Personal Journey Entry # 28

It was only four short months ago I was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer (EC). I did what I usually do when faced with something new and started researching my defect. It was not a comforting experience. I truly thought I had been dealt a death sentence. The survival rate from EC is very low, and if the cancer has already progressed to stage 2 or above, you do not talk about a cure but extending life through constant chemical and radiation treatments. Buying five years was a best-case scenario. I started to get my things in order for the end of life. Only because of my faith in God, the love and support of Shay, and the prayers of all of our friends was I able to keep a positive outlook, but I was churning inside.

Fortunately, because of a preexisting condition of Barrett’s Esophagus, I had an endoscopy every few years to check for trouble, and thanks to the sharp eyes of Dr. Hillary Tompkins at Exeter Hospital, she spotted trouble and saved my life. Catching the cancer in Stage 1 allowed for options and a cure. Those of you who have followed my journey know the steps, but miraculously, just four months after diagnosis, I am cancer-free. Not only am I free, but I still have my esophagus and stomach, and just some holes in my chest and abdomen that should fade in time. Everything from day one fell in our favor. Yes, there were six endoscopic procedures, a suspended esophagectomy, and a resection, but it was a small price to pay for another few chapters in my life. We still have to wait for the pathology results, and I have one more endoscopy next month to be sure, but it appears, and I trust Dr. Boston, that we have beaten Esophageal Cancer.

I was discussing our cases with my Imerman Angel, Dave, yesterday, and we were blown away by how lucky we both were. We had very similar situations. Dave had more extensive surgery. But because we both had Barretts, we both found our cancer early and had paths to recovery, and I have a dear friend for life. I hope to find a platform to get the word out on early detection. It is the only way to beat this fast-growing cancer, which is usually asymptotic until it is too late. There has to be a reason God granted me more time, and I think helping others learn about this disease early and have a chance, like Dave and me, is what he had in mind. That is my plan.

This may be the last chapter of this saga, and I thank you for stopping by. I can never thank you enough for your prayers and kind words,
but I ask God to bless and keep you as he has me for this journey.