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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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 Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject: Update on FIL |
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The surgery was last fri (dec 6). They removed the stomach and a small section of the esophagus and associated lymph nodes. The surgeon said that the cancer was contained and that he looked cancer free after the surgery.
He's recovering in the hospital now with an expected release sometime next week. They (FIL and MIL) will stay in a hotel on the hospital's campus until he's given the thumbs up to go home...we're thinking some time after new years.
FIL is recovering very well but his spirits are low and he's rather grumpy. He is not enjoying being in the hospital having lots of people deal with his personal life. he doesn't like that he can't take a shower, that he can't do things on his own, that there are people in his room all the time that he doesn't know touching him and those tubes!
The surgeon told him that if that is all he has to complain about after the surgery that he is doing really well! LOL!
you gotta love dad. He's a grump with a big heart! We are all very happy of the good recovery but know that he has a long road ahead of him. Apparently, according to those who have gone up to help mom so far, dad has just started to realize this...... |
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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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woo! woo! they removed all tubes on dad yesterday (except for the j-tube of course). He learned that he CANNOT without exeption have anything to eat or drink or taste! Nothing for 4 to 6 weeks. It's hard on him as it would anyone. but he's feeling stronger each day and keeps the nursing staff busy with all of his demands! LOL!
Word is that he will be discharged this week - either mon or tues. He'll move in to the hotel with mom. My DH is going up there as I write to relieve his brother who is worn out from Dad's grumpiness and has a wife and child to tend to. So DH will be there when his dad is released and will be able to help mom with the details.
We are all worried that he will try to sneak in a sip of water or something, but the nurse warned him that if anything passes down that esophagus the doc will sew him shut and he'll be on that j-tube the rest of his life. that's but the scare into him so we are also thinking that he'll thing twice before he tries anything sneaky!
Although dad is still not out of the water, per se, wtih regard to the many dangers of infection and what not, we are all relieved to know that he's up and moving and pushing people around (he's a retired cop and used to bossing people around!).
I got a nice email from swaggerstick1 - a gastrectomy survivor. I'm going to pass his story along to my husband's family. |
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5612
Location: Tennessee
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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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hmmm... I posted a note a couple of days ago. First to thank you for the kind message and second to update everyone. Also, I put in a note that I hope that my "bloggin" isn't offending anyone. I'm trying to put in as much detail as possible with regard to his treatment and recovery so others can learn what one can expect after a gastrectomy. I am having a hard time finding this type of info and thought I would at least post my experience.
FIL is in ICU as of last night. He has edema in his legs and abdomen, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, fever, and was having a hard time breathing yesterday that got worse. They found fluid and air around his lung cavity. They think that the sutures in his wound site (junction between small intestine and esophagus) must have a hole. They are performing a scan on him right now. DH, who made it up there yesterday (just in time to help mom!) stated that dad is actually happier in ICU because the nursing staff are more receptive to his needs. He's so spoiled! but seriously, he's in fair shape and needs to get better soon.
Thanks for all of the positive thoughts and prayers. |
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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: not good news... |
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The following is an email that was passed around to the family. I think that it is the best way to describe what is happening as I write this:
Dad is in emergency surgery to combat major infection and to divert his
esophagus to a container outside his body.
Late last week, Dad was considered a textbook example of how this surgery is supposed to go. His first barium swallow didn't show a leak at the junction of his esophagus and his small intestine and he was recovering according to schedule. However, some material leaked into his body cavity and developed into a life-threatening infection (sepsis). A barium swallow scheduled for late morning today confirmed the leakage. Throughout the day, his vital signs continued to get worse. By mid- afternoon he was incapacitated by his pain control medication.
At around 3:30, the surgeon consulted with Mom. She didn't have much time to decide whether to approve the surgery; she made the decision to approve the surgery and he went in immediately. He wouldn't be expected to survive otherwise. It is expected to take 3-4 hours, so he should come out early this evening.
Following a successful cleanout of his infection and diversion of his esophagus, he will be recovering in Cleveland for several more weeks. The idea is that it may be possible to reconnect his esophagus to his digestive system after about 6 more months of healing. |
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brainman
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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: another email from the family |
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The following is an excerpt from an email from my MIL - the strongest person that I know:
*******************************************************
The doctor had to perform emergency surgery, or he would not have been able to make it. He detached his esophagus from the intestine and re-routed it. Now he has a drainage hole in his neck to drain the natural mucous.
