Surgery done 2/14/13 esophagus closed at connectin need to have dilation

Firefighter Jon
Firefighter Jon Member Posts: 10
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hi Everyone,

Jon had surgery 2/14/13 Transhiata Esophagectomy in ICU 2 days,several drains,j-tube,NG through nose. Started tube feeding second day in ICU severe diarrrhea changed formula 4 times finally under control.  At the J-tube site there was a infection the antibiotic they gave did not work. On discharge day they removed the j-tube. He was in the hospital total 11days is now doing OK.

We went back to the surgeon 3 days after discharge.  Had hydration and found out the scar tissue at the connection has grown and Jon is having trouble getting food down. We have to go Friday 2/8/13 for a diation Hope it works.

I can't begin to say how many times I went shopping for stuff that would go down plus dyhydration.But Popsicles did the trick for now. This is truly a big Job but we will get through this as we did with Chemo/Radiation.

 

Please I need some input for dilation. He lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks. Will he get more food down? The Dr. said yes but he has not been through this as everyone here has.

I try to get him to eat or drink every 2 hrs even if it is just 1 teaspoon of something. Mashed potatoes,squash,mushy stuff. Well I have to sigh off 2 hours time to eat something

Love Hugs and Prayers

Bev and Firefighter Jon

Comments

  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #2
    Bev, Yes the dialation should

    Bev, Yes the dialation should help. My doctor could never dialate as much as I needed because of irritation. I have had several over five years. The last one was a year and a half ago. It also was not 100% but it is better than ever before. So far I have learned to manage it. I take smaller bites, and chew, chew, chew and remember to pay attention to what I'm doing and not get sidetracked. My food does occationally get hung up, but will go on down after a while. If it gets worst again, I wouldn't hesitate to have another dialation. My gastrologists has told me to just call the office and they will set it up.

    Praying for complete success on Firday,

    Sandra

  • jim2011
    jim2011 Member Posts: 115
    #3
    dilations

    Hi,

    I had 4 dilations and have not had one for more than a year now. They do help a lot and immediately. Meals will always be smaller so I only eat the best of everything and happy to be alive to do that. My weight went from 230 down to 165 and now seems to be stable at 190. I wish you guys the best!!

    Jim

  • Firefighter Jon
    Firefighter Jon Member Posts: 10
    #4
    jim2011 said:

    dilations

    Hi,

    I had 4 dilations and have not had one for more than a year now. They do help a lot and immediately. Meals will always be smaller so I only eat the best of everything and happy to be alive to do that. My weight went from 230 down to 165 and now seems to be stable at 190. I wish you guys the best!!

    Jim

    dilation

    Thanks for the info. I don't know how many Jon will need but at this point one at a time. Morning seems to be the hardest time. Maybe everything is trying to get used to the new stuff.  Beside swallow issue shortness of breath when he stands from a sitting position. It passes after a few minunites after he stands. Hope this is all normal. But again one day at a time.

    Love and Prayers

    Bev

  • South Side Steve
    South Side Steve Member Posts: 32
    #5
    Firefighter Jon said:

    dilation

    Thanks for the info. I don't know how many Jon will need but at this point one at a time. Morning seems to be the hardest time. Maybe everything is trying to get used to the new stuff.  Beside swallow issue shortness of breath when he stands from a sitting position. It passes after a few minunites after he stands. Hope this is all normal. But again one day at a time.

    Love and Prayers

    Bev

    Shortness of breath

    Hi Bev and Jon, 

    I was lucky that I never had any swallowing issues following my surgery, but I definitely had shortness of breath. Any physical activity at all had me winded. I remember the first time my wife took me outside for a “long” walk. I had grand envisions of limiting myself to just once around the block. I got two houses away and had to turn around. I felt like I had just run a marathon. Like everyone said, it got better with time and exercise.

    In anticipation of a long recovery period in front of the TV, we went couch shopping before my surgery. A friend of ours works at a furniture store and after we explained the surgery, she suggested a couch with power recliners. You recline the back and raise the foot rest at the touch of a button – no pulling a handle or pushing the foot rest back down required. Plus, you can stop the recliner in any position up to 160 degrees. That was a life-saver and I slept in it for the first month after surgery. For newbies preparing for surgery, I would strongly recommend checking out a power recliner or couch. 

    Good luck on Jon’s recovery and just keep remembering there are better days ahead. 

    Steve

     

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