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Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect
Has anyone experienced a minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer (squamous cell type)? Wanting to know what to expect please.
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Sorry for the delayed response but I'm doing EXTREMELY well thank you!! I believe you asked the stage & type: stage III of squamous cell carcinoma. There was some compromise in how the surgery could be performed because of scar tissue I have after an upper left lobectomy from a different type of cancer.
It's been 7 months post surgery and I can't believe how good I feel. Eating most 'normal' foods (except spicy and raw veggies), and have energy & strength back. I even shoveled the snow 3 times this winter and lifted a lot of boxes during a move to a new house last month.
Never would have thought I'd be doing so well from how difficult the first month was. But so blessed to be healthy now.
Thanks for asking.
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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1 Reactionmitchm2009,
Same surgery here at Mayo on April 15th, 2020. 3rd incision along the right entire ribcage. That bugger still gives me significant pain. 5 mg Oxycodone as needed. I also do very light stretching while still in bed in the morning but am extremely careful. The pain meds cause me constipation ( no ulcerative colitis here ). I'm a retired Certified Dietary Mgr. so I was pretty much in charge of my own diet ( the Registered Dietician at the cancer center drove me nuts). For constipation I drink 8 oz ( 4 oz at a time x 2 ) daily. This may not be an option for you with your indigestion. As you probably know..... either cooked or raw veggies help, applesauce, bran cereal ( I prefer mini wheats, raisin bran ( I add dried cranberry's / craisins for extra fiber and flavor ). Also when in desperation Milk of Magnesia is a life savor!!!!
I want to add that I am brand new to the Mayo connect boards so I am still learning.
Hi Lori, welcome! I’m tagging @survivorsuz and @mitchm2009 to make sure that they see your messages to them.
We just opened this group dedicated to Esophageal Cancer. Did you also see that you can register for a free patient conference on July 31, 2021 and attend either virtually or in person?
See more info here:
- Gastroesophageal Cancer Education Symposium https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/gastroesophageal-cancer-education-symposium/
@lizzier’s son-in-law just had surgery for esophageal cancer today. What tips would you offer to someone as they recover? What do you wish you had known?
Colleen, yes I recieved the notification via postal mail. The link is how I discovered this support group. 🙂
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1 ReactionMy esophagectomy with gastric pullup was July 2019. The thing I wish I’d done before the surgery is to get an adjustable bed.
Using a foam wedge wasn’t comfortable so my best option was to get 2 separate twin adjustable beds so my control was independent of my husband’s. Two twins side by side =a king size bed so the bedspread still made them look like one bed.
Having my head & shoulders supported is best for me.
The feeding tube was a big pain in my side, literally. My pants rubbed it as I walked and later decided to wrap an elastic bandage over it and that helped.
Do the deep breathing exercises and walk, walk, walk. Movement helps a lot.
Finally, if things don’t seem right, call your doctor sooner than later.
I’m doing great at my 2 year mark and wish you tge best too.
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1 Reaction@lori57216 I had a phone consult with Dr. Wigle, he said he would do my surgery. I’ve never met him in person which scares me a little bit. Can you Tell me anything about him.. were you happy with him as your surgeon etc. thank you 🙂
Dr. Wigle ( pronounced Waggle ) and his team are the BEST!!! He's very very thorough, down to Earth and great bedside manner. I honestly don't allow anyone to touch me as far as any other Dr. unless I or they consult with him first, that's how much I trust him. He follows his clients progress for years after surgery. Plz, tell the good Dr. that Lori from Benson, MN said HI. You will do fantastic under his care Fracturedd.
He went over a lot of potential negative repercussions. All very scary. Is this just protocol?? Just such a huge decision and I want to be under the right/best care. I will definitely tell him Lori from Benson said hello! Thank you @lori57216
Yes for the most part it's protocol. He's just telling you what to expect ( potentially ). As with any surgery there are risks involved and he wants to make you aware. The only negative thing I encountered right after surgery was my drainage tube in my neck became infected so had to be a guest @ St. Mary's hospital for another week ( 2 weeks total ). Oh and that J tube in my lower intestine for 10 weeks was no picnic either ( no pun intended).
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