Diagnosis

Following some requests we would like to provide information on the diagnosis and treatment:


The diagnosis


During the summer of 2008 I had a period of approximately 4 months when I progressively had more and more difficulty to swallow food. Our first reaction was to ask around and search for reasons for this phenomena. We found information on eosophageal spams which emulated the conditions I experience quite well. It appeared that eosophaceal spams have no known cause, and no known successful treatment. However, I could not keep food down and had difficulty to get anything through this massive blockage at the base of my eosophagus. The pain when swallowing was excruciating. I started to regurgitate everything I eat and loose weight - fast. That is when we went to the GP for the first time (I must confess, probably too late - but I have no inbuilt fondness for visits to the doctor).


Blood tests came back positive with no abnormalities, and the GP could not come up with a single suggestion - except to refer me to a specialist. Two weeks past by before I got an appointment with Dr Goggin - the oesophageal specialist. Within 10 minutes in the consultation room he insisted on an immediate gastroscopy and arranged for a visit to the theatre within the next hour. The results was dim - the eosophagus is almost completely blocked with only a very tiny throughway to the stomach. There is a massive growth but Dr Goggin could not see the extent with the gastroscopy. The nature of growth is similar to cancerous growths in this area. A biopsy was taken and I was booked in for a CT scan the following day. Dr Goggin advised to stay completely away from any solids as any solid food will block the tiny hole. We arranged to see him again and the surgeon in two days when the results of the biopsy and CT scan would be available. The news was scary - but we had to wait the outcome.



Friday 6th December in the consulting room of Dr Somers le Roux and I stared at the CT scan results while the surgeon explained the pictures and the implications. There is a thickening of the lower eosophagus at the gastro junction. There are metastical disease in the liver with at least 6 separate 1-2cm lesions scattered through both lobes. There is no abnormalities seen in the biliary tree, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal areas. The biopsy confirm Eosophageal Adonacarcinoma - cancer of the Eosophagus. The stage is T3NxM1 - in layman terms advanced cancer that has already spread. Surgery is not an option and he suggested we start with chemo therapy as soon as possible. Survival rate for this type of cancer is almost nil, there is no permanent cure. I stared at him, shocked - "so this is the end?" I asked. Le Roux then enquired "So it is only a miracle that can help?" Dr Somers reply: "Yes - only a miracle."

In my mind and speaking to LeRoux in Afrikaans: I said,"so a miracle it will be" and in my mind the Spirit of God quickened His Word - 1Peter 2:24 ...by whose stripes you were (past tense) healed! At this moment the words Jesus spoke on the cross started ringing in my ears..."It is finished!" John 19:30...Jesus kept on saying to me..." I have paid, I have paid!" I did not hear much further as LeRoux and the surgeon was speaking.