Esophagectomy: What is life like Afterwards?

Posted by bakerwd4 @bakerwd4, Jul 28, 2024

Hello, my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in March. His tumor is very small and isolated, thankfully! He has been a champ and has finished chemo and radiation. His esophagectomy is scheduled in a couple of weeks. He and the rest of my family are starting to feel the fear and reality of this procedure. My dad's not a big talker but I know he is scared. I would love to connect with others to learn about what life has been like after this surgery so I can help support my dad. I am also hoping to get him involved with some support groups with others who have experienced the surgery. It would be so beneficial for him to connect with others who have been through what he is going through. Any insight on post-surgery recovery and life would be very appreciated!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

gdj | @gdj | Jan 7 1:16pm

In reply to @drbilldobrenen2026 "@gdj Thanks for your encouraging comments. Would you have the surgery done if you had to..." + (show)

Yes, I would.

Am happy to talk if you want.

605-484-3319.

Gary

drbilldobrenen2026 | @drbilldobrenen2026 | Jan 7 2:09pm

In reply to @gdj "Yes, I would. Am happy to talk if you want. 605-484-3319. Gary" + (show)

@gdj

Gary,

I appreciate your kind reply. I also appreciate your offer to chat. That might be helpful.

Bill

cromme50 | @cromme50 | Jan 8 7:41am

In reply to @drbilldobrenen2026 "@aolson51 I also have Stage 2 esophageal cancer and will discuss treatment plans with my oncological..." + (show)

@drbilldobrenen2026
Some input that might be useful to you - of course, there are so many variables in the decision making - whether to have the surgery or not - like age, comorbidities, general health, support, etc.
The SANO trial in Holland(2025):
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(25)00027-0/abstract
From PUBMED(2022):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34191461/

cromme50 | @cromme50 | Jan 8 7:48am

In reply to @drbilldobrenen2026 "@aolson51 I also have Stage 2 esophageal cancer and will discuss treatment plans with my oncological..." + (show)

@drbilldobrenen2026
I suggest you sign up at a website called "Smart Patients" for the esophageal cancer forum.
It is a very active website with people at all stages.

ollusam | @ollusam | Jan 9 7:14am

My husband have Ivor Lewis esophagectomy last January followed by 3 more rounds of FLOT. he had 4 previous rounds of FLOT prior to surgery. Today he is eating very well put on some of the weight he lost. Sleeps on 3 small pillows has occasional reflux if he overeats. He is working out at the YMCA 3 days a week. We just returned from a vacation in Cancun. It was a rough year of chemo and post op chemo but today he is doing great!!

ollusam | @ollusam | Jan 9 7:16am

In reply to @ollusam "My husband have Ivor Lewis esophagectomy last January followed by 3 more rounds of FLOT. he..." + (show)

@ollusam and he will be 77 years old this year

jimbon | @jimbon | Jan 10 6:52am

I was diagnosed in Nov 24, small T 2 where esphogus and stomach meet,did 25 radiation and 6 chemo during Christmas last year surgery 1st of April, it hadn't left the esphogus, showed that chemo and radiation took care of it but said surgery should be done,very life changing ,I had a ct scan mid of July and looked great, now im on 6 month scans,so have one next week,and that will be the norm for couple years every 6 months, very nervous about next weeks scan have to stay positive, in hospital 7 days after surgery, had feeding tube in place for 6 weeks but never used it...I had good food intake, the non stop reflux is crazy cause the sphinx was removed, I tell people its like a volcano down there, I sleep on mechanical bed which is Awsome, but stuff like drying out shower,tying shoes,pulling weeds you deff don't stay bent over long or acid comes up...I have many more things I can share also,keep in touch prayers to everyone on this site,be glad to get my results end of next weeks ct scan,then be good till mid of july...sorry to raddle on lol..Jim 65 years old.

manuelo | @manuelo | Jan 19 4:12pm

In reply to @mwedin "I had surgery the 31st of October 2023, 10 days in the hospital. Sent home with..." + (show)

@mwedin I had ten endoscopies to stretch my esophagus until I figured out I could do my own stretchings with dilation tubes. I did those for about three or four months and then stopped doing it. K have been dilation free for about four months now so I am pretty much 100% normal (minus most of my esophagus and half of my stomach)

manuelo | @manuelo | Jan 19 4:29pm

Hi, I am 66 and had surgery in October 2024. They removed most of my esophagus and part of my stomach . I was in decent physical shape but slightly overweight prior to surgery. I had every complication there is after surgery (leak, strictures, infection) but I was out after two weeks and snow skiing five months afterwards. Recovery in hospital can be uncomfortable at times but it is bearable and you eventually get better. My only issue was dealing with strictures for months after surgery but I did my own dilations at home and got well a few months ago so I am 100% healthy now. Make sure you get a good surgeon and hospital and your dad should be ok. Tell him not to worry. He is going to be ok. I can talk if it will help. I know it helped me speak to someone prior to. Feel free to reach back to me. My name is Manuel

manuelo | @manuelo | Jan 19 4:38pm

In reply to @jimbon "I was diagnosed in Nov 24, small T 2 where esphogus and stomach meet,did 25 radiation..." + (show)

@jimbon I had same. T2 at gastric junction like you. They likely removed part of your stomach and most your esophagus so you should be 100% cancer free since all of it was removed. I don’t worry about getting it again. Its gone along with my esophagus 🙂