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Vitals


David McArthur (davemack)


June 18, 2008


Brisbane, Australia


14th January (every year :)


Oral Cavity and Pharynx


Oesophageal cancer - Stage IV


December 13th, 2007


Stage 4


4.1 - 5.0 cm


Grade 3


Yes


Epirubicin


Cancer Survivor


Hosting it


Life is very, very short


Initially, trouble swallowing and pain just below the ribcage … gradually getting worse.


Inoperable


25 treatments, 9 days in every 2 weeks – partial hair loss, starting 1st week in February this year, finishing March 18th


1st and 4th week of Radiotherapy treatment, chemotherapy was also performed. 24×5 delivery of 5FU with a Cisplatin infusion on second day of each of these weeks.
Side effects included a ‘Chemo crash’ both weeks I had the treatment – second week worse than the first (required blood transfusions).


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Biography

57 year old, married, ex-pat Kiwi (New Zealander) living in Brisbane, Australia. Ex-smoker diagnosed with Stage 4 Oesophageal Cancer in December 2007. Untreated, 75% of those diagnosed with stage 4 Oesophageal cancer don’t make 1 year anniversary of diagnosis, only 9 % make it to 5 years.

Treatment was harsh, agressive and fairly brutal on my body, but the outcome has been very good. Cure is out of the question (it’s inoperable, 3 major sites within my oesophagus), but I do feel the best I’ve fealt in at least 9 months.

Cancer Symptoms

Initially, trouble swallowing and pain just below the ribcage … gradually getting worse.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Inoperable

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

25 treatments, 9 days in every 2 weeks – partial hair loss, starting 1st week in February this year, finishing March 18th

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

1st and 4th week of Radiotherapy treatment, chemotherapy was also performed. 24×5 delivery of 5FU with a Cisplatin infusion on second day of each of these weeks.
Side effects included a ‘Chemo crash’ both weeks I had the treatment – second week worse than the first (required blood transfusions).

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

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Bone Marrow Transplant Description, Dates & Side Effects

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Immune Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

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Fundraising Description

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Views: 103


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June 18, 2008

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