Just got home after having my esophagus removed: Recovery tips?

Posted by johnstawicki @johnstawicki, Sep 13, 2022

Esophagus cancer
I just came home from hospital , after having my esophagus removed anyone else ?

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@rikardlykling

I will be starting 5 weeks of chemo and radiation soon any tips would appreciate.Blessings be upon all cancer patients.Rik in Florida

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Chemo and radiation effects can differ with each one of us , I asked for late in the day treatment and went home and took a short nap after which seemed to help me , good luck .YOU GOT THIS

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@johnstawicki

Chemo and radiation effects can differ with each one of us , I asked for late in the day treatment and went home and took a short nap after which seemed to help me , good luck .YOU GOT THIS

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Bless u John thanks for advice.

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@rikardlykling

I will be starting 5 weeks of chemo and radiation soon any tips would appreciate.Blessings be upon all cancer patients.Rik in Florida

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I had once a week chemo for 5 wks and had no nausea. A med was added to help with that. I also had 5 days a week for 5 weeks proton radiation. The only issues with that was fatigue which came on gradually over the 5 wks. I walked daily or used the treadmill at Hope Lodge and had passes to a gym which I used as well. Our bodies are different and our chemo cocktails may be different. Communicate any issues with your oncologist and radiologist. Stay positive! 😊

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@puprluvr

Hi John-I had my esophagectomy April of 2019. I had a feeding tube for a month, which was a challenge several times to unplug, but thankfully I had a wonderful caregiver to help. After a week or two, I was able to run my feeding tube during sleeping hours and be free of it during the day. Follow the dietary instructions you were given, eat slowly and chew your food well. As you progress to solid food, you may have issues eating certain foods like dairy. For me, I broke our with a skin rash after eating mushrooms, which I can eat now-go figure. Sleep on a wedge or purchase an adjustable bed so your upper body is slightly elevated. Stay positive, take it a day at a time, and stay as active as you are able. I wish you well as you navigate your new anatomy.

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Hello,
Did you have any treatment after the surgery?
My mom had the surgery 2 months ago - she can eat solid but is super tired. She moves around the house but often out of breath.
It was an R0 surgery but they proposed immunotherapy to prevent the cancer to come back.

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@naomicanada

Hello,
Did you have any treatment after the surgery?
My mom had the surgery 2 months ago - she can eat solid but is super tired. She moves around the house but often out of breath.
It was an R0 surgery but they proposed immunotherapy to prevent the cancer to come back.

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What Hospital did your Mom have the surgery? What was she staged at? What is RO surgery? How was your Mom’s mobility b4 surgery?
I had one dilation several weeks from surgery and haven’t since. To prepare for the surgery my surgeon, Dr. Shen told me to work up to 3 miles a day to build up my lungs. I had 6 weeks from the end of my treatment to my surgery. I walked every day with my dog who was happy just to go with me, and me with him.
After surgery, I too felt exhausted walking around a block, but I kept up the walking. The cough was there I think because of the tube down my throat during surgery and some fluid in my lungs. I pushed myself to continue walking and mowed grass for the first time about 6 weeks from surgery.
Feel free to contact me anytime. Take care. 💛

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@puprluvr

What Hospital did your Mom have the surgery? What was she staged at? What is RO surgery? How was your Mom’s mobility b4 surgery?
I had one dilation several weeks from surgery and haven’t since. To prepare for the surgery my surgeon, Dr. Shen told me to work up to 3 miles a day to build up my lungs. I had 6 weeks from the end of my treatment to my surgery. I walked every day with my dog who was happy just to go with me, and me with him.
After surgery, I too felt exhausted walking around a block, but I kept up the walking. The cough was there I think because of the tube down my throat during surgery and some fluid in my lungs. I pushed myself to continue walking and mowed grass for the first time about 6 weeks from surgery.
Feel free to contact me anytime. Take care. 💛

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She was stage 2. Had 5 rounds of chemio and radiation for 5 weeks. But unfortunately she has a blood clot (pulmonary embolism) we were super quick and she healed but still it was challenge for the body. 2 months after she had the surgery in Montreal, Canada. Moishe Liberman seems to be one of the best in the world for minimalist invisible surgery.
She is out of the hospital since mid august. R0 is when they removed 100% of the tumour and a “safe margin”. However they found that a small lymph nodes very close to the tumour was + so they want to make sure it will not come back. I’m guessing that changes the stage ?
When was your surgery ?

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@naomicanada

She was stage 2. Had 5 rounds of chemio and radiation for 5 weeks. But unfortunately she has a blood clot (pulmonary embolism) we were super quick and she healed but still it was challenge for the body. 2 months after she had the surgery in Montreal, Canada. Moishe Liberman seems to be one of the best in the world for minimalist invisible surgery.
She is out of the hospital since mid august. R0 is when they removed 100% of the tumour and a “safe margin”. However they found that a small lymph nodes very close to the tumour was + so they want to make sure it will not come back. I’m guessing that changes the stage ?
When was your surgery ?

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April of 2019 was my surgery.
Initially I was staged at 2, but my surgeon said since a lymph was affected I was stage 3. Dr. Shen and his team took out many lymph lodes around the area where the tumor was to be assured of clean margins.

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@puprluvr

April of 2019 was my surgery.
Initially I was staged at 2, but my surgeon said since a lymph was affected I was stage 3. Dr. Shen and his team took out many lymph lodes around the area where the tumor was to be assured of clean margins.

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And you had no treatment post surgery ?

How do you feel today?

My mom is 77 and a newly grandmother - I have a 4 months old.

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@naomicanada

And you had no treatment post surgery ?

How do you feel today?

My mom is 77 and a newly grandmother - I have a 4 months old.

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I haven’t had any treatment post surgery. I go back to Mayo for my CT’s and recheck coming up again next month.
I feel great as long as I manage my diet well. I have no limitations as far as physical exercise. I golf 2-3 days a week and walk at least 9 holes, do my yard work, housework, garden, ride a bike, practice yoga when our weather turns cold or when I need to stretch tired muscles.

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@puprluvr

I haven’t had any treatment post surgery. I go back to Mayo for my CT’s and recheck coming up again next month.
I feel great as long as I manage my diet well. I have no limitations as far as physical exercise. I golf 2-3 days a week and walk at least 9 holes, do my yard work, housework, garden, ride a bike, practice yoga when our weather turns cold or when I need to stretch tired muscles.

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Thank you so so so much for this.
You Dr Shen didn’t propose immunotherapy in prevention ?
My mom has to decide before Monday if she will do it for a year.
You give hope thank you 🌹

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