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Innkeeper · 11-01-2007, 08:18 PM,

I have a malignant tumor at the top of my esophagus. I've been told they caught it in a very early stage, and that there is a possibility of being cured. I didn't and don't have any of the symptoms, and feel fine at this point.

~~Bucko~~ · 11-01-2007, 09:44 PM,

Yikes! Sorry to hear that, IK. Early treatment for esophageal cancer is imperative. I caught same very early on one of my patients, sent him to a top cancer center, and seven years later he is still kicking. Don't mess around with Bubba's Hospital -- get to a top cancer center.

TheEngineer · 11-01-2007, 10:36 PM,

Sorry to hear that IK. Focus on your health now and know that we are all behind you!

hotwine · 11-01-2007, 11:22 PM,

Egads! Grateful it was found early IK. Hang in there.

My neighbor was found to have prostate cancer in 1994 and given six months to live. He's still going strong at 83. Wishing you a similar outcome.

dananne · 11-01-2007, 11:31 PM,

Glad they caught it early, and glad you feel good at this point, but of course you'll be in our thoughts.

Drew · 11-02-2007, 05:21 AM,

Very sorry to hear that, Ik, and thank God it was discovered early...you're in our thoughts.

Drew

winoweenie · 11-02-2007, 09:46 AM,

So sorry to read that IK. Will definately have CB put you on her prayer list. I'll give you a call tomorrow. BPR, WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 11-02-2007).]

Thomas · 11-02-2007, 10:05 AM,

IK, sorry to hear it also.

Look, Anne's mother had esophagus cancer. As Bucko says, it's not one to hand over to the under-informed medical center.

Email me if you want to talk about it.

Innkeeper · 11-02-2007, 10:54 AM,

I think I'm in good hands. Our Frisbie Center for Cancer Care here is a part of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. My cancer doctor is a fellow called Vivek Samnotra, and he teaches at Dartmouth-Hitchcock as well.

There is an excellent thoratic surgeon here who we are going to see first. Both Samnotra and my ENT guy think highly of him. He is also not a cowboy. If he has any hesitation about doing it, they will send me up to Hanover.

In the meantime, I go in Monday for Dr Knox the ENT guy to thoroughly check out my head and throat taking multiple biopsies to insure that all this didn't start up there. They are also scheduling me for a PET scan which is a newer test that has you swallow a sugar cube treated with a radioactive isatope, that lights you up whereever it finds a cancer.

Once they narrow it down to just the esophagus, they will either shrink it down some and/or start cutting away.

wondersofwine · 11-02-2007, 11:22 AM,

My heart dropped when I read your news. Can't imagine what it's like for you and Bev and children, grandchildren. I will add you along with Georgie on our prayer board at church.

Teaching hospitals can be very fine. My nephew's daughter Meredith received great care after birth at the New Haven/Yale Hospital and follow-up for a couple years by developmental specialists. She's a thriving three-year old now reporting from her backseat child seat on baby brother Ben--"Benny's crying. Benny's lost his pacifier. Benny's spitting up" etc.

Your strong faith will be invaluable as you battle this disease. Best wishes!

wineguruchgo · 11-02-2007, 12:42 PM,

Wow - so sorry to hear this. Now is the time to keep your thoughts positive. Positive thinking is a very powerful thing. Also, there is going to be a lot of talk flying around you that you aren't going to understand. If so, make them take the time to explain anything and everything to you. If something doesn't feel right to you, intuitively, then ask questions and get a second opinion.

My Dad was given a short time to "live" and was such a pain in the ass, that he lived and asked questions for years!

You're fortunate because you have the internet and can research a lot of this on your own. Unanswered questions not only nag you but they become much bigger issues in your own mind.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Be strong! Be positive! You can overcome this!

I think when you are in remission that we should all pop a bottle of our favorite bubbly at the same time, across the country and toast you.

[This message has been edited by wineguruchgo (edited 11-02-2007).]

PinotEnvy · 11-02-2007, 04:46 PM,

My best wishes for kicking cancer's tush.

Kcwhippet · 11-02-2007, 08:06 PM,

I'm so sorry to hear this news, Carl. I sure hope it all works out well for you. We'll keep you in our prayers.

TheEngineer · 11-03-2007, 10:17 AM,

IK,

Stay positive and stay strong to fight this! Thanks for the update and we are all behind you!

winophite · 11-03-2007, 10:48 AM,

The powers of prayer is amazing. God hears them all. Best wishes beating this disease. CA treatment programs have proven to be successful especially when started early. Positive attitude plays a big role. Keep your spirits high and trust in the Man upstairs. WP

Findnfish · 11-04-2007, 12:35 AM,

My families thoughts and prayers are with you. The big "C" word is kinda scary, but with a positive attitude and support we all think you can kick it's tail.

Glass_A_Day · 11-04-2007, 10:03 PM,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you IK. It seems this damn C word just keeps coming up lately. Please keep us all informed.

***Jackie*** · 11-13-2007, 05:20 PM,

IK. Please let us know how you are doing. We care so much about you and are your friends through thick and thin.

If they are talking about surgery, ask them about post-operative therapy. I have heard that the muscles involved in swallowing can be affected by this, and one has to learn again how to swallow. I hope this is not an issue for you.

We love you.

Jackie

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