Overcoming Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer: A Survivor Shares His story of Self-Advocacy and Perseverance

[@jackburns-nz6mr]

This is Jack. Thanks for viewing my video. Update, I am doing great. Thank you to those who viewed this video, hopefully, it helps others. Another will be released in the next month with updates. Best of luck to all and PLEASE be your own advocate. Stay positive, keep punching!!

[@shellydavispianoparentpodc3165]

Thank you for this video and for your kind words regarding your wife. My husband had chemo and radiation followed by his surgery on February 9th. We are currently in the dark, mental days and I struggle with how to help and encourage him. Your story gives me hope for brighter days.

[@RoyalMarineYachtGroup]

This is great help. I was just diagnosed and its not a good feeling. Not looking forward to chemo and radiation, but then again I think I am. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[@kelkel5598]

My husband was diagnosed last Sept chemo and radiation in October November got lucky and was eligible for surgery..in July his scan came back showing spots in both lungs now I am asking him to do a Foundation One test to see what this test will show. Definitely will have to be your own advocate. Thanks for the update its been a rough road as his vocal cord was damaged he just go this voice back now we hope to conquer this next challenge waiting for what the Foundation One. test shows! He was diagnosed with adeno carcinoma!

[@Courtblanche]

Hi Jack, is there a way I could contact you? My dad has just been diagnosed with the same cancer and a similar diagnosis. I would be grateful to pick your brain 🙏🏼

[@fathimaanjabeen1630]

@@Courtblanchehey my mom is suffering from it.. too painful to see her

[@DenisMclean-e9o]

I had a trans hiatal esophagectomy September 2012. Still around and in good health after nearly 12 years.

[@maasaimaasai2895]

Congratulations, do insurance in first world cover cancer! cos in africa it's death.

[@moxii2]

Praise God

[@tonynelson7]

I have stage 3 and found your comment promising I thought 5 years or less wow was yours stage 3 or caught earlier?

[@DenisMclean-e9o]

@@tonynelson7 fortunately, it was barely stage 1 as it was caught very early. Still had the massive operation.

[@leeharrison8790]

If anyone with no status , poverty stricken , can be a candidate for giving medical treatment passion to .. I am him ... the esophageal cancer has caused me to live on a liquid diet only .. I went from 270 lbs to now 155 lbs .. I don't drink alcohol not a smoker , & cut all carbs out of my diet six months ago ... I stay active walking ... I am fading away a little everyday ! Please keep me in your prayers ... I monitor my glucose & Ketone with a keto-mojo meter & GKI ... I have been for some time now in the state of Ketosis therapy level to slow down & weaken the cancer as much as I can ... I need more than this to win the battle at hand !

[@Rinablackxo]

I'm praying for you!

[@RoyalMarineYachtGroup]

Stay strong. Supplement with zinc. I heard its good for fighting cancer.

[@Sowjisminiworld]

Am praying for you, how are you now

[@arindombora5995]

Praying for u brother

[@dianereed153]

I’m a 76 year old woman with stage three esophageal cancer. If I were to tell my story so far it would be almost the same as yours. I had to be my own advocate pushing for the first endoscopy. I had little to no bad effects from the chemo. The radiation treatments took a toll on me especially with the fatigue. I will be having surgery next month. I am going to a great hospital in Oregon, love my doctors and am doing fine. Lost a lot of weight, 40lbs and I was underweight already. I was great full for your comments and as I still have surgery to go through I am very optimistic it will go well.

[@hong-enlin4651]

God bless you

[@muttleysmith726]

I pray you will be well when surgery is done and you will lead a long and happy life mam.

[@SumitKumar-tt7gh]

How are you now

[@tonynelson7]

God bless I’m going through the same awaiting oncologist in Oregon as well Kaiser team

[@gwendolynkey9226]

My husband has stage 3 esophagus cancer, he finished all his chemo, and radiation. Radiation was rough, he got to where he couldn't even take a sip of water. It took several weeks before he could eat or drink anything. He's still having some trouble. Had a feeding tube put in 8 weeks ago, it's hurt him everyday. He's lost a lot of weight to 40 lbs. He's gained about 15 of them back. He's to have surgery on the 15th next week. I'm not sure about where he's having it. They say the surgeon is really good. But it's at AU Augusta old MCG, wish it was at Emory in Atlanta. But they don't take our insurance. And he won't go. I'm scared but I put it in God's hands, and believing he will bring him through for many years to come. He's 70 years old. But he's young at heart. Please pray for William. Thank you all.

[@johngrafton6868]

One will be surprised just how much of your days are forgotten after treatment. I kept a diary and wrote about my feelings. The time came when suicide entered my mind, but I got thru it, not once but twice. 4 years prior I had tongue cancer and kidney cancer at the same time. Lost a kidney. A few years after all this I had my gall bladder removed- cancer. All this in 10 years. I am 85 now.

