Connect
← Return to Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.
Discussion
Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: Sep 9 6:07am | Replies (150)Comment receiving replies
I believe that my surgeon was intentionally vague on the side effects of surgery prior to surgery. At first I was upset with him but now understanding why he did that. Everyone's experience is unique to their own body so you have to learn how your body reacts to your own surgery.I am now almost two years post treatments and on most days have a pretty good handle on my diet challenges. Over the last two years I have lost approximately 80 lbs but have stabilize in the past few months. I was overweight to begin with but now maintain a much more healthy weight.
Replies to "I believe that my surgeon was intentionally vague on the side effects of surgery prior to..."
Same!!!! I'm struggling with being very angry with the surgeon for not giving us any real idea of just how horrendous the surgery and recovery are. My husband had Ivor Lewis about 10 weeks ago. You name it, he had the complication. I think knowing how grueling and life altering this surgery would be would have at least opened up the discussion of if it was worth the risk. My husband is currently in the hospital again with pneumonia. He also has an incessant dry cough since his stents (for 3 leaks) were removed 2+ weeks ago, which we're getting discouraged by this because no one know what is causing the cough and if it will go away. Every step forward includes 3 backwards. I wonder if he'll survive this surgery at the end of the day. I'm struggling with being positive and being realistic. Life is very hard right now.
Connect
My diagnosis & treatment experiences have been practically identical to cbnova's., so far, being 9 months since surgery. I wish I'd known just how much my mentality and life long eating habits would be so difficult to change. I'm still learning. Have no other persons in household so I feel like I'm cooking/doing dishes all the time; sounds petty but with significant weight loss for me means I can't afford to loose more. Also have to keep up a dedicated strength building regime. No regrets, but it's been life altering in unexpected ways.