Esophogul cancer update

Unfortunately I was not tested for upper gastro or pylori before the surgery. The nodule is medium sized and in a hard place for a surgeon to remove. The gastro says he only sees one to two cases a year, and never with a gastric sleeve. He ordered a ct scan and an edoscopic ultra sound. If it has not spread he wants me to have radiation for six weeks every day. Being concerned about me not being able to swallow from the pain from radiation he wants to put in a feeding tube before he starts treatment. He is not familar with how to do this with a gastric sleeve.  I may also need chemo afterwards.  If the tumor has shrunk he will approach a surgeon who is familar with gastric sleeve to see if it is operable. I feel maybe cleveland clinic would be a better choice because they do the sleeve and may have seen this before. He is one of these doctors that thinks I should have gone to a doctor that ran appropriate weight loss surgery test before hand. He is very opiniated. My sleeve is in perfect condition and is not the cause of this problem. I will definately get another opinion.

It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.....so go ahead and get that done. My prayers are with you!

 I'm so sorry that you are going through this!  It sounds like you've got a good idea of what to do and how to advocate for yourself.  good luck!

I am really sorry about this, it must be terrifying.  Think about traveling to one of the top cancer centers in teh country, you will see someone who has seen more cases.

I would get a second opinion from a teaching hospital where the latest practices are handled.... and doctors are familiar with the sleeve and know how approach your new tummy... as for radiation and chemo...

I've had it and I know you'll be able to do it if that is what the docs decide... (I've had several different cancers and never missed a day of work with chemo and radiation)... I look at this way... it's better living through chemistry...

I hope you'll keep a positive attitude ... that's 85% of the battle... GOOD LUCK! and we're here for you!

i am so sorry to hear this.   my father battled esophageal cancer back in 2002 to 2004.  he did have many rounds of chemo and radiation.   he ended up having the tumor removed as well as his esophagus.   his cancer had already spread to all his lymph-nods so removing the tumor and esophagus just made him comfortable and prolonged is life a little bit.    eventually the tumors came back and he wa**** with more radiation and chemo.    then in august of 2004, he was in the hospital due to vomiting blood.  come to find out, the tumors ruptured and his lungs were filling with blood.   we ended up losing him that day.

that being said, all cases are different.  his cancer wasn't caught early at all.   his symptoms were that he would have food get stuck when swallowing and for a few months he thought he had an ulcer.  in fact, one doctor he saw told him that exact thing.

i didn't say all of this to scare you, so i apologize if i've upset you.   please get opinion or even a third.  i hate to hear about anyone dealing with cancer, and my prayers are with you.   not sure how early your cancer was detected, but i pray it was caught early.

if you have any questions or want to talk, feel free to PM me. 

 im sorry you have to go through all of this but i do hope that all your tests come back saying that nothing has spread and it all works out for you.
 i agree on having someone working with you that knows about the sleeve.
 

Praying for you and hoping for good news, please keep us posted!

Liz

Laurie,
Thanks for the update. I would also get a second opinion and try to find a doctor who is sympathetic to your need to go to Mexico for your sleeve. They are out there, all my various doctors are supportive of my need to go out of the country.

Good for you for standing up for yourself. I would definately get a doctor who knows something about working with sleeves.

I don't think I would get a feeding tube,personally,before I had a chance to go it without one. What are your feelings about that?
Holly

Get a second and a third opinion. Always before any surgery. I have done chemo/radiation, all I can say is it is different for everyone and it does not last forever. If you need a feeding tube, to be hydrated and get enough nutrition, then that is what you do. I found I did what I needed to do to make me the healthiest I could be to get better. I am sorry this has happened, I know how hard all this is and so much happening in what seems like a short time. We are all here for you. If you tell the man this is no different than any other pt with a partial gastrectomy, he may be able to wrap his head around it. Words and terminology are magic in health care.
Summer