Esophagectomy surgery: Want to know what to expect

Colleen, yes I recieved the notification via postal mail. The link is how I discovered this support group. 🙂

Hi Lori, welcome! I’m tagging @survivorsuz and @mitchm2009 to make sure that they see your messages to them.

We just opened this group dedicated to Esophageal Cancer. Did you also see that you can register for a free patient conference on July 31, 2021 and attend either virtually or in person?
See more info here:
- Gastroesophageal Cancer Education Symposium https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/gastroesophageal-cancer-education-symposium/

@lizzier’s son-in-law just had surgery for esophageal cancer today. What tips would you offer to someone as they recover? What do you wish you had known?

mitchm2009,
Same surgery here at Mayo on April 15th, 2020. 3rd incision along the right entire ribcage. That bugger still gives me significant pain. 5 mg Oxycodone as needed. I also do very light stretching while still in bed in the morning but am extremely careful. The pain meds cause me constipation ( no ulcerative colitis here ). I'm a retired Certified Dietary Mgr. so I was pretty much in charge of my own diet ( the Registered Dietician at the cancer center drove me nuts). For constipation I drink 8 oz ( 4 oz at a time x 2 ) daily. This may not be an option for you with your indigestion. As you probably know..... either cooked or raw veggies help, applesauce, bran cereal ( I prefer mini wheats, raisin bran ( I add dried cranberry's / craisins for extra fiber and flavor ). Also when in desperation Milk of Magnesia is a life savor!!!!
I want to add that I am brand new to the Mayo connect boards so I am still learning.

Oh wow!!!! You & I were in St. Mary's / Rochester at the same time for the exact same surgery!!!! Dr. Wigle was my surgeon. I had my esophagectomy April 15th and was home on the 29th ( neck drainage tube site got infected after the tube was removed ) so I had to stay another week. Lower intestine feeding tube for 8 - 10 weeks. In the meantime NPO. I'm doing fairly well for the most part except the monthly dilations where the stomach & remaining esophagus connect. Hoping the temporary stent will remedy that. Thank God I'm a retired Certified Dietary Mgr. which turned out to be a Godsend in the dietary / caloric aspect. I lost a significant amount of weight but I was over weight to begin with so..... I'm steadily holding a healthy 140#. I have most recently been suffering from that pesky acid reflux. Why now a year after surgery? That is really my only 2 negatives other than the sometimes extreme pain on the right side where the huge incision is along the entire ribcage. Hope you continue your adventure successfully. Hoping also to receive a response and connect.

Sorry for the delayed response but I'm doing EXTREMELY well thank you!! I believe you asked the stage & type: stage III of squamous cell carcinoma. There was some compromise in how the surgery could be performed because of scar tissue I have after an upper left lobectomy from a different type of cancer.
It's been 7 months post surgery and I can't believe how good I feel. Eating most 'normal' foods (except spicy and raw veggies), and have energy & strength back. I even shoveled the snow 3 times this winter and lifted a lot of boxes during a move to a new house last month.
Never would have thought I'd be doing so well from how difficult the first month was. But so blessed to be healthy now.
Thanks for asking.

I too was extremely nervous about the esophagectomy that was suggested for me last year after I completed radiation and chemo. After two different surgery consults I decided I wanted the less invasive procedure that was offered by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Dr. Blackmon & staff were wonderful and I had the surgery July 5, 2019. Yes, it is a major surgery but go with a positive attitude and follow their directives and you'll have plenty of fun years ahead. It's only been 7 months post surgery and I eat 'normal' foods in smaller portions but eating is enjoyable again. I even have shoveled snow this winter and lifted lots of heavy boxes when we moved to a new house last month.
As far as your vomiting, have you asked your doctor for a mild sedative to help you through this? you need to keep your weight and strength up prior to surgery.
If at all possible for you, I highly recommend Dr. Blackmon as she's the best at explaining what is going on, great success in no leaks at the surgical connection and I have no noticeable scar on my throat.

Where are you being treated? Have you had chemo and/or radiation? What stage are u? Where will you have the surgery? From all of the information I've been given and have read, the best chance of survival and hopefully a cure, is the 3 tier chemo/radiation and surgery.

So I have been advised that I need an esophagectomy. Extremely nervous about the risks that are involved, especially the mortality risk. Problem is I can keep going on this way, I am at the hospital every 2 weeks because I have thrown up blood for hours and need to be hydrated and given enough gravol to stop the throwing up. Then I go home and continue to throw up for a few days, until it gets bad again and I am back at the hospital. So surgery is inevitable, but I am extremely nervous. Any pointers folks??

Hi @mitchm2009 After going through such an extensive surgery, it must have been good news to hear that the chemo and radiation reduced the tumor significantly to make it easier to remove it with clear margins. Does this mean you don’t have to have chemo or radiation after surgery?

How has your recovery from surgery progressed? Are you swinging those golf clubs again?

Hi there, glad you're recovery is going well. I recently had my esophagectomy on Sept 9 and spent 10 crummy days in the hospital. I'm 59 and was diagnosed Stage 2. My doctor reported that the chemo and radiation I had prior to surgery reduced the tumor significantly and he thinks that all the cancer was removed. Thank God! However, he wasn't able to make the normal 2 incisions for the Ivor surgery and had to make another big one through my back. I'm currently taking Tramadol for the pain. How long does this last? I also suffer with ulcerative colitis an easily get constipated or indigestion. Any suggestions? I try to walk daily but am reluctant to start stretching since my right side is so sensitive to pain. I too want to start practicing with my golf clubs. Good luck to all and thanks for any advice.