Post Chemo/Radiation

As many of you know Steve completed his aggressive chemo and radiation treatments on November 6th, a little over 4-weeks ago. This week he is back at MD Anderson undergoing various diagnostic tests to re-stage his esophageal cancer:

• Today he had blood work, a resting EKG, x-rays and a CT scan.
• Tomorrow, he is scheduled for the PET Scan.
• Wednesday he has the day off.
• Thursday an endoscope.
• Friday he'll have a stress test and he and Denbie will consult with his doctors.

Next Monday Steve will have an additional consult and then check into the hospital Tuesday morning for his esophagectomy.

From what the doctors have told him and what we have read on the internet, Steve will be in the hospital 7-10 days after the surgery and then two additional weeks with significant home care. After about three weeks, Steve should be able to start swallowing on his own and after about 6 weeks begin back on solid foods. There will be some long term lifestyle changes Steve will need to adopt as a result of the esophagectomy, such as eating smaller meals more frequently and maintaining proper upright posture while and after eating. But in the end, to be cancer free, will make all the hard work and sacrafices worth it.

On a separate note, the nerve sensitivity from the shingles and the medications finally seem to be reaching an equilibrium. Whether it is from the increased dose of medication his doctror prescribed or the nerves are finally leveling out, we just don't know, but he is finally getting some relief. The medicines do make him a bit groggy and it is difficult to concentrate for an extended period of time, but he welcomes the relief from the pain and hopefully soon he will be able to phase off of the nerve medication.

Please send your love, thoughts and prayers to Steve and Denbie.