Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.

The beginning of your journey sounds a lot like mine. I have been blessed with my wife's support and excellent care from Mayo and SSM Health. My 3 month scan showed no cancer and I'm currently doing immunotherapy for additional protection. Hopefully, I'm cancer free at two years also. Best to you!

My situation isn't very similar but maybe a couple ideas to ask your doctors. I was eating full meals (smaller and more frequently) after 60 days from my esophogectomy until I ran into a similar problem as yours. I had significant pressure and pain in the upper third of my pathway. It continued to get so bad that I couldn't eat or drink even small amounts without forcing myself to vomit. That only provided temporary relief. After 12 days of this, I became so malnourished and dehydrated, I checked myself in to my local hospital. Since I was on immunotherapy, I thought it might be a side effect. I ended up up having two endoscopies, a esophogram, two CT scans and an X-ray. My thoracic surgery team at Mayo didn't see a problem in the scans and felt the situation would pass (over two weeks now). My GI team found a sizable amount of food blockage between my diaphragm and intestines. The first doctor tried to pull foo up to clear it, while the second one tried to push it down through to the intestines. Additionally, my doctor prescribed a number of medications designed to activate my pathway and also relax my diaphragm. After a week of observation and treatment, I'm now back to a normal diet again. So far, so good. I really haven't had the joint pain you describe,but it sounds like you need a new hip anyway. My wife has two hip replacements and she's doing great. Ask the surgeon if he uses an anterior procedure. It's an easier and faster recovery but some surgeons aren't trained on it. Since the hip would then be titanium, I wonder if there would be any Optdivo related pain? Best to you.

It's normal to lose weight, 10 -20% of your previous weight. You're well over the expected amount. I assume you've consulted your doctor and nutritionist. What are they doing for you? You need a major portion of your diet to consist of high density nutrients and protein. Protein is critical. As you get stronger, start incorporating fitness in to your lifestyle again. You need to build muscle and strength for a multitude of reasons. Best to you.

As long as you are breathing you have purpose! You can be an encourager to others! I pray your family comes around even if you call first! Never give up, you are loved 🩷

Hey Do you ever eat food while you sleep at night?

He eats his meal at 17:00. He doesn't eat or drink anything after 22:00. He snacks on some snacks and drinks some tea during that time.

Me personally... no, I don't eat during the night time while sleeping. But I do know many who do... for purposes of keeping acid/bile reflux at bay. They seem to do the opposite of how most of us esophagectomy patients prepare for bedtime... by not eating within a couple of hours of bedtime. Many fear aspiration (as well as severe reflux events) in the middle of the night, even while sleeping at 30 to 45 degrees. So they want their stomachs as empty as possible.

But on our Zoom calls, some esophagectomy patients have come to find that the opposite approach works somewhat better for them. They eat a certain type of meal right at bedtime... to fill their stomachs full... which keeps their stomachs busy, keeping the acid down in their stomachs and less likely to be free to come up. Should they wake up... they eat more. Does this approach work all the time? Probably not... but they do notice better results... and so they continue this way.

Me... after about 2 years I noticed my reflux events had dropped off significantly... and I've never aspirated. I sleep normally again as well... flat with my head on a single pillow, and can sleep on either side. No clue why this works for me... but I'll gladly take it. I'm about 5 years post-op now.

Be well.

What time do you eat? Do you eat anything after eating? Do you drink water? What time do you go to bed? I am curious about your routine in detail and would like to try it. Maybe we have a lot to learn from you. Our reflux is not acid, it is food coming from the stomach.

Hi my name is Scott. I’m still pretty new to this also. My surgery was in January. My last chemo treatment was April. So I eat when I’m hungry throughout the day. I do eat smaller meals. I will eat a snack in the evening. I have not had reflux or food coming up. Also I don’t have to sleep at a 30 degree angle. I’ve been good that way. Also try different foods lighter foods. It might help we’re all so different. Try not to get discouraged. Also have you talked to a nutritionist might be able to help. I wish you the best hang in there!!!

I don't eat after 6, avoid bread and anything sweet then go to bed and hope it's a good night. I'm 2 years post now and things are still changing.