Chapter 2
Living with a Stent

Chapter 3
Living with Palliative Care

Sections

1)
Introduction
Background
Endoscopy
2)
Initial Diagnosis
3)
Telling the family
4)
First Appointment
Taking the tests
5)
Second appointment after tests
6)
Treatment -Chemotherapy and Radiation
7)
Remission
8)
Coping at Night
Coping with Fear
9)
Relationship with Doctors
Keeping Track of Medications
10)
Deciding on a Stent
Conclusion

Last Revised, 05-Nov-2002
Copyright © 2002

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Introduction

        This handout was produced for those of us who have been diagnosed with EC and are now living with it. It was written with the hope that my experience living with cancer and how I am coping may be of some help to others.  Keep in mind that we all react to cancer and its treatments in our own unique way. This is a personal account and what
works for me may not necessarily work for you. Hopefully it may help you avoid some of the pitfalls I went through.

Background

        I am a male and was 61 years old at the time of my diagnosis of EC and was well over weight at 238 lb. at 5’ 9”. I had retired from a high stress job in computer systems. I had a history of constant heartburn and had kept bottles of antacids in every room at work, at home and in the car! To give you an idea of the time frame of  the events or milestones I will include dates.

        I noticed difficulty eating for the first time in February, 1998. I first saw a doctor about March 1998.  I was initially treated for stomach troubles and over the next few months things got distracted by a drug reaction and to make a long story short I was not sent for an Endoscopy until December 4, 1998. At that time I was diagnosed with EC

Endoscopy

        At some point you will have to have an Endoscopy to make an initial diagnosis. The Dr. may tell you what he expects to find or what he wants to rule out. If at all possible, bring your spouse or best friend or someone who you know will give you support. I asked the Dr. questions and told him of my fears, i.e. That I was afraid I would gag and panic. I was assured that because of the anesthetic, my gag reflex would not be
active. Have your friend or spouse take notes.

        Ensure you follow the preparation instructions and the  fasting. Again bring your spouse or friend. During the Endoscopy I tried to relax. Don’t be surprised if a different Dr. does the “scope”. They spray your throat with an anesthetic, which tastes terrible but is painless. I was given something to relax me through a needle already inserted in my arm. Do not be afraid to ask questions. My hearing is bad so I had to ask the doctors to repeat the instructions. The instructions were complicated. i.e...... the Dr. said “When I say swallow, swallow a couple of times”! I found that I had absolutely no tendency to gag, mainly as I did not feel the scope in my throat due to the freezing. In my Endoscopy, they discovered that my esophagus was very narrow and when they removed the scope, I found it a little uncomfortable. At no time did I feel any pain.
 
 

Contact
livingwithec@yahoo.com

Note: This email address is only occasionally checked, and due to volume, I am unable to respond to all messages. Nevertheless, feel free to send your thoughts, experiences, or comments.