WOW,
What a warm welcome from my new friends at OCF! Thanks guys, you make me feel "at home" on the site already. Thank you, Lois, for moving my initial post! I think you did a great job!

Jack had his laryngoscopy/esophagoscopy/tumor biopsy today. He did wonderful. This was his first ever surgery! The surgeon did not see any additional lesions or areas of concern, Thank God! So, from here, we will go in for the "dry run" on Tues 9/4 with the first RT on Wed. He has had moderate pain today which has made him think a little more pro-PEG. He is sitting beside me enjoying his potato soup and says hello to all of you here!

I am an old ED nurse, which means that unless I see significant blood and gore, nothing really phases me! Probably one reason that I didn't recommend follow-up on the node back in March! Sometimes having a healthcare background can disadvantage us, as we always think that disease and illness is something that happens to our patients! When it hits home, it is often not taken seriously. So, you healthcare providers out there learn by my mistake and listen to your family with all of the attention they deserve. As far as the trip to Vermont is concerned, I chose not to go with him because I felt as if he should be here getting started on his treatment. As it turned out, the trip was just what he needed to be able to muster up the courage to fight!

I have read, with interest, the news article posted in the "What's in the News" section of this forum and understand better why some chose surgery prior to RT but I know that surgery is something that we want to do as a last resort.

Again, thanks for all who have paved the road before us! I am working on getting the information correct on my signature so that everyone will know our plight with each post, so bear with me as I add and delete!

God Bless,