The fundraiser we are spotlighting in this post is in memory of Dale F., who was diagnosed at Stage IV and passed away after only one year of treatment. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is honored to carry out this mission in memory of Dale and we welcome you to learn more about his story and support the fundraising campaign that his sister, Wendy, created.
Unfortunately, stories like Dale’s are all too common. In the past three decades, esophageal cancer has increased over 600% and has become the fastest growing cancer in the United States and western world. Esophageal cancer is also one of the deadliest cancers, as the majority of patients are diagnosed in later stages, with Stage IV, which only has a survival rate of less than 4%.
What has caused this dramatic increase and poor survival? It is due, in part, to four factors: lack of awareness or risk factors and symptoms; no routine/standard screening; late occurrence of symptoms, leading to late diagnosis and lack of research funding for improved detection techniques and treatment options.
My brother Dale was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It was stage IV when he was diagnosed and he did a little more then a year of treatment. Finding out that he had cancer just crushed us all but he was a fighter and didn’t give up because he has two young children that he wanted to watch growing older. He was very sick from chemotherapy though he was very strong and tried not to show it. Then after a year of treatment he passed away on 2/23/2017, he was only 47 years old. Please let’s raise awareness and find a cure to this very deadly cancer. Thanks for you’re help. ~Wendy
To donate to Wendy’s fundraiser in memory of Dale, please click here.
The Organic Gallery Pop Up Art Show and Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at The White Butterfly Cafe in Jackson, New Jersey.
The show will feature local art and photography talent. 25% of all art sales will benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation in support of esophageal cancer awareness and research.
There will also be live acoustic music and refreshments will be served. Please come out and support local artists and this charity! For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook and please share!
Esophageal cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the United States, United Kingdom and other western countries. With no routine or standard screenings, esophageal cancer is also one of the deadliest cancers.
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While raising awareness and research funding for esophageal cancer is something that The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is devoted to accomplishing ALL year, April is a special time to make a BIG impact together.
Here Are Four Simple, Yet Effective Ways You Can Help:
SHOP: Get ready for April by shopping on our online Esophageal Cancer Awareness Store! When you shop at our store, you’re not only raising awareness, but research funding, too, as a portion of all sales from our items goes directly to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation.
DONATE: The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is able to achieve this life-saving mission entirely through the generosity of our supporters. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made one-time or recurring.
FUNDRAISE: Create your own custom fundraising page. This is a great way to help raise awareness and generate funding for this life-saving mission. Create a page in memory of or as a tribute to a loved one and include photos and your personal story. All donations support The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation.
AWARENESS: Follow The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation online and share our social media pages to help us spread the word! Use the hashtag: #AllPeriwinkleEverything™ and tag us in your posts! Need ideas? Click the link below:
Did you know that you can shop online to support The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation’s mission to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer? Visit the links below to get started! Please don’t forget to share this post!
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AmazonSmile
Shop AmazonSmile using our custom link & Amazon will donate a percentage of sales to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation! It’s an easy way to support this mission, without extra effort or cost.
Show your support for esophageal cancer awareness and research with a periwinkle bracelet/wristband AND benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation’s mission: awareness, early detection & research.
The word “Agita” in Italian, means heartburn. What better way to let everyone know the dangers of chronic heartburn than to display it on an ornament, year-round PLUS you’ll be raising funds for esophageal cancer awareness & research!
Shop our “Esophageal Cancer” store on Zazzle to start spreading awareness of esophageal cancer while raising funding for this mission! A portion of all sales go directly towards The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation.
“Long-term maintenance therapy with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) was shown to be associated with an increased risk for esophageal cancer, even in patients taking PPIs for indications not previously associated with this cancer risk, according to results from a new study from Sweden.
The authors call for “a more restrictive attitude towards maintenance use of PPIs.”
However, this “surprising” observation comes from a single cohort study that lacks the evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship, warn experts approached for comment. They say that clinicians shouldn’t stop prescribing PPIs as recommended by current guidelines.
