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Hi, This is my first time and I am looking for support. My husband has esophageal cancer and will be starting radiation and chemo next week. I'd like info on both treatments.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Surgery Pain Esophageal cancer Alzheimer's disease Barrett's esophagus
8 replies
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- Newest first
- By Jaleyn
- Posted April 19, 2008 at 9:45 pm
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Hi I am sorry that you and your husband have to go through this... I have had some problems in the past with my esophagus. I have had strictures, twice so have had to have it stretched. I think that one of the things that will happen is he will have some difficulty eating. He will need soft foods, pudding, soups and malts things that go down easily and are nutritious. His voice may become gravely and then weak for a time. talk with the nurses and the oncology staff they can help you... Please take care of you too.... God Bless, J
- By Gigi5
- Posted April 19, 2008 at 11:58 pm
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I am so sorry about your husband's diagnosis. I know how you feel because my husband was just diagnosed with stage IV mantle cell lymphoma in Dec. 2007. It is all overwhelming at first. My best advice to you is to take it one day at a time and pray alot. When we went to the hospital for the first time we were blessed with wonderful nurses that gave us so much information. My husband had to be hospitalized for all his chemo treatments because they were very long and very strong. The nurses directed me to the hosptals cancer resource center. There are also wonderful websites that will give you lots of information for the type of cancer that your husband has.
Gigi
my caregiving blog-- http://www.caregivingwithgodslove.blogspot.com
- By Jaleyn
- Posted April 21, 2008 at 11:32 am
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Hi Gigi I tried to log on to your blog and was unable to. I would love to share some things with you. I work with folks with Alzheimer's disease I am the director of a respite program. I also have to support groups I facilitate and work with care givers... take care J
- By lindalee2
- Posted May 9, 2008 at 4:53 pm
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I too am a care giver for my husband and am trying to get info and support. My husband has no family and was diagnosed Jan-08 he has been in-out of the hospital 4 or 5 times, His cancer is (RCC) renal cell cancer and in stage 4. He didn't find it till his lungs were effected and now we find out it's not only on the left kidney but a large kidney tumor, both lungs, ribs 7&8 and local lymph nodes. All my kids are grown and my daughter just had a baby in Oct 07 so I don't need to burden her too much.
- By mvinkiowa
- Posted September 19, 2008 at 6:55 pm
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My husband was diag. in April 08--he has had rad. & chemo----on july 29th. he had an esophagectomy and he is still in the hospital----he has had a really bad time but seems to be getting a bit better----problem now is he is so depressed--- they do not think the cancer has spread --which is great news---but I don't think he cares---the docs say he needs to be eating, drinking, and up walking around---but he just wont push himself---and if he doesnt he will never get his strength back --and will never get home---If anybody has any info on this kind of cancer I sure could use the support --there is not alot of info on Esophageal Cancer and the surgery for it ---I have read everything I can find about it --but I think it would be more helpful to hear from someone thats been thru it or had a family with member with E.C.--
- By cj95
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 7:18 am
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Hello nandan.
My husband had barrett's esophagus for 14 years, and under a surveillance program....he was diagnosed with t1-t2 adenocarcinoma in September, by November 6th, he has an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. He had many complications and spent a month in the hospital, but is home now and doing okay. Everyone's situation is different and outcomes vary.There are less radical procedures for EC, but my husband's size did not allow them! Doctors are learning so much more about EC and Barrett's esophagus, there is so much more treatment options and support groups, etc....
This is actually my first time posting/reply on this site about EC and treatments to anyone!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and please keep me updated on how things are going.
- By ZJR
- Posted March 4, 2009 at 1:04 pm
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HI, MY sister had surgery 15 years ago for cancer of the esophagus at Duke University hospital. They removed part of her esophagus and stomach but reconnected the remaining esophagus to her colon. She is not on a feeding tube and lives a fairly normal life. She must eat small amounts of food and goes bach to the hospital for full body scans every three months. When diagnosed she was told she had a 10% chance of surviving past one month. They are doing much for this type of cancer at Duke. Try calling them. My prayers are with you. ZJR
- By algia247
- Posted March 6, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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Have you gotten any questions answered by the doctors who diagnosed him and you need to be asking the nurses and doctors who are treating your husband about everything you don't understand like the stages of the esophogus cancer how is he going to be getting his nourishments will it be a peg tube or TPN there are a difference and you need to know how will it effect his bathroom habits his pain and his weight , I will like to be your friend and tell you all what I've learned on being a nurse assistant taking care of people with all types of cancer and would give you support as much as I can but I sometimes be in a lot of pain where I don't log on my computer but if I know I have a friend in need of support I will try to log on a little more often . I don't have many friends to give or recieve support here so I don't share my knowledge of working as a nurse assistant for 14 yrs. I have seen a lot and learned a lot and would love to share my knowledge and support and if don't know the answer I know how to find it or ask the nurses or doctors to get you the right answer. I am still a nurse asst I work 3rd shift and is very much willing to give you support if you wish.
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