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.

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Linda65401 09/06/2013

I found this saying when I was going through some of my Mom's old papers. She was given this when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. I copied it and sent it to my sister, and also have the saying hanging on my wall. It's a good reminder to me that life's not about how long you live, but about how much you live. I hope this is helpful to someone else whose family member is in palliative care or hospice.

"I was given a lifetime.....and I wasted it.
I was given a year.....and I resented it.
I was given a month....and I cherished it.
I was given a day.....and I made it count."
-J. Whitman

prayinglots 09/07/2013

Thanks Linda!

deleted_user 09/07/2013

As the saying goes: it's not how much money you made or the fame you may have acquired; it is only how well you loved and much you were loved which counts at the end of your life. Although at nearly 70 I wish I had more time - time flies faster the older you get -, I feel no regret at how I've lived it. If I died next week, I've left my indelible foot print and lived life with gusto. I am peaceful with how I've done it. I know ahead of time how much I'm loved and how much I've loved. Now, with the prospect of a fatal EC diagnosis, I am at peace.

deleted_user 09/07/2013

Dancing grandma ... What do you mean prospect of fatal EC diagnosis? You are still in remission, right?

Brenda2008 09/08/2013

Thanks Linda for the reminder to make each day count.

Dancing Grandma, I'm wondering about you too & keeping you in my prayers. I know you talked of perhaps getting some testing done at Mayo early this month. I'm wondering if your response was referring to your past EC experience or if you have received new information? I think of you often and always wishing things improve for you! Brenda

deleted_user 09/08/2013

I'm sorry, folks!! All I meant was that, to me, "full remission" means "the prospect of a fatal diagnosis". I think where I created concern was in using "now". I'm so sorry!! I'm just fine as far as I know - next PET is in early November. I am going to Mayo in October however to nail down the seizure disorder diagnosis. I continue to be fully asymptomatic and, after joining 3-4 epilepsy forums online, not ONE participant has ever experienced or even heard of a situation like mine. If Mayo can't figure it out, no one can!

Brenda2008 09/08/2013

Good! I'm glad you are doing well and are still considered caner free :-) Also, glad you haven't had anymore seizures! YEH to both! :-) Let's enjoy this beautiful fall weather that is about here :-) Brenda

dhenth 09/10/2013

Whew! Thank goodness, Dancing--your post made me a bit nervous myself. I remember you mentioning your seizure--hope there haven't been anymore. Can you keep us posted on what Mayo has to say? It's quite the medical mystery, and I'm intensely curious.

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