[@RoyalMarineYachtGroup]

I am looking forward to making it to 85. You are an inspiration :)

[@nellafay5485]

I keep praying to the Lord that I could have just one prayer answered, it would be that I would love to live until at least 80. You keep going 85 is young God Bless you. 🙏🏼💜💯💗

[@lifetimeskills1445]

Great, my mum can't swallow anything due to the disease. She has lost a lot of weight. We are confused

[@FTFFF]

Thank you for sharing your story, John. I'm newly diagnosed with Stage 3 and am fortunate to be living in NYC and to be starting my treatment journey at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I've just completed my scans and an ultrasound endoscopy and will be meeting this week with my team to discuss the path forward. So far, I've been told there will be 4-6 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 treatments of radiation, followed eventually by surgery. We're both fortunate we were/are candidates for the surgery. My surgeon is also a specialist in robotic surgery, so i feel in good hands. Your story is inspiring and gives me hope. I'm rooting for you - and was especially thrilled to hear you're about to get back to the gym, which is also a passion of mine. Sending love and best wishes.

[@rgahrens]

I am headed down the exact same path. In fact, I am considering MSK. Who may I ask is your surgeon?

[@FTFFF]

@@rgahrens my surgeon is Bernard Park. He’s excellent. In fact I just had my surgery this past Monday and am typing this from MSK. So far, so good. I’m here for another five days. Good luck to you!

[@rgahrens]

I am happy to hear that you are doing well. I am waiting for the results of my tests which will come back next week. Thanks for the info and good luck to you as well!

[@ML-ZenX]

No need to start Chemo...my dad right now has stage 3 esophageal cancer he is having medicine that can cure anykind of cancer u might to believe but its true it cures cancer. It is found in Northeast India Arunachal Pradesh. The medicine cost around 3.5k rs i.e around 50 dollars

[@carmenpantoja8363]

Whats the name of the medicine. Can i order

[@BGCAMO-h3d]

My husband, age 57, was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer at the end of 2020 (because that year wasn’t bad enough apparently). The team at Cleveland Clinic saved his life. He is thriving three years after surgery. Best to you, sir.

[@AmBb-h6b]

May i ask if your man had lymphnode involvement?

[@BGCAMO-h3d]

@@AmBb-h6b He did have lymph node involvement at diagnosis. Before surgery he had chemo and radiation. He had what they called a “complete response” to those therapies. At the time of surgery no other evidence of disease (outside the esophagus) was found including the tested lymph nodes. We got very lucky, but of course there are no guarantees with cancer. Best to you.

[@AmBb-h6b]

@@BGCAMO-h3d That's great! My father also had affected lymph nodes. Unfortunately, the chemo only worked 50% and the removed lymph nodes were still affected. We're trying to stay positive. Wish you all the best

[@fubarnow8907]

Thanks Jack, great testimony.

[@myheartsdesire643]

Thank you Jack. This is very helpful. Thankful that once you got to the right doctors and facility that things went so well for you.

[@fredchowdhury9329]

Well thought out explanation

[@gweno9901]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@ericabossart706]

Thank you for sharing your story. My dad just got diagnosed and all the statistics give scary survival percentages. I am so grateful for your video allowing hope to peak through all the anixety. I hope you are continuing to do well ❤

[@KayMatlack]

Jack, thanks for telling your story. My husband was diagnosed over a year ago with esophageal cancer. He received six weeks chemo and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, his cancer has returned. We are going back to his chemo doctor in a few weeks to see what they recommend. I am hoping that they don't have to do anything invasive. From what I've read we are hoping they can remove the cancer cells through a endoscope. God bless!

[@sundayc6439]

Said prayer for Jack

[@leeharrison8790]

I am in the same situation of just been diagnosed with esophageal cancer .. having difficulty finding a treatment place due to not having insurance .. the Florida Advent team is ready to treat me but having no money seems to holding things up .. hopefully social security will expedite medicaid to pay so I can get treatment .. I have lived in poverty all my life .. I am sixty four ... & really would be grateful to get the help I need .. I am not married , single , & don't have a really close support coach ..

[@Ransomhandsome]

I hope you've found the help you need. Are you utilizing a carnivore diet? If so, how's it going?

[@leeharrison8790]

@@Ransomhandsome Yes as to selecting a predominately carnivore based liquid diet .. what enters my mouth is monitored by a Keto-mojo meter to make sure I am in the state of Ketosis ... It's difficult to obtain enough animal fat & protein needed to curve off the mass loss of body fat ... I am almost a skeleton covered by skin ...it's not easy to manage all this on limited knowledge .. doing the best I can with the knowledge & where with I have to work with ...

