What diet or food tips for good nutrition after esophageal cancer?

Lovefrank
I had esophageal cancer several years ago and could not swallow anything but sips of water due to tumor in lower esophagus. I lost about 15 pounds before they put in feeding tube and got me on Isosource canisters for nutrition which worked. I had chemo and radiation and the tumor went away without surgery.
Have you talked to docs about a feeding tube to help with getting your husband enough nututrition?
Don

I am a 74 yo female who can relate to all that you have submitted. 1 yr since diagnosis, 6 mnths since surgery. No big probs, but big 40+ lb wt loss and the swallowing/dilations have been the biggest issue for me. It's been a learning exp. My Dr. is not concerned about wt loss (hi sch weight)...and I'm still quite active and feel better w/ wt loss. How it translates for men, I'm not sure. Don't like hi prot cott cheese, but if you whip it you don't get as strong of a flavor. Lots of prod's on market now adays have helped. Grd meats, small bites, but it's a diff lifestyle than what I've don't for 40+ years, so give it time.

Hi there ilovefrank,

My husband is one week post chemotherapy, after the same treatment plan you guys experienced.

We met with a dietician early on (pre-surgery) and she asked for us to meet with her again at the end of treatment to help with life/post-cancer eating. After all the interventions, still no taste, cold sensitivity, no appetite, but he's trying to eat as much protein as possible. He has also lost more weight than wished. Everything is different, what to eat, how to eat, how much to eat...

Maybe there is a dietician in your area who can advise also? Our appointment is next week.

Best of all to you both,
Carrie

I have worked with a nutritionist, which has been marginally useful. I seem to know what ai can eat better than they do. And if one more person tells me I can eat mashed potatoes, I will pull out the rest of my hair!

To address this, I started a group on Facebook called Soft Foods Exchange and Support. And my favorite soft food cookbook is “Soft Foods for Easier Eating Cookbook” by Sandra Woodruff.

Kinda hard to read with all your self-defined abbreviations!! Sorry!!
Hi sch?
Prot cott?

I had my esophagectomy last November 1st and ate well until the first part of February. I suddenly had major problems swallowing and eating and drinking anything. We thought it was a stricture at first, but it turned out to be gastroparesis. My GI doctor thinks it was because the Botox shot I received during surgery had worn off. I'm currently taking Reglan and Mertazaprine and no longer have any issues. Ask your doctor about the possibility of gastroparesis.

Hi sch = high school since the original email referenced weight loss since original message stated weight loss as it related to his high school weight.

Pro cott = protein cottage cheese; cottage cheese is one of the highest ways to receive high protein foods. But I actually meant 'I don't like cottage cheese in any form' but when blended you don't get the yucky taste as I and others have experienced.

Sorry, will change my word usuage.

Newly Diagnosed, I am at my normal weight now and am starting treatments. I can't really lose any weight from the start. So I found a product on Amazon called NakeMass it is a protein shake style mix. It comes in a plant base formula and one shake will give you 1230 cals. It also comes in a non plant base too. I think I am going to need 3000 or more cals a day to try and maintain my weight. I'm able to eat regular food right now but I have discussed this with my doctor and we believe there will come a time for me to drink these shakes to maintain my weight hopefully it works. Just thought I would pass that along if someone is trying to gain weight it might help. Good Luck and prayers to everyone.

My spouse is in the PHOX trial for Stage 4 adenoma of esophagus. He’s had 3 of the 4 FLOT now. After the next FLOT, he has evaluations before the 2 cycles of FOLFOX with 3 weeks of radiation. My reading tells me that nutrition intake is more difficult as treatment continues. Happily, he could swallow solid food even after the 1st cycle, which was thrilling. That might change with radiation? Getting enough protein and overall food intake has been difficult. Especially since tests discovered cholesterol build up in the heart. He was advised to eat a heart healthy diet. A big departure from lifelong diet. We met with the oncology nutritionist and got some good ideas and guidance. But he’s still not able to eat enough protein. Not much appeals. Taste changes and texture ick. So weight loss. He has some weight ‘buffer’, but was told to try not to lose more until after he has recovered from surgery. he HATES liquid food. I figure we might be looking at NG tube feeding, and certainly the implanted tube feeding after surgery.
Any ideas or support for a diet change amidst the EC treatment? It’s a lot.
thank you!

Hi Scott here I know you’re going through a lot. Went through flot program also. I couldn’t eat or drink anything for 6 months had a j tube put in. It definitely saved me. Did most of my feeding over night. I had lost 45 lbs. So mine went through left front then put in my small intestine so I could get all the nutrients I needed. I put 20 lbs back on before my surgery. I believe it’s the best way to put weight on. My nutritionist was really good. My team was great oncologist and surgeons and nurses. 4 flot treatments then waited 5 weeks then surgery 8 days in hospital. Waited 4 weeks then 4 more flot treatments. Been done with treatments since April 4th waiting to get scan June. Hope this helps wishing you the best. I did not have radiation treatments.