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Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: Apr 9 1:57pm | Replies (159)Comment receiving replies
It’s been almost two years since my chemo, radiation and surgery for esophageal cancer. Thankfully, I am cancer free today and have just begun my transition from every 3 months to every 6 months monitoring regime.
I weighed 125 pounds when I was diagnosed and now weigh 83 pounds. I’m having a very hard time gaining weight due to my lack of appetite and the discomfort I experience during and after eating. I often get stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea shortly after eating. I am also lactose intolerant so adding dairy fat and dairy protein are not an option for me. I try to incorporate plant-based high protein drinks into my diet but the ones I’ve found are low calorie/low fat.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? I would be very grateful for suggestions.
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@cherip123 First, congratulations on your cancer free status. That’s an amazing milestone. I had my Esophagectomy almost four months ago, and I too struggle with maintaining weight. I started at around 100 and have been as low as 96. I don’t have much of an appetite either, but I know I have to eat so I just do it. The key for me has been eating SLOWLY. I’ll have 5oz. of whole milk yogurt in the morning (170 calories), but taking about an hour to eat it. Perhaps you could try lactose free yogurt? An hour later I might have half a turkey and cheese sandwich (275 calories), again taking around an hour to eat it. I have also been using the Kate Farms plant based supplements (330 calories). I take a couple of hours to finish one of those. I might have a thick soup for dinner (bean with bacon for example, 340 calories). There are also Clif Energy Bars (260 calories), and no sugar added fruit juices (around 130 calories). I also eat ice cream (there are lactose free varieties), but never more than about 1/2 cup (240 calories) at a time. Eggs are also a good protein option. I made a list of foods I can tolerate, along with some nutritional info including calories, and created a spread sheet to add up the calories. That visual has really helped me. Good luck to you, and I’m sending positive thoughts your way.