Questions

Apryl77

My ex-husband and father of my two children was diagnosed with esophageal cancer a few days before Christmas. I found out that he had a tumor on his esophagus in mid-December. On the 22nd of December, we were informed that it was malignant. A few weeks later, following many tests, including a PET Scan, it was discovered that it had spread to his stomach. I am not sure if lymph nodes are involved.

Because I am re-married and (obviously) no longer live with him, most of my information is coming to me second hand. I am concerned for my children.

I will tell you what I know and then ask a few questions. I know that he had a stent inserted around December 27/28. He is extremely thin. He had nine weeks of chemo. The type of chemo that he had was administered via a PIC line in his shoulder connected to a chemo bag that he wore around his waist in a belly bag. I do not know the names of the chemo drug(s).

He had surgery on Monday, May 2nd. The surgery he was supposed to have was to last 8-10 hours. He was told that they would make two incisions; one in the front and one through his back. Apparently, the surgery was much shorter than expected and the doctor only went in through the front.

I am uncertain as to the exact surgery he was having, but the doctor was supposed to remove his stomach cancer, remove some or all of his esophagus and then connect the remaining stomach and "create" a new esophagus. If I am describing this incorrectly, I do apologize, but as I said, we no longer live under the same roof and I am somewhat out of the loop.

My question, in a nutshell, is what does the shorter length of surgery and single incision imply?

Thanks in advance for your replies and best wishes to all.

Apryl
Canada

Donna70

Apryl, don't have all the answers
Hi Apryl,
I had the Ivor Lewis surgery, mine was supposed to be 6-8 hours and mine was actually over in 4 hours, but I also had 3 incisions, neck, ribs (back) and sternum (front). I don't know if the one incision meant something. Is there anyway you could talk to someone close to him or offer to do something to help him, then maybe you would be privy to more information. The stomach involvement might mean something much more drastic but there is no certain way to know until you talk to someone closer to your exhusband. A lot depends on what stage he was considered and what they found when they opened him up. If he is remarried maybe you could ask his wife or significant other for the sake of the children if the outcome is going to be grimmer than expected. On the other hand, if the person is a stage IV, the last stage, they usually do not do surgery so that is hopeful. Someone more familiar with the various surgeries might be able to shed light on the number of incisions, I am afraid I only have my own experience. Hoping that they got all the cancer and he is on his way to recovery, take care,
Donna70

Unknown

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Apryl77

unknown said:

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Thank you Donna and William
Thank you Donna and William for the replies and also for the Mother's Day Greeting.

It is very difficult to get information and I really do appreciate your responses.

I do have an update. I was informed that he had a perforation in his stomach, which was repaired during the surgery. I was also told that the cancer has spread to his aorta. My understanding is that they fixed the perforation and then basically sewed up the incision. Apparently his prognois is quite grim. They are recommending follow up chemo and radiation, but I believe this will merely be a life prolonging treatment.

Thanks again for the follow up.

Donna70

Apryl77 said:

Thank you Donna and William
Thank you Donna and William for the replies and also for the Mother's Day Greeting.

It is very difficult to get information and I really do appreciate your responses.

I do have an update. I was informed that he had a perforation in his stomach, which was repaired during the surgery. I was also told that the cancer has spread to his aorta. My understanding is that they fixed the perforation and then basically sewed up the incision. Apparently his prognois is quite grim. They are recommending follow up chemo and radiation, but I believe this will merely be a life prolonging treatment.

Thanks again for the follow up.

sorry to hear this
Apryl,
So sorry to hear your update. I hope he can be made as comfortable as possible and have some quality time left to be with his children. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Very sad news to be sure. take care,
Donna70

linda1120

Apryl77 said:

Thank you Donna and William
Thank you Donna and William for the replies and also for the Mother's Day Greeting.

It is very difficult to get information and I really do appreciate your responses.

I do have an update. I was informed that he had a perforation in his stomach, which was repaired during the surgery. I was also told that the cancer has spread to his aorta. My understanding is that they fixed the perforation and then basically sewed up the incision. Apparently his prognois is quite grim. They are recommending follow up chemo and radiation, but I believe this will merely be a life prolonging treatment.

Thanks again for the follow up.

I am so sorry
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I pray that your children will have as much time with their dad as possible. This disease is so aggressive, it shows no mercy. I will keep your family in prayer.

Linda