Update on my surgery

Caballero38
Caballero38 Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi all,

I have been home for about five days from the hospital. I just has the esophagectomy, my surgery was in two parts it started on the 10th to prep the stomach. On the 14th was was my esophagectomy and it seems that after 13 days in the hospital everything was going accourding to plan and they let me go home. I am feeling fine, except for a few achs and pains. Also hot flashes here and there.
I can drink a few liquids now, but not too much. I still have to wait a few days before I can eat some solid food, but I am patient. I am getting my nutrients through the j-tube still.

I'll keep you posted as my progress goes. Thanks for your support!

Luis Rodriguez
«1

Comments

  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    Glad to hear all went well.
    Glad to hear all went well. Keep up the patience and good things will happen!!!

    Erika
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    emg09 said:

    Glad to hear all went well.
    Glad to hear all went well. Keep up the patience and good things will happen!!!

    Erika

    Great
    Sounds like you are right on track. Glad to here it. Keep up the good work.

    Al is a alittle more than a week after his surgery, drinking about 4-6 0z of clear liquids
    Tomarrow we mover on to Soft clear liquids, and will stay that way until Nov. 10th when we
    go for our follow up.

    Keep up the good work.
    God Bless.
    Kath
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    Hi
    Hi there Luis!
    I was wondering how you are doing? Are you able to drink liquids now? Well, I hope you can update us on what's been happening since you last posted. My hubby will be having this surgery soon - no specific date set yet. We'll find out on Nov. 19th if the cancer has shrunk enough for surgery or not.

    Hoping you are doing well.
    Blessings,
    Shelly
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500

    Hi
    Hi there Luis!
    I was wondering how you are doing? Are you able to drink liquids now? Well, I hope you can update us on what's been happening since you last posted. My hubby will be having this surgery soon - no specific date set yet. We'll find out on Nov. 19th if the cancer has shrunk enough for surgery or not.

    Hoping you are doing well.
    Blessings,
    Shelly

    Shelly,
    hang in there until

    Shelly,
    hang in there until the 19th! We find out the 11th if my dad is a candidate for surgery... prayers for everyone on this site
    kim
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    That is so odd, doing it in two stages
    i don't think I have heard of that before. But, I guess it works! Layne was in 8 days, and he is not loving the feeding tube. Thing keeps separating and making a mess. He will work hard to be free of it. Tomorrow, he gets to swallow for the first time. I think he will dream of swallowing all night long! I am sure if I told him you are having liquids, he'd be jealous!

    Sounds like you are doing very, very well. In a month, you'll look back and say "wow...that was not fun, but I did it!" And you'll push forward!

    Great news, and glad to hear that you are doing so awesomely well.
  • That is so odd, doing it in two stages
    i don't think I have heard of that before. But, I guess it works! Layne was in 8 days, and he is not loving the feeding tube. Thing keeps separating and making a mess. He will work hard to be free of it. Tomorrow, he gets to swallow for the first time. I think he will dream of swallowing all night long! I am sure if I told him you are having liquids, he'd be jealous!

    Sounds like you are doing very, very well. In a month, you'll look back and say "wow...that was not fun, but I did it!" And you'll push forward!

    Great news, and glad to hear that you are doing so awesomely well.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    New clothes
    HAHAHA That's so funny...I won't tell Layne you said for me to go shop. He has been so pleased that I have NOT been shopping lately :) LOL

    We won't get rid of the tube too fast, but we will certainly get it out asap. He hates the whole idea of the thing and the connectors come apart a LOT. I have no problem cleaning it--we get new bags each day so I rarely have to clean it. But it does come apart and leak a LOT. It's the type of tubing that is used by this company, and we are kind of stuck with it for three weeks or so. Doc thinks he won't need it after that.

    Yes, Layne has a very large frame and hopes to lose about 60 lbs after this is done. We were in the process of weight loss when this cancer hit. We had both been on a "BIGGEST LOSER" program--me going from a size 18 to a size 8 and him losing about 80 lbs. So the doc just wants to make sure he has enough protein to keep up his muscle mass and has told him he is now cleared to lose some weight. He actually gained during chemo and radiation--because they told him to, and he had difficulty with his knees because he packed on about 25 extra pounds.

    MD Anderson wants patients to wait for the swallow test as they found it limits the number of leaks they have. They seldom have a leak, so we didn't get to do it until today. We are very excited that he will get to swallow. Yippeeee....

