Esophageal Cancer

swaggerstick1 · Regular Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Indiana

Long Story - My 39 year old son died in 2004 of this disease. I had had a nissen fundoplication in (Stomach Wrap) in 1981. I was 41 @ the time. I have had to be dilated many times over the years because I could not get my food down. Each time they did this, they would take a biopsy. In 2003 I was told to come back in 2 years (2005). After my son died in 2004, I became concerned about myself. I called the Doctor and was advised to get an endoscopy done. The results showed high grade dysplasia. I was sent to another Gastroligist .for an endoscopy ultra-sound.It was diagnosed as adeno-carcinoma. I was sent to a Thoracic Surgeon @ IU Med Center. On Dec. 7th 2004, they performed an esophagogasrectomy/gall bladder removal/Vegus Nerve Cut surgery. I was 64 years old at the time and in good health otherwise. I feel that if I had been much older I would not have made it. This is a very complex surgery. You need to do your homework if you are thinking about this surgery. Do not let a general surgeon do this. It is a very specialized field and the Doctor needs to have an established track record in this area before you allow them to do it. Its a very long recovery time, I had to be dilated 7 times in 7 months after the surgery. I had to eat very small portions and ate as many times as I wanted to. Usually 5-6 times a day. I still do not eat large portions. I lost my taste for some things I dearly loved. Such as - Coffee - Milk - etc. I gained a craving for fruit, fresh of canned, it doesn't matter. I also had been a smoker for approx. 45 years. I had quit in 1997. I have 3 sons. One has never smoked. He also has digestive problems, however his has never developed into Barret's Esophagus. The youngest son who is now 37, was a smoker. He also had to have a nissen fundoplication at age 36. He has Barrett's. He also quit smoking a little over a year ago. I lost 70#. I have gained back approx 30 of it. Thats enough. They used the "Ivor-Lewis" method on me Look it up on the net. My quality of life has suffered somewhat. Constant loose bowels. I purchased an adjustable bed so that I can sleep in an elevated position. A recliner works too. The bright side of it is, I didn't have to do any Chemo or Radiation afterward. My son's was too far along for surgery and I watched him, sick 6 days out of 7 with the Chemo. It was a slow death. I hope this helps someone decide what is best for them. Good Luck and God Bless. Smile

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