Suggestions to get past the gagging and texture problem after surgery.

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robyn37323
robyn37323 Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, My Mother was diagnosed with EC last October, and within 15 days they had her on the strongest chemo they had and radiation. She did 6 full weeks of each finishing both the day before Thanksgiving. After 6 weeks off they did surgery in January. The Drs removed 2/3 of her esophagus and 1/3 of her stomach. she has handled it pretty well. Drs thought she was doing so well that she was discharged on the 7th day. She went home with a feeding tube in but it had never been used. they removed it a week later. She is due to have her port removed mid July. She had her 5 month check up.. CT scan no additional cancer! :)


I am one of 5 children and each one of my siblings have made at least 1 trip to help out. We are spread all over and it has been difficult for some of them to be able to come because of work but the support is there. I am not sure that family support is all she needs. I found this site and thought I would take her my computer show her how to get on she will be able to read and talk to some of you to give her other positive views.

My Mother is 74 and usually very active. My father is 82 and plays 18 holes of golf 6 days a week (during the winter while in fl). They travel to Sunrise FL every fall and spend the winter there. since they were unable to go last year they are there right now for a few more days. They went down the end of May. My husband, Tim and I went down on the 9th of June and stayed 2 weeks. in that time she ended up with pnemonia. She is now on her 3rd week of antibiotics. Heaven knows what caused that!

She still has a problem with food feeling stuck. the drs say it will go away when she has her esophagus stretched (2nd time scheduled in July). Between the feeling like the food is stuck she now has a texture and gagging issue she is trying to get over. ANY SUGGESTIONS anyone? Foods she use to like she no longer likes and vice versa

She is eating about every 2 hours, trying high protein food and snacks. what makes it even more difficult is she is allergic to dairy. Not as bad as it has been the last 20 years. minus 2009 when for some reason she could eat dairy again without vomiting. It was very strange but let me tell you she had alot of dairy last year and enjoyed every bit of it. :) seeing her eat pizza again and all the icecream she wanted was great:) but now that the she has been diagnosed,treated, and in recovery she can not have it again so weird.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry I have rambled on. just tried to give you some background although it still may not be enough.

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #3
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    unknown said:

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    Robyn about lung problems
    Hi Robyn,
    I had the open esophagectomy in December and since William brought my name up, I am glad to tell you that if your Mom's lung issues persist and she continues to cough and not feel well that may be connected to her lung issues. I was told after my 1st post CT scan that I had pneumonia but I also got a copy and read other words on the report like bronchiectasis and atelectasis and did not feel that the antibiotics made me feel better, in fact I was so short of breath at that time I needed a wheelchair for any distance walking. So, if your Mom does not feel right with her breathing and her chest does not feel right, she should insist that the drs do a more thorough checkup. My lung specialist found out that I have permanent damage to my lungs from the surgery and possibly from the radiation. Hopefully, this is not the case, but it is something to think about. After surgery, the drs presume everything is just a temporary post op condition but sometimes it is not. I am still cancer free and would still have the surgery despite my complications. Good luck and your Mom sounds like a great active patient!! take care,
    Donna70
  • robyn37323
    robyn37323 Member Posts: 11
    #4
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    Donna70 said:

    Robyn about lung problems
    Hi Robyn,
    I had the open esophagectomy in December and since William brought my name up, I am glad to tell you that if your Mom's lung issues persist and she continues to cough and not feel well that may be connected to her lung issues. I was told after my 1st post CT scan that I had pneumonia but I also got a copy and read other words on the report like bronchiectasis and atelectasis and did not feel that the antibiotics made me feel better, in fact I was so short of breath at that time I needed a wheelchair for any distance walking. So, if your Mom does not feel right with her breathing and her chest does not feel right, she should insist that the drs do a more thorough checkup. My lung specialist found out that I have permanent damage to my lungs from the surgery and possibly from the radiation. Hopefully, this is not the case, but it is something to think about. After surgery, the drs presume everything is just a temporary post op condition but sometimes it is not. I am still cancer free and would still have the surgery despite my complications. Good luck and your Mom sounds like a great active patient!! take care,
    Donna70

    Hi Donna70,
    Dr's did finally
    Hi Donna70,

    Dr's did finally determine she had pnemonia. Pumped her full of antibiotics. She is feeling much better. They are one there way back to TN where she will see her regular drs to make sure she is ok. Her PET/CT scan shows not cancer and that she does have scar tissue in her lungs from the radiation. She had her surgery at Memorial Hospital Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Portera Did the Cancer removal, studied in TX I believe under a Dr. Anderson. Radiologist is Dr. Holland and I do not remember her Thoracic (sorry brain stopped on the spelling) dr's name. They are and have been great with her. Never has there been a time that she call them that they did not respond. The gastroenterologist have stretched the esophagus once already the second one is scheduled for mid July. Put off only because she insisted they go to FL for about 6 weeks...They will be leaving to go back the first part of November and not be back in TN till the first of May.
    Now the challenge to help her get some nurishing meals down so she can really bounce back. Thanks.
    Robyn
  • B.Grinesworth
    B.Grinesworth Member Posts: 4
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    robyn37323 said:

    Hi Donna70,
    Dr's did finally
    Hi Donna70,

    Dr's did finally determine she had pnemonia. Pumped her full of antibiotics. She is feeling much better. They are one there way back to TN where she will see her regular drs to make sure she is ok. Her PET/CT scan shows not cancer and that she does have scar tissue in her lungs from the radiation. She had her surgery at Memorial Hospital Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Portera Did the Cancer removal, studied in TX I believe under a Dr. Anderson. Radiologist is Dr. Holland and I do not remember her Thoracic (sorry brain stopped on the spelling) dr's name. They are and have been great with her. Never has there been a time that she call them that they did not respond. The gastroenterologist have stretched the esophagus once already the second one is scheduled for mid July. Put off only because she insisted they go to FL for about 6 weeks...They will be leaving to go back the first part of November and not be back in TN till the first of May.
    Now the challenge to help her get some nurishing meals down so she can really bounce back. Thanks.
    Robyn

    I hope for a quick bounce back!
    Glad to hear the antibiotics worked so well. I think her reg docs will bring more comfort, back home in TN :)
  • robyn37323
    robyn37323 Member Posts: 11
    #6
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    unknown said:

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    Second Opinion
    Hi William,

    For some reason i cannot get your last letter and all of the hospital info to show, but I sent a copy to my sisters and my brother. i will also talk to them tomorrow. i hope to be ablet o put my mom in the car and head to nashville. Thank you so much. I will let you know what happens from here.
    Thanks
    robyn hill

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