We need hugs, prayers & pixie dust

[MinnieLee]

Our lives have been turned upside down. A little over two months ago, out of the blue DH was having chest pains when eating his cereal. Thought he was having a heart attack. He called me at work, we got him into a cardiologist for an EKG, echo and Doppler. Nothing. Next week, chemical stress test, nothing. Following week, angiogram, again, nothing. Now on to the gastro doctor. Colonoscopy and endoscopy later, well we had something. As he says, my a** is fine but he had a 2 to 3 cm mass on his esphogus - esphogus cancer. We are now in a whirlwind of doctors, tests. Met with encologist Monday. Looks like 4-6 treatments. Radiation possible. Went into Sloane Kettering yesterday and met with a specialist in the field. After chemo, shrinking the mass, surgery. He can't eat anything now. Lost almost 20 pounds. No signs, no warning, nothing to even suspect anything was wrong.

We were sitting in the encologist Monday and he said "I wish I was on vacation, sitting in a hammock, swinging, relaxing at the BCV or GF." Our vacation is all planned for 10/22 through 11/2, everything bought- AP, airline and tickets for MNSSHP. Anyone have experience in what we are in for? Can we do this trip? I want to give him something to look forward to. If not, without hesitation, I will cancel everything and plan on possibly the spring. I know it's going to be a rough road.

Please sprinkle pixie dust on us. Any advice would be really appreciated. Anyone who knows someone who has been through this,. As far as our vacation, I know I can put my points in holding. Right now, there is no light at the end of the tunnel as we will have to start this journey next week with first chemo treatment.

Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

You have my prayers.

I only know of a friend's sister who had esophagus cancer 4-5 years ago. I think it took about a year to feel better, but Lorraine is doing very well now. She loves to golf. She was about 70 when she was diagnosed.

 

[coachb]

Thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[Moniqu17]

I'm very sorry to hear your DH has cancer! thoughts and prayers to you both.

I don't have any suggestions but remember seeing an ongoing thread or two about visiting Disney with cancer in the disabilities board. I think they would have the best suggestions for you and your DH.

 

[Altojudy]

I had esophogeal cancer 4 years ago and was also diagnosed about three weeks before we were supposed to go on a cruise. Needless to say, we cancelled. I was rushed to Stony Brook where I had chemo and six weeks of radiation. On the last day of chemo I developed a pulmonary embolism. I was put on a feeding tube and when they put the tube in they they found the cancer was gone -- "no sign of cancer" in their words.

Here I am 4 years later and just returned from that cruise I had to cancel. I know how you feel and wish you all the best in your treatment and recovery. My prayers are with you.

 

[Bellabully]

Prayers and Pixie Dust sent your way.

 

[DizBub]

Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your DH.

Been there, both me and my DH. It is scary and hard but they can do great things these days.

As for your vacation, it really does help to have something to look forward to. Depending on how he's feeling and his treatments, I think I would wait until it gets closer and be prepared to cancel before 31 days so you can bank your points and reschedule. WDW and DVC will always be there.

 

[LSchrow]

it really does help to have something to look forward to. Depending on how he's feeling and his treatments, I think I would wait until it gets closer and be prepared to cancel before 31 days so you can bank your points and reschedule.

exactly that (especially the first line)

my thoughts & prayers go out to your DH and you (i'm sure you're suffering along with him ).

 

[jerseygal]

This is very SAD to read, but the BEST OF PRAYERS, HUGS, AND CONTINUED POSITIVE THOUGHTS are sent your way!

Have you thought about trip insurance? I purchase trip insurance for points through DVC and then separate trip insurance through Travelguard for airline and other prepaid non cancellable items, like DDP, which must obviously must be paid for 2 days in advance of check in. Another thought is if your husband is feeling well enough to go, it doesn't hurt to have extra medical coverage through trip insurance, deductible for emergency room visits, urgent care.
I wound up using Travelguard for an unplanned urgent care visit at Aulani. Will reimburse my deductible on my regular health insurance for urgent care visits.

Positive thoughts that you can TAKE THE TRIP! WILL BE A GREAT HEALING REST FOR YOUR HUSBAND!

 

[jekjones1558]

Tough row to hoe for you and your DH. Blessings to you as you begin this scary journey together.
Like others have suggested, I would keep the reservations unless the doctors tell you the timeline is impossible. If October can't work, I would reschedule as soon as possible. I know that having a WDW trip to anticipate surely has helped my DH through cancer treatments as well as other health problems. I'll bet that your first trip after the treatments will be the best ever. Nothing like cancer to open your eyes to the wonder that is life--and Disney!

 

[DenLo]

I agree with the others ask your husband's doctors, the oncologist, the chemo specialist any other doctor he is seeing right now. And if they say maybe or yes, keep the reservation. Hope is important and both of you need something to look forward too. You can cancel 31 days out if need be. Good luck! And a little too!

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm so very sorry. Here's to them getting it absolutely obliterated.

You might be very surprised how supportive his team is regarding travelling. My father and brother both have stage IV cancer and both are all over the place. My father is palliative, and not long out of treatment, and we just travelled across the country, to Vancouver, by train there and back. It was not without its challenges but it was his dream so we did it and enjoyed the best we could.

My brother has been in constant treatment and has been across the country there (lives in the US), and up here, quite a few times and is off to Hawaii any moment.

