Just diagnosed with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Very scared

Hi @skwwatkins and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your message to the Esophageal Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/esophageal-cancer/ so that you can connect with other members who have experience with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma like @survivorsuz @puprluvr @karly @davevb @margaretdv @lori57216. It can really help to talk with others.

I can image that you and your husband are scared. You mention that you are considering a second opinion. Mayo Clinic recently published a study about the advantages of second opinions. You can read more here:
- Mayo Clinic researchers demonstrate value of second opinions https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-researchers-demonstrate-value-of-second-opinions/

Are you considering a second opinion at Mayo Clinic? Has a treatment plan been suggested for your husband yet?

Greetings,
I was dx'd with esophageal ( mid section of organ ) cancer Oct. 2019, 6 weeks of daily radiation & 6 weeks of chemo ( which did not make me sick one bit. The only side effect from chemo was restless legs and insomnia believe it or not ). Then after about 4 - 6 weeks of recovery from them treatments I had surgery at Mayo / Rochester to remove the esophagus in April 2020. 2 weeks hospital stay only because one of my drainage tubes became infected. 8 - 10 weeks of a J tube ( feeding tube inserted into my lower intestine because due to the surgery I was not allowed to even have water ). Recovery so far has been fairly well. Thinking back now I am fortunate to have had the knowlege of how to modify food ( retired certified dietary mgr ) for easy consumption. Ground meats ( mechanical ), add plenty of sauce / gravy. Chew chew chew!!! Take small bites chew chew chew!!!! No need for a fancy expensive food processor, a small chopper works. Learn to tolerate the taste of Ensure or the like ( I preferred the choc. mixed with mint choc. chip ice cream ). Make sure he gets the calories and most importantly...... PROTEIN ( red meats ) (eggs are also a good source of protein) especially after chemo to boost them blood cells and keep them up. ( chemo destroys them ). I wish you the very best in this adventure ( which is what my husband & I choose to name it ).

I was diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma I February of this year. 2 and a half weeks ago I finished last chemo and radiation. I had several side effects the worst of which was spasms in my esophagus(very painful). Others were neuropathy, fatigue, loss of appetite, eating and drinking especially are painful. I am starting to recover from them thankfully, the spasms in particular. Good old Tylenol has been my most effective med to combat pain. Also Lidocaine, cough drops, vitamins and minerals. Going to have my esophagus taken out August 25. The last ct/pet scan showed no cancer which doesn’t necessarily mean there couldn’t be a little hiding somewhere because the scan does not pick up very small infections of cancer. Nevertheless the cancer is 99% gone at this point. I am trusting the Lord that the operation will go well and that the cancer is gone for good.

Muscle milk or other protein drinks that are not milk- based and are low in sugar are also nice to have handy. Glad you are recovering so well. Keep the positive outlook- it will serve you well.

I am sure you are in good hands. The teams here at Mayo are incredible. Please let us know if you need the esophagectomy education video, handout, or want to take the esophagectomy class.

Thanks. You did give me the two videos and did listen to both- a short version and long one. I will listen to them again too. Thanks again. They were very helpful.

My care at Mayo with Dr. Blackmon and the entire staff was excellent. That was two years ago and I am thriving much better than I anticipated. It's overwhelming the first few weeks but keep a positive outlook and keep trying different foods that work for your new eating requirements. Be careful to read all the labels of foods and I found sugar and sugar alcohols are tolerated in very low amounts (<12 grams). Good luck.

Is a J tube common while going through chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer?

Hello @wrigley and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I found an article that you may find helpful based on your question.

- Supportive Therapy for Esophageal Cancer:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/treating/palliative-therapy.html
Can you share if you are personally impacted by esophageal cancer?

Amanda, thank you for the article. The article and associated links were very helpful. Wrigley