Good news!

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

NinaW - 26 Apr 2006 23:36 GMT

Hi,

I thought I would post a happy update on my father who has
adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and has passed the 6-9 month average
life expectancy he was given.

He got test results today and they were very good. His cancer markers
measured through blood work are still coming down (880?). His CT showed
that the lymph node involvement has been reduced, one example given to
him was a node previously measuring 2.9 cm now measures 1.9 cm. What
were thought to be liver mets, he has now been told, could actually be
liver cysts. The spots on his liver and his liver in general has
remained unchanged.

My family is happy and excited about this news! Dad is planning a
fishing trip for the end of June and excited to be going. He and Mom
are planning short weekends away to a few of their favorite local
spots.

This news is really a blessing since we heard news of another man we
know through mutual friends who just passed away from the same thing as
Dad, was diagnosed at the same time and was younger by a few years than
Dad.

Tears of JOY!!!!

Best wishes to all,
Nina

Reply to this Message

J - 27 Apr 2006 11:20 GMT

> I thought I would post a happy update on my father who has
> adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and has passed the 6-9 month average
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Dad, was diagnosed at the same time and was younger by a few years than
> Dad.

Cautiously happy for you all, Nina.
Hugs
J

Reply to this Message

clifto - 27 Apr 2006 19:36 GMT

> He got test results today and they were very good. His cancer markers
> measured through blood work are still coming down (880?). His CT showed
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> liver cysts. The spots on his liver and his liver in general has
> remained unchanged.

This is great news, but don't let down your guard. Keep checking it
at short intervals, at least for a good while.

I'm smiling for you and dad.

Signature

All relevant people are pertinent.
All rude people are impertinent.
Therefore, no rude people are relevant.
-- Solomon W. Golomb

Reply to this Message

NinaW - 27 Apr 2006 22:07 GMT

Thanks!
This is not a vacation, not by a long shot. This is reason to keep
fighting and staying on top of it. Cancer is one thing where kicking it
when it is down is a GOOD idea.

This is motivation to keep working, Dad is itching to keep fighting it!

Nina

Reply to this Message

J - 28 Apr 2006 12:51 GMT

> Thanks!
> This is not a vacation, not by a long shot. This is reason to keep
> fighting and staying on top of it. Cancer is one thing where kicking it
> when it is down is a GOOD idea.
>
> This is motivation to keep working, Dad is itching to keep fighting it!

Hi Nina,
I hope you don't get turned off by my replies.
SEER doesn't have any markers for esophageal, so I don't what markers
you're talking about.
http://training.seer.cancer.gov/module_diagnostic/unit03_tumor_markers.html

I wondered why they don't biopsy the liver "lesions" to know for sure.
And responses are responses (ie feels better when the lymph nodes have
shrunk); but if it's (chemo) working for your Dad, I won't try to "fix" it.

J

Reply to this Message

NinaW - 28 Apr 2006 17:22 GMT

Hi,
I don't know what markers either.... I just trust is what they are
saying.
As for the liver, I suppose that they may eventually biopsy the lesions
if he continues to improve and those remain unchanged. I can't see any
other reason to do the biopsy otherwise, it would not change the course
of treatment at this point no matter what they are.

Nina

Reply to this Message

J - 29 Apr 2006 01:36 GMT

> I don't know what markers either.... I just trust is what they are
> saying.
> As for the liver, I suppose that they may eventually biopsy the lesions
> if he continues to improve and those remain unchanged. I can't see any
> other reason to do the biopsy otherwise, it would not change the course
> of treatment at this point no matter what they are.

Hello Nina,
Thanks for your reply.
I suppose I was thinking of RT (or surgery, depending on the details) if
the liver lesions were cancer.
But maybe they wouldn't do surgery since it's been found in his bone and RT
to the liver, would probably be palliative.
Hugs
J

Reply to this Message

NinaW - 29 Apr 2006 22:34 GMT

J,

We don't know about the bone mets. I keep asking but there has been no
mention in any CT reports. There was a "hot spot" on the pet scan which
was believed to bone mets to a rib, I don't know if it could have been
something else.

Anyways, if palliative lasts for years, that's fine! We are still
hoping for years instead of months.
Nina

Reply to this Message

J - 30 Apr 2006 01:01 GMT

> We are still hoping for years instead of months.

I'm with you on that, Nina.
Hugs
J

Reply to this Message