Of course everyone and every situation is different but you might be surprised by what the team has to say on this issue. And like everyone is saying, hope and something to look forward to is imperative and I have found for both my father and brother everyone from the oncologist on down have been excited and supportive.

All the best to you - your entire family,

Lisa

 

[MinnieLee]

A big thank you to all of you. Off to Stony Brook Hospital today at 1:00 for an EUS (more detailed endoscopy). Tomorrow is Pet scan. Meeting with oncologist next Tuesday morning.

I will keep your stories, advice, well wishes and pixie dust with me. It's comforting to know that we are not alone and others have been through this. I will share all with DH - hopefully lift his spirits.

I'm going to hold my reservations. Something to strive for!

 

[dgaston]

Here's our story...In March DH and I were at WDW on Spring Break from my University. DH wasn't himself, needing a wheelchair to negotiate the parks. He'd had a broken wrist in the fall, and had done fine on our December trip. The night before we were to return home, he began bleeding profusely rectally. Off to Celebration Hospital and their ED. 17 units of blood later, they had removed 10 inches of Don's colon and he has an ileostomy. That was due to diverticulosis, "an unhealthy diet" said the surgeon. Now here's the kicker. The doc who scoped Don top and bottom to determine the source of the bleeding said with no warning "your husband has esophageal cancer." Don is not a candidate for surgery due to liver disease, but has had some low dose chemotherapy and has 10 sessions left of 28 sessions of radiation. He is stage one. Thanks for the Ileostomy?!?

Our church community, and the church camp where we seasonally camp in NH have been vital to us, as has been the HS where Don taught for 33 years (total of 38 -- 5 in another system) before retiring in 2009. It's been a very bumpy road, with Don in the hospital more than out since Celebration.

It's key to take care of yourself to do a good job with your loved one. Our adult kids have been great at helping me out.

We have a DVC trip planned for October with our granddaughter and her parents.

Blessings and prayers for you and your family.

 

[jekjones1558]

Here's our story...In March DH and I were at WDW on Spring Break from my University. DH wasn't himself, needing a wheelchair to negotiate the parks. He'd had a broken wrist in the fall, and had done fine on our December trip. The night before we were to return home, he began bleeding profusely rectally. Off to Celebration Hospital and their ED. 17 units of blood later, they had removed 10 inches of Don's colon and he has an ileostomy. That was due to diverticulosis, "an unhealthy diet" said the surgeon. Now here's the kicker. The doc who scoped Don top and bottom to determine the source of the bleeding said with no warning "your husband has esophageal cancer." Don is not a candidate for surgery due to liver disease, but has had some low dose chemotherapy and has 10 sessions left of 28 sessions of radiation. He is stage one. Thanks for the Ileostomy?!?

Our church community, and the church camp where we seasonally camp in NH have been vital to us, as has been the HS where Don taught for 33 years (total of 38 -- 5 in another system) before retiring in 2009. It's been a very bumpy road, with Don in the hospital more than out since Celebration.

It's key to take care of yourself to do a good job with your loved one. Our adult kids have been great at helping me out.

We have a DVC trip planned for October with our granddaughter and her parents.

Blessings and prayers for you and your family.

So sad to read this post. Such challenges you are facing! I hope that on your October trip you will be celebrating remission. Godspeed.

 

[moobar25]

Thoughts, prayers, pixie dust and then some to both of you! Hope it all turns out for the best!
Like others have said- keep your plans until 31 days out and see what the situation is then. It'll be something to look forward to until then.
As far as MSK goes I'm very biased against them. My mother was diagnosed with leukemia and the stupid doctors dragged their feet way too long. They promised me she would be well enough for to see me get married but instead of a wedding we had a funeral on the very date. But that's a different case and I'm not familiar with esophagus cancer. So my best advice on MSK keep on the doctors as much as possible!

 

[a742246]

Here is my wishes, prayers, and a little .

 

[cadale]

Here's our experience: DH was having trouble swallowing once in a while. I finally got him to go to the doc and he did a barium swallow which was quickly followed by an endoscopic exam. The doctor came out and said he found esophageal cancer - stage IV.

We were fortunate to get into a wonderful cancer clinic here and his team of doctors were unbelievable. He went through 4 months of strong chemo. He wasn't considered a candidate for surgery or radiation because the cancer had spread beyond his esophagus.

We had a Disney trip (our first as DVC owners) planned for January and this all happened in May. We asked his docs if they thought we could do it and they highly encouraged us to wait till we saw how the chemo went. Having the trip to look forward meant alot!

May 15th of this year was 5 years since diagnosis! He has been cancer free for 3 years now. And yes we made that trip - it was tough but we did it.

I would also say talk to his doctor's and see what they think. You are in my thoughts and prayers and sending lots of pixie dust.

 

[dgaston]

So sad to read this post. Such challenges you are facing! I hope that on your October trip you will be celebrating remission. Godspeed.

Not to sidetrack. Thanks Jean. I know you know first hand about spouse's with health issues, and how to take care of yourself. Just to let you know. In 2016, I'm planning a 65th birthday celebration for myself at Hilton Head in a Grand Villa with the entire family.

 

[jekjones1558]

Not to sidetrack. Thanks Jean. I know you know first hand about spouse's with health issues, and how to take care of yourself. Just to let you know. In 2016, I'm planning a 65th birthday celebration for myself at Hilton Head in a Grand Villa with the entire family.

FABulous! HHI is just such a wonderful resort! I am off now to search for pictures of the GV. Enjoy---I see 65 in my rear view mirror!