Hi Cindy: I'm glad your EGD is complete. I have mine tomorrow :-) I'm praying he'll say all looks good and - like you will wait a bit for the biopsy results. I think they always take a biopsy to check for bacteria, etc., too. I'm praying both ours will still show "cancer free!" It's been 10 months since my last one & nearly 2 years 10 months from my surgery date.

My Scan is next week and I'll probably call in this time for results a couple days after to see results. Usually I wait until my follow-up appointment a week from then.

I have to say I'm getting used to the scopes - I had 5 laser ones before my chemo was started, not to mention the ones to detect original swallowing problem and follow-up for making sure I'm ok, post surgery.

I never have much minded needles/shots, but I was nearly petrified the first time I was put out for the scope. I guess I'm just used to it now. I'd love them to find a way to look without knocking me out, but I still wouldn't want to feel anything. :-)

Take care!! Brenda

OK Brenda and Cindy:

Prayers are coming to you both! I have a lot of faith that you will both have good results and suggest we do some online celebrating at a pre-arranged time. We can all toast you!

My new delight is chocolate pot-de-creme from a deli at a fancy market herein Houston. I will toast each of you with a spoonful. I love that I am supposed to eat high calorie, high fat food so as not to lose weight! Wow. It's actually a little hard to find something tolerable that is high enough in fat and calories; but I have hit the jackpot here. I'd mail some to you both if I could!

Keep the faith...and take some Xanax with you for the nerves.:-) They can dissolve under the tongue and work fast; so you can take them right before a blood draw even if you are NPO. They taste disgusting, but work well and wear off super fast. I have never had a tech or doctor tell me I couldn't take it. They take the edge off, but the do not knock you out at all.

Blessings and prayers!
--Deborah

Got my scope today and GI Dr. told my son all looks good. Took biopsy(s) however many he does. Will follow-up with him in 2 weeks. Have my CT scan next week & a follow up with Oncologist the week after that. Guess September has turned out to be my testing & results month. If all is clean (praying they will be), I suspect I'll get them again in a year, with a 6 month check-up bloodwork in between. Whatever they tell me, will be the plan! :-)

Deborah, something was recommended to me back when I was losing too fast named Bene Calorie. I didn't get it, but I think they said you sprinkle it on your food to get additional calories. Didn't need a prescription, just went to the Kroger Pharmacy counter and they said they could order it for me.

Now, I actually need to cut calories - ha!

Brenda been thinking of you today. Sounds like good news. It sounds like you also are doing everything in september like me. You are one year ahead of me with everything and you have always been my inspiration. I talked to you first on this sight and you have always been my little angel.. I am also like you in that i need to watch what i eat since i have put on about 15 pounds since my surgery and i really dont want to gain anymore back. hope and prayer for good biopsy results for both of us. Love and Hugs, Cindy

Yea, Brenda! I am so glad the EGD looked good. We'll keep praying for good results for you and Cindy!

I cannot believe what I am hearing from you and Cindy about having to watch your weight after surgery! You must not have dumping syndrome or have somehow leaned to eat well. I was counting on this chocolate-pot-de-creme and creme brulee thing to keep going for life. I thought perhaps it might be the only bright side to having surgery...beside the obvious...I will get to live longer.

I think it is the best thing that doctors are telling me not to lose weight! I guess that is not permanent(too bad)..but that must mean you two are eating well and I am happy to hear that!

I am going to toast you both with a spoon-full of the thickest chocolate custard you have ever seen....right now! Ahh...can you taste it!

Ahhh, thank you, Cindy, I'm glad I could be there for you when you first came to the board and still. You - and so many others here - are a great inspiration to me and others, as well. I think we make a great team, spreading the word of hope and just being here for others and ourselves.

Deborah, I sure didn't think I'd ever have a weight issue (over my desired weight) after EC, but... I lost about 75 during it all and have gained about 10 pounds a year, so about 30 pounds more than I would like.

I guess it's similar to how you hear about people with gastro by-pass surgery, sometimes their weight seems to creep back up, even though they have such a little stomach.

My husband used to always tell me - it's all about calories in - calories out (burned), etc. True, but I do love chocolate and who wants to count calories with that - ha.

My oncologist always seemed like he didn't mind a little extra weight on someone dealing with cancer and they sure don't want one losing weight at a time like that. At least he didn't, but I know I should get into healthier eating and more control now.

After almost 3 years, I can eat more at a sitting and I think I picked up eating more times a day and ran with it :-) I've started going to the cancer center more and trying to get into the healthier eating choices. I've probably always known about it, but guess I need a reminder :-)

Oh, and, Deborah - no I don't have the dumping syndrome. I did learn how much I could eat (eye-balling) and what signals I received that enough is enough and learned to not go beyond that point.

You know at first, we're dealing with it healing and then it's learning our new signals that we're full. I don't think I ever feel hunger and I don't feel fullness where my stomach used to be. It's actually in my throat that I seem to feel when I've gone just a little beyond what I should. Usually I can tell before that point. I think it's time and healing that generally takes care of that. So fortunately, I don't have dumping to deal with.

In the beginning I used to be nervous about eating - especially around others or at restaurants, but now...of course, I don't even give it a second thought. I definitely feel time helps.

Hope everyone is having a good day today. Hugs, Brenda

Hi Brenda:

I am very pleased with your results!!!!!!

I certainly understand the quiet frustration of waiting for all the various test results to trickle in :-)

Sounds like you are on a roll. We'll pray that you stay on that good roll!!!

Keep doing what you are doing.

All the best,

Fred

Hi Cindy:

You know, you would think the docs might discover the simple fact that if we could get all our scans and scopes on the same day, we might get all the results around the same time. Wouldn't that be novel ?????

We're praying for good results. Keep on coming !!!

All the best,

Fred

Thanks, Fred. Good to hear from you :-) I do still have to get the biopsies back and have the CAT scan Tuesday and get those results back, but I am glad to have the scope done and have the Dr. say everything looks good. I take every step I can - one at a time :-) Hope things are going well with you! Always keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Brenda

Glad to hear your scope was good. Crossing my fingers for a great scan too!