Hello Anne,
I was pleeased to read you've a solution for the dermatitis.

Maybe you could stat the blog for Marianne, including the peaceful photos you
describe.
Make sure they're thumbnails for those of us on dialup and/or not enough computer
"juice".
I think it would be a great way to start a blog especially for someone who has a
serious illness.
Once it's started she may get involved. In any event, you may need to update it,
on occasion (so both of you should have access and passwords, whatever is
required).
Be sure and ask her who she does not want to share (it) with.

Just a thought, for what it's worth.

Best of luck with the weeds.  Rain and grass growing keeps me busy. :)
J

Yes, I told Marianne about Caring Bridge, and I believe that she
has read some of the blogs, but hasn't been inspired, as yet, to
contribute.  I'm sure that she finds it encouraging to find that
others
are going through the same see-saw of emotions that she is
experiencing.

My youngest son is currently in India, and I have asked him to send me
some Neem oil, which is said to be a sovereign remedy for many skin
complaints, though I've never actually used it myself.  I have an
interest
in Ayurvedic medicine, as well as "alternative" remedies.

We had a wonderfully relaxing couple of hours last night - after we
had driven some 40+ miles to get some delicious Italian ice cream
for Marianne - she accompanied us, and enjoyed herself.  Who wouldn't
enjoy themselves, sampling ice cream?  ;-)

A couple of summers ago, I had a "retreat" built at the top of the
garden,
with views to the mountains to the north, and down the Tay to the
east.
It was something I had planned for 40 years, and it has been the
greatest
source of pleasure, more especially now.  The peace and solitude heal
my soul.  Of course there's no electricity installed - that would have
spoilt
the ambience, so illumination is provided by candles - many, many
candles.
(I would send you some photos of my views, if only I had an address,
and
my mail delivery was reliable.)

With a glass of chilled white wine - who could ask for more?  Last
night's
entertainment was provided by the neighbours next door.  They have two
sons living and working in LA, so they held a 4th of July party, with
music
and fireworks.  Very enjoyable it was too.

Now I'm off into the garden.  The weeds are taking advantage of the
current situation...  ;-)

--
AnneJ

Hello Anne,
I'm pleased to hear about Maggie's. I'd heard about one centre before but was unaware they had their own webpage, so much to
offer and such interesting and fun fund-raising events. Looks like a wonderful resource for your daughter.
Carers can go there as well; for your grand-daughter or you, if you find you would like a relaxing break.

As to blogs, I posted about Caring Bridge blogs http://www.caringbridge.org/ in case you're daughter is interested.
I've heard good things about it and is great to keep everyone (who has a computer) informed.

I'm sorry to hear about the dermatitis. For some reason, oatmeal bath comes to mind, but that could be all wrong.
(haven't researched it).  I did get something like that a few years back, but determined it was too much bleach (from 2
sources), in the wash.

This newsgroup has been quiet for a number of reasons. This weekend's been the US 4th of July celebration.
If you find it too quiet, there's over 2,200 people on the ACOR Esophageal Cancers Discussion List

It's Sunday here,  Hopefully you've had some time to relax a bit?

Best,
J

Can there be anything more aggravating than an organisation which buys
a small ISP primarily because of their "loyal customer base" then
proceeds
to make changes without notification - and when things go wrong seem
not to even bother trying to fix the problem?  We're all feeling a bit
like
"mushrooms" except there's no feeding of any kind going on.  I started
up
a Google group for Zetnet subscribers when Breathe took over, so that
we
had somewhere to go to keep in touch when things went wrong, and I
didn't
even realise just how "wrong" things were going to be... Subscribers
are
leaving Zetnet in droves, now.

I'm keeping in touch, via Facebook, with many friends and family who
have Facebook accounts,  Some others are kept informed via SMS
text messages, and one or two I call on the phone.  I'm encouraging
my daughter to  set up a blog, so that they can access that.  It all
takes time, and I have so much more to do at the business, since my
grand-daughter who is normally in charge there is spending a lot of
time with her mother - but the letters and quotes must still go out,
or
the business ceases to function, and we'll all be in the "deep and
smelly".

