I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES

I read everything I can find on the internet about my disease. I have pretty much garnered all of the knowledge I can from the information sites. I stopped reading those a long time ago but keep an eye on them in case there are any new developments. What I read a lot of now are blogs and bulletin boards where patients, caregivers or loved ones write about their ordeal. I have come to realize that I am one of the lucky ones. Here’s some of the problems that esophageal cancer patients go through that I have been spared. Although stage 4 patients usually don’t have the option, stage 1, 2 and 3 patients often undergo surgery. Some choose not to, and there’s good reasons why. It is extremely radical surgery. The procedure obviously involves removing some or all of the esophagus. Then the stomach has to be pulled up, between the lungs, and reconnected to what remains of the esophagus. This is very painful and the pain never goes away for some people. Often some or all of the stomach is also removed. The patient is then left with a partial stomach or no stomach at all. Eating is never the same after that. It never returns to normal. Only very limited amounts can be eaten. Many foods cannot be tolerated. There can be frequent “dumping” of the stomach contents. There can be leaks where the stomach and esophagus are rejoined. Often the patient cannot sleep in a reclined position because of reflux. Post-op recovery usually requires weeks in the hospital. Surgery patients usually require chemotherapy and/or radiation in addition to the surgery so they suffer through that as well. I have read about many patients who go through all of this and then die. Many patients have a tumor that obstructs the esophagus making swallowing very difficult if not impossible. They can’t eat. Some undergo a dilation procedure to stretch the esophagus. Some must have a stent implanted to keep it stretched out. For others it is worse and they must have a feeding tube implanted. The tube goes through the abdomen into the stomach or the intestine. Nourishment is then obtained through liquids. A feeding tube is also frequently used for the surgery patients whose new digestive system doesn’t tolerate swallowed foods. For some, the tube is temporary. For some it is permanent. Some patients develop neuropathy from chemotherapy. This is a nerve condition results in tingling, cold sensations and pain in the extremities. Some patients have such a bad reaction to chemotherapy that they must stop. I have been fortunate enough to avoid everything above but it’s important that anyone facing this disease knows where I’m coming from. If I had to make a decision about any kind of treatment I would probably choose to go through with it, even knowing how difficult it would be. You have to fight this with every weapon available. I’m just thankful it hasn’t been as tough on me as it has been on some people. Please pray for all of those patients who have not been as fortunate as me. Not much to report medically except that my blood test shows that my liver is hanging in there. I love my liver. The last treatment I had began on Monday, March 16th. Normally I would start another round on Monday, March 30th, but not this time!!! I’ll be taking an extra week off from chemo, hopefully to keep the cancer from getting “smart” (developing a resistance to the chemo) and to build some strength. I’m anxious to see how I feel with the extra time off. Life is good. So we carry on. ------------------------------------