As we start our battle against esophageal cancer, I think we all suffered from a strong feeling of aloneness. Yes, we have our family, but as much as we know they love us, we still can't help feeling that they really don't understand what we are going through. For those of us on the Internet, it was the first place we turned after getting the diagnosis of cancer. It was a very scary place!

     Most of the studies done on esophageal cancer paint an exceedingly grim picture on the statistics for survival. I know that I quickly stopped hunting such information for just that reason. Next, many of us found Cathy's EC Cafe. Even better was the link from Cathy's to the ACOR (Association of Online Cancer Resources) Esophageal Cancer listserv. This e-mail list ties together over 1000 EC patients, survivors and caregivers and it was through the people on this list that I started to begin to hope again. This is an invaluable resource of support, information and handholding.

    Atlanta is a big town and it was inevitable that there would be other EC folks in this area. As we posted our stories on the EC list, we saw others from the local area and, of course, e-mails and telephone conversations started to take place. We gather monthly at a restaurant in Marietta for lunch for fun, conversation and mutual support.

     I would like to use this section of the Dancing with the Dragon web site to share pictures and stories about our little band. I would also like to use it as an open invitation to anyone in the Atlanta area to please get in touch with us. You are not alone!

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