Ed Full

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  Ed's journey began on October 17th, 2017 with his Stage IV Gastroesophageal cancer diagnosis.  Ed started treatment under the care of Dr. Daniel Catenacci at University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer center in November.  



The good news -- Ed endured eight successful rounds of chemotherapy treatments starting in November at the U of C Comprehensive Care Center outpatient facility at Silver Cross hospital in New Lenox with virually no side effects and minimal impact to his quality of life from November through late February. On March 8th, Dr. Catenacci confirmed that his cancer was contained to the primary site (esophagus and stomach) and originally impacted areas (peritoneum). Ed and Judy then took a much needed trip to Naples, FL. 



Not as good news -- While he was in FL, Ed had more difficulty with swallowing which impacted his ability to eat and drink. He also started to have some pain in his abdomen. His sodium levels then dropped which need to be at a certain level (ideally above 130) in order to continue chemo. He was forced to skip two chemo treatments in late March and April and in the meantime had five doses of radiation followed by a round of chemo on April 18th.  This round was the most challenging to date and included some of the well known chemo side effects. Most recently, Ed's sodium level dropped to an unacceptable level and he was admitted to Silver Cross hospital on Monday, April 23rd to more aggressively work to increase it. While hospitalized, Ed was also diagnosed with Aspirated Pneumonia, an unfortunate common complication of Ed's type of cancer. Ed was discharged on Thurs., April 26th and is home now recuperating so he can regain his strength. It is a tough road to be sure, but as we would all expect from Ed, he is facing this challenge with determination, optimism and a strong faith surrounded by Judy, his four daughters, son-in-laws, ten grandchildren, Bob & Joan Morrey and countless dear family and friends. All prayers appreciated.