365 days later after surgery to remove esophageal cancer at Mayo

Sorry someone said its terminal …. Id keep looking …. I know myself had 3 opinions and finally believed i needed surgery I had the exact same cancer had surgery a year ago …. It was and is a HUGE LEARNING CURVE at 66 learning to eat and drink all over and what I can tolerate and what to stay far away from , One day at a time … your mind will play tricks on you your husband too talk and think things out it takes team work …..my wife has been there whenever I needed her love you baby girl …

Where are you on your journey?

What stage are you?

Where is your treatment being done?

I have definite thoughts on this... not a fan of stents in general, although I can think of instances where they do have their uses (but very few). If you are in this for the long haul... and you are eligible for the J tube surgery, then this is the way to go. It is simply a tool to help you on your EC journey... they take it out of you in about 30 seconds, in a doctor's office, when it is no longer needed. I had mine for 8 months, 4 before my esophagectomy, and 4 after.

You wanna chat all things J tube, swallowing, stretches, stents, etc... just private message me. Be well...

Gary

Thanks johnstawicki,
I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through and I’m so happy to hear you’ve had your wife’s steadfast support. That, despite all else, is a beautiful story.

Unfortunately, by the time the diagnosis came, it was Stage 4, it had spread. The surgeon said surgery wasn’t an option.

Chemo started today. Only learned the prognosis 4 days ago. Read about the side effects tonight.

“This is not the end, it’s just a chapter in the story.
Joy is on the way.”
~Laura Souguellis’ lyric

I had a J tube for a few months following Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer surgery. The last few months were spent in nursing facilities which I found to not be very good for patients. Of the 4 places I was in, 95% of the nurses caring for patients didn't know the difference between a "J" tube and a "G" tube. Consequently, they thought nothing of crushing my meds and running them thru my J tube which clogged it up like cement. The G tube is larger & goes into the stomach & the smaller J tube goes into the intestine. Unclogging rarely worked and twice I had to go to ER to have the damaged tube removed and replaced with a new one. One nurse tried pouring hot water from the coffee maker into the tube which then exploded and the extremely hot water seriously burned my abdomen. I was so glad to get the tube removed after I finally returned home after 7 mo. of confinement.

I was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer 3weeks ago. I had Acid reflux disease as far as I can remember. As a child m my 3 sisters and I would get up at night and meet my Dad to us the Maalox and Milk of Magnesia. My acid was coming up my throat and nose. It was a way of life. As an athlete, I would do really well until the final push, then black out due to the acid reflux. Back in the 50s, 60s and 70s it was called indigestion. I slept upright in a chair until Pepcid AC came out. That and all those other inhibiters allowed me to get more than 4 hours of sleep. Now, I under stand that those Acid Reflux pills just masked the problem and that the acid still caused damage.
I've had lesions for over 40 years. So when the doctor did a colonoscopy and an endo-scope he found lesions. I told him I've had them for a long time. Then he called me back and told me to see a Gastroenterologist. That's when the discovered he 1" tumor in my upper esophagus. I'm taking Chemo and Radiation then Surgery and Immunol therapy. My Kaiser permanente Senior advantage Medicare only covers this type of treatment. After all of the positive things I've read here, maybe I should do something else. I read yesterday that someone took strong medicine, no chemo, no radiation and no surgery and is cancer free for now.! Several have had no surgery. Surgery is very concerning, but survivable. I'm a European Dietetic Chef so diets don't scare me. In the 70s and 80s I had dietitians and nutritionist working with me in the kitchen. We mad blendorized and pureed foods for our patients. Great tasting food. We also made clear liquid diet required food that tasted great, In the States they seem to tout the liquid proteins like Ensure, and the like, and also fluids through a port in you arm. What happened to real foods? Please give me your take and support. Thanks

I was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer 3weeks ago. I had Acid reflux disease as far as I can remember. As a child m my 3 sisters and I would get up at night and meet my Dad to us the Maalox and Milk of Magnesia. My acid was coming up my throat and nose. It was a way of life. As an athlete, I would do really well until the final push, then black out due to the acid reflux. Back in the 50s, 60s and 70s it was called indigestion. I slept upright in a chair until Pepcid AC came out. That and all those other inhibiters allowed me to get more than 4 hours of sleep. Now, I under stand that those Acid Reflux pills just masked the problem and that the acid still caused damage.
I've had lesions for over 40 years. So when the doctor did a colonoscopy and an endo-scope he found lesions. I told him I've had them for a long time. Then he called me back and told me to see a Gastroenterologist. That's when the discovered he 1" tumor in my upper esophagus. I'm taking Chemo and Radiation then Surgery and Immunol therapy. My Kaiser permanente Senior advantage Medicare only covers this type of treatment. After all of the positive things I've read here, maybe I should do something else. I read yesterday that someone took strong medicine, no chemo, no radiation and no surgery and is cancer free for now.! Several have had no surgery. Surgery is very concerning, but survivable. I'm a European Dietetic Chef so diets don't scare me. In the 70s and 80s I had dietitians and nutritionist working with me in the kitchen. We mad blendorized and pureed foods for our patients. Great tasting food. We also made clear liquid diet required food that tasted great, In the States they seem to tout the liquid proteins like Ensure, and the like, and also fluids through a port in you arm. What happened to real foods? Please give me your take and support. Thanks