Prayers for my father...

[-American-]

Another family member needs a prayer. My father who is 70 went for his annual colonoscopy. That went well but in his esophagus a mass roughly 3cm was found. According to the doctor who found it he told my father not to be scared as he doesn't believe it's cancerous. The mass is friable ( meaning soft), but he does want my father to go to a specialist to take a biopsy of it to determine what it is.

My father has Barrett's esophagus, from what I've read people with that condition are at an increased risk for cancer of the esophagus. I've looked up the symptoms of cancer of the esophagus, and my father has not had any of the symptoms associated with it. So we don't know what this tiny mass is.

Anyone else have a similar story? Could it be a cyst?

[johnrocks]

Sorry to hear this, I hope all goes well. My Mom has problems with her esophagus but I've not heard of this Barrett's esophagus before.

[blazer]

praying!

[rhet 2]

Could be a cyst, yes.

Could be lots of other things, too.

Which is why the biopsy.

But, whatever it is, the LORD KNOWS -- and knows exactly how to fix it.

We PRAY!

[birdonawire]

Praying. :pray:

[USMCmom]

American hope all is well and that your parents come through all this with no problems. Am keeping all of you in my prayers.
God Bless

[-American-]

Thanks gang, Feb 2nd is when my father is scheduled for his test. He'll be going to Thomas Jefferson Universtity Hospital in Philidelphia.

[johnrocks]

More prayers:pray::pray::pray:

[rhet 2]

More prayers:pray::pray::pray:

Most assuredly!

[jwil59]

Thanks gang, Feb 2nd is when my father is scheduled for his test. He'll be going to Thomas Jefferson Universtity Hospital in Philidelphia.

I am praying for good results form the test

[USMCmom]

Thanks gang, Feb 2nd is when my father is scheduled for his test. He'll be going to Thomas Jefferson Universtity Hospital in Philidelphia.

Am also praying for your Dad & you my friend as I can only imagine how stressful this is for you!
Take care & God Bless

[jwil59]

Am also praying for your Dad & you my friend as I can only imagine how stressful this is for you!
Take care & God Bless

Yep me too

[-American-]

I got word today from my parents. According the test my father received the doctor is 90% sure he does have cancer of the esophagus, that's the bad news. The good news is it has been caught very early on. According to the test results the cancer is only in the esophagus. That is stage 0 and from what I've read less than 25% of patients are lucky enough to have caught the cancer that early on.

We are waiting for the results to make sure it's cancer and what kind. He will have to have surgery to remove his esophagus. I'm not sure when this will happen.

[blazer]

:hug: :pray:

[rhet 2]

I got word today from my parents. According the test my father received the doctor is 90% sure he does have cancer of the esophagus, that's the bad news. The good news is it has been caught very early on. According to the test results the cancer is only in the esophagus. That is stage 0 and from what I've read less than 25% of patients are lucky enough to have caught the cancer that early on.

We are waiting for the results to make sure it's cancer and what kind. He will have to have surgery to remove his esophagus. I'm not sure when this will happen.

Keep us updated.

Our prayers for a long and health-filled fully active life continue.

:hug:

[-American-]

Quick correction, the results are T2 NO MX which stands for...

T2: Tumor invades muscularis propria
N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed

Not sure what stage that is, the fact the cancer is only in the esophagus and hasn't even spread to the lymph nodes is a good thing.

[rhet 2]

Quick correction, the results are T2 NO MX which stands for...

T2: Tumor invades muscularis propria
N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed

Not sure what stage that is, the fact the cancer is only in the esophagus and hasn't even spread to the lymph nodes is a good thing.

Better than it might be, oh, yes. and for that I'm truly grateful to the ONE Who IS.

But not good enough.

So, we'll keep on praying for complete restoration of full health to extend his life and his labors for the glory of the LORD and the good of his family and friends for a long time to come.

:hug:

[jaggy]

I am praying that the Lord will release more of his healing to your Dad

[jwil59]

Quick correction, the results are T2 NO MX which stands for...

T2: Tumor invades muscularis propria
N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed

Not sure what stage that is, the fact the cancer is only in the esophagus and hasn't even spread to the lymph nodes is a good thing.

I am still praying buddy

[-American-]

Thanks gang,

On Tuesday my father will have a CT scan to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else. We hope and pray it is contained in the esophagus, because once that is removed he will be cancer free.

[rhet 2]

Thanks gang,

On Tuesday my father will have a CT scan to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else. We hope and pray it is contained in the esophagus, because once that is removed he will be cancer free.

Then that is how we shall pray. Especially on Tuesday.

