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.
Just reading the discussions has given me hope. My husband was diagnosed one month ago. He has something in lungs so they will not do surgery. Put in a stent and now he can eat something. Mediport yesterday and start chemo tomorrow.
Anyone in chicago area?
Anyone in chicago area?
I'm glad he's able to eat better after having a stent. Guess today was his first day of Chemo. I hope all went well.
Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. I'm from Ohio, but you might be able to find a cancer support group in your Chicago area. Online might be a good place to search for a cancer center offering free support groups. God bless. Brenda
I'm also sorry you have to deal with this beast. I was dx'd stage 3 in Aug 2004, with chemo/radiation and then surgery. While it has come back, I have kept it under control with additional chemo/radiation/and surgery.
Yes, there is hope. And there are some really great people on this post who are willing to help any way possible.
I'll be happy to "friend" you, so, if you like, you can look over journals and older posts for more details about dealing with this disease.
Learn all you can about EC. Knowledge is your best weapon!!!!
We'll add you to our prayer list.
All the best,
Fred
He is probably Stage 4 although no one has blatantly said so....At the end of the journey I want to say to his kids... I did all that I could.
My insurance company offered for me to go anywhere in the country, but for me right here was where I felt was best for me.
I think many people on this board have gone to some of the best treatment places in the country and have been really happy with their choice, as well.
Whatever your husband and you think works best for you guys is probably the best decision. My best to you. Brenda
I'm new to the board, and am helping a friend who just started treatment for EC in Chicago. We switched from Uof Illinois to U of Chicago -- much more specialized treatment at UofC. They're considered to be one of the best in the country. We've found the oncologists' "bedside manners" to be lacking, and they take the "I'm the doctor" attitude, which we're not into, BUT this is all they do, so they know it inside and out. We also visited the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care, and their nutritionist was absolutely wonderful. My friend is on an anti-cancer diet based on Block's recommendations, but chose not to do chemo there only because UofC wouldn't let us do chemo there and surgery at UofC. Otherwise, chemo at Block is really innovative -- they use "chronotherapy" which times the chemo to your bio-rhythms, potentially decreasing side-effects and increasing the chemo's power. I saw a woman going thru it in the waiting room and she looked great and said it's been a great experience. The feeling there is also wonderful, they treat you very warmly and you get tons of attention from day 1. They even have tea and healthy food to eat for free while there. It's in Skokie. Anyway, I would highly recommend that your husband go to EC specialists, and also look into the Block Center.