topic Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino ••• in Community Chat

••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

newziesuzie — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 11:38:20 GMT

From "Lisa P. Mason's" Facebook page yesterday.

https://www.facebook.com/Lisamason.showhost?fref=nf

3/8/15: "My friends. What an extraordinary week. After learning that esophageal cancer is the number one fastest growing cancer in the US, Gino and I got to work! We meet with the board of the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association this month to help all we can.

Please, please understand. There are often NO symptoms. This cancer is found in people who have smoked or drank heavily.

Or, in Gino's case, had acid reflux years ago. Gino took the medication for acid reflux and the heartburn "went away".

In actuality, it didn't. He just couldn't feel it any longer.

Little did we know, heartburn can exist with absolutely no discomfort. We beg you. If you have been a heavy smokey or drinker. If you have had acid reflux in the past, please see you doctor.

By the time the first symptoms presents...(difficulty swallowing, hiccuping during meals, food feeling "stuck" in the throat, needing more liquids during meals)...the cancer has already advanced.

We love you. We greatly care for you. We do not want you to travel our road. We ask you to think about this!!! Gino and I stand committed to help others know more about this horrible cancer. God Bless You!!!!"

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

newziesuzie — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 11:40:58 GMT

This was her 2/24/15 post:

"7 months ago, Doctors suggested that Gino and I get our affairs in order. A sudden and shocking stage four esophageal cancer with spread to the lymph nodes, lungs and brain was my husband's diagnosis. We heeded their words of wisdom. Signing and initialing multiple documents in our attorney's office. He initialed "GC" (Gino Contawe). I initialed " LM" (Lisa Mason). Dark, dark days followed with multiple surgeries, radiation, chemo. Today, we learned that Gino has no cancer in the brain, practically nothing in the lungs and the esophageal tumor has shrunk so much that it can't be seen on a scan. What does it mean? Is he cured? Permanent remission? We don't know for sure....we live day by day.....but today I decided that the initials "GC" and "LM" no longer stand for our names. "GCLM" to me now means: "God's Compassion+Love=Miracles"! Life is a blessing. And a gift. We are grateful. Thank you for prayers. We humbly thank you. God Bless You. Gino and Lisa."

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

I am still oxox — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 12:43:25 GMT

I think her FB post is meant as a warning, not to take reflux lightly, to get it check out, and it does not mean that Gino is unwell once again

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

Lotus — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:30:51 GMT

On 3/9/2015 I am still oxox said:
I think her FB post is meant as a warning, not to take reflux lightly, to get it check out, and it does not mean that Gino is unwell once again

I agree.

Who would even think that acid reflux could either turn into or mask esophageal cancer?

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

CouponQueen — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:35:33 GMT

I think she is making everybody aware of the symptoms or lack thereof really..

I know somebody who is around 58..who he too..just went to the MD for acid reflux and dx within days of this cancer. Unfortunately he was a heavy smoker and drinker up to about the age of 50.. He is awaiting another scan to see..but the last I heard he did go back to work..

I don't think he had a set back but more of they are now seeking awareness. Good for them!

I wish him and her nothing but the best.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

JustJazzmom — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:09:21 GMT

One of my grandfathers died of esophageal cancer. He had gotten a clean bill of health in December and about 5 months later was gone. This was back in the 60's and he was 69. He had the symptoms of needing more fluids during meals and hiccuping.

I'm glad that she is putting it out there for all to become aware of this rapidly growing cancer and get checked out.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

sunshine45 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:52:43 GMT

48 years old for my sisters fiance.....

he was diagnosed sometime in january 2012 and he was gone in october 2012. that is how fast that cancer spread. no real symptoms until he was having problems keeping food down. it really took a toll on the both of them. his dog was even so depressed that she died less than a year later.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

Cakers1 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:55:00 GMT

Hoping all the best for Lisa and Gino.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

LilacTree — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:55:01 GMT

I have some of these symptoms because I took Prevacid for many years (doctor's prescription) and it destroyed the lining of my stomach.

