Esophageal Cancer Support Group
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes. Esophageal tumors usually lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), pain and other symptoms, and is diagnosed with biopsy. Small and localized tumors are treated with surgery, and advanced tumors are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combinations.
My husband was also recently diagnosed with EC. It was discovered during a routine upper endoscopy for his Barret's Esophagus. We consulted with two surgeons at Robert Woods Johnson who work as a team for THE surgery. But my husband first had to have a PET scan & an endoscopic ultrasound. Unfortunately, these tests revealed lymph node involvement in the thoracic & abdominal region, tho no metastisis was confirmed. The doctors said surgery was out, and recommended we find a local oncologist for chemotherapy.
Upon reading the test results, the local specialist we went to concurred with the surgeons. My husband will be starting chemo next Friday - 6 rounds of one week on & three weeks off.
Has anyone out there been in this situation? I saw what chemo did to my mother when she was being treated for lung cancer, & it was awful. How have you folks responded to it?
Upon reading the test results, the local specialist we went to concurred with the surgeons. My husband will be starting chemo next Friday - 6 rounds of one week on & three weeks off.
Has anyone out there been in this situation? I saw what chemo did to my mother when she was being treated for lung cancer, & it was awful. How have you folks responded to it?
The difference is, my husband has elected to say no thank you to chemo. He doesn't want to be ravaged that way. He is in palliative care @ home now. He is sad. But, I believe that he is also at peace with his decision. His name is Ray. He has been disabled for 17 years b/c of a drunk driver, and has lived in severe, chronic pain, and is miserable. He is tired of the medications, procedures, doctors, and the whole dog-gone mess of it.
I am scared for him but I have to believe that he is going to be in a place that is pain free and where bliss is a guarantee, not a dream you dare not. I dont want to bum you out, friend. But you know what I dont having watched your mother experience it. I think that chemo does not make you live longer, it makes you die longer.
Best of luck, DC!
I have often shared the thoughts you express, DC. My husband did not witness my mother's battle as I did, & I'm not sure if I were in his shoes I'd choose the chemo route, either. But Ted's been a vital, healthy man up until now, & I'm committed to supporting the decision he's made. When he decides he's had enough, I will support that, too.
Ted's first round of chemo landed him in the hospital for 10 days - dehydration, mouth ulcers, compromised kidneys. Lesions in mouth so bad he was on morphine for 5 of the days. He came home Tues (15 lbs lighter) & is still weak & easily fatigued, with lingering mouth sores.
Oncologist is delaying next round of chemo until he's in better shape. One chemical will be dropped altogether, and other adjustments will be made. If round two hammers him like the first one, I don't know how long he'll last in the program. But at least he'll never look back & wish he'd given the chemo a try.
I'm sorry for the suffering both you & your husband are experiencing. I can't imagine living with chronic pain for seventeen years, and then to be diagnosed with cancer. There is a time for everything in life, including dying. Your husband has been a fighter for so long. I understand his wish to end the battle on his terms, with grace and dignity.
Bari
After 5 years. my EC returned in my lymph system. I had success using CyberKnife on cancerous lymph nodes on my spine. Surgery was not an option due to location of the nodes. Perhaps this might be an option for you. I am often surprised at the number of docs that do not know about this system - see cyberknife.com for more info.
All the best,
Fred