:hug:

[-American-]

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

My father just got the results from the CT scan. The results showed the cancer has not spread, that it is contained in the esophagus wall.

From what I have read on cancer of the esophagus it is rare for it to be found before it spreads. The vast majority of those diagnoised with cancer of the esophagus are diagnoised to late. My father is extremely lucky. He will have surgery to remove most of his esophagus (and the cancer). When then happens he'll be cancer free.

Thank God

[rhet 2]

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

My father just got the results from the CT scan. The results showed the cancer has not spread, that it is contained in the esophagus wall.

From what I have read on cancer of the esophagus it is rare for it to be found before it spreads. The vast majority of those diagnoised with cancer of the esophagus are diagnoised to late. My father is extremely lucky. He will have surgery to remove most of his esophagus (and the cancer). When then happens he'll be cancer free.

Thank God

YES!

Thank the LORD of All Mercy and Hope, indeed! :dance:

[-American-]

This coming Tuesday my father will be talking with the doctor on the plan. I believe they will discuss the surgery to remove the esophagus and cancereous mass in it.

My father is extremely lucky, it was a good thing the doctor decided to give my father a endescope. Otherwise he would not have had another until sometime next year. It would have been to late by then. All in all after the surgery he will be cancer free.

[rhet 2]

This coming Tuesday my father will be talking with the doctor on the plan. I believe they will discuss the surgery to remove the esophagus and cancereous mass in it.

My father is extremely lucky, it was a good thing the doctor decided to give my father a endescope. Otherwise he would not have had another until sometime next year. It would have been to late by then. All in all after the surgery he will be cancer free.

This Tuesday, we will be praying for both your father and his doc. May the LORD guide them both to wise and, literally, healthy decisions.

When you know the date of the surgery, we'll be praying then too.

:hug:

[jwil59]

This coming Tuesday my father will be talking with the doctor on the plan. I believe they will discuss the surgery to remove the esophagus and cancereous mass in it.

My father is extremely lucky, it was a good thing the doctor decided to give my father a endescope. Otherwise he would not have had another until sometime next year. It would have been to late by then. All in all after the surgery he will be cancer free.

My prayers that the surgery goes well

[-American-]

March 25th will the day of the surgery. It will take place at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Literally less than a minute from where I lived as a kid.

He will have his esophagus removed and the stomach pulled up. He will be in the hospital for roughly a week with a temporary feeding tube. The feeding tube will be in until he heals and can eat normally again.

[Seanachie]

Hello American,

My prayers are 'in' to the Good Lord that your Dad come through all of this in darn good shape.

May the Good Lord Bless your Dad, You, and your entire Family, with abundant Blessings.

Be well,

Jim

[stoked]

We're rooting for you honey.

[rhet 2]

We're rooting for you honey.

Yep.

Especially on the 25th -- good day for prayer.

[itsrea]

I'm praying too American.

[USMCmom]

Am praying for your Dad American...
God Bless

[jwil59]

How is your dad American?

[-American-]

How is your dad American?

He's doing just fine. You'd never know he was about to have major surgery by talking to him.

[-American-]

Tomorrow is the day of my father's surgery. Please pray everything goes well.

[rhet 2]

Tomorrow is the day of my father's surgery. Please pray everything goes well.

I'm so glad he's upbeat about tomorrow.

I'll be with you in thought and prayer. May the LORD of All Grace be hovering over him until he's fully recovered and back on the go -- and continue to hover for his entire life through. :hug:

[Seanachie]

Hello American,

My prayers are with your Father and to the Good Lord that the surgery on the morrow come out very well. May the Good Lord Bless your Dad's Surgeons from His hands to theirs.

God Bless Your Dad, You and your Family,

Jim

[-American-]

Here is the latest...

My father, my mom, my sister and my older brother and I arrived at the Christiana Hospital at 7:00 a.m. this morning, in Newark. He went in for surgery at 9:00. It took roughly six hours but it was successful. They removed his esophagus (along with the cancerous mass) and pulled his stomach up. It's called a esophagectomy. A portion of the stomach is then pulled up into the chest and connected to the remaining normal portion of the esophagus. The "new" esophagus is made up of the normal portion of the esophagus not removed at surgery connected to a portion of the stomach pulled up into the chest.

They also determine he has no other cancer in his body which is great news. They did find a spot on his liver and one of his lymph nodes was enlarged. They did a biopsy and the results came back normal. He'll have to change the way he eats and drinks which will probably take some getting used to. He'll have to eat five small meals aday (rather than three large meals) and drinking liquids will have to be done before eating. Other than that he should be fine.