The new study was published online February 22 in Cancer Epidemiology by a team led by Nele Brusselaers, MD, PhD, associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the Karolinska Institutet and the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.
In the study, data from four national registers in Sweden were used to identify 796,492 patients without a history of cancer who were exposed to maintenance PPI therapy between 2005 and 2014. Most were female (58.5%), and 34.0% were age 70 years or older.
The indications for PPI use included maintenance therapy with aspirin (34.8%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (30.4%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (25.3%), gastroduodenitis (13.2%), and peptic ulcer disease (10.0%). Less than 10% of participants were taking PPIs for other indications.
The team compared this cohort of nearly 800,000 patients taking PPIs to adults in the general population matched for sex and age over the same period.
They found that the overall standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in PPI users was 3.93, and the overall SIR for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was 2.77.
The study also showed that in patients without GERD who were taking PPI maintenance therapy with NSAIDs or aspirin, the SIR for EAC was 2.74 and 2.06, respectively.
To evaluate confounding by indication, stratified analyses were performed for each indication not associated with an increased risk for EAC. This separate analysis was one of the study’s chief strengths because it minimized the risk for confounding by indication that has limited previous research, Brusselaers and colleagues say. However, they were unable to identify the indication for PPI therapy in 25% of the cohort.
Increase in Cancer Not Seen With H2-Antagonists
A comparative analysis in 20,177 patients taking only histamine-2 receptor (H2) antagonists (such as ranitidine) found no increased risk for EAC (SIR, 0.39) or SCC (SIR, 0.50).
This finding “lends support to the hypothesis that this association may be due to PPI medication per se, and not related to other factors that predispose to using anti-acidic medications,” the study authors say.
“To assess generalizability and validity of these results, further investigations in other settings with other distributions of risk factors for oesophageal cancer is necessary,” they write. “Yet, we believe that a more restrictive attitude towards maintenance use of PPIs may be indicated…. Long term use of PPIs should be addressed with caution.”
Assuming that 10.7% of Swedish adults are taking PPI maintenance therapy, 5.4% of all esophageal cancer cases seen in that country’s population during the study period could be conservatively estimated to be attributable to PPI use, they suggest. The population of Sweden was 9.03 million in 2005 and had increased to 9.519 million by 2012.
This is not the first time that long-term PPI therapy has been implicated in increased cancer risk. Most recently, Medscape Medical News reported a Hong Kong study showing that long-term PPI therapy doubled gastric cancer risk after Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Dramatic Increase in Esophageal Cancer
When approached for comment, David A Johnson, MD, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, said this study “potentially does more harm than good.” A discussion with patients about whether PPI therapy is necessary “is always appropriate,” but clinicians shouldn’t stop prescribing PPIs as recommended, he emphasized.
“These findings are surprising because of the lack of evidence that goes with this observation. The allegation of harm should always start with a hypothesis as to why a reported association may be causal. None is suggested in this report,” Johnson told Medscape Medical News.
Since the introduction of PPIs, the incidence of SCC of the esophagus has increased dramatically, Johnson acknowledged. The incidence of EAC in industrialized countries has also increased.”
“Long-term PPI Use and Increased Esophageal CA Risk” – MedScape– Mar 05, 2018.
Cancer Epidemiol. Published online February 22, 2018.Abstract
Editor Note: Content may be edited.
Disclaimer
This post contains information from an article regarding a recently published abstract and reflects the content of those abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data.
To read more esophageal cancer news, please visit: SALGI.org/news
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
“Evolution describes how all living forms cope with challenges in their environment, as they struggle to persevere against formidable odds. Mutation and selective pressure—cornerstones of Darwin’s theory—are the means by which organisms gain an advantageous foothold or pass into oblivion.
