It has been a very long several weeks with many more yet to come. We met with the thoracic surgeon and then the oncologist this morning. The good news is that the PET/CT scan showed that the cancer had not spread beyond the esophagus and the area lymph nodes. Very good news. The cancer is Stage II- T1,N1 We now have to wade our way through the decision-making process on the course of treatment. We are going to seek a couple other opinions regarding the different approaches. Most simply the question is 1. surgery or no surgery, 2) chemo/radiation when. This morning the doctors proposed chemo/radiation (approx 5-6 weeks), then recovery from chemo for approx 3 weeks, then surgery, then chemo/radiation once Roger recovered from surgery.
The proposed surgery would be the removal of the entire esophagus, moving the stomach up and then attaching it to the bottom of the throat. Obviously very aggressive & very invasive. He would have three incision sites - one on the side towards the back about 3 inches long, one on the belly from the bottom of the breast bone to the belly button, and then a third at the side of the neck. Hospital time of about 7-10 days, low-key-do-nothing downtime for 4-6 weeks, and then slowly moving back into a moderately active life. As anticipated, diet would change for a long time but would supposedly go back to "semi-normal". The surgeon said that the removal of the esophagus - while invasive - is the best assurance that the cancer will not return. So aggressive yes...but worth the risk???
One funny from the visit this morning (because you know we are about laughing) - as we were talking to the surgeon who wall all of 34 yrs old maybe. We were discussing the surgery and the incisions. Roger very earnestly and very seriously looked at the doctor and asked something about the incisions, the recovery process, working out, or something like that and then said "well, I need to know this and how I will be because I'm a swimsuit model". The poor doctor looked a little stunned with deer-in-the-headlights expression on his face...stammered...stuttered...and simply didn't know what to say. Finally the laughter pouring out of me gave the joke away. Poor guy.
The oncologist gave us a glimmer of hope that chemo/radiation could POSSIBLY arrest the cancer and "kill" (or whatever the term should be) the tumor(s)...Roger then asked "so that would mean the cancer was gone and I wouldn't need surgery"... Perfect world. Yes. But obviously we don't live in a perfect world. If we did...we wouldn't be going through this life-changing experience. I think the doctors, at least at IU Cancer Center, would prefer a combo of chemo/radiation and surgery. The doctors would like to start the chemo next week if we would agree.
We are going to seek a second, possibly a third opinion - in hopes that there will be overlap of opinion. Til then, the gathering of information continues.
Tonight should prove to be better sleep for a lot of people. Breathe in. Breathe out.
You get anywhere on figuring out which way is up?
ReplyDeleteI'm, of course, trapped in the perspective of my own experience with my mother's lung cancer - so many things different that I don't even know how to begin to compare the two - but I'm all about aggressive. We wanted Mom to have chemo after the surgery which removed the upper lobe of her lung, where the (one) tumor was located. After the surgery, no test that the doctors could perform indicated there was any cancer left, and so she had no chemo. And in less than a year, it was back.
I don't mean to sound all doom-and-gloomy, but Roger is young and strong and healthy enough to be a swimsuit model, which means that he *is* strong enough to do well with the aggressive treatment. So unless Dr. Second Opinion disagrees...
However, it's possible (because how would I know?) that Roger's type of cancer is sufficiently different from Mom's that this logic is completely inapplicable. I guess my main point is that if this isn't the time for going all out, when is?
all my love, Tina
I am so relieved to learn the cancer has not spread!
ReplyDeleteSo the doctors are giving you 3 to 1 odds. Knowing Roger the way I do, I like dem odds!
ReplyDeleteFollow your instincts, they will guide you to calmer waters...until then, you are in my prayers.
Goodgoodgoodgood news! You're doing exactly the right thing--getting those opinions and weighing options. No cakewalk ahead, but so much better than it would have been if this thing had been allowed to loiter in the shadows. The new normal is looking a lot more like the old normal, now. Congratulations--and much love--to you both.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful that it has not spread!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep those happy thoughts and laughter coming.
Laughter is after all the best medicine.
And you guys are good at it.! That is a wonderful thing.
Thanks again for all the info on the blog.
Much love and prayers to you both as well as Denise and Jackie.
Aunt Jacki
Angie and Roger - Dick and I think you should go with the least invasive approach that has the most success. Ask yr doctor what the success rate is for patiests who elect chemo only, as opposed to those who elect the combo with surgery. Without our knowing the size or location of the lesion, which may influence yr decision, a total esophagectomy seems awfully radical as the first treatment option.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us updated. --Evie
OK, I am going to be the first to point this piece of good news out. The chemo should not affect Rogers hairline...much.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above comments of swimsuit modeling and young age. (Even though Roger was eyeing the comfort and civility of that white Buick of my in laws last month!)
Thanks for the updates.
Love M and G