[johnrocks]

This is great news! glad all went well.

[Seanachie]

Here is the latest...

My father, my mom, my sister and my older brother and I arrived at the Christiana Hospital at 7:00 a.m. this morning, in Newark. He went in for surgery at 9:00. It took roughly six hours but it was successful. They removed his esophagus (along with the cancerous mass) and pulled his stomach up. It's called a esophagectomy. A portion of the stomach is then pulled up into the chest and connected to the remaining normal portion of the esophagus. The "new" esophagus is made up of the normal portion of the esophagus not removed at surgery connected to a portion of the stomach pulled up into the chest.

They also determine he has no other cancer in his body which is great news. They did find a spot on his liver and one of his lymph nodes was enlarged. They did a biopsy and the results came back normal. He'll have to change the way he eats and drinks which will probably take some getting used to. He'll have to eat five small meals aday (rather than three large meals) and drinking liquids will have to be done before eating. Other than that he should be fine.


Hello American,

Good news indeed. I hope and I pray that the 'good news' continues to Bless your Dad.

Be well,

Jim

[itsrea]

Here is the latest...

My father, my mom, my sister and my older brother and I arrived at the Christiana Hospital at 7:00 a.m. this morning, in Newark. He went in for surgery at 9:00. It took roughly six hours but it was successful. They removed his esophagus (along with the cancerous mass) and pulled his stomach up. It's called a esophagectomy. A portion of the stomach is then pulled up into the chest and connected to the remaining normal portion of the esophagus. The "new" esophagus is made up of the normal portion of the esophagus not removed at surgery connected to a portion of the stomach pulled up into the chest.

They also determine he has no other cancer in his body which is great news. They did find a spot on his liver and one of his lymph nodes was enlarged. They did a biopsy and the results came back normal. He'll have to change the way he eats and drinks which will probably take some getting used to. He'll have to eat five small meals aday (rather than three large meals) and drinking liquids will have to be done before eating. Other than that he should be fine.
This is Greaaaaaaat news!

Thank you Lord, for answered prayer!

[rhet 2]

How is he this brand new day? Our prayers for healing continue. :hug:

[-American-]

How is he this brand new day? Our prayers for healing continue. :hug:

He's doing great, the catheter is out, so is the gastric tube that was down his nose and throat. He's completely cancer free and he's maintaining his weight. Tomorrow he will have a barium swallow test to determine whether there is any leaking from the incisions. They are saying they are planning to release him Tuesday, if the swallow test goes well.

Once he's home he'll have to start on a liquid diet, and a visiting nurse will check in to see how he's doing. Once he's back to eating solid food again they will remove the feeding tube.

[rhet 2]

He's doing great, the catheter is out, so is the gastric tube that was down his nose and throat. He's completely cancer free and he's maintaining his weight. Tomorrow he will have a barium swallow test to determine whether there is any leaking from the incisions. They are saying they are planning to release him Tuesday, if the swallow test goes well.

Once he's home he'll have to start on a liquid diet, and a visiting nurse will check in to see how he's doing. Once he's back to eating solid food again they will remove the feeding tube.

Oh, I do so pray it turns out to be just as easy, simple and do-able as it sounds!

Please keep us posted? :hug:

[blazer]

Praying! :pray:

[-American-]

My father will be coming home tomorrow. His barium swallow test showed everything is working. He'll be home this time tomorrow.

Thank God

[johnrocks]

Great news!!!!

[jwil59]

Good news buddy. Thanks for the update

[-American-]

My father continues to do well. He's been home since Wednesday and is progressing a little faster than expected.:dance:

He shouldn't need the feeding tube for much longer. He's already progress from a liquid diet, to pureed food.

[johnrocks]

Hold him close and let him know you love him, my Dad went home to the Lord in 2000 and I'm so glad I told him that as he did me each and everyday that we spoke.

[-American-]

My dad saw the doctor today, the doctor who did the surgery. During the surgery they removed 22 lymph nodes and according to the pathology report (which they just got back) cancer was found in two of the 22 lymph nodes.

Definitely not the news we wanted to here. My dad is going to see a local cancer center for treatment.

[jwil59]

My dad saw the doctor today, the doctor who did the surgery. During the surgery they removed 22 lymph nodes and according to the pathology report (which they just got back) cancer was found in two of the 22 lymph nodes.

Definitely not the news we wanted to here. My dad is going to see a local cancer center for treatment.

I am praying for your dad buddy...............

hang tough man

[-American-]

So here is the latest. It does appear at the moment my dad is cancer free. As I posted earlier during my dad's surgery to remove his esophagus and the tumor, they also removed 22 lymph nodes. All 22 were tested and only 2 came back positive for cancer.