In a new study, researchers at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute led an international team to explore how evolutionary processes guide the pathways of cells. Their results, which appear in the advanced online edition of the journal Nature Communications, point to influences leading some cells to remain stable over time while driving others to become cancerous and expand without limit.
The new research focuses on a condition known as Barrett’s Esophagus (BE). The disease, which affects over three million Americans, causes cells lining the [esophagus] to change shape from their normal form (known as squamous epithelia) to a pathological cell type (known as columnar epithelia).
A small number of BE patients—just .2 percent per year—will go on to develop a highly lethal, treatment-resistant cancer, known as Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC). Despite advances in therapy, prospects for EAC patients remain bleak—fewer than 15 percent survive beyond 5 years. (While the incidence of EAC in the United States has remained low, it has risen alarmingly in recent years.)
Understanding why most BE patients avoid this fate and some don’t has been a challenge for the medical community. Evolutionary oncologists like Carlo Maley, a researcher at the Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics and a senior author of the new study, believe a better understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of this process may hold the key. The study examines these dynamics over at least 6 years of surveillance. Of the 8 BE patients examined, 4 remain stable and 4 progress to cancer.
“By taking a host of minute samples across the surface of the esophagus, and across many years while these patients were under surveillance to detect cancer, we had an unprecedented view of the dynamics of carcinogenesis,” Maley says.
Sensing the threat
BE presents a conundrum for clinicians. The condition is a risk factor for developing a deadly, highly intractable cancer but only a tiny proportion of BE patients will progress to cancer. Because no reliable means exist at present to distinguish progressors from non-progressors, the only cautionary measures available involve repeated surveillance of BE esophageal cells through endoscopy and biopsy to try to catch EAC-linked abnormalities at an early stage, or methods to burn away the lining of the esophagus.
Such invasive, expensive and often unnecessary screening and interventions result in over-diagnosis and over treatment, while surveillance of esophageal cells on a population-wide basis is impractical. Clearly, a more reliable approach is needed—one that can ferret out those BE patients most likely to advance to EAC.
As the authors note, better predictions will rely in part on testing BE samples at multiple points in time, and an examination of cells extracted from different locations in the esophageal tissue. One positive consequence of aggressive BE cell surveillance is that it has provided researchers with a rich library of data that can be mined using new methods in order to tease out critical factors governing progression vs non-progression to cancer.
Disease origins
Barrett’s Esophagus can develop over time when digestive acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing damage and growth of precancerous cells. To accurately assess the evolutionary dynamics involved in progression to cancer, researchers need more fine-grained analyses of BE cells, to tease out details that may not be detectable in whole biopsies containing millions of cells.
In BE, the columnar architecture of the epithelium is similar to that of the intestine. Here, well-like structures in the tissue known as crypts appear. At the base of those crypts are stem cells, which replenish the epithelium as older cells migrate up the sides of the crypts and then die off. The study represents the first genome-wide analysis of the evolutionary dynamics in BE at the level of individual crypts. (While crypts may contain more than a single stem cell, these cells tend to be genetically uniform. For this reason, crypt sampling is closely analogous to sampling single BE cells.)
Researchers would like to know why most cases of BE appear to be evolutionarily static over time. Either genetic alterations tend to be rare or, if they are common, cells carrying those alterations do not expand to levels detectable through conventional biopsy. The new study examines the genomes of single crypts in BE to take a closer look at when and where genetic variants arise and how the evolutionary process plays out.
Ominous progression
Advancement from BE to EAC is a process characterized by mounting genomic instability. Over time, BE patients can accumulate mutations in their esophageal lesions, altering the genetic makeup of these cells. Such genetic variation is regarded as a valuable predictor of progression to cancer, though the highly complex dynamics of this process are still being worked out.
The study focused on losses and gains of large regions of chromosomes in the BE cells. Aberrations in the chromosomes are high in those who go on to develop EAC, even 4 years before progression and remain low in non-progressors, pointing to the value of chromosomal diversity as a diagnostic indicator.
