just been told i have esopghagus cancer

mousa

OK. It will be tough but hang in there. My husband had 10 chemos of Cisplatin, Taxol and 5FU. If there's ever anything I can help you with give me a shout. Remember that body, mind and soul are all involved in the fight to get you well.

LOve from me.

anewdawn · Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

Dear Mike,

It's terrible to say, but I am glad your treatment has started. It seems like an eternity between diagnosis and treatment. By the time surgery comes you will be scared but ready. I could hardly wait to have my surgery. I just wanted to get it over with and honestly the chemo and radiation prepared me because I was so sick and I just wanted to start on the road to recovery. I will not lie to you, it is a long tough road. Prepare yourself for the fight of your life. But you can make it. There may be days when you will think of giving up.....DO NOT DO IT!!! Stay strong!!! I am almost at my two year mark (May 20th) and I feel great. They told me I would not survive, but I showed them. If you have any questions about the surgery (Ivor-Lewis) I am here. Please keep us updated on your treatments and upcoming surgery.

micklemuk · New User Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

thanks anewdawn,
th ebiggest wait i soppos eis going to be after my last chemo session and teh 6 week rest before surgery, why i have to wait 6 weeks i dont know??

mousa

Dear Mike.

I think if you ask the doctor he will say that inflammation caused by the chemo has to settle down before they can do surgery.

But I suggest you get into the habit of keeping a notebook with all the questions, however minor you may think they will seem to the medical team, and ask the questions, and note down the answers. A good doctor will have no hesitation spending time with an interested and concerned patient.

PLease start by asking why you have to wait 6 weeks.

Love from me.

anewdawn · Regular Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

Dear Mike,

The hardest part is waiting. I also had to wait between chemo and surgery. I was told by my surgeon that it was to allow my body enough time to recouperate from the chemotherapy. After my chemo was completed, my surgeon/oncologist sent me to have another CT Scan to see if the treatment had any effect on the tumor. Lucky for me, the tumor had shrunk significantly allowing the surgeon to get everything while he was in there. I know that the six weeks will seem like an eternity, but your body needs this time to become stronger so you can withstand the surgery. Then three months after the surgery, I had more chemo. Again allowing time for my body to adjust to everything it had been through. The esophagectomy is a MAJOR surgery and you will need all your strength. Mousa had a very good suggestion about writing down your questions. I was also told to always have someone with me when asking the doctor questions, because my memory was not so good. I also recommend keeping a journal of everything you are going through. Every test, treatment, surgery, etc. Time has a habit of letting us forget things that we go through, and I want to remember everything. Now I can look back and say, "I can't believe I made it throught that".

As I stated before, if you have any questions about the surgery, I will do my best to answer them.

Take Care, Stay Strong and God Bless You!!

Dawn

stark1711 · Regular Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 11 Location: New Jersey

I came across this post and the strength that you all have is a real inspiration. The tests, the chemo, the radiation, I don't know how a person can do it but they do. Strong willed people. My grandma was just diagnosed and these words were very helpful.

Mike,

I hope things are going well for you and stay strong and positive.

God Bless
_________________
Stark1711

mousa

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your good wishes. I am sorry to hear about your Grandma and know that she and the family will find a strength that perhaps didn't know they had and will love and support each other. Remember to ask for support from all your friends and relatives through their good thoughts and prayers. Grandma should now get rid of any "baggage" she perhaps is carrying, such as any resentment or other ill feelings towards anybody or sorrow she is has because she herself perhaps did something wrong. She must forgive others and herself. It was lessons learned. Go forward with a clear conscience, walking always in God's healing light and love.

Kindest regards,

Val.

Keep in touch!

micklemuk · New User Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

A UPDATE FROM ME,

9 days left on chemo yay oh yay, been on cisplatin,epirubicin 5fu.
th efirst 2 i got every 3 weeks and would kick my ass so to speak,would keep m ein bed for about 5 days-the 5fu i get 24/7 through a port and have it changed every week,tomorrow is my last one Smile

-then i have a 6 week rest-then surgery followed by more chemo 6 weeks after surgery.

i know the chemo gets tuff but the fact that after 3 weeks i was eating normally again with no pain was sure as hell good. infact ive put about 10 pounds on in weight-due to the steriods i think, cant stop eating....

so overall i did ok on th e9 weeks of chemo, will let u all know how surgery goes

kinds regards mike

mousa

Dear Mike,

Yes, cisplatin is misery stuff. The epirubicin I have no knowledge of. But has to be positive that you were eating normally again after 3 weeks with no pain. Great! Enjoy your 6 weeks rest. I will keep you in my prayers.
LOve and a hug.

Val

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