If you've followed along here, you'll remember that I was going into surgery with the hope of not needing chemo or radiation afterwards. No such luck. Even though the surgeon was pleased with what he saw, it was what he couldn't see that we have to worry about now. The margins around my tumor were clear, but of the 13 sampled lymph nodes 6 were "involved". We now have a staging number: T3N1MX. This means my tumor was a stage III - it had invaded the outermost layer of the esophagus. The 'N' stands for Nodes, 1 signifying the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. 'M' is the biggie - Metastasis, or the spread to lymph nodes and other organs. In my case, they BELIEVE it has been contained in nearby lymph nodes, but since they cannot rule out other "mets", my number here is 'X' for "cannot be determined"; or, on some charts it is M1, meaning it has spread to nearby nodes. Numbers play a big part in any cancer struggle. But I take the attitude that they are just numbers. I intend to create my own set of meaningful numbers, beginning with the successful completion of 27 radiation treatments and 4 months of chemo. |
Rick Gardner's Esophageal Cancer Story Page Three |
Rick's Battle With The Beast |
Post-Op Recovery, Radiation & Chemo |
So... now, because it only takes ONE tiny malignant renegade cell, My team and I decide it's best to do the chemo & radiation thing, just as a safeguard. I have a fanny sack that holds my chemo pump, filled with 5FU, and I carry it around 24/7. I go in to North Coast Cancer Care clinic every Monday to have it refilled. Also, I go in to the Cancer Clinic at Firelands Hospital every afternoon, Mon. - Fri. at 3:30 to be radiated. I developed a dry cough from the radiation pretty quickly. About a half-hour after my radiation treatments I can count on a burning sensation in my gut, and pain I can only describe as cramping. During the second week I was prescribed Zofran for nausea. It does help, but does not take the nausea away completely. For what this stuff costs, I should feel like a million bucks. (See copy of Rx receipt below. These pills cost $2,689.99 for 50 of them! That's 16 days worth of medication - not even a month's worth!) Again, I say a prayer of thanks that I have prescription insurance. By the end of week three I am losing weight at a pretty good clip (5 lbs in one week). I have absolutely no attraction to food. I don't want to smell it, I don't want to think about it - I don't even want the Food Network to be playing on TV. I have a nasty metallic taste in my mouth that nothing takes away. Also there's this continuous slime in my throat and the back of my mouth. The staff at the clinic tell me to think of food as medicine - something I just gotta get down. I look forward to the day I will once again enjoy a good steak. |
If you've followed along here, you'll remember that I was going into surgery with the hope of not needing chemo or radiation afterwards. No such luck. Even though the surgeon was pleased with what he saw, it was what he couldn't see that we have to worry about now. The margins around my tumor were clear, but of the 13 sampled lymph nodes 6 were "involved". We now have a staging number: T3N1MX. This means my tumor was a stage III - it had invaded the outermost layer of the esophagus. The 'N' stands for Nodes, 1 signifying the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. 'M' is the biggie - Metastasis, or the spread to lymph nodes and other organs. In my case, they BELIEVE it has been contained in nearby lymph nodes, but since they cannot rule out other "mets", my number here is 'X' for "cannot be determined"; or, on some charts it is M1, meaning it has spread to nearby nodes. Numbers play a big part in any cancer struggle. But I take the attitude that they are just numbers. I intend to create my own set of meaningful numbers, beginning with the successful completion of 27 radiation treatments and 4 months of chemo. |
My surgeon released me from the hospital with only the following food restrictions: No carbonated drinks, no lettuce, no popcorn. Other than that, I can eat what I want - after I find out what I can tolerate. I eat small amounts several times a day. I have to try to make sure everything I put in my mouth has some nutrition, and I don't drink too much liquid when I eat. Those small pudding, jello and fruit cups meant for kid's lunches work well for the in-between meal times. I have oatmeal just about every morning, and the day seems to go better. I try to eat something every couple of hours, although after starting chemo & radiation I really had to force myself. I have to be careful of sugar - it is the one thing that will bring on the "dumping" syndrome that so many patients put up with after this type of surgery. I seem to be one of the lucky ones. I can tolerate some dairy, (have a little ice cream most evenings!) and I usually only have to go through the "dumping" thing every few days. One good thing...no one is worrying about my cholesterol right now. |
Food, Technically Speaking... |
Really attractive body art, don't you think? The six blue crosses are where I am radiated. You can also see my chemo tubing that runs from my fanny sack into my port. |
this kind of cancer is called The Beast? I'm beginning to understand why. |
Did you know... |
A Good Day... is getting my breakfast oatmeal down in the morning, getting a shower, walking the dog then and working out in the yard a bit before lunchtime. Most days I try to throw some brush in the chipper for an hour or so, literally "chipping" away at that pile from the tree that came down while I was in the hospital. I usually will take a nap before we go in for radiation. After I get home from there, I'm usually DONE IN for the day. At the end of March I decided to take the pre- retirement leave that was being offered as one of the buy-outs from Ford. Although I was not really ready to retire yet ( I had 28 and 1/2 years in), Robyne and I decided this is a good thing for me to do at this time. Although I miss the PEOPLE at work, I don't miss the work for a minute. |
April, 2006: |
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