The study also examined a phenomenon known as genome doubling. This results from faulty cell division, which creates a cell with twice the normal number of chromosomes. Those likely to progress to EAC were also more likely to experience genome doubling, which is presaged by an increasing rate of accumulation of chromosomal aberrations.
The study examines genetic variation in BE crypts, comparing these with the variation found through examination of biopsies. Multiple biopsies and crypt samples were examined from 8 BE patients at two different time points. Four of these patients progressed to EAC and 4 did not.
Results comparing biopsy and single crypt information show that genetic alterations are indeed rare, even at the crypt level, and that Barrett’s lesions tend to arise from a single ancestral cell gone awry. Further, the study selects cells from different regions of the esophagus and finds that genetic alterations were more common in samples taken near the base of the esophagus, known as the gastro-esophageal junction.
New findings
The study addresses five previously unanswered questions concerning BE. As the authors stress, the results offer new insights into the general process of cell progression to cancer, which may be applicable across many, if not all forms of the disease.
Results indicate that
a) BE tissue in most cases arises from a single altered ancestral cell
b) expansion of cancerous clones (identical cells of common ancestry) is rare
c) cells sampled near the gastro-esophageal junction accumulate more genomic alterations than those found in other regions of the esophagus, making them better targets for diagnosis
d) there are dramatic changes in mutation rate during progression and these may occur early in the process of cancer progression and
e) genetic diversity as measured through biopsy in Barrett’s patients is comparable to that observes in individual crypts, indicating that biopsy analysis is adequate for assessing the evolutionary characteristics of BE cells and their likelihood of progression.
Continued work in this area promises to untangle the complex network of evolutionary factors at play when cells are directed away from their normal course and toward the fateful path of cancer.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States. There are no routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in earlier stages and symptoms (such as difficulty swallowing, choking sensation, etc…) often occur once the cancer spreads and becomes more difficult (if not impossible) to treat. There is a misconception that esophageal cancer “typically” affects older males. However, due to the fact that esophageal cancer is rapidly increasing, it is also rapidly affecting both men and women of all ages.
When we received a donation and the story that we are about to share with you, we were heartbroken. There are truly no words to express how horrific esophageal cancer is and each time we receive donations in memory of loved ones, our hearts break. However, as we told her beloved friends, with Karen, an Ironman triathlete, who was diagnosed just six weeks before she passed away, it seems that not even esophageal cancer could dim her spirit and it will most certainly not touch her legacy.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is honored to carry out this mission in memory of Karen and we are very appreciative to her family and friends for donating in her name.
Photo via: Kate Z.
The story of our Karen is a story of adventure, love, passion, inspiration and courage. (by Katie M.)
Diagnosed at thanksgiving (2017) and passed about 6 weeks later, (January 2018.)
In a cramped, plain waiting room in UM hospital, a crowd grows steadily from morning ‘til night. These are the close friends, closer friends, family, crazy swimmers, drinking buddies and running buddies of a woman who has lived a full and intense life, a woman who made everyone she met feel important and accomplished, included.
Karen is only 49, but has crammed at least 100 years of living into that time. She often seems both more youthful than her age and also wiser than her years. And so, the people who fill the waiting room and share their favorite memories of Karen on this private Facebook group come from a range of decades, backgrounds and locales. But we are equally enamored of her for her spirit, kindness, energy, forgiveness, optimism and endless passion.
Karen is an Ironman triathlete (yes, she’s qualified and raced Kona, we say when we brag about her) and a multiple-time Boston Marathon qualifier and finisher. She really is cool. This past year, she has cared tirelessly and lovingly for her mother. She always talks adoringly to anyone who will listen about her amazing, brilliant, successful brother and sister; they are royalty. It is clear from listening to her talk, that she has found a kind companion in Pat. She is devoted to that running dog, Buddy. In fact, Karen only knows amazing people and animals, rock stars; this is because, by knowing Karen, you are thereby elevated. To know Karen is to be instantly inspired and mesmerized. It is also to be loved. She would drive hours for a short visit, a long run, to be supportive, to cheer on a friend’s athletic endeavor, to try a new lake or join in on a fun race. Karen is passion, strength and love incarnate. She doesn’t do small.