He does not know any of this. He was sedated for the tests when the decision was made. They kept him sedated all night and we will go to see him this morning in ICU. The bad part is that he must now heal and another round of chemo is recommended. Then in 6 months they will have to do the surgery all over again to attach the esophagus. He will be exclusively on the feeding that whole time and I'm not sure if he will be able to drink. We will be up here another 2 to 4 weeks.
We can't believe all this happened. I know Joe won't want to go through all this. It was so hard on him last week, and he will be leery of the outcome.
***************************
The saddest part of all of this is that my FIL is not a fighter. That is what my MIL is kind of saying when she says that "Joe won't want to go through all of this." It's his way. He wants his life to be what he wants and he is not partial to accepting anything less. Living with tubes and not being able to eat, living in constant pain and nausea is not what he considers to be a good life. He wants a good life and he doesn't have that anymore. He wanted to stop chemo/radiation due to the discomfort even when everyone was telling him that his treatments were really not that bad compared to what others have had to go thru. But he didn't care. "They're bad to me!" was his response.
I've known many people who have had cancer - skin, stomach, breast, leukemia, and vena cava. They all did what they had to do. Some of them lost. Some of them won and are still with us today. As many of you know this decision is the most important one with regard to any disease - especially cancer.
I've stood by my family and friends when they've made their respective decisions and I"ll stand by Joe on his. |
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GreenEyedLady
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Joined: 10 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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| It is very hard to accept some of the things that we, as humans, have to accept. However, it's really awesome that you are standing by Joe with whatever decision he makes. I'm going through the same thing with my father right now, and it's very difficult. Sometimes quality of life is way more important than quantity. It just seems to be more difficult for the loved ones. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. |
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dstoeck
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Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:27 am Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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Thanks so much for your kind words greeneyed lady!
Here is the latest "dadgram" [with my notes in brackets]:
Dad was able to communicate with mom a little today. Was able to point to what hurt and they were able to help him write a little bit as well. But, mom wasn't able to tell dad what happened yesterday.
Jim said the Dr's are really keeping a close eye on dad since he just had 2 major surgeries following chemo and radiation. That's extreme stress on the body. He felt dad was getting great care in the ICU.
The docs are hopeful that dad will be able to breathe a little on his own tomorrow after his rest under sedation. Dad's thoracic cavity has been damaged from the radiation and the massive infection yesterday. That's why it's harder for him to come off the breathing tube this time. Rocky said they actually drew out 1.5 liters of fluid (infected fluid I'm guessing) from his thoracic cavity yesterday. He has a lot of healing to do. The doctors are hopeful since dad was in good shape before the initial surgery.
Also, the reason they couldn't repair the anastomotic leak yesterday was because the tear was so huge. [the docs feel that the tear occured sometime on Monday when dad was trying to put on his hospital gown. Dad felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder when reaching up a little. that pain never went away and got worse as the rest of his symptoms came on with regard to infection. Apparently his esophagus was still fragile after chemo] Normally, they would've patched the hole and dealt with the sepsis at the same time. Since dad's tear was 1cm, all they could do was divert the esophagus to the outside of his body and seal off the small intestine. [i've learned that the lymph nodes that they removed from around the stomach had a "low level" of cancer cells meaning that metastasis had begun. So when dad heals they plan another round of chemo. once he heals from the chemo they plan to reattach his esophagus to his small intesting. Most of the family thinks that dad may not make it to the surgery but we are still trying to be hopeful. it all depends on dad and what he wants] |
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GreenEyedLady
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Joined: 10 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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| I'll keep praying for him, ds. Thank you for the update. Surgery is really hard on them when their body is so weak to begin with. My dad's gastro Dr. said surgery was not an option, so they are combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy. I saw him today after he got his PET scan and he looked great. They told him yesterday this was treatable but not curable. I sure hope he proves them wrong. It's great that your FIL was able to have the surgery, although it seems to have taken a toll on him. Please keep us updated on his progress. |
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dstoeck
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Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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There have been quite a few set backs these past few days. Irregular hearbeats, unable to breath due to infection, high blood sugar and high blood pressure were all obstacles that FIL has faced. He's been put under sedation with a breathing tube and is now coming in and out of consiouness.
