Connect
Living life after treatment and surgery for Esophageal Cancer.
In December of 2020 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal Cancer. After chemo and radiation in February and March of 2021, I had surgery to remove the cancer in May of 2021. For me the surgery and recovery were probably the toughest part of the process. Not to say the chemo and radiation were easy, they were not but the changes the surgical part of treatments have changed my life from here on. Life after I got home from the hospital at first would not have been possible without a lot of help. Little things you take for granted such as showering or even walking about your home couldn't be accomplished without help. Those things got easier over time but it was a challenge. Getting use to having to sleep at a 30° angle because laying flat means anything in you new redesigned stomach comes up while you sleep(very uncomfortable and dangerous for your lungs). With the new design of your stomach food is also a bit of a challenge. They give you a list of foods you will probably be able to eat and a list of foods you probably should stay away from. With me I found after time that you have to try different foods and your body tells you quickly if you can or can not eat that again. You will also find portions you can tolerate will be much less than you were use to. This means you eat many more times per day. In the end it has been worth it for me because I have been cancer free on my 6 month scans so far . Another scan in a month which will be 2 years since surgery, I pray they continue to show me cancer free. If anyone has any questions on my journey so far please reach out. I have a friend who mentored me in my journey which helped tremendously for me. As I have said and believe since my journey started we are all" STRONGER TOGETHER "
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Thank you. I just had another EGD/sonogram yesterday. I should be seeing oncology team soon. I see surgeon next week. How much radiation/chemotherapy did you have to receive, or for how long? And did you receive it through Iv/or pills, or port?
I just had another EGD/ sonogram yesterday, i will be seeing oncology team soon, surgeon next week.
29 radiation treatments, 5 days a week, and 4 chemo treatments 1 day a week at the same time. Did IV since chemo was short. Everyone is different, so yours may vary. I’m 4 weeks since my last chemo, and am able to eat and drink pretty much anything. After additional time of healing, I’ll have surgery on June 14.
Hope this answered your question.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you
Hi,
Most of these replies have been from people 2 and 3 years out. I wanted to give some hope to those of you so soon after treatment. My husband is almost 11 years cancer free now! He had stage 3, had 5 weeks radiation 5 days a week, once a week chemo for 6 weeks and then Ivor Lewis surgery to remove his esophagus. He ended up with a nasal feeding tube before he finished radiation because he couldn't swallow anything. Then the gastro feeding tube for 6 weeks post surgery. He had some room to lose some weight which was good because he did lose 40 to 50 pounds from start of treatment to about 2 years out. More than he needed to lose! He had a lot trouble those first few years with stomach aches and dumping. He seemed to not be able to eat any sugar or fatty foods. To offer some encouragement, over the years his system must have adjusted and his stomach stretched because he can eat almost normally again. He still has to be careful to not eat too much at one meal, but that is good for all of us as we age! He gained weight, but not to his previous weight, which also is good. He is a healthy weight and sometimes even feels like he should drop a few pounds.
On the down side, he is struggling with aspiration in recent years which is affecting his lungs, and we are in the process of exploring this with Mayo Pulmonology and GI departments right now. Appointment with GI in June and hoping for some resolution.
My advice would be to just stick with what works for you concentrating on healthy calorie rich foods. Avocados and olive oil! Good luck.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsHelpful and encouraging! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your story of persistence and courage
Thank you so much and we wish you all the best… but it sounds like YOU are doing everything right. I do have a question if you don’t mind. I am the caregiver, my husband has esophageal cancer (diagnosed Feb). His tumor is about 3 in, just finished up Radiation and Chemo which he managed ok. Chemo would “get” him by Sunday because he had it on Thursday. He is done w/ Chemo &Rad. This last Chemo really did him in. He hasn’t been able to eat much but Ensure shakes w/ice cream, grits, watermelon, popsicles and some yogurts. Right now, he is sleeping and not eating and not taking his regular meds (this is just since Fri) We are done w/ doctors for two weeks. I know I can call them, but I have never been the “Boss” in our relationship. He has been taking the Ondansetron and the one at night to sleep. My question…How long did your Chemo/Rad side effects last?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy last of 28 radiations was on jan3rd 2023. 2weeks later I felt terrible, in bed most of day, no energy, not much food...that lasted about 3 weeks into early Feb, then I started to get better every day until I had surgery on Feb 20
Any update, @mason1616?