So it shouldn’t have surprised her loved ones (aka: admirers, aka: us), the hundreds of people wanting to make the pilgrimage to UM hospital, the friends on each coast and multiple continents, that she would also finish dramatically. We were all able to Google esophageal cancer and see what the prognosis is. But this is Karen, she never does things the average way. She is strong and amazing. She baffles people routinely with her astounding feats. I can’t be the only one who really believed she would pull off a miracle. But I really did believe it.
Photo via: Kate Z.
Our Karen is a big personality in a strong and wiry little frame. A bundle of energy, like a hummingbird and a cheetah all at once, with a whole lot of lovey dog for good measure. She is full of and surrounded by love. A soul with the amazing gift of taking in the fuel of love from others and multiplying and reflecting it out tenfold. Even as she is suffering the cruel effects and pain of this disease, she is easing the discomfort and pain of others, making US feel better.
She finished Ironman Maryland strong, healthy and passionate on Oct. 7. She started a new job she was excited to throw herself into with the same passion soon after. She doesn’t do small, even with cancer. She is bigger than life and that fed the disease too fast. Her courage, passion and energy once again serving as incredible fuel, but this time for her undoing.
Now the 100s, probably thousands of us made to feel part of the elite who know her, stream (physically and virtually) into Ann Arbor for another hug, kiss, cry, laugh, story. We all desire one more chance to love her up, one more chance to tell her how important she is in our lives, one more fix of Karen, who makes everyone a star when they reflect her brilliance.
The 1st Annual Walk for Doc- Supporting Esophageal Cancer Research will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, 11:30 AM EST at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd. Louisville, KY 40241. The event aims to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research for esophageal cancer.
Tickets are $20 in advance by Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 3:00 EST.
$25 day of the event. Cash and check are the only forms of payment accepted the day of the event.
Bring your family, friends, co-workers and dogs, too! E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park is pet friendly!
Children 12 and under are admitted FREE!*
About the event:
The 1st Annual Walk for Doc- Supporting Esophageal Cancer Research will benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection and fund research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™
The path at Tom Sawyer Park is approximately 3.5 miles and guests are encouraged to walk at their own pace.
Guests are asked to park in the big parking in between the play- ground and the indoor/outdoor pool. The event starts at 11:30 AM.
Meryl Levine is the lead coordinator of this event and lost her father to esophageal cancer.
Photo via: Meryl Levine
“Esophageal Cancer is a preventable, treatable disease if caught early. My dad was a physician, tasked with taking care of people’s feet. He was strong, generous, and smart….a force to be reckoned with before cancer brought him and us to our knees. I won’t go into how my brother had to clean the blood off the bathroom floor, as he lay in a hospital bed. I won’t tell you how difficult it was to see my once proud father have trouble just getting out of bed. I also won’t tell you how it wasn’t cancer that killed my dad…it was the treatment that, in the end, got him. We need to find a better way of treating and battling cancer. Chemo is toxic and kills not only cancer cells but healthy cells as well. Through research, we may one day win this fight. If I can help prevent one family from having to experience the pain and degradation my family went through, then my father’s fight to live was worthwhile. And the fight that was his is now mine. I gladly accept this challenge.”
In 2015, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded esophageal cancer research funding for the very first time! Since then over 20 requests have been made for esophageal cancer research funding. With your support and generosity, the charity hopes to again fund research again. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation also raised national AND international awareness. Your continued support directly impacts and sustains this mission!
Ready to make an even bigger impact?
When you register for the event, you will be asked if you’d like to create your own fundraising page. This is a great way to help raise more awareness of esophageal cancer and funding for this life-saving mission.
