My father has Stage 1 and just had the Ivor Lewis Surgery 5/24

tamster

Hello,

I know we were extremely lucky that my father's esophageal cancer was caught early.
We met with oncology and surgery before his recommended surgery was scheduled.
He had the Ivor Lewis surgery on 5/24/2010 for moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. He had a previous diagnosis of Barrett's and therefore had routine endoscopy so the cancerous lesion was found on his most recent endoscopy.
He is still in the hospital and just began sips of water today.

I am wondering what insight anyone can give as to the first few months post op and the eating challenges.

Also, has anyone been recommended chemo even with Stage I?

Thanks!
Tammy

Unknown

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tamster

unknown said:

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Thank you
Dear William,

Thank you so much for all the information. He has indeed run into a "few bumps in the road" post op but seems to be progressing well. He had some issues with hypertension, then he went into rapid Atrial Fibrillation and then an ileus ( when the bowels fall "back to sleep" ) then he spiked a fever a few days ago but thankfully it was due to a urinary tract infection and he is on antibiotics.

I know this is going to be a difficult recovery for him. He LOVES to eat. I am hoping that the early diagnosis and knowing how lucky he is will help him accept this new lifestyle and not become too depressed. He has been tearful these past few days and I worry about depression. I believe that counseling to help him through all this would be great. I think it all happened so fast that he hasn't had the chance to process it. His diagnosis was only a month ago.
He is overweight so the weight loss should be handled ok.
He has a J tube and the plan is for him to keep it for as long as he needs it.... ie atleast a few weeks.

Thanks again for your support.

tammy

Tina Blondek

tamster said:

Thank you
Dear William,

Thank you so much for all the information. He has indeed run into a "few bumps in the road" post op but seems to be progressing well. He had some issues with hypertension, then he went into rapid Atrial Fibrillation and then an ileus ( when the bowels fall "back to sleep" ) then he spiked a fever a few days ago but thankfully it was due to a urinary tract infection and he is on antibiotics.

I know this is going to be a difficult recovery for him. He LOVES to eat. I am hoping that the early diagnosis and knowing how lucky he is will help him accept this new lifestyle and not become too depressed. He has been tearful these past few days and I worry about depression. I believe that counseling to help him through all this would be great. I think it all happened so fast that he hasn't had the chance to process it. His diagnosis was only a month ago.
He is overweight so the weight loss should be handled ok.
He has a J tube and the plan is for him to keep it for as long as he needs it.... ie atleast a few weeks.

Thanks again for your support.

tammy

Welcome
Hi Tammy congrats to your dad on having a successful surgery! That is great news. The post op recovery will take some time. Do not expect him to recover too quickly. Slow as she goes, as my dad always said. I lost my dad to ec this past March. He was not a candidate for surgery. Your dad is very lucky that you caught this at stage I and was able to have the surgery. God bless you your dad and family as he continues to recover. Keep us posted of his progress. Peace be with you.
Tina

MOE58

Family Member had IVOR LEWIS Stage 2
Hello,

Welcome, I know some people have responded but they haven't had the IVOR LEWIS, I can walk you along this bumby road. Mine member was first diagnosed on April fools day in 09, he started Chemo in April May and June, in July of 09 last year he had the IVOR LEWIS SURGERY, he did have complications but NOT due to the surgery, he had some lung problems. He did fine had a feeding tube, and came home with it but did not have to use it, he was able to eat soft foods, and liquids so after about 2 weeks home the feeding tube came out. he was sore and on pain meds for awhile, he couldn't bathe himself for about 2 weeks nor dress himself all the way, but as time went on he completed those tasks. He was able to do anything he wanted as long as he felt like it. His oncologist had him do little things, as time went on when winter set in was his hardest time. To make a very long story short, he has had his port out, and doing what he wants when he wants and working outside, he does have a raspy voice due to the ventilator he was on, but other than that he is doing great.

Please keep in mind no two people are alike each one recouperates differently. He watches what he eats and very careful in swallowing no thick meats cause it just doesn't go down, well.

He played his first round of golf, two weeks ago and said he did fine.

To have cancer is not what we want to hear, but to fight this beast is great.