I'm about ready to.  I just can't waste time with an ISP that has, to
all
intents and purposes, ceased to function.  My son is in the process of
sorting email facilities from my own domain, but I'll need to sort out
something reliable for newsgroup access.  That's what's keeping me
sane - at the moment (although some times I wonder!) ;-)

Well, I've been around for what seems like a very long time...  <G>

The hospital staff were wonderful - and the Maggie's centre, well,
there is
no praise high enough for the helpers or the concept.  Every hospital
with
the facilities to treat cancer should have a Maggie's Centre...
http://www.maggiescentres.org/maggies/maggiescentres/home/centres/dundee/introdu
ction.html?gclid=CP2NqKmiuZsCFZgU4wodvBLUCQ

All seems to be well, today.  We'll see how things go for the next
week or so.
My daughter has an appointment to be measured for a wig - isn't the
NHS
wonderful!  How we would have coped if we had to pay for treatment, I
hate
to think...  I've had a diagnosis for a persistent rash on my calves -
it's
dermatitis.  Something I've never suffered from in all my 67 years!
Worry
can manifest itself in so many different ways, can't it.

Thank you J

--
AnneJ

I will be here, as long as the computer (and body) stay "humming". :)
Thanks for the info.

I see that zednet is making changes and having glitches.
When such happens with my ISP, there's often difficulties accessing and/or error messages.
There was also a message there about ZIMACS (which is in your headers).

Don't give up on them yet.
I see you're a Usenet pro. :)
I have a list of other resources (using newsreaders instead of Google) should the problems continue (some free).
It's important to (be able to) block certain posters here.
Since you weren't archiving, other Googlers may not see your posts.

No apologies necessary.  We understand you've other priorities.
How did things go at the hospital?
I'll watch for your updates.
Take care.
J

It's Adeno, or so she remembers from her first consulation
with her specialist.  They are giving her E C F, according to
my granddaughter who went with her when she was
admitted to the hospital today.

(Sorry about the delay in my reply - my news server appears
to have gone AWOL, and I'm having to post through Google.
Such a cumbersome procedure!)

I think we're in for a hectic six months or so...

--
AnneJ

Since you're in Scotland, here's the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines
http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/published/numlist.html
Management of oesophageal and gastric cancer is # 87

I'm unsure whether your grand-daughter should read it.
Depends on her age and ability to cope with it.

It will be interestiing to hear which type (Squamous or Adeno) she has and
which chemo (or chemos) they'll be giving her.
Take care. Sounds like you'll be very busy.
J

Thank you Bobert.  There will not be any radiation.

The first specialist she saw said that they would do three courses
of chemotherapy, then a scan to see if the tumour had shrunk, then
possibly more chemo before removal, and then further chemo to
ensure that the lymphatic system was clear.  

Then she saw the oncologist, and removal of the tumour was never
mentioned.  They are going to do six courses of chemo, spaced
three-weeks apart, and see how it goes from there.  The cancer is
in the lymphatic system, they told her.

We are in the UK, by the way, so treatment is free on the NHS.

Anne,

J will be chiming in soon with info and web sites, so in the meantime
I'll try to suggest things that be in her future.  

If they attack with radiation, she will probably get a feeding tube
installed.  I had radiation to Lung Cancer tumor that was near my
esophagus. As the esophagus gets radiation, it will get radiation burns
that are described as like a sunburn in your throat.  Food will irritate
the throat and swallowing will be painful if not impossible.  I survived
on smoothies and milk shakes.  Soft scrambled eggs and yogurt were about
the only thing I could get down with a minimal pain.  Thus the feeding
tube will make it easier to get nutrition.  The important thing is to
keep her weight up.  Not eating will guarantee weight loss.  Lots of ice
cream was my solution.   Popsicles will help to cool and soothe throat
and hydrate her mouth.

Others here will have more info, but I just wanted to get you started
with some info.   Best wishes for your daughter.  

Bobert

She was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus
earlier this month.  It is stage 4.

She is 45 y.o. and I wondered if anyone here would
like to comment, or offer advice.