To follow up on my Dec. 9 entry, the oncologist said I am in partial remission and very encouraged by my response to the treatment. We will scan again in March and at that point determine if any additional tmt is indicated.
dac
Friday, December 23
December 23, 2005
Happy Holidays!!!
I am home for the holidays. I have been in the hospital since December 14th. I was discharged this afternoon. As you can imagine Napper and I had to take a detour on the way home and do a little last minute shopping.
My esophagus is still the focus of my problems. It just will not heal on its own. I was not able to get down enough nutrition to support any kind of healing. The first thing they did when I got to the hospital was put in a PICC line. This is a line that is inserted through a large vein in the upper arm and threads up to the large vein above the heart. With this line they gave me TPN, which is liquid nutrition given through the bloodstream. This helped me regain my strength over the course of the past several days.
The second day in the hospital I had an EGD. This is where they look down into the esophagus and the stomach with a scope. They found a very inflamed, swollen esophagus. One segment was very constricted so they dilated it abit. Today I had my second EGD. They dilated it abit more, but said that it is still not open enough for regular food and I will have to stick to liquids or pureed food until another dilatation in about 3 weeks.
Another thing the doctor ordered in hopes of healing the esophagus is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is intended to assist the body in healing with high dose oxygen. It involves going into a pressurized chamber for two hours with 100% oxygen. After my first tmt I did develop some ear pain so they put tubes in both ears. I went to the chamber every day while I was in the hospital and I will continue going M-F on an outpatient basis until I get to 20 tmts.
I am feeling much better and so glad to be home to celebrate Christmas with my family. My dad came back to town once I was admitted to the hospital. Upon my insistence Napper and the kids went up to Minnesota for the annual Curley Christmas party last weekend. They had a fabulous time seeing family & friends. They spent Sunday at the Mall of America (Camp Snoopy) compliments of Grandma Curley. The kids loved running around with all their cousins. Dad kept me company at home and held down the fort at the house. Now we are happy to have him stay through Christmas and see what Santa Claus brings the kids.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I have never gotten so many birthday cards, and wishes in my life. It was very heartwarming!! Even though I had wonderful care in the hospital, there is just no place like home. Thank you all for your continued prayers. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Merry Christmas.
Love, Denise
I am home for the holidays. I have been in the hospital since December 14th. I was discharged this afternoon. As you can imagine Napper and I had to take a detour on the way home and do a little last minute shopping.
My esophagus is still the focus of my problems. It just will not heal on its own. I was not able to get down enough nutrition to support any kind of healing. The first thing they did when I got to the hospital was put in a PICC line. This is a line that is inserted through a large vein in the upper arm and threads up to the large vein above the heart. With this line they gave me TPN, which is liquid nutrition given through the bloodstream. This helped me regain my strength over the course of the past several days.
The second day in the hospital I had an EGD. This is where they look down into the esophagus and the stomach with a scope. They found a very inflamed, swollen esophagus. One segment was very constricted so they dilated it abit. Today I had my second EGD. They dilated it abit more, but said that it is still not open enough for regular food and I will have to stick to liquids or pureed food until another dilatation in about 3 weeks.
Another thing the doctor ordered in hopes of healing the esophagus is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is intended to assist the body in healing with high dose oxygen. It involves going into a pressurized chamber for two hours with 100% oxygen. After my first tmt I did develop some ear pain so they put tubes in both ears. I went to the chamber every day while I was in the hospital and I will continue going M-F on an outpatient basis until I get to 20 tmts.
I am feeling much better and so glad to be home to celebrate Christmas with my family. My dad came back to town once I was admitted to the hospital. Upon my insistence Napper and the kids went up to Minnesota for the annual Curley Christmas party last weekend. They had a fabulous time seeing family & friends. They spent Sunday at the Mall of America (Camp Snoopy) compliments of Grandma Curley. The kids loved running around with all their cousins. Dad kept me company at home and held down the fort at the house. Now we are happy to have him stay through Christmas and see what Santa Claus brings the kids.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I have never gotten so many birthday cards, and wishes in my life. It was very heartwarming!! Even though I had wonderful care in the hospital, there is just no place like home. Thank you all for your continued prayers. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Merry Christmas.
Love, Denise
Friday, December 9
December 9, 2005
Bright and early this morning I went to the hospital for a CT Scans of my neck and chest. I received wonderful news. The tumor in my right lung is essentially gone and my lymph nodes are back to normal size. The Radiologist said this is amazing!. He said it just could'nt be any better. Needless to say, I am thrilled and overwhelmed with emotion and graditude.
Next week I will meet with my Oncologist and my Radiation Oncologist to see what the next step will be. Thank you for all your concern, support, and PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!
All my love,
Denise
Next week I will meet with my Oncologist and my Radiation Oncologist to see what the next step will be. Thank you for all your concern, support, and PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!
All my love,
Denise
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