    Of course, it will be the FIRST time Layne is EXCITED about swallowing barium!
  • New clothes
    HAHAHA That's so funny...I won't tell Layne you said for me to go shop. He has been so pleased that I have NOT been shopping lately :) LOL

    We won't get rid of the tube too fast, but we will certainly get it out asap. He hates the whole idea of the thing and the connectors come apart a LOT. I have no problem cleaning it--we get new bags each day so I rarely have to clean it. But it does come apart and leak a LOT. It's the type of tubing that is used by this company, and we are kind of stuck with it for three weeks or so. Doc thinks he won't need it after that.

    Yes, Layne has a very large frame and hopes to lose about 60 lbs after this is done. We were in the process of weight loss when this cancer hit. We had both been on a "BIGGEST LOSER" program--me going from a size 18 to a size 8 and him losing about 80 lbs. So the doc just wants to make sure he has enough protein to keep up his muscle mass and has told him he is now cleared to lose some weight. He actually gained during chemo and radiation--because they told him to, and he had difficulty with his knees because he packed on about 25 extra pounds.

    MD Anderson wants patients to wait for the swallow test as they found it limits the number of leaks they have. They seldom have a leak, so we didn't get to do it until today. We are very excited that he will get to swallow. Yippeeee....

    Of course, it will be the FIRST time Layne is EXCITED about swallowing barium!

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Caballero38
    Caballero38 Member Posts: 35

    Hi
    Hi there Luis!
    I was wondering how you are doing? Are you able to drink liquids now? Well, I hope you can update us on what's been happening since you last posted. My hubby will be having this surgery soon - no specific date set yet. We'll find out on Nov. 19th if the cancer has shrunk enough for surgery or not.

    Hoping you are doing well.
    Blessings,
    Shelly

    Hi All
    Thanks for the nice comments. I am able to drink liquids. One week after surgery the doctor had me to a swallow test, this is done by make me drink a awful liquid while they take xray images to see if anything is leeking. Everything went down the correct tubes i guess and then they let me drink Grape juice.

    The grape juice was the first thing I drank that I enjoyed in a while. In fact i hadn't drank any liquids in months. Now i'm home about a month out of surgery and i'm able to drink anything i like. I can't drink too much though. I have been able to eat soft foods such as jello, pudding, ice cream. I did try to eat macaroni and cheese, but I think I ate too much. I didn't feel good for about an hour afterwards. I felt stuffed and with a desperate need to burp but I couldn't burp. that thought me a lesson, don't eat too much starches.

    I have about 3 more weeks of the feeding tube and then, i'll start gradually reducing it and eating more by mouth. Right now, i'm trying to gain my weight back. All in all I lost about 50lbs. i weighed about 125 after surgery i'm at 133 now and gaining everyday. I'm hungry although i get all necessary nutrients through the liquid tube food. So, I try to nibble on stuff here and there. I don't think i'll go back to my regular weight, but I think I can set my norm a little higher than 133.

    I wish you luck with all you have to go through... I'll keep you all in my prayers

    God Bless
    Luis
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member

    New clothes
    HAHAHA That's so funny...I won't tell Layne you said for me to go shop. He has been so pleased that I have NOT been shopping lately :) LOL

    We won't get rid of the tube too fast, but we will certainly get it out asap. He hates the whole idea of the thing and the connectors come apart a LOT. I have no problem cleaning it--we get new bags each day so I rarely have to clean it. But it does come apart and leak a LOT. It's the type of tubing that is used by this company, and we are kind of stuck with it for three weeks or so. Doc thinks he won't need it after that.

    Yes, Layne has a very large frame and hopes to lose about 60 lbs after this is done. We were in the process of weight loss when this cancer hit. We had both been on a "BIGGEST LOSER" program--me going from a size 18 to a size 8 and him losing about 80 lbs. So the doc just wants to make sure he has enough protein to keep up his muscle mass and has told him he is now cleared to lose some weight. He actually gained during chemo and radiation--because they told him to, and he had difficulty with his knees because he packed on about 25 extra pounds.

    MD Anderson wants patients to wait for the swallow test as they found it limits the number of leaks they have. They seldom have a leak, so we didn't get to do it until today. We are very excited that he will get to swallow. Yippeeee....

