I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on June 22, 2017 after just a few months of stomach upset and trouble eating. Heidi and I spent the week of July 24 at the MD Anderson Center in Houston, TX, resulting in a stage IV diagnosis (large main tumor in lower esophagus and into the stomach, and metastasized to two distal lymph nodes).
I've done chemo here in KY with occasional visits back to MD Anderson for testing and follow-up in 2017. I spent January and February of 2018 in Houston doing chemo radiation. After a period of no metabolic activity, the tumor in my esophagus started growing again last summer, and continued growing despite additional chemotherapy. The distal metastasizes did not reappear, however, so my team at MD Anderson reopened the possibility of surgery to remove the main tumor . On December 14, 2018 I had a successful esophagectomy to remove the main tumor, my esophagus, and part of my stomach, as well as samples from my pericardium, lung, liver and diaphragm where the tumor was touching. Those biopsies showed no remaining cancer around the main tumor, so the team decided I could take a break from chemo. My next PET/CT scan is set for mid-April 2019, and I'm cautiously optimistic.
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https://caringbridgehelp.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/624We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Keep me, Heidi and Ian in your prayers!
