Esophageal Stage 3 Cancer

1 minute read time.

FormerMember

13 Jun 2010

I had a hard time figuring out how to post anything, and if I've done anything wrong by going about it this way, I apologize.

I am from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA

I was diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal Cancer last October 30, 2009. (Stage 3 T3/N1/MO)

I went through 206 hrs continuous chemo infusion plus 28 radiations in 5.5 weeks.(Chemo was two sessions of 103 hrs continuously on the 1st and 5th week and radiation 5 days per week. Hell, that almost killed me-:)

I had about 5 weeks off, then the Ivor Lewis surgery done February 24, 2010 at Mayo Clinic.

I've had some pretty serious complications and right now am concerned about the pain I still have in my abdomen. It feels like I have about 500 lbs on my stomach just compressing and never letting up. It becomes hard to even get a breath.

I've spent about 25 days in the local hospital here since the surgery. 5 ER runs doubled up on the floor of my brother's truck for the 20 mile ride there. I was given Dilaudid, even at Mayo, for pain. I'm now dependent on it and have a pain pump so I can be home.

My colon was going into spasms after the surgery, and they feel that's what what was causing (ay still be) thhe original pain

I've been weaning myself off the Dilaudid as best I can, cutting my dosage back so far from 2mg per hr through my PICCLine down to 1.3mg every 45 minutes, should I desire. I never did do more than about 14mg per day. I've cut myself down to about 6.5mg per day in the last 2.5 weeks. It's been like mental torture to do so. The pump and ability to push the button is at my fingertips 24/7. I push it about 5-6 times per day right now

I've done enough reading to know that it well could be the Dilaudid causing the pain (Hyperalgesia).

My question would be if anybody else has been in a similar situation and if the pain I feel in my abdomen especially after I eat anything is normal. It's like somebody tightening a vise around my whole abdomen continuously.

Thank You-

Dave

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi,

I did get really awful pain but it started with the J tube feeding I couldn't tolerate it and that caused the pain like you are describing which was continuous eased only by pain killers and a reduction to 50ml per hour of food through it .

I was told it is because my system is learning to deal with food again and I got an infection from the tube which had to clear once the tube was out.

Once the tube was out and my tum settled (took about two weeks) I found eating soft food or chewing well and very small amounts by that I mean an egg cup full every one to two hours for this period. Then slowly started to eat other foods. Carbs cause me the type of pain you describe mainly now so I eat only small amounts of them to get my body used to dealing with them. I also drank small amounts every half an hour and no fizzy drinks for a while. Don't know if this is any help at all.

Cheers Liz
- Cancel
- Up 0 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel
FormerMember over 15 years ago

Thanks, again for your responses.

I've done 3 shots since midnight last night and plan to cut the dose back to 1.1mg this Wednesday or Thursday. we'll see.

The best I feel is in the morning when I first get up. Once I start eating, the tightness starts, and continually increases, and the day basically goes downhill from there.

I've started to exercise/ workout again with homemade weight stuff I have in the basement.

I'm extremely weak. I guess losing 30 lbs will do that.

Starting very light, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment. I've been trying to get out and walk, too.

Good luck to all-

Dave
- Cancel
- Up 0 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel