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Esophageal Cancer: Surgery Or Not?
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (87)Comment receiving replies
I had the surgery with some reluctance in April of 2023. It is a rough surgery and a tough course of recovery at 68 years of age but not unbearable in my experience. Almost a year later and my EGD yesterday showed me cancer free for the moment. Downside is the brutal bouts of Late Dumping Syndrome that seem to have become more frequent in the last few months and definitely more extreme. Eating is rarely a pleasure anymore and my days of enjoying a good whiskey or glass of craft beer are behind me. On the plus side I've added years with my wife and children and can still enjoy music and books so a more than fair trade off. Both my oncologist and my surgeon made compelling arguments for the surgery without sugar coating the trajectory and for me it was worth it. Good luck with your decision and feel free to reach out with questions.
Replies to "I had the surgery with some reluctance in April of 2023. It is a rough surgery..."
Hi, I am walking alongside a family who is on this journey of EC. Chemo and radiation is completed and next up is surgery. My friend is leaning towards not having it due to the extreme challenges of life post surgery. They are feeling pretty stuck and discouraged, not knowing how they should proceed. Is there any change you'd be willing to speak with them and share you journey? They are such wonderful people but haven't been able to get in touch with anyone who has experienced what they are potentially about to walk through. Thank you so much for considering speaking with them!
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Hello, my husband had Ivor Lewis surgery also, 7 months ago..yes the surgery was rough, initially he held on to his weight reasonably well but has now lost 34lbs…he was tall and thin before his diagnosis so he couldn’t afford to lose any weight at all. He has recently been diagnosed with anorexia as hes struggling to gain any weight. We are booked in to see a surgeon closer to home in 12 days time…hoping he will get him sorted with a Jtube. This is such a struggle and no one has really done anything to help. His gp said he needs to have a protein supplement drink…3 a day but he hates it so will only have 1 daily. I’m praying the surgeon will insist on the Jtube…feeling very worried 😟 he also has dumping syndrome which doesn’t help and I’m finding preparing his meals a nightmare…