Recently however, there has been a set back with regard to FIL's idea of life. When he has awaken to find that he is on breathing support he apparently gets quite upset because he has asked not to be put on life support. When MIL and SIL try to explain to him that he's not on life support and calm him down, he goes back to sleep then awakens a few hours later forgetting what was told to him and goes thru the anger and frustrtation all over again.
My husband has told me that the docs have agreed to take him off of the supportive respiration so that he can awake without the tube and so that the family and doctors can talk to him and he to them. The family is hoping that FIL will continue with his care, but a part of us all feel that he will ask to be discharged from the hospital and to be left alone. Whether or not that will be feasible at this stage of the game is unknown.
the good thing is that his vitals are stabilizing and the infection is going away. So he is getting healthier. But I feel that FIL has had enough of all of the medical treatments. So we'll see if MIL and SIL can convince him to at least get thru the healing from the surgery then decide if he wants to continue with the treatment of his cancer. |
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GreenEyedLady
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Joined: 10 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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| I feel so bad for them when they are in this situation and they feel like they have no control. My father would be the exact same way. Glad his health seems to be returning. My prayers continue to go out to you and yours. |
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swaggerstick1
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Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 16
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:39 pm Post subject: Esophageal Cancer |
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Having gone through a similar operation myself, Without the radiation and chemo. I laid in ICU for 7 days, and believe me, There are times that you wished you could just die. I can sympathize with the family, but until you have been through that surgery, you have no idea what its like. The Doctors have no idea what the pain is all about unless they have been there. my thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope everything turns out ok for the patient.
_________________
I have been through a gastrectomy in 2004. My story is posted on Jan. 2nd 2007 - Please read. |
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dstoeck
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: final update - sorry for the duplicate post! |
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Sorry for the long delay in updates. We got a new computer and I lost my bookmarks. Then someone was kind enough to post and voila! here I am.
First, FIL is living with a bag that is connected to the end of his esophagus that is positioned near the bottom of his neck. This bag - a fistula? - is for the collection of any liquid or solid that he drinks or eats. The drinking and eating is solely for psychological and sensory satisfaction purposes only. He is being fed via a J-tube.
He doing remarkably well! He went home in mid January and is now driving short distances by himself as well as walking without his walker now. His voice is more upbeat and he states that he's getting used to his feeding situation. I told him that maybe this situation is better than being "connected" cuz now he can eat what he wants! No more worrying if it has garlic or too much oil. He can enjoy Cincinnati Chili, warm apple pie a la mode, and spicy german sausage!
He's headed up to Cleveland today for a checkup tomorrow. He tried the trip 2 weeks ago but had an anxiety attack as soon as they reached the interstate (15 min ride from his house). He stated that he's feeling OK with the trip now, so we hope he can make the 4 hour drive! They break up the drive with a stop in Columbus to visit one of his sons (my husband's youngest brother) which is a 2 hour trip.
The family varies from one degree to the other with regard to how well they think dad is doing. The oldest son feels that dad has one foot in the grave. My husband, 2 sisters, and the youngest brother feels that he's doing really well, but still has a long way to go, the oldest sister just feels like everyone is making a big deal out of nothing (she's been in denial during this whole ordeal) and the remaining sister simply doesn't talk about it or has no comment - another one in denial. So there is plenty of healing to be done in the family!
But overall, the situation is good. Very good. He's been able to get back into the dulcimer group that they belong too and acutally played a few songs. He can visit his favorite buffalo wing joint and watch the sports. He can take walks with his wife after dinner - although they don't walk the mile or so they used to! But he's confident that he will very soon. So life is slowly getting back to normal for him with exception of "feeding the machine" - as he puts it.
I wish everyone on this board all the blessings that God will grant me towards your and your family's health and well being. Thanks for letting me share the information on my FIL. Hopefully it will help someone else. I'm wondering is this detached system is better than attaching the esophagus to the intestines. I wonder how many others are in this situation.
God bless all of you. |
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Anne44
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Joined: 22 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Update on FIL |
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| I am so glad to hear that your FIL is doing so well. I am impressed that he has only been home since mid January and is already so active. God Bless you all and hope all just keeps getting better! |
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. That is probably the hardest thing for him to do right now.