get stronger everyday. What ever you decide make sure your oncology doctor and surgeon work together well if you decide to go this way. Good luck to you and your family. Scott

Forgot to tell you had pet scan done last week came back clear!! Scott

That's awesome!!

This is basically the timeline/process I am looking at. Did you work through most of this? I build houses and I have no idea if I'm out of business for 5 or more months or if I should try and get a less demanding job.

My spouse went through the same protocol. FLOT SURGERY MORE FLOT. He is 76 years old so no I am sure he would not have been able to work through the chemo esp post Op. however age plays a big role and type of work. I doubt you would be able to handle the post op chemo regimen and work full time. Btw. My husband is doing very well eating everything sleeping well of course he has lost about 30lbs all together but all in all is good. Clean CT last week he was stage 1B adenocarcinoma of GE juncture

So I did not work definitely couldn’t be on my feet for 10 hours a day. I am a manager and it’s a very physical job lots of heavy lifting all day and also I had a j tube for feeding because I couldn’t swallow my food. Did my feeding mostly over night but about 10 hours a day. Had j tube in for 7 months. Kept me going until I had my surgery. Scott

My husband just finished Folfox.
He had multiple chemotherapy sessions, followed by three weeks of proton radiation, on the first and third week of radiation. He had one chemo treatment each week.
He rang the bell August 1
And we are waiting surgery. It is my understanding in his trials that if you have surgery, you qualify for immunotherapy afterwards, if needed. Treated at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

He did not really experience any severe side effects through the chemotherapy and or the radiation to date.

I just had a j tube put in wednesday, Im back at home hooked up to it as we speak, feels like I just competed in the situp olympics.

Now the journey begins try to stay positive and take walks it really helps physically and mentally you got this ok. Wishing you well!! Scott