Esophageal Cancer Support Group

I'm glad your Dad seems to be in the early stage of esophageal cancer. I'm sorry he has to deal with it at all, but they say early stage is better. When I found out I had esophageal cancer, my Gastroenterologist referred me to an Oncologist. My Mother had, had colon cancer about 8 years prior and used these same two Drs. I had a lot of faith in both of them and listened to what they recommended and went with it. My Oncologist referred me to a radiation Dr. & a surgeon. In my case I decided to enter a study that was going on. They wanted all the Drs. onboard with what my plan was. I entered the hospital to get a feeding tube in my small intestine and a port in my chest. I had chemo and radiation before surgery. It went well for me, so I would just listen to the Drs., have Drs. that have a good reputation or you have first hand experience with that you feel good about handling your Dad. Good luck to your Dad. My prayers are with you. Brenda

My husband's cancer was in the very late stages when it was discovered in March 2008. The original site of the cancer was at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, however, his disease had metastised to his liver. Through God's blessing and chemo we went from stage 4 to complete remission in 3 months. At the advice of our oncologist, we continued with chemo, PET scans and endoscopies. Although the PET scans remained clear, the endoscopies of the esophagus gradually went from mild dysplasia to cancer. This past July, at the University of Michigan Hospital, my husband underwent a THE (Transhiatal Esophectomy) where they removed the majority of his esophagus and 20% of his stomach. Throughout his stay in the hospital and for the first couple of months at home, he lost about 40 lbs, but never needed to use a feeding tube. We're in the trial and error phase now of learning what he can eat, how much and when. We were told it takes about 9 months to get adjusted. Best of luck to you and your family. You'll be in our prayers.

www.acor.org has a lot of information from others who are undergoing treatment for EC and also who have made it through it. When you go there, they have any kind of cancer you can think of. Just go into the esophageal cancer one and you will get tons of people on there and their posts to help you out.

Good luck
CyndiC

My husband had esophageal cancer. I read in the Readers Digest not long ago where they can now "freeze" the cancerous cells from the esophagus, but I don't remember where they do this. Perhaps you can ask his doctor. It may be of great help that his cancer is in an early stage...for any kind of treatment. My prayers are with you.