Esophageal Cancer Support Monthly Meeting

Hello. This is my first week of chemo/radiation therapy for stage 3 esophageal cancer. Symptoms included mild nausea and severe constipation. I feel OK now. I hope you are all doing well.

I wish you well. After recently seeing my wife get through those two therapies and then undergo esophagectomy, I would suggest you dispense with any anxiety you might have about a later esophagectomy (assuming one is planned).
Compared to the day-to-day challenge of undergoing cancer-killing treatments, the esophagectomy and hospital recovery are a positive solution and will probably give you a feeling of great relief.

I wish you well. After recently seeing my wife get through those two therapies and then undergo esophagectomy, I would suggest you dispense with any anxiety you might have about a later esophagectomy (assuming one is planned).
Compared to the day-to-day challenge of undergoing cancer-killing treatments, the esophagectomy and hospital recovery are a positive solution and will probably give you a feeling of great relief.

Hello,
I have wondered about someone who recently had the esophagetomy. Is this the type of surgery where they removed the majority of esophagus and reconnect it to your stomach" I was not a candidate when first diagnoised due to scar tissue from a collaspe lung. Do you mind sharing if your wife's surgery was done through the neck or the chest, if either?

Hello,
I have wondered about someone who recently had the esophagetomy. Is this the type of surgery where they removed the majority of esophagus and reconnect it to your stomach" I was not a candidate when first diagnoised due to scar tissue from a collaspe lung. Do you mind sharing if your wife's surgery was done through the neck or the chest, if either?

Yes, pryorhvp, my wife had a minimally-invasive esophagectomy, which involved an incision at her neck and 2-3 others at her side and back, I think. They called it a McKeown esophagectomy.

Greetings, I am jumping in here with no invite. I hope that is OK. Fifteen yrs ago I was diagnosed with stage 2A esophageal cancer. After 28 radiation sessions and six chemo sessions, the cancer was killed. That was followed by an esophagectomy that involved entering through my chest. It was totally successful, yet did take five months before I was allowed to eat by mouth. I am 76 yo and most grateful for the extraordinary work of my medical team. The idea of this very complex surgery frightened me, but I was determined to think positively and trust the medical folks. I am 15 yrs CANCER FREE and realize that it took the skilled medical team plus my stubborn determination to win over this cancer. Be positive. Do NOT drag yourself down. Success will be yours.

Thank you, how they described mine, was very invasive and about 5 - 6 hours of surgery and the resectioning was too muc for me. I am glad your wife's surgery was successful and is cancer free. I continue to fight the fight and stay positve.
Appreciate your reply