(This is one of my favorite downtown Seattle photos!)

 

May 3rd, 2021

  An in-depth discussion with the surgeon this past Friday has put the treatment plan at a temporary postponement due to now scheduling a J feeding tube that needs to be inside me before chemo and radiation both begin.

  People with esophageal cancer often have already lost weight before the cancer was found. Treatments such as chemo, radiation, and chemoradiation can cause painful sores in the mouth and throat. These can make it hard to eat well enough to get good nutrition, making weight loss worse. 

Some people with esophageal cancer may need to have a feeding tube, usually called a jejunostomy tube (or J-tube), put in place before treatment. This is done through a small hole in the skin over the abdomen during a minor operation. A J-tube lets liquid nutrition be put directly into the small intestine to prevent further weight loss and improve nutrition. This can make treatment easier to tolerate. Less often, the tube is placed into the stomach instead. This is known as a gastrostomy tubeor G-tube.

A feeding tube can easily be removed when it's no longer needed.

(Reference:  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/treating/palliative-therapy.html)

    There are still appointments with the pain management team and the nutritionist team scheduled for tomorrow. Once all departments meet and agree on the date to start with both chemo and radiation, we will either start this Wednesday or next Tuesday. I am so grateful to have both Damon and Amanda at important meetings like one we had today. We all need to be on the same page and each of us have a complete understanding what is on the plate before we make the important decision to begin.

  As much as the anxiety, frustration and other physical pain I am still experiencing, overall I feel confident with our esophageal cancer team. Every individual facing various cancer challenges has to know we are not alone and we experience each situation differently. From the outside, it can be especially hard and agonizing to watch a loved one suffer so much and feel that time is of the essence while asking why aren’t things getting done RIGHT NOW. It is important to let your faith be the one to guide you in life where you need to be. 

  I choose to be calm and reflective throughout this journey. And I continue to eat as much as I can when I can. 🙏

  I will continue to keep you all posted. Thank you for all your unconditional love & support. I am just so blessed everyday to have you all in my life right now. 🙏❤️

With much love,

Lien 🙏❤️