BoiseB's Journey:

I would have only sought a second opinion because my brother encouraged me. My nephew is a primary care doctor. One of his patients is an innovative expert in this kind of surgery

I had very painful mouth sores. My teeth are also falling out. I also found the need to be naked during treatment to be uncomfortable

My surgery was a new surgery done robotically

In retrospect, the day I was diagnosted with cancer was the best day of my life. Cancer was the best thing that happened to me. As I lost physical strength I gained spiritual strength

My first Birthday after begining treatment was two days after Easter my favorite holiday and the Holiday celebrating Rebirth. I began my celebration on Easter and I celebrated the entire week

I began treatment on my birthday. i have celebrated my first and second birthday since I began treatment. Birthdays I was not expected to celebrate.

Chemo Brain was the worst of the side effects as it was the most devestating to me. Before cancer, I read 3-5 books a week. After two years I am just getting back my ability to read.

I have recently acknowleged the loss of my driver's license. The doctor advised me to be tested to see if I was a save driver. Since I am prone to spontaneous choking it would be dangerous for me to drive.

The cancer has returned and Mteastasized to the overies

I had a historectomy for Esophageal cancer that metastisized to the Uterus and Overies. It was complicated by blood clots and internal bleeding

I have been told that there is 100% probability that the cancer will return. In short it is incurable. I feel like I did during the "cold war" waiting for the bombs to drop

Easter is my favorite Holiday this year I got out of the hospital one week before Easter, I was able to celebrate Easter with my family. Since I was first diagnosed with cancer around Easter three years ago, and Easter is the celebration of life. I celebrated three years of life.

Today is not only my Birthday (I am not going to reveal which one) but it also marks three years since I started treatment. I remember spending the entire day at the cancer center. While I was in the waiting room, I came across the American Cancer Society Ad that read "We Sponsor Birthdays" My mental response was "Yeh Right" Well here it is three years later. I want to say "Thank-you American Cancer Society for three Birthdays

Today I planted my third "Victory Garden" This year I just planted herbs but I included 'cancer fighting herbs'

Climbed up the hill. Two and a half mile hike. I could look out over the city

Celebrated by getting up at dawn and walking to the mountain and watching te sunrise.

My sister's beloved canine companion died of cancer on July 6. Even our furry companions cannot escape cancer.

Just noticed that I have been a member for a year this month. Thank you for all the help you have been

Happy Easter Victory Garden will be launched today

Celebrated my fourth/ first birthday Saturday. Four years ago on my birthday, I had my first encounter with the unfamous Dr. Doom. He pronounced such a horrendus future that my daughter passed out. Fast forward to last year. I went to the Gynecologist believing I had hurt myself or had at worst cysts but no I had cancer. OK I can deal with that but wait In walks Dr. Doom. It seems there are two cancers present and his cancer wins. Well I am celebrating my fourth birthday I wasn't supposed to have and I am NED :)

Victory Garden IV 99% Complete

Clean scans!!!! NED The Dr. said I had better be thinking about who I will vote for in 2016 because I am gonna have to live with them. Bought a Boise Bronco Hat to where while tending my garden.

I was treated to Tea with Friends to celebrate being Cancer Free

At this very hour 4 years ago today I woke up from a surgery that I almost believed I would not survive. As I look back I see how much the people have grown. Particularly my oncologist. He has gone from stamping expiration dates to actually studying this cancer.

As of tomorrow, I will have been a member of WhatNext 2 years. When I joined WhatNext, I had been Cancer Free for two and a half years (half way to the magic 5 years).I had beat the odds and passed an expiration date. I had survived a new kind of surgery.Wow, I was on a roll, I could give sage advice. I would be the wise woman of the site, Well "Pride goeth before a fall" and only a few short months later I got another breed of cancer and you WhatNexters became my support. Now I think I am back to the advice giving stage. I also think I might state my oppinions a little too strongly. I just want to thank Greg and all WhatNexters for a wonderful two years THANK YOU

Clean scans Cancar Free

Today I have become a statistic you can see me here http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html I am one of those little green persons on that chart. This is definitely worth more that a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I believe I shall go to the local Ice Cream Parlor for a Sundae, I hope they have Huckleberry. Tomorrow, I intend to spend an hour thanking the Lord.

