Home and Next Steps

We're resettled back home, for the most part.  Still need to hit the grocery store for some supplies to continue John's "pudding-like-consistency" oral diet as we move toward weaning him off his overnight infusion of "Bag-O-Meal."  I'll be making some homemade stocks for a basis of a variety of soup/stews that can be pureed with our handy stick blenders (of which we now own two) and coming up with some creative uses for tofu.  John needs other sources of protein besides dairy.  Silken tofu can be blended into bisques for the next 10 days or so and should fit the bill.  (I'd invite you for dinner but I'm afraid a cuisine that relies on "tofu" might not whet your appetite.)  John has lost about 10 lbs. in the past month, really good for an esophagectomy patient.  The battle for most patients is in trying to keep weight on.  As a side benefit (if there IS any benefit to this crazy, stupid disease),  I am now able to again wear shirts that I had "outgrown."
We met with John's oncologist, Dr. Nestor, early this afternoon.  John will indeed be undergoing post-surgical chemo treatment, probably beginning in about 4-5 weeks to allow time for his body to continue to heal from the surgery.  In today's consult, Dr. Nestor indicated that post-surgical chemo usually relies on the dreaded "5FU," the stuff that gave John "clown lips" and a full body rash back in February.  At any rate, here's the skinny on where things stand right now...
There is no "conclusive scientific evidence" that shows post-surgical chemo works.  However, because live cancer cells were found in lymph nodes removed from John's chest area -- away from the immediate tumor site -- standard protocol merits further chemotherapy.  While we are discouraged by the fact that no one can definitively say, "Yes, this treatment will get rid of the cancer," we are optimistic.  In John's case, his age, overall health and the fact that the tumor and immediate-lymph nodes responded well to his initial chemo/radiation therapy bodes well.  Statistically speaking, esophageal cancer patients who survive two years post-treatment stand a good chance of having beat the disease.  Right now we're in the 15% survival rate.  As time goes by, this rate increases...the same as it does for any type of cancer.
We have an appointment with John's radiation doctor, Dr. Taylor, in Bellingham on June 7; and with his surgeon, Dr. Low, on June 9.  After that, we again see John's oncologist, Dr. Nestor, the first part of July to get on board the "chemo train" once again.
This path is turning into a very long trek indeed.  I will keep this blog going, posting not only updates on John, but any thoughts or inspirations relating to his journey that come along.  In the meantime, keep those prayers and good thoughts coming; not only for John, but for all those facing cancer and other frightening, life threatening diseases.  Your care and support make a world of difference, even for people you've never met.  We are truly ALL in this together...Onward once again...Nancy