Throat cancer

[flabum1017]

A couple months ago, I began experiencing difficulty in swallowing food. I'm currently on a liquid diet. Went to a gastro who sent me to a thoratic surgeon and oncologist (oncologist visit is this Tuesday). Endoscopy show almost complete closure by a tumor and is bleeding. Surgeon is guessing T3 (will be doing CAT scan and PET on Tuesday_). He's talking radiation and chemo, then surgery.

Anyone been through this? What am I to expect as for being able to work and how bad is the chemo and radiation?

[1954bmw]

I know you don't want to hear this and I hate to say it, but, I haven't heard of many people with a good outcome after it has gotten as far as closing the throat. Are the Doctors calling it esophageal cancer??? I've had Barrets esophagus (pre cancer) since 2000, years ago, a small spec of cancer was found (4mm, I work with 1mm wire and said .160 is bigger then 1/8 inch, that ain't small) the surgeons removed the cancer and tried to burn the Barrets, unfortunately I am one of the 20% of people that it grows right back. The next step was the removal of the esophagus, the stomach was cut up and turned into a tube and connected to where the esophagus was cut out. After 8 days with NO food or water and a barium swallow to make sure it was sealed and didn't leak. 18 days in intensive care and sent home with a feeding tube for about a month. I was off work for 3 months , but I worked for GE and had good insurance. That was August, 2014, now I'm a cheap date, one White Castle slider and I'm good, good luck.

[TraceF3]

Oh crap. No experience but I'm adding you in my prayers. One of my subs went through it 2 years ago. Was hard on him but he remained positive and he's doing fine now.

[Forkin' Crazy]

Dammit man, prayers sent!

[flabum1017]

I know you don't want to hear this and I hate to say it, but, I haven't heard of many people with a good outcome after it has gotten as far as closing the throat. Are the Doctors calling it esophageal cancer??? I've had Barrets esophagus (pre cancer) since 2000, years ago, a small spec of cancer was found (4mm, I work with 1mm wire and said .160 is bigger then 1/8 inch, that ain't small) the surgeons removed the cancer and tried to burn the Barrets, unfortunately I am one of the 20% of people that it grows right back. The next step was the removal of the esophagus, the stomach was cut up and turned into a tube and connected to where the esophagus was cut out. After 8 days with NO food or water and a barium swallow to make sure it was sealed and didn't leak. 18 days in intensive care and sent home with a feeding tube for about a month. I was off work for 3 months , but I worked for GE and had good insurance. That was August, 2014, now I'm a cheap date, one White Castle slider and I'm good, good luck.

Dr is 99% sure it's cancer, esophageal, yes......... biopsy results are in, he will be telling me Monday or Tuesday.... when he gets the blood results. Hopefully no feeding tube til the surgery which is a ways off after the chemo and radiation.

[rock]

I'll be prayin.

Rock

[mrichartz]

Good luck...

[Dave S]

Sorry to hear ya bad news.......will pray for you.... the power of God can be Great if you call on him. Keep your faith.

[oldschoolltv]

Prayers sent.

[mr fun]

as everyone has said , you will be in my prayers

[RiverRat71]

Stay positive brother. That goes a long way. Huge connection between the mind & body. Love ya. RR

[flabum1017]

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers guys. I really appreciate them

[MattGreen]

A couple months ago, I began experiencing difficulty in swallowing food. I'm currently on a liquid diet. Went to a gastro who sent me to a thoratic surgeon and oncologist (oncologist visit is this Tuesday). Endoscopy show almost complete closure by a tumor and is bleeding. Surgeon is guessing T3 (will be doing CAT scan and PET on Tuesday_). He's talking radiation and chemo, then surgery.

Anyone been through this? What am I to expect as for being able to work and how bad is the chemo and radiation?

Oh man I'm really sorry to hear about your situation Flabum. I always learn something reading your posts - you've added a wealth of knowledge to the forums.

My grandfather that I was very close to got throat cancer when he was in his early 60s. He was fairly healthy for his age prior to that. He had radiation initially (got a nice permanent burn mark on his neck from that), then he did multiple rounds of chemo over a span of a couple years. This did preserve his quality of life and for the first 2-3 years; he was doing OK all things considered. He was on a "soupy" diet initally. Not fully liquid, but everything had to go through a blender. Later on he was pretty much just drinking those Ensure liquid meal replacements. His throat was always dry from the radiation so he kept a little flask of water in his pocket to take frequent little sips when he talked. All this gradually knocked the wind of out of him. The first couple years he could still do some physical stuff (he helped me build my first tunnel boat actually - including the steam-bending), but later on his endurance was just toast. He lasted about 5 years in total before it spread and that was it. It might be tough for you to still be "on the tools" during the chemo. Would your employer be OK to have you as a service writer, parts guy, something like that instead ?

Keep 'yer stick on the ice as we say up here,

Matt

[Smalltownbassin]

Prayers your way man!

[transomstand]

So sorry to hear this. I can tell you stories of great outcomes or bad ones but only yours is important at this point. One day at a time, take it slow, stop and pay attention to the beauty of south Florida, your friends and family. Everybody responds different to treatment. Reset your priorities, work and bills are not so important, concentrate on making one of those good stories of recovery