    Of course, it will be the FIRST time Layne is EXCITED about swallowing barium!

    WOW WHATS YOUR DIET
    I would love to know how you lost that much weight, as I too am that size (18) and would love to get to a 14 or 12. What did you do to loose that much and how. Just share it would you

    Thanks
    Lori
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member

    Hi All
    Thanks for the nice comments. I am able to drink liquids. One week after surgery the doctor had me to a swallow test, this is done by make me drink a awful liquid while they take xray images to see if anything is leeking. Everything went down the correct tubes i guess and then they let me drink Grape juice.

    The grape juice was the first thing I drank that I enjoyed in a while. In fact i hadn't drank any liquids in months. Now i'm home about a month out of surgery and i'm able to drink anything i like. I can't drink too much though. I have been able to eat soft foods such as jello, pudding, ice cream. I did try to eat macaroni and cheese, but I think I ate too much. I didn't feel good for about an hour afterwards. I felt stuffed and with a desperate need to burp but I couldn't burp. that thought me a lesson, don't eat too much starches.

    I have about 3 more weeks of the feeding tube and then, i'll start gradually reducing it and eating more by mouth. Right now, i'm trying to gain my weight back. All in all I lost about 50lbs. i weighed about 125 after surgery i'm at 133 now and gaining everyday. I'm hungry although i get all necessary nutrients through the liquid tube food. So, I try to nibble on stuff here and there. I don't think i'll go back to my regular weight, but I think I can set my norm a little higher than 133.

    I wish you luck with all you have to go through... I'll keep you all in my prayers

    God Bless
    Luis

    you will be fine
    Luis,

    You will know when you have ate too much that is just a feeling you have, continue to eat soft foods, nothing tough macroni and cheese is a good thing, we eat that too. just eat your 6 meals a day and in between like jello, pudding, eggs, not much with milk products it irratates jeff's stomach you will know when you have overdone. If I can help or you have any quesitons I am here as my husband and you had the same kind of surgery just not in two parts.

    Lori aka MOE
  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    K_ann1015 said:

    Shelly,
    hang in there until

    Shelly,
    hang in there until the 19th! We find out the 11th if my dad is a candidate for surgery... prayers for everyone on this site
    kim

    Thanks
    Thanks Kim!
    I'm too praying for your dad that he will be a candidate for surgery and for everyone on this site.
    Thanks so much,
    Shelly
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500

    Hi All
    Thanks for the nice comments. I am able to drink liquids. One week after surgery the doctor had me to a swallow test, this is done by make me drink a awful liquid while they take xray images to see if anything is leeking. Everything went down the correct tubes i guess and then they let me drink Grape juice.

    The grape juice was the first thing I drank that I enjoyed in a while. In fact i hadn't drank any liquids in months. Now i'm home about a month out of surgery and i'm able to drink anything i like. I can't drink too much though. I have been able to eat soft foods such as jello, pudding, ice cream. I did try to eat macaroni and cheese, but I think I ate too much. I didn't feel good for about an hour afterwards. I felt stuffed and with a desperate need to burp but I couldn't burp. that thought me a lesson, don't eat too much starches.

    I have about 3 more weeks of the feeding tube and then, i'll start gradually reducing it and eating more by mouth. Right now, i'm trying to gain my weight back. All in all I lost about 50lbs. i weighed about 125 after surgery i'm at 133 now and gaining everyday. I'm hungry although i get all necessary nutrients through the liquid tube food. So, I try to nibble on stuff here and there. I don't think i'll go back to my regular weight, but I think I can set my norm a little higher than 133.

    I wish you luck with all you have to go through... I'll keep you all in my prayers

    God Bless
    Luis

    Great NEWS
    Luis,
    just read your posts! Wonderful news. It is so good to hear some good news on this kind of cancer. So many other sites only seem to have the doom & gloom responses. Now, don't get me wrong--I know the facts---and ALL EC folks need our prayers! I am glad you are doing well. It also sounds like you have an patient positive attitude that will help you continue to recover as well!

    You also seem to be my dad's size! He has lost about 15-20lbs total and is about 135-8 now. We know he'll loose some after surgery (12/2 at DUKE)---so he's trying to gain weight. It is difficult to do when even ensure and soft foods hurt to swallow!