You have to have faith in your doctors and remember each one heals different,

If I can help you further please let me know.

thanks
Lori/MOE

tamster

Tina Blondek said:

Welcome
Hi Tammy congrats to your dad on having a successful surgery! That is great news. The post op recovery will take some time. Do not expect him to recover too quickly. Slow as she goes, as my dad always said. I lost my dad to ec this past March. He was not a candidate for surgery. Your dad is very lucky that you caught this at stage I and was able to have the surgery. God bless you your dad and family as he continues to recover. Keep us posted of his progress. Peace be with you.
Tina

thanks
Hi Thank you all for your support. I am sorry for the losses experienced by those whose lives have been forever changed by ec.
I look forward to continuing to build friendships and support through this website.


tammy

tamster

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

update
Hi,

Wanted to update you in regards to my father's recovery. He is doing better than expected. He is home with a J tube for feedings. So far he has lost 21 pounds. He is tolerating liquids very well and was just upgraded to soft foods today.
He does get tired easily which is to be expected. He is extremely upbeat so far. I can't believe how well he is doing physically and spiritually. He definitely has had an awakening of how lucky he is to have been diagnoses so early.

Thanks for your support and advice.
Tammy

K_ann1015

tamster said:

update
Hi,

Wanted to update you in regards to my father's recovery. He is doing better than expected. He is home with a J tube for feedings. So far he has lost 21 pounds. He is tolerating liquids very well and was just upgraded to soft foods today.
He does get tired easily which is to be expected. He is extremely upbeat so far. I can't believe how well he is doing physically and spiritually. He definitely has had an awakening of how lucky he is to have been diagnoses so early.

Thanks for your support and advice.
Tammy

3 reccomendations...
Tammy
sounds like your dad is doing well! congrats!
My dad had EC surgery too---but it was mostly laproscopically which I think was easier to recover from. I just wanted to suggest a few things that I believe helped my dad recover.

1--pain control-encourage him to utilize the meds prescribed when needed. DOn't let the pain get to bad--or you are always playing catch up. My dad doesn't like medicine, and tried to not take it--but he did much better when his pain was controlled.

2--having pain controlled also allowed him to get out and walk--I highly recommend walking to help in recovery if your Dr says he can do this at his will.It helps blood flow that helps healing, loosens tight muscles, strengthen his heart & spirits!

3-try to let dad get involved (even if just a little) in activities that he enjoyed prior to surgery. As I told someone else---it helps make them feel like themselves again and take s the focus off "being sick".
Prayers for you & your dad for continued recovery!
Kim

tamster

K_ann1015 said:

3 reccomendations...
Tammy
sounds like your dad is doing well! congrats!
My dad had EC surgery too---but it was mostly laproscopically which I think was easier to recover from. I just wanted to suggest a few things that I believe helped my dad recover.

1--pain control-encourage him to utilize the meds prescribed when needed. DOn't let the pain get to bad--or you are always playing catch up. My dad doesn't like medicine, and tried to not take it--but he did much better when his pain was controlled.

2--having pain controlled also allowed him to get out and walk--I highly recommend walking to help in recovery if your Dr says he can do this at his will.It helps blood flow that helps healing, loosens tight muscles, strengthen his heart & spirits!

3-try to let dad get involved (even if just a little) in activities that he enjoyed prior to surgery. As I told someone else---it helps make them feel like themselves again and take s the focus off "being sick".
Prayers for you & your dad for continued recovery!
Kim

Thanks Kim
Hi Kim

Thanks for the suggestions. I think you are in the Boston area from a previous link I saw. My father is in Mass as well. Where did your dad have surgery and what stage is he?

He is walking and sometimes uses a cane for stability. He gets out and walks 3 - 4 times a day. He is really pushing himself. He is getting some push back from the Nurse Practioner at his surgeon's office regarding his pain medication. It has frustrated him some because he is not abusing it at all. ( I am a physician assistant so I monitor all his meds and post op instructions and appointments ) It is the thoracotomy incision that is causing him the most discomfort and that is after he is out moving around. I think it is very reasonable that he is still using narcotic pain medication. I wasn't able to go to his doctor appointment yesterday or I would have had a very direct conversation with the nurse practioner seeing him.

We just planned a vacation in mid July to get him away for a few days locally. He is really excited.

Thanks for sharing
Tammy