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← Return to Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect
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Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: Mar 22, 2023 | Replies (95)Comment receiving replies
Hello survivor suz
I was diagnosed with EC(adenocarcinoma) in Dec. I had 5 rounds of weekly chemo and 25 rounds of daily chemo in 5 weeks. April 10th I had an esophagectomy, the minimally invasive Ivor Lewis @ Mayo in Rochester. I had a feeding tube inserted during surgery and started on the feeding regimen on day 7 in the hospital and continued for a little over a month @ home while I began eating clear liquids and moving up to solid food on week 3. The feeding tube kept me from losing more weight, basically kept me alive until I could get in more calories. I’m still struggling a bit getting in enough calories and learning what and how to eat, though I basically eat what I want except dairy seems to not agree with me anymore. I walk daily, started mowing my grass, attend yoga classes and have begun practice with my golf clubs. My only advice to you would be to choose a hospital that does many surgeries and deals with many patients diognosed with EC. Best wishes as you gather information that will help you make an informed decision.
Replies to "Hello survivor suz I was diagnosed with EC(adenocarcinoma) in Dec. I had 5 rounds of weekly..."
Oh wow!!!! You & I were in St. Mary's / Rochester at the same time for the exact same surgery!!!! Dr. Wigle was my surgeon. I had my esophagectomy April 15th and was home on the 29th ( neck drainage tube site got infected after the tube was removed ) so I had to stay another week. Lower intestine feeding tube for 8 - 10 weeks. In the meantime NPO. I'm doing fairly well for the most part except the monthly dilations where the stomach & remaining esophagus connect. Hoping the temporary stent will remedy that. Thank God I'm a retired Certified Dietary Mgr. which turned out to be a Godsend in the dietary / caloric aspect. I lost a significant amount of weight but I was over weight to begin with so..... I'm steadily holding a healthy 140#. I have most recently been suffering from that pesky acid reflux. Why now a year after surgery? That is really my only 2 negatives other than the sometimes extreme pain on the right side where the huge incision is along the entire ribcage. Hope you continue your adventure successfully. Hoping also to receive a response and connect.
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Hi there, glad you're recovery is going well. I recently had my esophagectomy on Sept 9 and spent 10 crummy days in the hospital. I'm 59 and was diagnosed Stage 2. My doctor reported that the chemo and radiation I had prior to surgery reduced the tumor significantly and he thinks that all the cancer was removed. Thank God! However, he wasn't able to make the normal 2 incisions for the Ivor surgery and had to make another big one through my back. I'm currently taking Tramadol for the pain. How long does this last? I also suffer with ulcerative colitis an easily get constipated or indigestion. Any suggestions? I try to walk daily but am reluctant to start stretching since my right side is so sensitive to pain. I too want to start practicing with my golf clubs. Good luck to all and thanks for any advice.