Registration is NOT required to make a custom fundraising page. To learn more and get started, click here.
Can’t make it? Here are other ways to get involved:
If you are unable to attend the event, there are many other ways in which you can make a difference and support this mission!
Donate: Support a team or individual fundraiser, click here.
Fundraise: Create your own custom fundraising page, click here.
Give: Make a one-time or recurring donation, visit: salgi.org/donate.
Sponsor: Learn about sponsorship opportunities for the event, click here.
In-Kind Donation: Fill out our in-kind donation form, click here.
Learn the facts about esophageal cancer
-Esophageal cancer has increased over 600% and is considered one of the fastest growing cancer in the US.
-As one of the deadliest cancers, esophageal cancer has an overall 5 year survival rate of only 18.8%.
-There are no routine or standard screenings to improve early detection of esophageal cancer.
-Symptoms often arise late, once the cancer is considered advanced or “distant” (spread to lymph nodes and other organs.)
-Stage IV esophageal cancer has a survival rate of only 4.6%.
-Despite these facts, esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded.
Make a difference!
Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to help make a difference against esophageal cancer. Whether you walk, volunteer, sponsor or donate, your involvement will directly support this life-saving mission. Thank you!
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
There is no question that those who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer face a long and arduous road ahead of them. Often times, those who are diagnosed with esophageal cancer are given bleak outcomes. A search online will portray terrifying odds.
While we have an obligation to post information and statistics concerning esophageal cancer incidence and survival rates on this website, we always strive to encourage those who are affected not to focus on the figures and rates and instead focus on treatment, receiving support from family and friends and taking each moment as it comes.
While the diagnosis may be similar, each person has his or her own individual journey. Positivity and hope play a large role in treatment.
Know that there are men and women who have not only survived esophageal cancer but have lived for decades after their initial diagnosis.
Recently, we came across a story online of a daughter whose father was given the same bleak outcome that so many others have faced. This man not only survived esophageal cancer, but is thriving.
We are honored to share this story and ask that you join us in wishing this survivor many, many, many more years of health, happiness and the ability to share his HOPE with others!
Sheri, in honor of her father, Bill:
“I vividly remember the day my father was diagnosed with this horrible disease. I was 8 months pregnant with my 2nd child. The doctor told him he should start making arrangements because, he would not be alive in a year. It was almost a year before we even heard of someone who had survived for more than 3 years. That was 21 years ago this coming April.
Today, my father placed 3rd in the Masters division at the Southern Erg Sprints indoor rowing championships. He was coxed by my son, who was born 4 ½ years after my dad’s diagnosis. For all of you out there who are feeling defeated by this disease, there is hope. People don’t just survive this disease they can thrive after it.”
Sheri went on to say that her “dad was not doing well until my mom found a 10 year survivor. That little bit of hope changed his outlook and made all the difference.”
We hope that this story inspires others who may be experiencing a similar situation. Thank you, Sheri for allowing us to share your father’s story. Please use the sharing links below to help us share this story of hope!
Do not copy or reproduce this story, whether in its entirety or any part of it or any story found on our website.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
“I am honored to be writing this blog post, to have fundraised for Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, and last but not least to honor my Dad, Richard “Pete” Smith who died on February 2, 2017 of Stage IV Recurrent Metastatic Esophageal Carcinoma.
My name is Sarah Elizabeth Smith. I am from Toms River, New Jersey and prior to December, 2016, I honestly knew Esophageal Cancer existed but had no idea how devastating it is. You are probably wondering a little more about me. Well, I am in my 30s. I work in Environmental Health and Safety and I am an Emergency Medical Services Provider. I have a wonderful Mom, Kathy Smith and wonderful siblings, Jen, who is married to Kurt and they have two daughters, Annalisa and Isabella, Rick who is married to Lisa and they have two sons, Brandon and Justin. I have a Shih Tzu named Barnaby and a cat named Tyson. I love to travel, read, wander around Target, and live life as it comes. I am very involved in my church, Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, NJ. Overall, I am just your regular person who happens to have been impacted by Esophageal Cancer.
