Esophagectomy: What is life like Afterwards?

@manuelo that would be Awsome its deff been a battle, had my CT scan last wed and meet with Dr ,s wed but reading my portal looks like good report, next CT be mid of July. Thanks for encouragement 🙏.

@manuelo
Likewise. I had a couple dozen endoscopies before I started self dilation. I do it every day but considering stopping and see what happens.

@mwedin I had ten endoscopies to stretch my esophagus until I figured out I could do my own stretchings with dilation tubes. I did those for about three or four months and then stopped doing it. K have been dilation free for about four months now so I am pretty much 100% normal (minus most of my esophagus and half of my stomach)

@jimbon I had same. T2 at gastric junction like you. They likely removed part of your stomach and most your esophagus so you should be 100% cancer free since all of it was removed. I don’t worry about getting it again. Its gone along with my esophagus 🙂

I was diagnosed in Nov 24, small T 2 where esphogus and stomach meet,did 25 radiation and 6 chemo during Christmas last year surgery 1st of April, it hadn't left the esphogus, showed that chemo and radiation took care of it but said surgery should be done,very life changing ,I had a ct scan mid of July and looked great, now im on 6 month scans,so have one next week,and that will be the norm for couple years every 6 months, very nervous about next weeks scan have to stay positive, in hospital 7 days after surgery, had feeding tube in place for 6 weeks but never used it...I had good food intake, the non stop reflux is crazy cause the sphinx was removed, I tell people its like a volcano down there, I sleep on mechanical bed which is Awsome, but stuff like drying out shower,tying shoes,pulling weeds you deff don't stay bent over long or acid comes up...I have many more things I can share also,keep in touch prayers to everyone on this site,be glad to get my results end of next weeks ct scan,then be good till mid of july...sorry to raddle on lol..Jim 65 years old.

I was diagnosed in Nov 24, small T 2 where esphogus and stomach meet,did 25 radiation and 6 chemo during Christmas last year surgery 1st of April, it hadn't left the esphogus, showed that chemo and radiation took care of it but said surgery should be done,very life changing ,I had a ct scan mid of July and looked great, now im on 6 month scans,so have one next week,and that will be the norm for couple years every 6 months, very nervous about next weeks scan have to stay positive, in hospital 7 days after surgery, had feeding tube in place for 6 weeks but never used it...I had good food intake, the non stop reflux is crazy cause the sphinx was removed, I tell people its like a volcano down there, I sleep on mechanical bed which is Awsome, but stuff like drying out shower,tying shoes,pulling weeds you deff don't stay bent over long or acid comes up...I have many more things I can share also,keep in touch prayers to everyone on this site,be glad to get my results end of next weeks ct scan,then be good till mid of july...sorry to raddle on lol..Jim 65 years old.

I had surgery the 31st of October 2023, 10 days in the hospital. Sent home with the j tube that was supposed to be five or six weeks I had had it in for about 4 months. Had a few endoscopies to stretch my esophagus so I could eat solid foods better.
Everyone's different and I've learned you have to be patient because things don't just change overnight and get better. It's definitely scary but a person can get through it and lead a pretty normal life. Wish you and your family well.

My husband have Ivor Lewis esophagectomy last January followed by 3 more rounds of FLOT. he had 4 previous rounds of FLOT prior to surgery. Today he is eating very well put on some of the weight he lost. Sleeps on 3 small pillows has occasional reflux if he overeats. He is working out at the YMCA 3 days a week. We just returned from a vacation in Cancun. It was a rough year of chemo and post op chemo but today he is doing great!!