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← Return to Eating after an esophagectomy
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Good morning
My tumor was located also at the esophagus stomach junction.
I just finished four months of eight rounds of chemo about four different types at one time over a two day. Period. Sounds similar to yours with the immunotherapy..
Back in December, my tumor was rated at an SUV of 11.4 and it sounds like mine shrunk like yours did just in March. They did another pet scan and it showed it had shrunk to 2.7..
I’ve seen a surgeon where I live in the DC area at John Hopkins, who wants to open my chest to do the surgery but next week I’m heading to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to see the surgeons there on the 13th for hopefully better options.
I have a question is anybody experienced anything in the regard of leakage where they have repaired the esophagus I know that can be a big issue. I’ve seen statistics of 3 to 5% at both Mayo Clinic and the John Hopkins, but a national average could be as high as 20% so I guess I’m asking. Does anybody experience this and how it worked out for them.
Replies to "Good morning My tumor was located also at the esophagus stomach junction. I just finished four..."
@firedog I had the gastric pull through with connection in the throat. I think they fed me too soon and I developed a leak that required extra hospital stay. I think that resulted in significant scarring which affected my swallowing. I frequently gag on food and keep an empty cup with me when I’m eating just in case that happens. I would try to avoid that leak at all costs. Even delay eating for a couple more days after they tell you you can’t eat. I’ve had to have my throat stretched about 15 times in the last 2 1/2 years. I think I’m a rare case on that and most people do not develop this Leake but you do need to be careful.
@firedog
I am 9 months post Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and as far as I know , no leaks
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@firedog Yea. I'm not too into the idea of the surgery either. My oncologist and surgeon however are both 100% into it REGARDLESS of getting a complete clinical response (CCR) from chemo, if that were to happen.
I'm concerned about the level of life long changes to eating, sleeping etc with surgery vs the surveillance approach.