Stacy Lewis

First post: Jun 24, 2021 Latest post: Nov 4, 2021
Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer of the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. It starts in the gastroesophageal (GE) junction, the area where the esophagus and stomach join together. The cancer grows from cells that make mucus. If 2020 wasn't crazy enough already!  November 4, 2020 I was sent for an upper endoscopy after having some discomfort from swallowing, liquids especially.  The gastric doctor was certain, even without the confirmed pathology, I had a malignant tumor at the GE junction.  When I think back over the last four months, I truly fell down a rabbit hole following this diagnosis.  Things moved so fast.  Testing and plans for treatment and surgeons.  Too much!  You learn very quickly to hold on to the small successes.  6 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation all at the same time.  I consider myself pretty tough but it quickly showed me how fragile I was!  The doctors are pleased with my body's reaction to the treatment and my tumor has shrunk.  Even still, the next step is to remove my esophagus.  I will have surgery at John's Hopkins in Baltimore, March 31.  I AM SO BLESSED!  This type of cancer is very aggressive and most people find the cancer has spread by the time symptoms appear.  Mine has not!  It is confined to the tumor with no signs of lymph node involvement.  I hope this site will help my family heal as they keep our community involved in my surgery and recovery.  I love you all and appreciate your prayers and support so much.  

WOW! If you read this you know I hadn't even reached the rabbit hole much less fallen down when I wrote the paragraphs above. March 5 I began with lung infection symptoms. By March 15 surgery was cancelled and exploring my lung became the surgery in my future. Weeks later I was diagnosed with post-radiation pneumonitis. My lung was reacting to the radiation. Treatment? Weeks of steroids. I joked when my surgery was cancelled the first time that it would be the 4th of July before I had this surgery. I was close. My new date June 25. See you in Baltimore ❤️
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