[@Ransomhandsome]

Hey, Lee Any movement on a plan for you?

[@leeharrison8790]

@@Ransomhandsome Advent hospital cancer treatment center here in Florida has graciously taken on my treatment .. But sense i don't have insurance I don't know it will happen ... I am seeking medicaid with social security .. that hasn't happened yet .. the lack of money is a challenge .. My brother died from cancer due to the lack of money to pay for the treatment ... I hope that's not going to happen to me .. Only time will tell

[@Ransomhandsome]

@@leeharrison8790 Sorry for the delayed reply (just found your response). Any good news about you Medicaid?

[@mwalsh5757]

My dad died of this. I’m rather hoping it was because he smoked and worked on an oil rig all his life. Because I get frequent acid reflux, I’m hoping it’s not a family thing. But, on the plus side, I can (and do) knock my acid reflux down with just a couple of antacid tablets.

[@johncrossley3925]

Great video that

[@serajsef]

Hi I’m from India can any tell me what will the cost for esophagel cancer treatment for stage 3 at mayo clinic USA please

[@maynakdas3299]

What are your symptoms for stage 3?

[@superbfrenchies2465]

I appreciate so much to hear how you have been treated for esophageal cancer by a wonderful team of doctors. Where are you located to be able to be treated at Saint John’s? I’m so very very afraid of the symptoms I have. I was diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus in July with an endoscopy by a very nice gastroenterologist doctor. My primary doctor has not been helpful and I have to push to get other tests. I need better help. I have a daily swallowing problem, started getting a horse voice and now when I swallow I feel something move in my neck. I am so worried and feel lost not knowing how to contact your doctors or where to get help. I hope to hear back.

[@joyjordan8183]

I hope all is well. But all the information was provided. I hope you see it and get the help you need. God bless you to get on the other side of this cancer. #CancerSucks

[@juliespiegelhauer7120]

You need to find a new doctor. Or call around and find a GI that takes your insurance and tell your PCP to send referral or pick it up and take it over there and make an appointment right away. Sometimes it will take a week to send the referral and then get approved by insurance. Be persistent that you need to be tested. They have barium swallow test , PET Scan or endoscopy to find out what's wrong. Don't sit around and wait for others. If it's cancer it's spreading everyday! Be persistent and if they give Don't you results find one that will. I had to complain to 4 doctors before they finally sent me to get Barium test. They kept telling me acid reflux and giving me meds for it. I had stage 4. If I had been more persistent I could've caught it at an earlier stage. Good luck!

[@relicmeisterstewart5626]

Encouraging news to this newly diagnosed EC patient. Pet scan already knows my fate but I’ll find out at next oncology appointment in 5 days. Another 1 min video by a doctor said 80% people diagnosed with EC will die within a year. Ugh!😮

[@Wink2639]

God is good!

[@LoriBonnevie]

Where is St. John?

[@saintjohnscancerinstitute]

Hi Lori. Saint John's is in Santa Monica, California.

[@Ransomhandsome]

My best friend was recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, and they're recommending aggressive chemo for him. I'm pushing for low-dose, higher frequency. The metastasis is to 2 minuscule spots on bone (pelvis and lower vertabrae). Any opinions?

[@RoyalMarineYachtGroup]

Doctors know better. Thats my opinion.

[@juliebryant3968]

How is your best friend doing

[@Ransomhandsome]

@@RoyalMarineYachtGroup Well, the 1st of the recommended 6 rounds of chemo was billed out at $200,000. Why cure it when there's so much $$ in treating it? He declined further chemo after the 1st round (he was stage 4) and he lived a reasonably happy and healthy 6 months rather that being horrifically sick and emaciated by SIX fucking rounds of chemo at $200k each. Yeah, doctors know better ...

[@Ransomhandsome]

@@juliebryant3968 He died Sunday, September 8th.

[@Ransomhandsome]

​@juliebryant3968 I just revisited this comment thread, and allow me to clarify a few things: 1st of all, despite me offering to go full carnivore with my friend, he opted not to try it ... I lost 20 lbs, and he lost his life. 2ndly, the hospital where he received treatment refused our request for low-dose chemo/greater frequency. They said they didn't offer that sort of regimen. One round of chemo (he refused any add'l) was billed out at $200,000. Makes ya wonder; why cure it when there's so much money to be made treating it?

[@donnamartens2859]

This video does not help the vast number of people who do not have the choice to find the highest in the field to do their surgery like you did Mr. burns

[@RoyalMarineYachtGroup]

everything helps.

[@barbarabradley8881]

Yes it does. It's just an example of how he was lucky during Covid-19

[@kirkstrine]

Every story shared helps.