Post Esophagectomy

It is very common to go through depression after a major surgery like an esophagectomy. When I had my surgery in 2009, the next six months after surgery were difficult. Learning to eat with my new digestive system, and dealing with a "j-tube" in the first month were all things that reminded me that I was vulnerable.

But after some time for recovery and some minor lifestyle changes I was back to life as normal.

Some people find an antidepressant is helpful during this time, or the ability to talk to other esophageal cancer survivors who have been through surgery and recovery. We have a twice weekly Zoom call for EC survivors. If you would like to join the call the specifics are:

My husband was also diagnosed Stage 1-2 on Jan 29, 2023. Did Chemo/Radiation and then had surgery in June. recovery has been tough! He has the Jtube but he does not follow proper feed guidelines. He is unable to eat / drink much by mouth, so we are having to use adult electrolytes thru tube. Frustration for me is setting in now as everytime I ask him a question or follow up with his cares, he gets mad and yells at me. I understand this is delicate time but I am frustrated too! I want him to be around and he needs to do the stuff to stay with us!

I was diagnosed in February 2021 with stage3 Esophageal cancer. In June of 21 they did the esophagectomy with a pull thru. For those not familiar they remove the esophagus and staple your stomach into a tube to act as an esophagus , so you end up with a very small stomach, I think my dr said that I would have between 25 to 33 % of my original stomach left when they were done. I was in the hospital after the surgery for 8 days before they would let me go home. Two days after I got home and was getting used to all the changes, feeding tube etc. I developed the hiccups. They lasted 9 days straight with no let up, they put me on Thorazine and the hiccups stopped, unfortunately during the time the Dr could not get the hiccups stopped a staple tore loose and ripped a hole in my lung and right side bronchial tube. So back in for emergency surgery on my lung ,they told us it would take 2-3 months for me to heal from this surgery(My wife and I found out later that I was one of if not the only person who had survived that specific surgery to date) I was still dealing with an enormous amount of pain in my gut area. The stuck me back in the hospital and a couple of days later they did an ultra sound and discovered that my Gall Bladder was about to burst, so yep back to surgery. They did the scan in February of 2023 an the cancer was back, so I have been through another full round of Chemo and Radiation, completed that in May. The Scan in July showed success with the targeted cancer. YAY,

Unfortunately they also found another new “Hot” spot so now I am in a holding pattern until the next scan at the end of August.

Mentally speaking this has been a heck of a roller coaster ride so far, I have had to deal with some depression and some very real anger issues brought on by some of the medications. In one case I chewed out my wonderful wife and then verbally tore into my daughter, being the wonderful people they are they accepted my heartfelt apology. Some of these meds cause you to over react to almost any stimulation and the very weird thing is it is like you are standing outside yourself and can see yourself overreacting and you cannot stop yourself all you can do hope your friends and family will give you a break when your head is chemically up your backside.🤔 The bottom line is that if your reading this and while I am writing this we are both Above ground, and that means we have a shot at getting better, it may not be a great shot but it is a shot nonetheless!!!

Thanks and it does boggle the mind, I am just glad we found that out after the surgery and not before!

There are a few options that I’m aware of.y sister has an issue with severe nausea from time to time. She cuts a thin slice of raw ginger and sucks on it like a piece of hard candy.

If medical marijuana is legal where you live, consult a specialist at the dispensary to learn what tinctures it edible can help the nausea.

There are a couple of synthetic THC medications that have been approved by the FDA and might be approved for coverage by your Medicare carrier. Talk to his doctor about a prescription for megace or megestrol.

New up date, I just got my latest PET scan back and The Big C has returned with a vengeance, I am now at stage 4 and have been moved to Palliative care prior to hospice. Oh Well I have had a great run and it is not over till it is over, I have a wonderful new Grandson Robert Montgomery Grant. So now it is make some memories time and get some **** in order They have suggested that I have between 6- 12 months, I believe that I can do better any way the “C” will know it was in a fight.

If no body has told you they Love you today, I do

RJP

Hello… My husband was dx on 6-3-22 with Stage III Gastro-Esophageal Cancer caused from acid reflux. He went through chemo/radiation and had surgery one year ago tomorrow. After the surgery the feeding tube hurt so bad the surgeon removed it. When eating regular food he became nauseous. He was finally diagnosed with Gastroparesis. Meaning your stomach is sort of paralyzed. A wonderful Gastroenterologist placed 200 units of Botox (yes, what women have placed in their face) between his small intestine and what is left of his stomach. It worked beautifully. The surgeon completed what is called a pylorectomy (?) at the time of the original surgery) to help food move from stomach but, it didn’t work as well as what he would have liked. My husband has gained all his weight back and is at the end of one year of receiving Immunotherapy (Opdivo). Scans have been good so far. That period of time was hard but, he got through it. Maybe the information about Gastroparesis and the Botox was of interest to you. Hoping your husband feels better real soon.

That's great,I occasionally am concerned about gastro paresis with my G tube, but so far coming up on a year and still good despite treatment stopping this past late June with no progress in tumor shrinkage

Thanks So much Marci, I appreciate the support that your kind words give. I Have Not Given up Hope!!!!!!!!!!

I just believe in Facing what I am facing, when you stare the devil in the eye it is best not to blink.

Shortness of breath and fatigue are relatively normal shortly after surgery but should have resolved at 7 months post surgery. You said she had an endoscopy in order to do dilation at the anastomosis so I assume the gastroenterologist that did the dilation took a good look around to see if there were any abnormalities that needed to be addressed. Perhaps the damaged vocal cord could be causing some swallowing issues. The CT scan could show any structures that may be pressing on the remainder of her esophagus and causing swallowing issues.