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Neck wound not healing after esophagus surgery

Posted by leilac @leilac, 4 days ago

Hi
I am 44 year old female. Diagnosed with esophageal cancer last November. Large tumour which could be perforated. Encountered swallowing issues, so feeding tube inserted through nose.
Did 3 rounds of chemo, then-after a break to get married (!) Had surgery on 4th February.
14 hours, took out part of lung as spread, but otherwise good.
Tube in tummy now.
Developed an infection in the neck incision, leak bag helped, but after returning home looking better, another infection occurred!
Endured 3 more surgeries where they put a foam pad in connected to a leak machine- connected with tube. Machine didn't work-surgery 2 tried to correct it, surgery 3 took it all out!
It's now 7 weeks since surgery. I've only had tube food, not even water since neck infected..
After time with tube direction the output, is just dressed daily now.
Some improvement but STILL saliva
coming from hole in neck!
Surgeons want to go ahead with 4 final chemotherapy, while cancer nurse disagrees due to infection risk, lack of proper nutrition, risk of chemo drugs coming out in saliva from neck etc..
But surgeon says 8 weeks is max can wait.
They say all tumour out now, but chemo preventative to any can't see.
Anyone had this issue??
I've found it hard to find similar experience. Realise I am very young for this cancer..

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stever1 | @stever1 | 2 days ago

I had a leak in the neck during my hospitalization for gastroesophagectomy. NPO, NG tube, reopended, drain with bag and antibiotics. It resolved in a week. I was lucky. I eat normal now. Your leak and ordeals was significantly worse. So sorry to hear this. I can't offer medical advise and my experience is not the same. I will offer encouragement and certainly prayer. Follow your intuition after hearing what the professionals recommend. You are so young and have so much to live for. Best of luck and please keep us informed. We are pulling for you.

REPLY
2 replies
leilac | @leilac | 1 day ago
In reply to @stever1 "I had a leak in the neck during my hospitalization for gastroesophagectomy. NPO, NG tube, reopended,..." + (show)
@stever1

I had a leak in the neck during my hospitalization for gastroesophagectomy. NPO, NG tube, reopended, drain with bag and antibiotics. It resolved in a week. I was lucky. I eat normal now. Your leak and ordeals was significantly worse. So sorry to hear this. I can't offer medical advise and my experience is not the same. I will offer encouragement and certainly prayer. Follow your intuition after hearing what the professionals recommend. You are so young and have so much to live for. Best of luck and please keep us informed. We are pulling for you.

Jump to this post

Hi Steve
Oh wow, that's such good news,only a week!
My surgeon just told me it's 'very rare' for it to last this long, and it may spit out saliva forever-even when healed.
Not fun.
I've even started taking liquid vitamin c and zinc to encourage healing!
It feels endless and I struggle to sleep properly with the feeding tube machine on.

REPLY
leilac | @leilac | 1 day ago
In reply to @stever1 "I had a leak in the neck during my hospitalization for gastroesophagectomy. NPO, NG tube, reopended,..." + (show)
@stever1

I had a leak in the neck during my hospitalization for gastroesophagectomy. NPO, NG tube, reopended, drain with bag and antibiotics. It resolved in a week. I was lucky. I eat normal now. Your leak and ordeals was significantly worse. So sorry to hear this. I can't offer medical advise and my experience is not the same. I will offer encouragement and certainly prayer. Follow your intuition after hearing what the professionals recommend. You are so young and have so much to live for. Best of luck and please keep us informed. We are pulling for you.

Jump to this post

Thank you

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