    Keep us posted. You'll always be able to get some support on this site!
    Kim
  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    K_ann1015 said:

    Great NEWS
    Luis,
    just read your posts! Wonderful news. It is so good to hear some good news on this kind of cancer. So many other sites only seem to have the doom & gloom responses. Now, don't get me wrong--I know the facts---and ALL EC folks need our prayers! I am glad you are doing well. It also sounds like you have an patient positive attitude that will help you continue to recover as well!

    You also seem to be my dad's size! He has lost about 15-20lbs total and is about 135-8 now. We know he'll loose some after surgery (12/2 at DUKE)---so he's trying to gain weight. It is difficult to do when even ensure and soft foods hurt to swallow!

    Keep us posted. You'll always be able to get some support on this site!
    Kim

    Yay!!
    I just noticed your dad has a surgery date. That's wonderful news!
    Continued prayers,
    Shelly
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    K_ann1015 said:

    Great NEWS
    Luis,
    just read your posts! Wonderful news. It is so good to hear some good news on this kind of cancer. So many other sites only seem to have the doom & gloom responses. Now, don't get me wrong--I know the facts---and ALL EC folks need our prayers! I am glad you are doing well. It also sounds like you have an patient positive attitude that will help you continue to recover as well!

    You also seem to be my dad's size! He has lost about 15-20lbs total and is about 135-8 now. We know he'll loose some after surgery (12/2 at DUKE)---so he's trying to gain weight. It is difficult to do when even ensure and soft foods hurt to swallow!

    Keep us posted. You'll always be able to get some support on this site!
    Kim

    For Kim
    Kim,

    Did I miss a post? I see where you are talking surgery for your DAD? That is great? What kind and etc. What a wonderful Christmas present huh? Just know I am here if you have any quesitons, and remember you will need a pair of my BIG GIRL PANTIES, so i will have William ship them through FAITH FEDERAL EXPRESS, and they will be on doorstep (parents) doorstep on the morning of 12/2, Until I know what kind he is having I don't want to scre you but you need to be prepared for a few days in ICU, alot of tubes, ventilators, hatefulness, etc etc. I will be waiting for your reply.

    Bill will you and Loretta make sure that a pair is shipped to Kim in time for surgery, I think there is some there with lace, and she will definately need a couple of pair. Make sure you bless them so that her father has a speedy and wonderful recovery.

    Kim, remember this where there is FAITH, THERE IS LOVE, WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS HOPE AND WHERE THERE IS HOPE THERE IS FAITH.

    kEEP up the posts

    Lori aka moe
  • Caballero38
    Caballero38 Member Posts: 35
    MOE58 said:

    WOW WHATS YOUR DIET
    I would love to know how you lost that much weight, as I too am that size (18) and would love to get to a 14 or 12. What did you do to loose that much and how. Just share it would you

    Thanks
    Lori

    How I lost all that weight
    Hi,
    I lost all the weight by not eating. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer I could not even swallow liquids. After loosing weight rapidly my doctor suggested I have a feeding tube installed. Thanks to the feeding tube I'm still here. I wouldn't recomend that diet though.
  • How I lost all that weight
    Hi,
    I lost all the weight by not eating. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer I could not even swallow liquids. After loosing weight rapidly my doctor suggested I have a feeding tube installed. Thanks to the feeding tube I'm still here. I wouldn't recomend that diet though.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    AMEN TO TO YOUR REPLY
    Yes, Luis i don't want your weight loss program, thanks but no thanks, and William was right my husband almost died during and after surgery, due to the lungs, GOD wasn;t ready for him yet and so he gave him back to me, I am glad things are well, We too are doing good.

    Thanks
    Lori
  • Caballero38
    Caballero38 Member Posts: 35
    MOE58 said:

    AMEN TO TO YOUR REPLY
    Yes, Luis i don't want your weight loss program, thanks but no thanks, and William was right my husband almost died during and after surgery, due to the lungs, GOD wasn;t ready for him yet and so he gave him back to me, I am glad things are well, We too are doing good.

    Thanks
    Lori

    Feelling emberrassed
    Ots clear to me now. I'm sorry fir miss understanding. What kind of complications did your husband have. I'm having trouble coughing upmy flem because of pain and it seems like I'm getting more and more congested. I'm going to the dr. Tomorrow I also have a pain in the area of my liver. I hope it all clers up for me.