So if it's already too late, I'll just hang in.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

newziesuzie — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:06:27 GMT

I agree I think it's clear from her words that Gino's still improving and they want to make this an opportunity to help others. They sound like good and loving people.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

Melania — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:17:51 GMT

Barrett's Esophagus is caused by reflux. What concerns me is he took medication to treat it and he still got it.

But was she saying he was a smoker that caused it? I'm confused.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

NoelSeven — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:34:22 GMT

Excess weight can also cause serious acid reflux. Even a 30 pound loss can make a major difference.

A friend of the family died of esophageal cancer more than ten years ago. She went to her internist. complaining of difficulty swallowing. He was horrid. He berated her for her weight and told her that's what caused her problem. He NEVER checked her throat or sent her to a specialist.

To make a long story short, she died not long after that. She was a wife, a sister, a cousin and a good friend. She spoke several languages, she was funny, she was intelligent. She was a very well known person in the community who gave back.

She was barely 50 years old. She was a woman of valor.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

NoelSeven — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:42:46 GMT

On 3/9/2015 Melania2 said:
Barrett's Esophagus is caused by reflux. What concerns me is he took medication to treat it and he still got it.

But was she saying he was a smoker that caused it? I'm confused.

I'm not really sure of what you're saying, but let me throw something out there. The meds to help with acid reflux are usually PPIs. The acid damages the lining of the throat, where it does not do the same to the stomach.

It could have been that the damage to his throat had already been done, to the point that he no longer felt the acid there.

Does that help, or did I just make it more confusing?

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

beckyb1012 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:49:17 GMT

On 3/9/2015 sunshine45 said:
48 years old for my sisters fiance.....

he was diagnosed sometime in january 2012 and he was gone in october 2012. that is how fast that cancer spread. no real symptoms until he was having problems keeping food down. it really took a toll on the both of them. his dog was even so depressed that she died less than a year later.

Just six months for my father-in-law. So scary to how quickly it can all occur.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

Melania — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 22:19:30 GMT

On 3/9/2015 NoelSeven said:
On 3/9/2015 Melania2 said:
Barrett's Esophagus is caused by reflux. What concerns me is he took medication to treat it and he still got it.

But was she saying he was a smoker that caused it? I'm confused.

I'm not really sure of what you're saying, but let me throw something out there. The meds to help with acid reflux are usually PPIs. The acid damages the lining of the throat, where it does not do the same to the stomach.

It could have been that the damage to his throat had already been done, to the point that he no longer felt the acid there.

Does that help, or did I just make it more confusing?

Perfect, thanks!!

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

NoelSeven — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 22:26:38 GMT

On 3/9/2015 Melania2 said:
On 3/9/2015 NoelSeven said:
On 3/9/2015 Melania2 said:
Barrett's Esophagus is caused by reflux. What concerns me is he took medication to treat it and he still got it.

But was she saying he was a smoker that caused it? I'm confused.

I'm not really sure of what you're saying, but let me throw something out there. The meds to help with acid reflux are usually PPIs. The acid damages the lining of the throat, where it does not do the same to the stomach.

It could have been that the damage to his throat had already been done, to the point that he no longer felt the acid there.

Does that help, or did I just make it more confusing?

Perfect, thanks!!

Just getting ready to go out and thought I should add how weight can cause acid reflux.

The excess weight pushes on the stomach, and the stomach acid (which the stomach lining can handle) is pushed up into the throat. The linking of the throat is different than the lining of the stomach and can't handle it.

If anyone thinks they have acid reflux, see an MD and get medication.

Do not lie down for at least three hours after eating (it can roll up into the throat)

Avoid: alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, sodas and spicy food.

There was a recent discussion on this, aka GERD, on the Health board for anyone interested in more information.

Re: ••• New updates from Lisa Mason former QVC host and her DH Gino •••

cater — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 03:25:09 GMT

Same results for my super wonderful brother-in law. He was always saying he had ""hot neck"" and he was a person who did go for check ups. One November he walked in to my home and said he got his results back from the tests they did on him and he blurted out he had esophageal cancer. By the second week in January he was gone. How very quickly from November to January a terrible loss for all of us.