For a few months prior to December, 2016, my Dad began experiencing swallowing difficulties, felt tired, and generally a little different than usual but did not really make a big deal of it. On December 24, 2016, my Mom, Kathleen, Dad, Cousin/Godbrother John, and Aunt/Godmother Vickie went out to dinner for Christmas Eve as the family usually does. At dinner, my Dad could not get anything down and from there, things quickly progressed.
Shortly after Christmas, my Dad made an appointment with a Gastroenterologist at the practice that I use and the Doctor ordered and scheduled an Endoscopy. My Mom and Dad went to the Surgery Center the day of the Endoscopy and received the news that the Doctor had found a mass and that he had biopsied it and sent a tissue sample out to the lab for evaluation and testing. We waited for what felt like an eternity for the results. Shortly after January 1, 2016, we received the devastating news that my Dad had Esophageal Carcinoma.
Shortly after receiving the diagnosis, my Dad had a more in-depth Endoscopy and a PET Scan. Ultimately, he had Stage III Esophageal Carcinoma upon initial diagnosis in January, 2016. The treatment plan was weekly chemotherapy and daily radiation, followed by a period off and then an Esophagectomy would follow some weeks later.
Initially Dad did so well with the Chemotherapy and Radiation. He had retired due to a long commute to and from work and because he wanted to be able to focus on getting better but he believed had he lived closer to work he would have been able to continue working to some extent. Dad really remained quite active and positive during this time. He had few side effects and really felt an improvement in his swallowing, as the mass reduced in size. With the Doctors and family, Dad had decided it was best to have a feeding tube inserted so that he could receive the complete nutrition he needed and to keep his weight up. We were all amazed and so proud of him. We were thankful for the Doctors and all the medical providers that he was being treated by.
Dad was a deeply religious and spiritual man. Each day he would pray the Rosary and he said he really felt God would take care of him. He thanked God each day for the treatments available and having his family and friends by his side supporting him.
During the break from treatment, Dad and the rest of the family enjoyed time together and he remained active and really made sure he was in the best shape possible for his upcoming Esophagectomy. In reality, the entire family was making sure we were in the best shape possible to support and care for Dad. It was honestly the calm before the storm.
Monday, May, 16, 2016, would be the big day. Dad would have his Esophagectomy done. We would finally be done with this whirlwind of chemotherapy, radiation, scans, blood work, etc.
The night before surgery, my Mom and Dad went to a hotel close to the Capital Health Medical Center Hopewell Campus in Pennington, NJ, and my Mom reported that my Dad ate a little from many local eating establishments close to the hospital and prior to the midnight pre-operative cut off time. I was glad they had this time together. My Mom would be staying in the hotel for at least one week after my Dad’s surgery so, like the caring guy he was, he made sure Mom was settled in for the week.
I barely slept that night and apparently I was not alone. My siblings reported they had difficulty sleeping, as did my parents. The surgery was scheduled for very early in the morning so I woke up very early and made the hour drive to the hospital where I was met by my sister Jen, brother-in-law Kurt, Mom Kathy, and Dad.
Dad was quickly taken to the pre-op area and a lot of things happened. We all got to be with him until he was taken into surgery. Then the waiting began. It was a long wait. Finally, Dr. Rosato came out to speak with the family. He said that he was unable to approach the surgery from Dad’s chest due to radiation damage and that he had performed the procedure via an approach through his neck. He was concerned about recovery but said that we should remain positive and that should his concerns become reality, we would all discuss them then. He assured us that the procedure went well and that we would be able to see Dad soon. What a relief.
We were taken to a family waiting room close to the Intensive Care Unit where we would wait for a while and then the Nurse came to get us to bring us to see Dad.
I honestly was completely relieved upon seeing him. We had been prepared for a plethora of possibilities, including Dad being on a ventilator for some time after surgery. There was no ventilator and we were dealing with the best case scenario. What a relief.
