Alex
I was diagnosed with EC several years ago. I had 28 days of chemo and radiation. After 3 weeks, the tumor in my lower esophagus had shrunk 40%. And after treatment my scans showed the cancer was gone and my lymph nodes were back to normal. I did not have surgery. The treatments for cancer continue t improve so there is hope for a brighter future. Be aware the side affects are not fun and you may feel tired for a while. When do you start treatment?
Don

No need to worry. Yes, the recovery is tough and not much fun, but way better than the alternative. Your redesigned stomach will give you fits when you start eating normal foods again. You will spend lots of time in the bathroom, but eventually you will figure out the foods that are best for you and how to eat. Seems everyone is a little different when it comes to this part of their recovery. I always remember what my son said when I was having second thoughts about treatment, “Dad, do we have to sit here and watch you roll over and die, or are you going to stand up and fight this like the man we know you are”. I fought and dam glad I did. I am 5 years out from surgery and doing fairly well. Life isn’t perfect, but I am still enjoying time with family and friends. Take Care and Good Luck with your fight. No doubt in my mind that you will also win.

38 years old. Not fair, but cancer is not fair. Your youth will help you greatly. get ready for a rocky road and focus on what you have to live for. You go where you look. Look forward.

I'm going to give my experience and please understand that yours may be different. I'm 62 stage 4 adenocarcinoma of stomach AND esophagus. I underwent chemo then surgery with gastric pull through and connection in the right neck.

chemo sucks. Depending on agents used, you will get multiple side effects. Nausea, loss of energy, constipation, mouth sores, weight loss, etc. I did 6 rounds of FLOT therapy and my body couldn't take anymore. 2 months recovery and weight gain then surgery.

I found that when I was constipated, my nausea and lack of appetite were the worst. Stool softeners were my friend as well as medical edible cannabis. also plenty of anti nausea meds. Everything made me tired and I spent a lot of time in my recliner instead of my sailboat. I couldn't work, immunosupression made me not be able to go out in crowds. I did work though. It's something that you go through and it gets better.

surgery sucks too. You won't be the first to go through it though. The people in the hospital will get you through. The adventure starts when you are home. feeding tube for sure. The constipation with chemo will be gone. Now it's time for diarrhea. I'm talking liquid. Never trust a fart. Eat as tollerated and once again you try not to loose too much weight. My pain was gone within 2 seeks. minor discomfort from feeding tube but benefits greatly outweigh the discomfort.

You are probably too young to remember SNL character Rosanna Rosanna Dana. she has a quote, "If its not this, it's that". There's also a game called Whack A Mole. When you whack one mole down, another pops up. Get ready to play this game and quote rosanna Rosanna Dana. Keep your sense of humor. It helps. We're with you and want to hear how it goes for you. I find great comfort in this group. I hope you do too. Best of luck in your journey. You can do it and you have so much living to do. Chin up Bro!

@alcfc1985, I add my welcome. I hope you saw the many helpful and honest replies you've received from members about what to expect. Do you have any follow-up questions? Have you started chemotherapy? How are you doing?