Hi, Scott here I started my journey last year August 2024 also had a j tube put in but I used mine because I couldn’t swallow any food and very little liquids. I had lost 45 lbs so needed the nutrition. It helped tremendously so I started my chemo October 7th flot program 4 treatments. So my tumor lower esophagus next to the stomach it did shrink 30% but not enough to eat. Scheduled surgery for January 3rd. For me it was the right thing to do. I wasn’t going to let cancer beat me. I was so positive about the way I felt and my oncologist and my surgeons were great also all the nurses. Not to mention my wife and family great support system!! So had my surgery 9 hrs surgery went well. One day in icu 7 days regular room first day a little rough got me up and walking around though. Started breathing exercises to get my lungs cleared out. Had a chest tube out my right side had to deflate lung to operate on my esophagus. So had my chest tube for 7 days then had my swallow test. That was my ha ra moment I could swallow again. So started me liquid diet first for a couple days then soups ice cream applesauce foods like that. Did that for about 10 days. Then started to eat more solid foods. Even though we have the same cancer we still are different everyone has their own issues. I was healthy till the cancer. If you have underlying conditions it can affect you differently. This was my experience. Then I had my 2nd round of chemo that was different I had more nausea this time. But made it through then waited 2 months had my pet scan and was clear. It’s been 10 months post surgery I walk and exercise to get my muscle and stamina back. Actually walking is going to be a part of treatments. I believe in it for sure. I hope this helps and what ever you decide wishing you the best!!