This is my fifth birthday since I was diagnosed with EC. I began treatment five years ago today (not going to reveal how many chronological years I have :) I had been scheduled for an all-day series of appointments. All of which required me to state my name and date of birth. We had just seen the Radiation Oncologist, who had come into the examination room with a very long face. He asked the usual questions then looked at me and said happy birthday. At that point my daughter who had been tearing up, burst into tears. After that appointment we, were in the waiting room waiting to go to other appointments for x-rays blood tests and tattoos, I picked up a magazine to read and came across the American Cancer Society's ad "We sponsor Birthdays" I thought "Yeah Right" Well I am here today and CANCER FREE

I had an endoscopy to check out some issues thank God the issues were not cancer. My esophagus (what's left of it) had become tight around the area where the stomach meets the esophagus probably caused by acid reflux. It seems that this will be a procedure I will probably need every other year. The gastroenterologist prescribed a medication a little stronger than Zantec and a whole lot cheaper. Since the procedure was in the late afternoon I didn't come out of sedation until nearly 6 o'clock. I spent most of yesterday in La La land or sleeping. I haven't had as good a rest in months. Think I'll have a La La land vacation once a. I don't need sedation to retreat to La La land just an excuse.

Cancer Free exam

I am very pleased with the results, I am no longer choking every 2 or three days. The Dr. who did the endoscopy found no tumors. She prescribed an antacid which is more powerful than the OTC ones and MUCH cheaper. She told my son that this procedure won't be permanent. He told her that he knew that. I wish I hadn't been asleep for that exchange I can picture the heavy sigh and eye roll.

Today marks five years since I underwent a surgery that the Dr.s said I wouldn't survive. I have sent the Dr. who did the surgery a beautiful floral arrangement. Later this morning I will take a floral arrangement to my church and celebrate with the ladies at the church offices who conducted a prayer vigil during the entire nine hour long operation.

As of today I have been posting on WhatNext for three years. I have learned so much. And I have been inspired by so many individuals.

Today marks five years since I had my first clean scan after diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

Today my scans were cancer free On April 1 I will be three years cancer free.

Today I went to the Dr. I am cancer free. April 1 I will be three years cancer free.

My CT-scans showed some anomalies: onc sent me to a pulmonologist; pulmonologist called a conference with onc and PCP; sent me to a laparoscopic surgeon; today surgery was scheduled for Feb 17 Are you out of breath, I am. Everything is going so fast. I thought that this was no big deal well the surgeon says it is a big deal. I told the surgeon "At least I am cancer free. I am going to celebrate anyway,

Had a very large hernia repaired on Feb 17. The hernia was the aftermath of esophagectomy five and one half years ago. Other EC survivors should be on the look out for this nasty little trick the surgeon says that this can occur even 10 years after esophagectomy.

Today marks six years since I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer

Surgery site hernia repair officially declared a success. Back to other worlds to conquer.

This is both my birthday and the anniversary of my first cancer treatment. Six years ago today, I began treatment for my first cancer. It was a day long process of Dr. examinations, x-rays and blood tests. First meeting was with the Radiation Dr. He noted that it was my Birthday. He wished me happy birthday with the saddest face. I also remember reading an advertisement for the American Cancer Society on the theme "We Sponsor Birthday's" I actually laughed: I think my daughter thought I had gone mad. Then we met Dr. Doom! That was all six years ago.

I passed the second blood test. I am now cancer free for 3+ years. Also I have survived stage IV esophageal cancer for 6+ years. (odds at the time of diagnoses 4%) I bought a lovely Lemon Torte Cake.

It has been six years since my successful esophagectomy. I have beat the 4% survival odds Great Thank-you to my awesome surgical team

Tomorrow the anniversary of my first clean scan after my diagnosis with esophageal cancer That was seven years ago.

Clean Scans .April 1 I will be 4 years Cancer Free.

Seven years ago today I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer the prognosis was 4-9 months to live. It hasn't been easy but definitely worth it.

It has been Seven Years since I started treatment for Esophageal cancer. It was on my birthday None of the Dr.s believed that I would survive the year.

Yesterday marked the 7th anniversary of my successful surgery. My surgical team continues to follow me with surveys and interviews on the phone.

Today marks the 7 anniversary of my first clean scan odds that I would be alive today 4%

I have survived stage IV EC. for almost 8 years. When I was diagnosed, I was given 3-9 months to live. I my brother asked for a second opinion. My nephew ( a primary care Dr. ) introduced me to a patient of his who was doing new type of surgery and she was very interested in me. Long story short I have even survived a return of the cancer. My message to everyone, Survival is doable

Eight years ago today, I was told that I had an inoperable esophageal tumor that advanced into my stomach. I had 4 to 9 months to live.

It has been eight years since my first clean scan. I have lived eight years beyond my first prognosis of 4-9 months

Every year I plant and tend a "Victory Garden"