Need some advice and reassurance.

Dudley · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:01 am Post subject: Need some advice and reassurance.

Hello again. My husband has been diagnosed with Stage iv esophagal cancer also involving the lymph nodes behind his chest bone. Now he has been dx with kidney cancer also. He was not eleigble for a needle biopsy because of the location of the tumor. We saw a kidney surgeon yesterday and he has to schedule for removal. I'm told that he may be a candidate to have his esophagus removed also, so the surgeons are considering doing both at the same time. What is involved with removal of the esophagus and the prognosis and recovery time? anyone with prior knowledge? Then we can see if he is candidate for radiation and/or chemo again. Currently he is not receiving any chemo. Can someone please repsond and let me know what experiences you may have had? Thank you and God Bless.

Dudley

Dudley · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:07 am Post subject: help please

why won't anyone respond??? hs anyone had an experience where the esophagus has been removed?

anewdawn · Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

Dear Dudley,

I am sorry but I have not had my entire esophagus removed so I cannot advise you.

I had an esophagectomy and had 2/3 of my esophagus removed on May 20th 2004. I was stage III with no mets.

My cancer was at the juncture where the stomach and esophagus meet. I had no kidney or lymph node involvement.

I will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the surgery, chemo or radiation.

I am sorry that you are feeling so helpless and scared. I remember feeling the same way and looking for answers. I hope you find the answers you seek.

Please post a message if you would like to talk further.

Dawn

mousa

Dear Dudley,

I haven't been following the forum for a little while. I am so sorry that you and your husband are going through this and will add you to my prayer list. My husband wasdiagnosed with stage iv gastric cancer in July 2004. PET-CT scans done Nov 2005 and May 2006 show no cancer. So it is possible to beat cancer.

One of the articles I read in the effort to understand what my husband (and I) would go through if my husband had surgery was a gentleman's story which I found at http://ngc1514.com/Dragon/oct2000.html
It is tough reading! But it is necessary that you accept what has happened while, at the same time, doing everything you can to see that your husband has the best possible chance to beat his cancers. You and your husband will find the strength to see this through.

Patience with others is Love,
Patience with self is Hope,
Patience with God is faith.
Abel Bestavros

Love, Val

Dudley · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: Thank you

Dear Dawn -
Thank you for your response. My husband had an endoscopical ultrasound done this am and compared to his initial dx, which was T3N1, he is now T2N1. It shows that the tumor has shrunk, but they still were not able to get around the tumor in order to biopsy the lymph nodes. He has at least 3 involved surrounding the tumor. He will see a surgeon next week who will decide if he is a candidate for sx. My question is, did you have a feeding tube? If my husband has to have a feeding tube, he's not up for that he says and would rather go with just chemo for now. As I understand it, Chemo helps to shrink but doesn't kill the cancer, radiation and surgery can only do that. True? I really appreciate your sharing your experience with me. This will certainly help me to be more knowledgable when we see the doctor so I know what questions to ask. My husband asks none.
Prayers and best wishes for a continued recovery...........
Dudley Smile

anewdawn · Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

Dear Dudley,

Yes, I was on a feeding tube before and after surgery. I could eat nothing and was losing weight rapidly so I had a feeding tube inserted when I had my chemo port put in. I stayed on the tube for about 3 months after surgery. Tell you husband it is not painful and it helped me so much I would recommend a feeding tube so that he can keep up his nutrition.

I had the same thing happen to me. After months of radiation and chemo therapy, I was told that the tumor had shrunk. I knew this to be true because I was able to swallow food again without it getting stuck.

My surgeon congradulated me and told me that I would still require the surgery but they were very pleased that it had shrunk significantly. I think it made a very difficult surgery a little easier.

Please let me know what your husband finds out from surgeon. God Bless you both during this very difficult time.

Dawn

anewdawn · Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

Dear Dudley,

I just wanted to check on you and see who you are doing? Have you scheduled your surgery yet?

Please keep us updated. We think of you and are praying all is going well.

