looking for information

[Shaggy]

I was just diagnosed with EC (esophageal cancer) and I'm still waiting for my CT scan to find out the specifics of stage and placement. I'm 26 years old, smoked for about 3-4 years but quite 5 years ago. I have a 4 year old son and my wife is in her last trimester, I want to have as much information as possible before telling her about the diagnosis. I was also hoping to find a support group of some kind for us, but especially for her. If anyone has been through this, or has any information that might be helpful it would be greatly appreciated. I know many of the basic dry facts, but would like to hear from someone who knows first hand what I may be facing. Again thank you.

[Eileen]

Hi Shaggy,

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and breast cancer in May of this lousy year. What I can tell you is that I have been very lucky in that chemo and radiation worked enough for me to be able to gain some of the 50 lbs. that I had lost before diagnosis. On October 6th, I had an esophagectomy and partial mastectomy. My recuperation has been pretty good, I am told but this is a very hard cancer. I was told that all of the cancer had been eradicated by the chemo/radiation and that there was no trace of malignancy or metatasis. I was lucky with that, not the breast but that is a different story.

My recovery has been very slow as far as I am concerned. My weight continues to be a problem in that I cannot seem to be able to gain much at all and if I do, one bad day and that is gone. The chemo did not cause me to be sick at all, just very fatigued and out of sorts for a couple of days and radiation just caused fatigue.

In my case, my father had the same cancer and died as a result of it. I am told that it is not familial but I beg to differ with someone! The breast cancer is hereditary and from my fathers side of the family.

I hope that you have begun treatment and are doing well and that your wife will have a safe delivery. I am the mother of a 15 year old adopted son who is the light of my life, what I can tell you is that I am a fighter because of him and my husband and that is what gets me through the bad days. Next week I will begin Chemo for the breast cancer and one more time, I will fight for them and myself. I need to get my life back, get back to work and being a mom. that is my job right now and it should be what you focus on.

Right now, my family and are getting ready to kick 2004 out of the door and welcome 2005 with pleasure.

Happy New Year

[leo]

Hello

You can visit our sister website Cancer Online and take a look at what we have about esophageal cancer.

best regards,
Leo