These lymph nodes that came back positive for cancer were the lymp nodes right next to the esophagus. The doctor seemed optimistic as my father's cancer was at a stage II which is still an early form. That and the other lymph nodes did not have cancer, just the two near the tumor.

According the doctor he told my dad "it" meaning the cancer may come back we just don't know. Which is why it is recommended he have the chemo/radiation treatment, to kill off any cancer cells if there are any.

So I'm optimistic

[itsrea]

It's like all of a sudden prayer is blooming right along with Spring finally being here! I am so happy for you, and so blessed by this answer to prayer, and will continue to pray that good news continues!

:)

[USMCmom]

That is wonderful news American...am keeping your Dad in my prayers!!!
Take Care & God Bless

[JenyEliza]

Awesome news your father is doing well. God is great!

Prayers for a continued and speedy recovery.

My father will be 71 in October. He looks 40 and could run circles around me (46). He says the thing that disappoints him most is that as you get older you start sprouting things you didn't used to grow, in the darndest places. (He and mother both are Melanoma survivors).

God bless your whole family as you all deal wth this journey with cancer.

:hug:

Jeny

[jwil59]

So here is the latest. It does appear at the moment my dad is cancer free. As I posted earlier during my dad's surgery to remove his esophagus and the tumor, they also removed 22 lymph nodes. All 22 were tested and only 2 came back positive for cancer.

These lymph nodes that came back positive for cancer were the lymp nodes right next to the esophagus. The doctor seemed optimistic as my father's cancer was at a stage II which is still an early form. That and the other lymph nodes did not have cancer, just the two near the tumor.

According the doctor he told my dad "it" meaning the cancer may come back we just don't know. Which is why it is recommended he have the chemo/radiation treatment, to kill off any cancer cells if there are any.

So I'm optimistic

THis is good news. I pray the cancer stays gone for good.

[Seanachie]

Hello American,

Your Dad and your entire Family were in my prayers at the Falls yesterday to the 'Big Guy'. Hopefully, your Dad will continue on his way to full recovery from this damnable disease.

Please give your Dad my best regards, and may He and all of you be well,

Jim

[-American-]

Monday May 4th my dad will see the oncologist to plan out his chemo/radiation treatment.

[jwil59]

Monday May 4th my dad will see the oncologist to plan out his chemo/radiation treatment.

Ok buddy we've got it.

prayers for the appt. on the 4th.

[-American-]

Latest update....

My dad went to the oncologist yesterday and they talked for awhile. The plan is for my dad to have 20 weeks of treatment, chemo and radiation. The doctor was pleasantly surprised that my dads cancer of the esophagus was caught so early (stage II) because most patients with the disease are caught at the advanced stage.

So the doctor told my father that after he's done with the chemo radiation treatment he won't have to worry about having to go through it again as the cancerous cells (if their are any in him) won't come back.

So some good news.

[blazer]

:clap:

[jwil59]

Latest update....

My dad went to the oncologist yesterday and they talked for awhile. The plan is for my dad to have 20 weeks of treatment, chemo and radiation. The doctor was pleasantly surprised that my dads cancer of the esophagus was caught so early (stage II) because most patients with the disease are caught at the advanced stage.

So the doctor told my father that after he's done with the chemo radiation treatment he won't have to worry about having to go through it again as the cancerous cells (if their are any in him) won't come back.

So some good news.

Good news. I will be praying about the treatments

[blazer]

:hug: :pray:

[-American-]

My dad has finished up his first week of chemo. Other than having a small case of hives (because the chemo) he's doing fine.

[rhet 2]

My dad has finished up his first week of chemo. Other than having a small case of hives (because the chemo) he's doing fine.

GOOD! :clap:

I rejoice for him and his family.

[jwil59]

My dad has finished up his first week of chemo. Other than having a small case of hives (because the chemo) he's doing fine.

Great news, I pray it stays this way the whole way through

[-American-]

My dad is still doing fine, a bit of diarreha here and there, but he's doing fine. Know more hives, but he does start his second chemo treatment this week, and radiation for the first time.

[itsrea]

My dad is still doing fine, a bit of diarreha here and there, but he's doing fine. Know more hives, but he does start his second chemo treatment this week, and radiation for the first time.you know that pectin that us women use when we make jellies and jams? A tsp or two in a full glass of water will stop that diarreah - it works the same on the bowels as it does on the jam - it firms them up. Since he has just stopped chemo as his dr if it's ok for him to use it tho.

