Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.

I am having esophagectomy surgery on Feb 17. I have cancer only in the esophagus thank goodness. I know the surgery and feeding tube for 2 months after is going to be hard. I know it can take up to 2 years to be able to eat normally again. My cousin is 10 months post surgery and still has little appetite and it's hard to eat still. I know it will be a hard road. Then more chemo after recovery.

I am having esophagectomy surgery on Feb 17. I have cancer only in the esophagus thank goodness. I know the surgery and feeding tube for 2 months after is going to be hard. I know it can take up to 2 years to be able to eat normally again. My cousin is 10 months post surgery and still has little appetite and it's hard to eat still. I know it will be a hard road. Then more chemo after recovery.

Each of us has some similarities and differences in how we respond to post surgical recovery. I am 90 days out and doing pretty darn good. The surgery, hospital stay and recovery was tough, but gets easier every day. It seems like it was a long time ago. Frankly, the tube feeding process was harder on my wife than it was for me. I didn't feel much, except some pain at the incision point. Otherwise, I was sleeping during most feedings. I transitioned to solid foods after 3 weeks and eat small meals frequently. Watch your portions, chew alot and take your time. Finish eating based on portion size, not your perceived fullness level. The brain takes 20 minutes after eating to assess your feelings of fullness. After 90 days, I'm still 20 lbs less than before surgery, but I work out 2.5 hours a day (I'm a personal trainer) and gaining muscle and strength back quickly. Eating a high percentage of protein is key. I'm currently going through immunotherapy for one year total. It's early, but no side effects so far. I had a stage 4, locally advanced diagnosis, went through chemo/radiation and esophagectomy. The cancer was removed, margins clear and my oncologist says I'm a cancer survivor. I'll wait a few years before I say that, but I am very optimistic. Take it day by day, but look forward to better days ahead. Like I said, everyone's case is different, but a positive point of helps everyone. Best of luck to you!

Each of us has some similarities and differences in how we respond to post surgical recovery. I am 90 days out and doing pretty darn good. The surgery, hospital stay and recovery was tough, but gets easier every day. It seems like it was a long time ago. Frankly, the tube feeding process was harder on my wife than it was for me. I didn't feel much, except some pain at the incision point. Otherwise, I was sleeping during most feedings. I transitioned to solid foods after 3 weeks and eat small meals frequently. Watch your portions, chew alot and take your time. Finish eating based on portion size, not your perceived fullness level. The brain takes 20 minutes after eating to assess your feelings of fullness. After 90 days, I'm still 20 lbs less than before surgery, but I work out 2.5 hours a day (I'm a personal trainer) and gaining muscle and strength back quickly. Eating a high percentage of protein is key. I'm currently going through immunotherapy for one year total. It's early, but no side effects so far. I had a stage 4, locally advanced diagnosis, went through chemo/radiation and esophagectomy. The cancer was removed, margins clear and my oncologist says I'm a cancer survivor. I'll wait a few years before I say that, but I am very optimistic. Take it day by day, but look forward to better days ahead. Like I said, everyone's case is different, but a positive point of helps everyone. Best of luck to you!

Lisa, I'm 1 year post op esophagogastrectomy. I then had mets to the liver and am now 2 weeks post op from liver resection. now NED (No Evidence of Disease). I am down 53 pounds (190 to 147). I have a lot of muscle mass loss and in 2 weeks I can start working out again. I want professional help for this, but don't know who to turn to. Certainly not your average gym trainer. How would I go about finding appropriate rehab in Jacksonville, Fl? I don't just want to isolate major muscle groups. I need a comprehensive program to hit all muscles including back, accessory, and core.

Lisa, I'm 1 year post op esophagogastrectomy. I then had mets to the liver and am now 2 weeks post op from liver resection. now NED (No Evidence of Disease). I am down 53 pounds (190 to 147). I have a lot of muscle mass loss and in 2 weeks I can start working out again. I want professional help for this, but don't know who to turn to. Certainly not your average gym trainer. How would I go about finding appropriate rehab in Jacksonville, Fl? I don't just want to isolate major muscle groups. I need a comprehensive program to hit all muscles including back, accessory, and core.

I am having esophagectomy surgery on Feb 17. I have cancer only in the esophagus thank goodness. I know the surgery and feeding tube for 2 months after is going to be hard. I know it can take up to 2 years to be able to eat normally again. My cousin is 10 months post surgery and still has little appetite and it's hard to eat still. I know it will be a hard road. Then more chemo after recovery.

Lisa, I'm 1 year post op esophagogastrectomy. I then had mets to the liver and am now 2 weeks post op from liver resection. now NED (No Evidence of Disease). I am down 53 pounds (190 to 147). I have a lot of muscle mass loss and in 2 weeks I can start working out again. I want professional help for this, but don't know who to turn to. Certainly not your average gym trainer. How would I go about finding appropriate rehab in Jacksonville, Fl? I don't just want to isolate major muscle groups. I need a comprehensive program to hit all muscles including back, accessory, and core.