Heath Alert !!

[ace007]

My sister was diagnosed back around October 2007 with cancer of the esophagus. We found out that the treatments have failed and that she's terminal, with maybe 6 months left. I doubt she'll make it more than 2.

It's too late for her, but not for you & your friends & family. You see, her cancer was caused by acid reflux. Acid reflux causes scarring of the esophagus and that scar tissue has an extremely high incidence of having cancer form in it.

If you have scar tissue from acid reflux, you are supposed to be on a special watch from your doctors in order to catch the cancer early (my sister wasn't). If you or anyone you give a hoot about has acid reflux, it is of the upmost importance that it be keep under control.

I don't want any of you to go through what my family is going through. This is a particularly hideous cancer, with a very low survival rate.

In the past few years, this cancer has been booming in occurances while many other cancers have been more stagnet. It is up more than 500% in White people & I believe it's up 50% in Black people. I don't think our government has bothered to find out why yet.

Get it checked folks!!!

[crooked butt doctor]

wow ace- thats horrible man. i'm sorry to hear about that. my sincerest go out to you and yours.
thank you for the heads up.

[havokrooster]

my condolences to you and yours.

[docrock]

I'm sorry for your family Ace. I know that you'd talked about this in the past and had hoped things would work out. Spend as much time with her and your family as you can brother. Every day is a gift.






As a side note to everybody out there. As a nurse one of the clinics I work with is GI. The ability to get things checked over with EGDs and Colonoscopies is HUGE. Just imagine if you could do tests in one day to determine if you have cancer or are at a higher risk for cancer. Its not a pretty thought to have done but the potential is huge.

[ace007]

I appreciate the notes everyone.

Listen to Doc--he knows what he's talking about.

I should have mentioned that in those not getting regular screenings, cancer of the esophagus is often found because there's difficulty swallowing food-- that's how my sister's was discovered. I think it's usually too late then.

[Shrub]

Sorry to hear that Ace my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My Grandfather died of cancer of the esophagus when I was younger. But his was due to smoking...I'm here for ya if you need anything ask...

[JesterTLS]

Ace, I had a friend that passed away from exactly that. Many people do not take acid reflux seriously. But I too learned about it like you have. I have another friend that has acid reflux bad. I relayed the story of my friend to him. He had no ideal that it could lead to anythinglife threatening. Its not something you really think about killing you, but it really can.

I hate to hear of your sisters illness. My thoughts and prayers will be with her and your family. One thing however, no matter what doctors tell you or how bad to gets, never give up.

[ace007]

well my sister made it till 4:15 PM Monday, Feb. 25th. She had suffered tremendously since mid-October '07, but she was a fighter.

Our family is doing ok--after seeing her suffer so, it was a relief to that end. The separation is only temporary.

I & my oldest daughter (Feisty on PBJunkie) were the last family members to have a real conversation with her (the previous Saturday night). Unexpected Deteroation the next day (Sunday) left her only with the ability to get off a word or two occasionally while still reconizing people. By Monday morning all of that was gone & by late afternoon, she was gone too.

Listen people--do not let this happen to you!! If you have acid reflux, get yourself checked & get the reflux under control. Please

Thanks Everybody

[Junkie]

Man what a bummer Ace. Glad to hear the family is doing ok. Loosing a family member sucks horribly... I'm still going through the pain of loosing my dad so soon...

[ace007]

Originally Posted by Junkie

Man what a bummer Ace. Glad to hear the family is doing ok. Loosing a family member sucks horribly... I'm still going through the pain of loosing my dad so soon...

Thanks Junkie!!!