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 is finally seeing the oncologist next week but he's already been told by the gastro Dr. that it more than likely will be radiation & surgery for him, but after reading different things on this site from all thats had this surgery I'm scared to death that he will not make it through the surgery, my husband has been a severe asthmatic all his life & because of that his lungs are somewaht damaged & weakened so for him to possibly have to have a lung collapsed & be under for possibly 8 to 10 hrs scares me to death.I've also read things here that some people aren't even a candidate for the surgery, does anyone know what makes you not a candidate? Also maybe this is a dumb question but for those that have had the radiation & chemo before the surgery did that not make you ill & vomiting? & if so did the vomiting not cause even more problems in your esophages, it just seems to me that would make things worse in your esophages. Sorry if I sound dumb but Maybe someone can help me understand this. Thank you all
Believe me, I understand your fears. My wife and I felt the same. However, in my case, there was no reasonable alternative. As Pat once wrote (paraphrased, of course): it's not a matter of being brave. It just has to be done. I found that point very insightful.
Yes, the radiation/chemo can make you nauseated. There are some very good meds for this. I remember not taking my nausea meds at the proper time before a radiation treatment once. I took the pill right before the treatment. I will not ever forget the next 45 minutes before the med kicked in. It might be good to learn from my mistake.
One more thing: While it may be different for you husband, even at the worst of the nausea, I rarely actually vomited. The nausea could be intense. I learned to read all the info that came with ALL my meds. I "religiously" followed the med instructions.
You'll have to learn to trust your docs, but verify (per Ronald Reagan).
This brings us back to "Learn All You can"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It is still the best bet against this beast.
It'll make a difference.
All the best,
Fred