I BEAT CANCER THAT SOB !

I was thrown tons of information all at once today, im sure I missed something so if I change or update this post I will write updated on top and make all changes in red so you dont have to re-read the post.

I was told last week from Dr.Greenwald after my upper Endoscopy that I am free of Cancer…..
Today was my clinical with my Thoracic Surgeon Dr.Burrows. We met at 10:00am at The University of Maryland Cancer Center in Baltimore.
I started off with asking the question what do you mean by “Free of Cancer?” He told me that there are no active Cancer cells in my body, in fact he said you can’t even tell I had Cancer, there are some malignant lymph noids that are still active but the doctor is not worried about that, he will just remove them during my surgery.

My Tumor has reduced in size from 5.3cm X 3.8cm to 2.8cm X 1.9cm

My Non-GYN Cytology Final reports states; Negative for Malignancy/Reactive changes,Squamous Cells, Candida and acute inflammation.

My SURG PATH A Final Report states; Esophagus Biopsy/Esophageal Squamous Mucosa with reactive/treatment related changes and focal necrosis with associated fungal and bacteria colonization ( all people have a degree of fungus in there Esophagus).
No Evidence of Malignancy

My SURG PATH B Final report states; Poorly differentiated Carcinoma with features suggestive of poorly differention Squamous Cell carcinoma. CK903 immunostain is focally positive.P63 and CK5/6 immunostains are positive for a RARE TUMOR CELLS.

My Non-GYN Cytology Final Report states; Gastrohepatic Ligament Lymph Node FNA
And Paratracheal Lymph Node FNA are POSITIVE for Malignancy consistent with Metastatic Esophageal Adenocinoma. Lymph Node,Paratracheal,Endoscopic Ultrasound FNA-POSITIVE for MALIGNANCY.

My path forward is still to remove my Esophagus.
This is as Dr Burrows calls an “Enormous Surgery”. This surgery will take 8 to 10 hours, He will make an incision from my Belly Button up to my chest and another incision about 10 inches on the right side of my back and use his hands to perform my surgery. He told me that this surgery will produce high levels of pain. I should expect to be hospitalized 17-19 days in what they call the “step-down unit” I will intake no solid food for about a month. No food or liquid for the first 15 days after surgery only through my feeding tube.
The Bottom 2/3 of my Esophagus will be removed or until he reaches good tissue, the top 1/3 of my stomach will be removed and he will then flip my stomach around and stretch 1/3 of my stomach to the top 1/3 of my esophagus leaving me with 1/3 remaining of my stomach.
Surgery is scheduled for October 23rd, there is only a 5% chance that I will develop complications and buy the farm on the OR Table, those odds will escalate after the surgery. Dr Burrows hopes that there will be no “hiccups” after surgery but he expects them such as possible Cardiac problems, Pneumonia, and Pulmonary problems., but he is confident that whatever develops we will fight and handle as they come. But he will do all he can to minimize that.

I asked what to expect when I open my eyes after surgery, thats just me, I need to know these things.I will have a Penis Catheter, a Catheter in my back administering an epidural to try to relieve pain, a tube in my nose, a breathing tube in my throat, 2 tubes into my chest, 2 IV’s in my neck and a couple IV’s in each arm.

I will require some Chemo therapy later this year at a higher dose than before but no radiation treatment this time.

I did ask Dr Burrows if he had any concerns with the surgery and without hesitation he said “NO Concerns

My weight is up to 158lbs

50% of all Esophageal Patients will have the Cancer come back with in 2 years, this is why the surgery is so crutial. Maybe if the Cancer has no place to hide it wont come back.

I asked Dr.Burrows If I can have my Tumor and Esophagus in a Mason Jar to take home? After he got done laughing he said I can have it after Pathaology is done with it.