esophageal cancer

swagner
swagner Member Posts: 21
in Esophageal Cancer #1
This is my first time writing. I was diagnosed with stage 1 esophageal cancer. They removed my entire esophas and 26 lymph nodes Jan 11, 2010 and I've never been the same person since. I'm grateful to God that they feel they got all the cancer but its beeen such a long journey. They had to stretch my new esophagus 4 times because my body was rejecting. It has gotton somewhat better but still have gas pains - nausea - dumping. If anyone else has these symptons I would really appreciate any input you have. Thank you and have a good day.

Comments

  • JimboC
    JimboC Member Posts: 264
    #2
    Welcome to the site. We
    Welcome to the site. We have a good group of folks here so I'm sure someone will respond who can be of more help. I am only two months out from surgery so I'm not going to be very helpful. I do remember (or at least I think I do) to use GasX if I started having gas pain. Please please check with your doctor first because I'm not sure if I'm right or not on that. Have you identified what triggers your dumping?

    Again, welcome!
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
    #3
    question....and welcome
    "welcome" to the board. I say that with baited breath but you are welcome and I am glad you are here.

    I am just curious, do you have a feeding tube? (J-or G-tube?)
    I am glad you have joined and posted. I have NOT had the surgery. I am stage IVb. There are many here answering your question already, and many more that will answer I pray. I was just curious about your nutrition and ability to "eat" other than oral.
    Thanks and hoping you find peace and comfort here and in life.

    -Eric
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #4
    Welcome, I don't understand
    Welcome, I don't understand the whole esophagus being removed with stage one. I had stage three and had 80% of esophagus and 1/3 of my stomach removed. After three years I still have trouble with gas and diarhea sometimes.I've been stretched four times and I still have to eat slow, small bites to keep the food from sticking.I guess this is side effects I will have to live with and that's ok, because right now, I am cancer free.
    Please let us know more about your cancer. What kind of surgery? Where was it done? Did you take chemo or radiation?
    I'm sure there will be others with more questions,
    Sandra
  • swagner
    swagner Member Posts: 21
    #5
    JimboC said:

    Welcome to the site. We
    Welcome to the site. We have a good group of folks here so I'm sure someone will respond who can be of more help. I am only two months out from surgery so I'm not going to be very helpful. I do remember (or at least I think I do) to use GasX if I started having gas pain. Please please check with your doctor first because I'm not sure if I'm right or not on that. Have you identified what triggers your dumping?

    Again, welcome!

    gastrix
    Hi -thanks so much for replying. My doctor has told me to use gastrix and they do help somewhat. As for identifying my triggers for dumping, certain foods I must stay away from - brocholi is one - that sets it off or ice cream. I'm 1 1/2 yrs from the surgery so it has gotton better to some degree but still have bloating and gas pains. I see my gastro doctor every six weeks. I recently had a "breath" test done and the results were I have overgrowth bacterial syndrome. In short, when I eat my body creates bad bacteria in my lower intestines. Its been trial and error but now doc has me on an antibiotic which seems to help. There's just so much to this esophageal cancer. I spoke to a woman who is six years clean of this cancer and she said it takes a couple of years but it does get better. Thanks again and enjoy your day.
  • swagner
    swagner Member Posts: 21
    #6
    chemosmoker said:

    question....and welcome
    "welcome" to the board. I say that with baited breath but you are welcome and I am glad you are here.

    I am just curious, do you have a feeding tube? (J-or G-tube?)
    I am glad you have joined and posted. I have NOT had the surgery. I am stage IVb. There are many here answering your question already, and many more that will answer I pray. I was just curious about your nutrition and ability to "eat" other than oral.
    Thanks and hoping you find peace and comfort here and in life.

    -Eric

    feeding tube
    Hi Eric - thanks for your reply, I don't feel alone. AFter my surgery I was on a feeding tube for six weeks. My surgery was 1 1/2 yrs ago. It's still a struggle to maintain my weight. I was tested (breath test) and gastro dr said I have a thing called overgrowth bacterial syndrome. When I eat my body creats bad bacterial in my lower intestines which is painful - bloating - gas etc. My gastro do and oncologis feel this could be an after effect of the surgery. I see my gastro dr every six weeks. He now has me on an antibiotic which seems to help. I'm able to eat small meals but can never seem to put weight on which the oncologist wants. Have a good day
  • swagner
    swagner Member Posts: 21
    #7
    sandy1943 said:

    Welcome, I don't understand
    Welcome, I don't understand the whole esophagus being removed with stage one. I had stage three and had 80% of esophagus and 1/3 of my stomach removed. After three years I still have trouble with gas and diarhea sometimes.I've been stretched four times and I still have to eat slow, small bites to keep the food from sticking.I guess this is side effects I will have to live with and that's ok, because right now, I am cancer free.
    Please let us know more about your cancer. What kind of surgery? Where was it done? Did you take chemo or radiation?
    I'm sure there will be others with more questions,
    Sandra

    esophageal cancer
    Thanks so much for your reply. I had my surgery at the University of Penn in Philadelphia. The doctors there as I was told even though this is early stages 1 that they want to be aggressive and take my esophagus out - they left a small section which they then strechted my stomach up in order to make a new esophagus for me. I was very lucking because they got all the cancer - they removed lymph nodes too (26). The team of doctors said I did not need chemo or radiation which also made me grateful. I had 4 esophageal stretchings but the last one worked. I'm able to eat small amounts. I'm grateful to God I am still here and they caught this early. Congratulations on 3 years cancer free. Have a nice day.
  • swagner
    swagner Member Posts: 21
    #8
    sandy1943 said:

    Welcome, I don't understand
    Welcome, I don't understand the whole esophagus being removed with stage one. I had stage three and had 80% of esophagus and 1/3 of my stomach removed. After three years I still have trouble with gas and diarhea sometimes.I've been stretched four times and I still have to eat slow, small bites to keep the food from sticking.I guess this is side effects I will have to live with and that's ok, because right now, I am cancer free.
    Please let us know more about your cancer. What kind of surgery? Where was it done? Did you take chemo or radiation?
    I'm sure there will be others with more questions,
    Sandra

    esophageal cancer
    Thanks so much for your reply. I had my surgery at the University of Penn in Philadelphia. The doctors there as I was told even though this is early stages 1 that they want to be aggressive and take my esophagus out - they left a small section which they then strechted my stomach up in order to make a new esophagus for me. I was very lucking because they got all the cancer - they removed lymph nodes too (26). The team of doctors said I did not need chemo or radiation which also made me grateful. I had 4 esophageal stretchings but the last one worked. I'm able to eat small amounts. I'm grateful to God I am still here and they caught this early. Congratulations on 3 years cancer free. Have a nice day.

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