[-American-]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while I've been busy with my job. Anyways, my dad is still doing okay. He has a portable device he carries around with him that gives him his chemo treatment. He'll where it for one week, and he also started radiation treatment this week. He's on day three so far, and he feels fine.

[-American-]

you know that pectin that us women use when we make jellies and jams? A tsp or two in a full glass of water will stop that diarreah - it works the same on the bowels as it does on the jam - it firms them up. Since he has just stopped chemo as his dr if it's ok for him to use it tho.

Thanks

[jwil59]

My dad is still doing fine, a bit of diarreha here and there, but he's doing fine. Know more hives, but he does start his second chemo treatment this week, and radiation for the first time.

I will be praying my friend. I am glad he is doing well

[-American-]

Quick update....

My father is about to start his fourth week of radiation, only two more weeks to go and that will be done with. The chemo treatments are also going well. He'll have a break here soon then two more sessions of chemo and he's done. So far the worst symptom he's dealt with is diarrhea.

[johnrocks]

Glad to see this, embrace your Dad and let him know you love him,no matter how old you are. I lost mine in 2000 and still think of him daily.

[-American-]

Update...

Dad's radiation treatments are complete. He'll now have about a month off before he begins his final two Chemo treatments. Both treatments will last 5 days in a row, then he's done. So far no real symptoms.

[rhet 2]

Update...

Dad's radiation treatments are complete. He'll now have about a month off before he begins his final two Chemo treatments. Both treatments will last 5 days in a row, then he's done. So far no real symptoms.

Oh, wonderful news! :dance:

Thank You, Father in Heaven, Author of our only hope, Source of all joy for Your own creations. :clap:

[Once a Marine]

I will pray for your son Mitch,and everyone else who is sick and in distress,My wife is a nine year Breast cancer survivor and the lord has worked in her life.

[-American-]

Update, dad is doing great. You would never know he was being treated for cancer. August 24th will begin his last two Chemo treatments and that's it he's done.

[Calibabe]

Glad to see this, embrace your Dad and let him know you love him,no matter how old you are. I lost mine in 2000 and still think of him daily.


I couldn't say it any better john.

I lost my father in 2004. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. This Friday would have been his 71st birthday.

I have always been grateful that I went back and spent a week with him about 6 weeks before he passed. We got to say what we needed to and I can honestly say that it did help a great deal to do that.

Sorry about your loss.

[jwil59]

Update, dad is doing great. You would never know he was being treated for cancer. August 24th will begin his last two Chemo treatments and that's it he's done.

That's wonderfull. Thanks for ther update

[jwil59]

Glad to see this, embrace your Dad and let him know you love him,no matter how old you are. I lost mine in 2000 and still think of him daily.

God bless you bro

[-American-]

Update, dad has finished this weeks 5 day Chemo treatment. He has one more 5 day treatment left and he's finished. I thought it would be this week but it's not until mid September. He's doing great.

[jwil59]

Update, dad has finished this weeks 5 day Chemo treatment. He has one more 5 day treatment left and he's finished. I thought it would be this week but it's not until mid September. He's doing great.

Great news, thanks for the update. I will keep praying

[-American-]

Monday September 21st my dad starts his last five day chemo treatment and he'll be finished. The only problem he is having now is the area around his feeding tube has become infected. He's being treated with antibiotics but if the infection doesn't go away they'll take out the feeding tube. He was going to get it out after his last bit of chemo, but he may get it out sooner than expected.

[Seanachie]

Monday September 21st my dad starts his last five day chemo treatment and he'll be finished. The only problem he is having now is the area around his feeding tube has become infected. He's being treated with antibiotics but if the infection doesn't go away they'll take out the feeding tube. He was going to get it out after his last bit of chemo, but he may get it out sooner than expected.

Hello American,

Your Dad is in my prayers now and will be in the prayers I offer up at the Falls later today. Hopefully the feeding tube issue will be just a glitch in his road to recovery as he enters his last chemo phase. Please tell him that he is my prayers and those of many others.

Be well,

Jim

[-American-]

Thanks gang, today was his last for the chemo, he's finished. I'm not sure when he'll see the doctor again. I would assume it will be soon so they can talk about when to remove the feeding tube.

[jwil59]

Thanks gang, today was his last for the chemo, he's finished. I'm not sure when he'll see the doctor again. I would assume it will be soon so they can talk about when to remove the feeding tube.

Finished is good, Praise God

[-American-]

I've decided this will be the last update on my father. His feeding tube was removed today and he's getting ready to go back to work. The cancer treatments are all finished and he's back to normal again. He will continue with regular check ups in the future.

Thanks gang.