Dawn

Dudley · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:57 am Post subject: Larry update

Hi Dawn - Thanks so much for checking on me. We have seen the esophagal surgeon on 6/15 and are told that Larry's esopaghas is 12" long and the primary tumor is 5" long. They were not able to biopsy the involved lymph nodes, so he is set for 6/19 to go in for surgery to have the lymph nodes staged. They will do this thru a couple of small incisions. We will know after that if he is a candidate for esopaghas removal or if he has to have more chemo and/or radiation. We have been referred to a cancer center and I feel very confident he is being given the best care. Thank God! I was told that after the surgey the dr will tell me what he sees and then we will wait for the lab results. Tomorrow is going to be a day of anxiety, but also we will know what we are dealing with and know how to proceed. That give me a sense of relief. I'll talk with you soon and pray you continue to do well.

God Bless, Dudley

Dudley

Hi Dawn -

Just wanted to let you know that my husband had 13 biopsies done and it has been determined that there is no cancer in the lymph nodes, it is strictly involving the esophagas and kidney. He goes to see the surgeon on 7/8 and I guess they will want to schedule surgery.

On the other hand, it has been a real roller coster ride and last night I sort of let him have it with my anxieties. I feel so bad because he is the one with the disease and we are both anxious and concerned about money. My husband is self employed and has no disability insurance. While he has this surgery there will be no income and no savings other than my minor income. Thanks for listening and keep up the prayers. They are needed most for our health and our sanity.

Dudley

Dudley

I posted a message to myself, but meant to send it to you. Please locate and respond. Thank you.

mousa

Dear Dudley,

I have been offline for a while because someone walked into our condo and stole my computer. Glad to hear no cancer in lymphs. I understand the roller coaster ride and the anxieties. And don't worry that you talked it out with your husband - its normal to do things like that. My prayers are for you both. You will both find strength you never knew you had.

Love and hugs,

Val

Dudley

Dear Val-

I'm so sorry to hear of your misfortune. Have you recovered your computer? I hope so and that much damage wasn't done.

Well, to update you, my husband and I see the surgeon tomorrow and I am sure they are going to want to schedule surgery. I don't know if Larry will schedule just yet. He is the world's greatest procrastinator. He is having some trouble swallowing again, so I know he wants the surgery done soon, but he hasn't sold his car to give us the necessary finances to survive his recovery. He is self employed and we have no disability iinsurance or savings, just my little income to live on while he is off. I don't know what to do. I am behind him all the way, but I can't shove him to do something he doesn't want to. He pulled a really stupid move recently when he got drunk and fell down over a wall and hurt his back. Now he is still recovering from that also. Any guidance????? Please give me some advice. How do you get angry at someone that has cancer?????

Dudley Shocked

mousa

Dear Dudley,

Yes, you can get angry. I had some blazing rows with my husband when he wouldn't do what was good for him. But you are right - if they won't do something there's nothing to do except to go on loving them.

Your husband must be very worried about how you are going to manage financially. Don't you have medical insurance? I can understand him getting drunk but pity he injured his back.

What to do? You must both sit down and discuss everything. Tell your husband how much you love him. A decision has to be made about how to proceed. Maybe that decision will be made when you see the surgeon tomorrow.

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Val

Dudley

Dear Val -

Thanks so much for your repsonse. After I wrote you, I read Larry and Jenny's blogs and can see the future results of surgery. Very scary.

In resposne, we do have medical insurance through my work, so thankfully, most of the bills will be taken care of that way. But the things like the house payment and such are a huge concern. I am trying to seek financial help in hopes to minimize some of the stress.

I'll post again tomorrow after we see the surgeon. Off to work I go.

Is your husband still doing well?

Take care and thank you.

Dudley

jennysking

Hi Dudley

Don't be scared of surgery - g-d it's tough but he is going to get better - the additional complications he has suffered are by- the-by.

As I see it, he had EC and is now on the road to an all clear. He will get over these post-op complications. They are worrying but they can and will be overcome. Sometime you don't get the cards you want until the whole deck has been delt! And we all have huge resouces to pull on - when the going gets tough. It is the nature of mankind.

Both of us are self employed and financial issues have been a worry - talk to your mortgage company and see if you can pay interest only for a while - they are oblidged to be understanding - this will ease your problems and worries. you can do the same with credit cards and other regular bills. Do not get stressed about this - take a few hours out, write a few letters or make calls. It does make a difference. Discuss this together it will help if you both know the plan and make it happen.

Please keep us posted of your new - so we can help.

Love and hope
_________________
Jenny

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