文/Devin Ray Kurtz, 2016,图/Beaver Country Times
Over the past few weeks, Tony Dascoli has grown accustomed to living without solid food. Six weeks of feeding in a feeding tube prepared him to taste real food again. He had stage 4 esophageal cancer, which eroded two-thirds of his esophagus and stomach. When doctors told him he could try solid foods, the self-styled foodie didn't opt for an elaborate four-course meal or his beloved pasta, but headed straight for McDonald's at the Golden Arches.
After a long period of eating restrictions lifted, Dascoley's first meal came from McDonald's — a cheeseburger, a packet of fries and a vanilla milkshake. Recalling that moment, 74-year-old Midland resident Dascoli was filled with emotion: "That cheeseburger was a human delicacy. ”
Dr. Blair Jobe, head of the Allegheny Health Network's Esophageal and Lung Institute, noted that esophageal cancer is rare, with only 251 residents of Beaver County diagnosed with the disease between 1994 and 2013, according to the state health department. Worryingly, two-thirds of patients are only discovered when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
"The esophagus has a ring-shaped structure, so patients often don't notice the problem until a napkin-like tumor forms around the esophagus," Dr. Job emphasized. Prevention of these diseases is as difficult as finding a needle in the bottom of the sea. ”
Since the 70s of the 20th century, the number of cases of esophageal cancer has risen dramatically and is now the fastest-growing type of cancer. At the same time, it has a high mortality rate, with a five-year survival rate of only 20% after diagnosis, which is a significant difference compared to other cancers such as breast, prostate or colon cancer.
Dr. Job added that esophageal cancer lacks effective early screening and, unlike several cancers mentioned above, it can often only be detected by endoscopy, which involves inserting an endoscope into the throat while the patient is sedated. However, in order for insurance to cover the cost of this test, patients must first report their symptoms.
"The problem with esophageal cancer is that it's often detected at an advanced stage," says Dr. Job, "and unlike people who are routinely screened for colon cancer at age 50, if we could follow everybody, we might be able to detect esophageal cancer earlier, but it's not considered economical at the moment." ”
Dascoli was diagnosed with cancer after developing dysphagia, and food always stuck in his throat, whether hot or cold. At first, it was just small grains of rice, which caused discomfort, and then he went to see his family doctor. After MRI and biopsy histopathological examination, the results showed that he was in stage 4 esophageal cancer.
That means five weeks of chemotherapy, five weeks of radiation therapy, and eight and a half hours of major surgery. After the surgery, Dascoli was left with a series of inch-long scars on his abdomen, and it was through these incisions that Dr. Job removed two-thirds of his esophagus and reconstructed the esophageal passage with a portion of his stomach.
Nowadays, Dascoli must chew slowly when eating, and try to avoid large meals at night. As a master of cooking, he often cooks all kinds of soups.
At the beginning of the month, he crafted a pot of sauerkraut, beans and smoked sausage soup, a winter favorite soup to share with his family. "I love food, and so does my family, and I love to share joy with my family and friends through food. Dascoli said.
Dascoley's positive and optimistic attitude accompanied him through the year of battling cancer. In August, scans showed no signs of cancer in his body, a relief for Dascoli himself, his children, friends and his ex-wife. However, life has not fully returned to the way it was before the disease.
Before his illness, Dascoli enjoyed a leisurely retirement. He worked in the construction industry for 30 years, retired with honor at the age of 57, and has a passion for fitness, playing basketball at the YMCA, and living a full and colorful life. However, after the surgery, he had to struggle to regain his strength. He recalls that his legs were weak and jelly when he first returned to exercise, but now he is back to normal, doing restorative exercises several times a week and devoting more time to the YMCA.
The ham no longer suited his appetite, but the sausages did. His main meal usually takes place at breakfast, and if it is not a traditional breakfast item, dinner is often cereal or peanut butter jelly sandwiches.
Initially, the taste of the food was not satisfactory to him. "The food did taste a little weird," he recalls, "and even the two cups of coffee I had to make a day tasted weird." ”
Dascoley said the experience of cancer changed his perspective on life, made him realize how precious it is to have a circle of friends and family to talk to just by phone, and taught him the importance of a support system.
"Now I see life from a whole new perspective," he says, "and I don't have any reason to complain about life."
"I have a warm family, close friends, and delicious food, and that's happiness. ”