My Dad was aware of our presence and he took the breathing mask/non rebreather off his face and stated, in a Darth Vader voice, “I’m alive” and then went to sleep. We all laughed hysterically. That was so something Dad would do. Always trying to be a comedian and make people laugh.
The days in ICU were difficult for everyone BUT each day Dad made progress and we did as caregivers as well. Pretty soon after Dad was moved to a private room in a regular medical surgical unit. He continued to make progress. We were excited and incredibly impressed at the progress and how well he was doing mentally and physically.
Soon after he was discharged home. At home it was hard at times for everyone but he continued to make progress and was doing well. I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt like maybe we would look back at this years later and be proud of Dad and the entire family for getting through this horrible time and that it would help bring us closer together.
Dad did incredibly well throughout the summer and early fall. He walked miles around the mall. He went out as he could. He even began driving short distances and started participating in family events and things really looked great for him and the whole family.
The fall came and he started experiencing aches and pains and overall did not feel well. In what still feels like a blur, Dad had a hernia operation and then had an emergency surgery for a complication of that operation. He also was losing weight so he made the decision to have the feeding tube reinserted.
In December, 2016, after another PET scan and some other testing, we received the news that Dad’s cancer had returned and this time it was a Stage IV. This was not at all what we anticipated hearing or dealing with this holiday season but we got into the mental and physical space that we would deal with this as best possible. Dad began chemotherapy immediately and did well the first round. He was albeit weak but in good spirits.
The second round of chemotherapy was the beginning of the end. He began experiencing side effects and was uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. He was very weak. The Emergency Room visits began. Eventually he was hospitalized because his immune system was in very bad shape from the chemotherapy and cancer. He spent many days in the hospital this time. Eventually it became apparent that these were Dad’s last days. Eventually he insisted on coming home. Hospice entered the picture and they made it happen for him and for us. I had no idea what an invaluable blessing hospice would be for the family.
Dad came home and the family never left his side. As each day passed, Dad became less and less mentally present until he was bedbound and completely unable to speak and was unresponsive to us. I knew he was still there and would sit and talk with him but I felt this unimaginable pain. I knew that this was the end. Hospice made this whole process much easier. They gave me a sense of peace and I felt loved by people I had just met.
On February 2, 2017, I administered Dad’s medications at around midnight and a half an hour later, he had died.
I felt this strange mix of emotions. I felt relief that he was not suffering anymore and that we could finally start to pick up whatever pieces were salvageable and try to make sense of this loss and time and begin to heal while grieving. I felt sad, which is an obvious emotion when one’s Dad dies. I was angry that my Dad was gone. Angry that he had suffered so much and that he would not be around to call and spend time with.
The next week or so was a blur. We had Dad cremated and had a Celebration of Life. We took care of the things that needed immediate attention and we took care of each other.
In the year since, we have dealt with a plethora of emotions and events. We have gotten through them even though sometimes it’s a fight to do so. I feel like this year has concurrently been the slowest and fastest of my life.
I decided on my birthday on December 26 that I would do a Facebook fundraiser for this wonderful organization. I set a goal of $300 since I am in my 30s. I ended up raising $335! I have some seriously generous and awesome friends.
Shortly after I sent a Facebook message informing the administrator that the fundraiser was in progress and they invited me to write this post. I am truly honored. It is honestly the least I can do to help others who are dealing with this horrible disease.
The only advice I can offer is to take it a day or even a second at a time and to love the person who has cancer and to love those in your caregiving group. Be patient with yourself and your loved one. And have hope even if they end up dying. Have hope that Esophageal Cancer will one day have a cure.”
Fundraising Spotlight: In Loving Memory of Richard Smith. Photo Courtesy of: Sarah Elizabeth Smith. All rights reserved. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Content found on Salgi.org is for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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“Agita” Snowpeople Ornament
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