I'm surprised that stage 4 esophageal cancer is considered non-operatable & incurable. I was diagnosed with stage 4 EC just before Christmas 2019. I started chemo & radiation soon after at the new Leonard Cancer Institute here in So. California. Surgery was 10+ hours. Cancer had destroyed part of the esophagus and stomach was detached and moved up higher in my chest. Surgery went well from all reports till I slipped into a deep coma that lasted 2 months. At that point, doctor's held out no hope of my coming out of the coma and had my death certificate ready to sign but needed approval from my health advocate. Thankfully, she knew my health background and the serious issues I'd already overcome so she refused to authorize the death certificate. I came out of the coma about 2 weeks later. From there it was a series of 4 re-habs with J Tube, very little rehab at any of the facilities, and because the head of the bed was raised to keep gerd down, my neck is permanently unable to return to it's original position. It leans forward which throws off one's balance. I'm 4 yrs out from surgery and still need esophageal stretchings at the hospital from time to time. Very limited what I can eat. But despite all the issues, I survived & though it's not the life I was used to prior to this cancer, I am alive, just living life differently than I expected. I've found it rewarding to talk with a few people who have dealt this cancer as it seems no 2 people have had the exact same problems before & post surgery.