Oh I forgot to add, I have squamous cell of the upper esophagus

Hi. I really like your positive attitude and I think that's a great direction to stay & be in! I had adenacarinoma, which is the lower part of the esophagus, so a little different, but probably pretty similar too. I was staged at 3 and got my diagnosis mid-July 2008. I'll send you a friend request if you'd like to read my journal and hear more of my story. I had chemo/radiation & surgery in '08 and have been considered cancer free since then! Next month I'll get some bloodwork & a check-up by my oncologist, but no scope & scan until June 2013, as long as everything is looking good :-) I wish you the best & am sure you're anxious to hear their plan and get started. Keep in touch! Brenda

Hi!

I also like your positive attitude. It will go a long way towards helping you get through this. Add a lot of humor, and you basically have my family.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this beast. It seems you already figured out the most important thing: learn as much as you can! Knowledge is still the best weapon against this disease.

I was diagnosed in August 2004, stage 3. I had radiation chemotherapy and surgery later that year. After five years cancer free, it returned in my lymph system. After a series of surgeries, radiation treatments, and maintenance chemotherapy, my doctors were able to get me to a stable state. This means nothing is getting better but nothing is getting worse. I've managed this for over three years.

If you interested in more detail, I'll "friend" you as well. You are welcome to dig through my old posts and Journal entries for treatments and other details. I hope something in there helps.

There's a lot of terrific people on this post who can answer most any question you come up with. I hope you'll take advantage of this.

Good luck with your treatments, and I'll add you to our prayer list.

All the best,

Fred

Thank you Brenda and Fred! My whole life myself and my family have tackled our obstacles with our precious Lord and with humor. This is how I am facing this beast. Now I haven't started treatment so I haven't had to face the sickness yet that I know is coming and I pray I can crack a joke from time to time and that my family and my new friends here on DAily Strength (hint hint lol). Will remind me of that positive attitude I must keep :). I am not really a candidate for surgery due to the location of the tumor the surgeon said, however, if things keep pointing that way, we will cross that bridge in the future if we have to. I see both of you were able to benefit from surgery. I am hoping the tumor can be destroyed with radiation. Brenda i have started reading your journal, you are inspirational ! Fred, sending u a. Friend request :). Thank you both again so very much!

I have EC of the lower, and at first they thought Stage 1 or 2, and was going to operate, but wanted a PT scan to be sure. PT scan showed Stage 4. So no surgery. But went through radiation, and on my 2nd round of chemo. And with the grace of God, I eat very good again, the tumor in my esophagus is unnoticeable. And with God's love and grace I am handling the chemo very well. Lost a lot of weight during radiation and 1st round of chemo, but needed to do that anyway. I also see a Holistic doctor, that I feel has helped a great deal. I really dont get any side effects from the chemo, just a little tired some days. It was very hard to accept at first, but turning my life over to God has taken all the burden off, and I am living happy, and enjoying every day. I hope this was not negative, it is meant to be positive,and if I will beat this!

Just read your post and wanted to make sure i could tell you that i am sorry you have to be here but glad that you found us, for your own peace of mind. It really helped me to be here when i was diagnosed. the people are so great. You feel the hope and the love from them. We would love to help you through this time. I will friend you also so you can read my journal. I was diagnosed in august of 09, i had my cancer in the lower esophagus. I was diagnosed with stage 2. I also had a tumor so big that they could not get to it with the ultra sound. They really didnt tell me the stage till much later. after the chemo, radiation and surgery. Having a positive attitude and trust in the Lord is so important, you are on the right track. good luck and we will talk later. Cindy

lilacs, My hubby is about 5 or so weeks ahead of you. He has adenocarcinoma which started in the lower esophagus and according to the docs "did a very rare thing"and traveled up the lymph system to the upper esophagus; he is Stage III and NOT a surgical candidate because the docs say the cancer is too far up. The PET didnt show that only the ultrasound. He also couldnt swallow (even spit) by the time he was diagnosed and also had some bleeding from the tumor and that is actually what prompted all the testing. He had the feeding tube and port put in a one time; Im a nurse and really pushed for the two docs to work together so he wouldnt have two OR times or two bills! His biggest problem is he had a "problem" mentally using the tube and lost about 23 lbs over the last few weeks. The docs had to get on him a bit and once he started using it he is doing much better. So far the hardest for him has been the radiation and the sore throat it causes, he is a bit hard headed and doesnt use his pain meds like he should. The best advice I have so far in this short journey is...take advantage of any support offered and available. Many hospitals have cancer support/case managers and they help you more then you can imagine! In addition, if you are going to get the feeding tube; meet with the dietician and get the highest cal liquid you can because swallowing becomes a huge issue for many and weight loss can affect your treatment plan and lastly, take your pain meds/rest when needed. Keep fighting, we are right here with you cheering you on.

We are new to this journey as well and I hope we will be able to be of support for you.

My husband went through a similar situation for about 5 months earlier this year with the doctors not being able to figure out what was going on because he was otherwise very healthy. They diagnosed him on September 10th and at that time he could only swallow a little liquid. They put a J-Tube (feeding tube) in his small intestine where he receives food, some h20, and meds.

We are in the middle of aggressive treatments which have shown great results in studies. My husband is undergoing both chemo and radiation to shrink his tumor and slow the cancer. The docs are planning surgery in about 3 weeks after the chemo/radiation cycle is finished. They are very optimistic they will be able to eliminate the cancer. My husband did have the ultrasound endoscopy which staged the cancer at 3.

Each day we are thankful for life and remain confident in the heart of God. Blessings to you!