Surgery next week

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glowy44
glowy44 Member Posts: 12
in Esophageal Cancer #1

Hello, everyone.  My dad is scheduled for an esophagectomy next week.  He's gone through five weeks of radiation (5 days a week) and chemotherapy (once a week for the 5 weeks) and has done really well with all of it.  Still, we are terrified right now.  I know that he has to do this.  He's in great shape and has always been very active, even at his current age of 76; in fact, he was walking 7 miles a day up until his diagnosis three months ago.  I just don't know how to calm myself down right now and each day that we get closer, I am having more difficulty, especially because I just don't know how to help my dad with this (or my mom, who is heroically trying to keep it together so that we're all strong for my dad).  Does anyone have any suggestions as we prepare for this?  Thanks so much to everyone who posts.  You make a huge difference in so many of our lives.

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
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    Sending postive thoughts for you and your Dad.

    I know that waiting for surgery can be a very anxious time. When I had my Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in December of 2009 the week before the surgery was definitely an anxious time. However, it sounds like your Dad is well prepared and in excellent health. The key elements for a successful surgery are an experienced surgeon, a facility that knows how to handle complicated recovery requirements, and a patient in good physical condition with a positive attitude.

     The good thing about a surgery this complicated is that you normally get the most experienced surgical team in the facility with multiple surgeons in the operating room. Your Dad will be very closely monitored in ICU for a period after the surgery to insure he is stable before he is moved to a general population floor and receive close monitoring after he is moved.

     This surgery takes time. I was in surgery for six and a half hours. Take some things to the hospital to keep yourself occupied while you wait. They do come out periodically and give you status updates as the surgery moves forward.

     An esophagectomy is a complicated surgery but not a new procedure. There are many of us around who have been through it and are now recovered and doing well. Recovery does take some time but it sounds like your Dad is physically prepared.

     The best way to calm yourself while you wait is to remember your Dad is well prepared, his surgical team has probably done this many times before, and your Dad will very closely monitored in ICU after his surgery. Worry never changed the outcome of any event. Give your Dad lots of hugs and positive thoughts.

    Sending positive thoughts for a successful surgery and rapid recovery.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina
    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

     

     

  • John Char
    John Char Member Posts: 30
    #3
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    Surgery next week

    I will be praying for you next week. this might not help but you can be thankful you are going to have the surgery. Some people have cancer so bad surgery is not even a option. Good Luck next week I wish my husband had surgery as a option but his is to bad.

     

  • glowy44
    glowy44 Member Posts: 12
    #4
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    paul61 said:

    Sending postive thoughts for you and your Dad.

    I know that waiting for surgery can be a very anxious time. When I had my Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in December of 2009 the week before the surgery was definitely an anxious time. However, it sounds like your Dad is well prepared and in excellent health. The key elements for a successful surgery are an experienced surgeon, a facility that knows how to handle complicated recovery requirements, and a patient in good physical condition with a positive attitude.

     The good thing about a surgery this complicated is that you normally get the most experienced surgical team in the facility with multiple surgeons in the operating room. Your Dad will be very closely monitored in ICU for a period after the surgery to insure he is stable before he is moved to a general population floor and receive close monitoring after he is moved.

     This surgery takes time. I was in surgery for six and a half hours. Take some things to the hospital to keep yourself occupied while you wait. They do come out periodically and give you status updates as the surgery moves forward.

     An esophagectomy is a complicated surgery but not a new procedure. There are many of us around who have been through it and are now recovered and doing well. Recovery does take some time but it sounds like your Dad is physically prepared.

     The best way to calm yourself while you wait is to remember your Dad is well prepared, his surgical team has probably done this many times before, and your Dad will very closely monitored in ICU after his surgery. Worry never changed the outcome of any event. Give your Dad lots of hugs and positive thoughts.

    Sending positive thoughts for a successful surgery and rapid recovery.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina
    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
    Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

     

     

    Thank you for everything! My dad is through his surgery and...

    we're now working on recovery.  It means a lot to me - and to him - to have your guidance as we go through this.

  • glowy44
    glowy44 Member Posts: 12
    #5
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    John Char said:

    Surgery next week

    I will be praying for you next week. this might not help but you can be thankful you are going to have the surgery. Some people have cancer so bad surgery is not even a option. Good Luck next week I wish my husband had surgery as a option but his is to bad.

     

    I'm so sorry about your

    I'm so sorry about your husband.  We are very grateful that surgery has been an option.  I'm sending lots of love and healing to you and your husband and I thank you so much for your prayers and your thoughts.

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