INDY Proudly Presents:
gordie st.aubin
This winter I felt tired, rundown, and had problems with a frequent upset stomach which is normal for me. Carbonated drinks started bothering me. It felt like it was stuck down low then moved back up. I initially went in to see the doctor for difficulty swallowing and chest discomfort on February 17th in Tyler, MN. After an abnormal chest X-ray, I had a CT of my chest that found an enlarged lymph node. The next 3 weeks I had workups including biopsies, a brain MRI, and PET scan at Avera in Sioux Falls, SD. The brain, liver and lungs were thankfully clear, but the PET scan showed a tumor in my lower esophagus near the stomach and the enlarged lymph node in my chest. The biopsies confirmed an adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus, a form of Esophageal cancer. Monday March 16th, 2020 was one of the hardest days for my family as the results were confirmed that I have stage 3 Esophageal cancer. I started treatment March 30, 2020. It will be 6-weeks of daily radiation with chemotherapy every other week. Two to three months after the 6-week treatment I will have another PET scan to recheck the tumor and lymph nodes. My family and I are hopeful that after this treatment I will be able to have surgery at the Mayo to remove any remaining cancer.
Going through cancer is difficult during this pandemic. It is hard not to be able to talk to my close friends when there is something I do not want to talk to my spouse or family because I don’t want to upset them. Being home alone while my wife is away at work and I cannot go anywhere because of the COVID-19 pandemic is hard. All that time alone makes my mind think about everything and some of those many things start to become negative thoughts. The times I get out of the house is for my treatment. I do feel safe at the hospital. They have taken many precautions for the pandemic to keep all the patients and workers safe.
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month and the ribbon is periwinkle. Esophageal cancer is usually found in its later stages once symptoms become noticeable. There are no screening tests for this type of cancer, but major risk factors are heartburn, acid reflux and difficulty swallowing. I have a history of these symptoms. I have doctored for them but none of the doctors tested me for cancer. This type of cancer is curable if found at an early stage. Too often it is missed past the point of being cured. I hope by being INDY’s May warrior that this will give individuals and healthcare professionals awareness of this type of cancer before it is too late.
Going through cancer is difficult during this pandemic. It is hard not to be able to talk to my close friends when there is something I do not want to talk to my spouse or family because I don’t want to upset them. Being home alone while my wife is away at work and I cannot go anywhere because of the COVID-19 pandemic is hard. All that time alone makes my mind think about everything and some of those many things start to become negative thoughts. The times I get out of the house is for my treatment. I do feel safe at the hospital. They have taken many precautions for the pandemic to keep all the patients and workers safe.
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month and the ribbon is periwinkle. Esophageal cancer is usually found in its later stages once symptoms become noticeable. There are no screening tests for this type of cancer, but major risk factors are heartburn, acid reflux and difficulty swallowing. I have a history of these symptoms. I have doctored for them but none of the doctors tested me for cancer. This type of cancer is curable if found at an early stage. Too often it is missed past the point of being cured. I hope by being INDY’s May warrior that this will give individuals and healthcare professionals awareness of this type of cancer before it is too late.
During the month of May a portion of the proceeds from shopping all INDY Gear and Apparel will go directly to Gordie and his family. Shop now and be sure to mention his name in the comments section at checkout.
You may also donate and 100% will go to Gordie and his family.
You may also donate and 100% will go to Gordie and his family.
