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  by Aoife on Wed Oct 17, 2012 08:40 PM
  On Oct 17, 2012 7:12 PM maravij wrote: Hi everyone im 41 female im still in a delima if i will go ahead and have my total esophagectomy. i have 2 kids . jan i was diagnose stage 3 and had my chemo and radiation and went away after 2 months they see another new growth and my doctors wants a total esophagectomy.Im "" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://esophagectomy.Im " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">esophagectomy.Im comfuse of the quality of life after surgery is it all worth it the pain and sufferings? they said if i dnt go surgery i may have 3 to 5 years expectancy( are they GOD to give me sentence ;( ) anyway i need all the help and advise i would like to built good memories with my family and not memories to be cared for by my family....i hope someone out there can enlighted me to make the right decision....Hugs to everyone you needs it right now....May God be with us all...Am probably in a good position to answer you here - had a total oesophagectomy when I was 32 (diagnosed at that age also). Yes, the first year after surgery was tough but I have a 2.5 year old and an 18 month old now and am busy. I still have to sleep on an incline and (a few pillows) but apart from avoiding food after a certain time am fine. Am a 6 year suvivor now.
  Will send you my contact details,
  by Cyclist on Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:09 PM
  I had an Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy 7 years ago. Except for some post surgery pain - bad at times - I am doing very well. I am able to do everything I want or need to do. I'm still cycling as much as ever. I sleep with two pillows and almost never have reflux problems.
  What surprised me was the replys about eating popcorn before bedtime. I've been doing that for years, even before surgery. I had advised people on this forum to try it many times over the years. I never heard of anyone actually doing it. I put good, extra virgin olive oil on mine - lots of it. Whole grain, healthy fat, and very well tolerated at night - what could be better?
  Good Luck, KEEP MOVING, and Laugh Much,
  by outthere on Fri Oct 19, 2012 09:15 PM
  My husband had stage 3 Esophageal CA. Chose to have the surgery after 6 weeks of Chemo & radiation. The odds are not in ones favor without the surgery.Ivor Lewis has changed the outcome of Esophageal cancer. If you so choose to have the Ivor Lewis make sure you get a surgeon that does it LAPROSCOPICALLY.Just a few tiny incisions and a quick recovery and not much pain.Otherw ise it is done by making a large incision as in craking open the chest etc. Some surgeons are not trained in the Laproscopic surgery yet. Much less pain and quicker recovery. My husband was up and walking the halls day after surgery. Hospital stay of 10 days, some people discharge after 7 days. #2 After you get home. there is a feeding pump with liquid nourishment usually while you sleep.It is a small pump and can be put in a back pack that comes with the pump if you want to go out.you could be on clear liquids and then progress to full liquid and then pureed and then what ever you can eat. If you follow directions recovery goes pretty smooth. We are 6 weeks out of sugery he is eating most foods in small amts, after 1 week home he was 4 wheeling going fishing and driving himself around and getting out with friends.Your family will have to be there for you for the first week in a supportive way but you should be able to carry on after the 2nd week. I think of your children and I would guess they would probably want you around for a long time to come.
  maravij
  by maravij on Wed Oct 24, 2012 06:59 PM
  thank you .... this is all inspiring ....love you all!
  by dsaas on Fri Oct 26, 2012 02:29 AM
  My husband, 44, had a total esophagectomy May of this year. It was a hard surgery, but get through it he did. I was amazed and awed by his determination and strengthen to fight the biggest battle for his life.
  Like you, we also have 2 children. Both girls, ages 8 & 11. I know from our conversations they helped propel him forward to have the surgery. You see, both of his parents had esophageal cancer. His dad passed when he was 15 years old. I remember from when we first met, he always said if he got cancer he would not do any treatment. He would let it take its course. I really wasn't sure until they rolled him back to surgery that he would go through with it.
  He is 5 months post surgery and back to work full time as a cabinet maker. Granted, all his co-workers are helping him with heavy lifting. He is pretty much back to eating normally just smaller meals. He even gained weight!
  There are some things that changed after the surgery. All things so far that are tolerable. If not for his battle scars and some fatigue, it almost seems like the surgery never took place.
  This is a big decision to make. One that only you can make. I pray that will find peace as you come to terms with all you face.
  by maravij on Fri Oct 26, 2012 02:37 AM
  thank you :( im afraid about my scar and the surgery but for my children i want to be there.at frist me and my husband decide not to go on with my surgery so as not to hurt my body any more. but at times i feel like a ticking time bomb which i dnt like that feeling. i keep praying God will take it away and i would be free....i am still hopeful. just seen my oncologist and we plan next month i will do another endoscopy with biopsy if still the same then will might go ahead with the surgery.
  thanks for keeping my mind at peace
  by outthere on Fri Oct 26, 2012 05:11 PM
  maravij,If you have the Ivor Lewis surgery that is laproscopic there is only a tiny scar about 3 inches long mid abdomen. And a few tiny slits on the side and back recovery is fast and less painful.
  by maravij on Sat Oct 27, 2012 02:01 AM
  Thank you I will ask my surgeon again thank you
  whinngolf
  by whinngolf on Sat Sep 14, 2013 04:01 PM
  Hello Maravi, i am a 57 yr old male who was also diagnosed with esophagus cancer and tried a endoscopic mucosis resuction EMR and the doctor just called and said the biopsy showed it was to deep for him to help and said i have to have the surgery. I am also having trouble decideing what to do about this problem. can u let me know if you had the surgery or can anybody ease my mind. Need help please
  AgedP(Inactive)
  by AgedP on Sat Sep 14, 2013 06:34 PM
  Just like to point out that Laparoscopy v Normal Surgery is not always just a Patient choice thing. I was heading for a Laparoscopy but the Surgeon sized me up at the pre-op assessment and said, because I had a deep chest, he would be working at the limits of the Laparoscopy tools. He decided to drop that idea and go for the Ivor Lewis.