Esopagectomy cancelled

Yes... once stage 4, getting to surgery is more difficult... but not impossible. So first things first... go after the spread... get it handled. Do I know some stage 4's who have come back to have their esophagectomies... Yes! But we all have to see how treatments go... and can we get there! Hang tough.

Gary

Super sorry to hear this, I will say a Prayer for you and husband

My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer 2 years ago. He went through the chemo and strong radiation. 10 days before his surgery, it was decided to cancel the surgery as his tumor was gone. He then went on immunotherapy for a year. He remains cancer free today. We are so thankful that he did not have the life changing surgery. If the cancer returns, we will deal with what that decision when it happens. Stay strong and found comfort and strength through prayer!

sounds like a good idea, I'm going the same rout. hope and pray for a good turnout.

I'm sorry this happened but it looks like he is at Mayo a great hospital. I read that he will get a second opinion so that will be very helpful. Stay positive that is a lot of the battle.

Surgery cancelled again
My husband was diagnosed in January with esophageal cancer. He went through a series of chemotherapy and radiation and was supposed to have surgery in June. Since then there have been two other delays because of cardio issues and now a spot on his lung. He was scheduled for this week and had prep surgery two weeks go. His surgeon called Friday to cancel, saying pretty much surgery would be a waste of time for him. We didn’t really get a clear idea of what is next. They do want him to come in for. Biopsy on the lung spot to see whether it is separate from the esophagus.
He still cannot swallow well, but they did say he could have a stent placed.

We are angry, devastated, and feel discarded.

Does anyone have any situation when you have a somewhat livable life without the surgery?

Thank you.

@maryfordmillard, I can hardly imagine how difficult this must be for you and your husband. To be prepared for surgey only to have it cancelled, is a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. While accepting this turn of events feels like a set back, your team has likely paused surgery because of the spot on the lung and ensure that surgery remains the best treatment and survival option. It's so important to have all the diagnostic information to determine the best treatment for each individual.

Some esophageal cancer patients never have surgery, like @margski @grandmacranky @dsh33782 @jrkbls @56899t52 and others.

Please let your Mayo team know about your letdown and how you are feeling devastated and discarded. Those are completely understandable reactions. I'm confident that they will take the time to explain why, for your husband's best chances, surgery has been postponed or a new course of treatment may be preferable.

For my part, I want to acknowledge what a curve ball you've been thrown and it's hard to see the wisdom in this right now. It sucks!

Let's wait and see what the lung biopsy shows. It is important to understand that esophagectomy surgery is one helluva a surgery... life altering... a long recovery (think 12 to 24 months) in order to get digestion back to an acceptable level. Remember... doctors want to help their patients... not harm them. Your surgeon has to know that performing the esophagectomy gives your husband a better chance at never seeing his esophageal cancer once again. If the spot in the lung is indeed a metastasis of his EC... it makes no sense putting your husband thru this surgery while his doctors are still chasing down his cancer which is already elsewhere in his body. That would amount to cruel and unusual punishment! Any spread of his EC must be dealt with first.

Now I cannot speak to how this was explained to you and your husband... by any of his doctors. These doctors all have different bedside manners. But I would surely think at least one doctor took a few minutes to tell you what I just have. And yes... they will have a new plan going forward... which could mean a new and different chemo and/or immunotherapy regimen... or even back to surgery should it turn out the lung spot is not cancer.

Hang tough while this is sorted out. I'll come privately to chat as well.

Gary

At the time, we were confused and scared we were making the right decision. As time has passed over 1-1/2 years since they cancelled surgery, it was a blessing we have been able to avoid what would have been a life changing surgery. It will be a year in January that he stopped the immunotherapy and we were told the immunotherapy would be in his system for around a year. So we are a little nervous when his PET scan in Sept showed two lymph nodes that may be cancerous (to small to tell if cancer or the scan lines making it look like cancer may be there), they are continuing to watch him closely. He is getting blood drawn today and we will get those results next week to see if his signatory test remains zero. They did an endoscopy last week and the biopsies they took from the tumor area and other spots in his esophagus remain clean of any cancer cells. They will perform another PET scan in December or January to keep a close watch. This whole experience has been an emotional rollercoaster. We try to live every day as positive as possible and with the strength of prayer, family and friends, we are feeling blessed every day.