Should i get an esophagectomy?

Thank you.
As im sure you feel as well. The reality of all this can be overwhelming.
Best of everything on your surgery.
My prayers, RK

Hi. Thanks for reaching out. I too am having an esophagectomy on July 9th., and grateful to receive the surgery. I wish you the best ever outcome, and hope we both have the strength and resolve to take one day at a time with grace and positivity. Larry

Similar circumstances here, but I'm 74yo. Did radiation, chemo and then surgery. I am 9 months out from surgery but was able to return to sport activity after 3 months and now feeling normal. Required some mental changes in foods. I had blessings of neighbors who brought soups,etc. All in all I think it was worth it.

Rick,
Only you can make that decision. My first question to you would be where do you live and what kind of radiation did you have; photon or proton? The reason I ask is i was diagnosed in April of 2023 at 75 yrs. of age.
Had always been in pretty good shape, involved in athletics and all that. Mine was also stage 2 but hadn't gotten into the lymph nodes yet. I was living in Knoxville , Tn. and was ready to start "photon" radiation and chemo and was also scheduled to meet with two surgeons who wanted to operate as soon as they could. Well when I'm faced with a major(and this was MAJOR) decision I delve into all the information I can find and got on this site to read some comments. I wanted a second opinion on something this critical so I met with another set of surgeons and they also recommenced surgery and after reading about "life after surgery" I told them at this point if I could get 3 more years by being treated with radiation and chemo and still had some quality of life that, that was the route I was going to go! What all the "specialists" did NOT tell me that Knoxville, Tn. had one of only 40 "proton" radiation centers just down the road from me so I called them and they took me in right away which I feel made a great difference. And I kept getting pet scans and an EGD that showed Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia and was told I needed to find a gastroenterologist who could do an EGD with cryoablation to get rid of the Barrett's and dysplasia which could cause the cancer to show up again. I had my last treatment at Mayo Clinic in April by an absolutely wonderful Doctor named Ms. Swathi Eluri and the outcome showed no Barrett's or dysplasia. I am scheduled to go for a follow up on July 11th to make sure it hasn't flared up but if it has I will have the cryoablation done again. I lost approximately 33 lbs. with the cancer but right now I am maintaining my weight and feeling pretty good. As a matter of fact my wife and I just moved a whole house back to Florida and I did most of the "bulk" work because my wife is in a lot of pain because she needs a total hip replacement scheduled for the 15th!! I guess the reason I am telling you this is to let you know you have other options and should seriously look into them. The one gentleman that posted here said he was doing well after the surgery but "as a rule" it is a VERY difficult and different road to travel but as I said only you can decide what's right for you. On one final note I have two grown sons and four grandchildren that I have been estranged from for some time. Their mother(my ex-wife) and her family absolutely poisoned them against me. I have decided that what ever time God has left for me I am going to make the most of it and enjoy whatever time I have left. I wish you all the best am looking forward to hearing back from you.
Respectfully, Robert "Chip" Driggs

Thank you Larry! My prayers and greatest wishes!
RVK

Hi Chip.
Thank you. I have T2B
Adenocarcinoma carcinoma. It made ot through the wall and affecting 2 known lymph nodes. I have my last scans on July 30. If clear I can then have surgery on the 30th. My oncologist filled me in that with out surgery the cancer will likely metastasize with in 18 months. But surgery has no guarantees either . Metastasizing of the cancer can definitely occur along with ahost of other complications and a poor quality of life. Im still on the wall.. the clock is ticking.
RVK

Hi RK. I'm no expert in dealing with overwhelm, but I am using this story to help me when the fear of what is about to happen rises. Four wealthy fellows decide to build an upscale golf course in Calcutta to donate to the less fortunate. They hire local contractors and create a magnificent 18 hole facility. The four of them T off only to have monkeys steal the balls. The first guy thinks by feeding them they will ignore the balls, but instead they just tell all their relatives and create an even bigger problem. The second guy decides on a high fence, but the monkeys do what monkeys do and climb the fence. The third guy is my favorite of all, he suggests ( on seeing that the monkeys lose interest and drop the balls) that they make a new rule. Golfers will hit from wherever the monkey drops their ball. So my idea to help me through the overwhelm is to 'play' whatever comes my way from where I am, and give up the idea that I can control anything. One moment/ball at a time wherever and whenever happens. Warm regards, and thanks for the good wishes too.

Good morning. I'm 72 and completed chemo and radiation a few weeks ago, and have surgery next week. I just wanted to write and say how grateful I am to read a positive message for a change. I am a long distance swimmer and hope I can continue swimming one day. Great to know you have your life back, and even greater to know that you think the surgery was worth it. Many thanks. Larry

Thank you Sabona,
Your analogy is well received.
The clock is ticking. Hopefully I lose interest in thinking about things that are out of my control.

- Best
Rick K

Hi Rick I’m 6 months post surgery and 3 months post treatments. So I had flot treatments that’s 4 chemo treatments every other week for 2 months. Waited 5 weeks then had surgery 9 hr was in hospital 8 days. Then I could eat again it had been 6 months since I could eat. Then waited 4 more weeks had my last 4 treatments. Now I’ve had my scan all clear. So I’m 62 almost 63 couple months. I’m able to do most anything I want. Eating is still tricky at times. So I eat smaller meals makes it easier to digest. My digestive system is definitely not the same. So Rick for me it was easy I wanted the best chance for survival so I can still have a good life with my wife and family. When you have people around you who care for you and you care for them. I want the most time I can get. So I hope this helps wishing you all the best!! I believe you got this!! Scott