Post Esophagectomy

I am sorry that you have not had a response to your post, 

Please let me bump it back up for you so others who may have missed it can respond. 

I do hope that Dad is starting to feel a litle better 

Lowe'

Hi 

I had complications although not quite the same but included a leak.  I was in ICU for 3 weeks in an induced coma.  Once out of icu I pushed to be allowed to come home and wihile assured there was no rush and it may be better to stay longer I came out after a week.  That was mid November and it’s been hard at times but I am recovering well.  I was on a feeding tube in hospital which came out a few days before I was discharged and had a soft diet for a while.  

Although it is very worrying the care I received was excellent and I have not only the GI team following up but the critical care team which has been reassuring as being on a ventilator does affect recovery time.

I am sorry to hear your Dad has been through it, I feel for him.

I’m sorry to hear you had complications too, but pleased to hear that you are recovering well now.

The care he has received has been incredible we really can’t complain about that he’s just feeling really down now, it’s 4 weeks since he had the op so he’s feeling the effects of still being in hospital now. He had a swallow test yesterday and the leak is still there. He’s retching and vomiting every time he swallows any water now which doesn’t seem good. 

Did your leak heal itself? 

That’s sounds awful for himand it’s a long time to be in hospital I can understand why he’s down.  

My leak did heal itself while I was on the ventilator and I have been told my time in icu, has caused other issues, but helped my recovery from the operation which is something.  

Eating has been a struggle and I am often nauseous but apart from when I needed a dilation I haven’t been vomiting luckily.  I have lost 3 stone since coming home so far.  

My husband really struggled when I was in hospital and first home and started having panic attacks so I know how hard this is on our families so make sure you are kind to yourself, my family really helped me get through this.  

Do let me know how your Dad gets on.

Hi Worried52022…..So sorry to hear of your dads problems since his operation…It is very early days and would hang on in there…things will hopefullly improve just a tiny bit every day.  I found it useful to look at it over a longer period of time….my husbands situation was slightly different in that although the operation went well (no leaks) he developed hospital acquired double pneumonia and was in intensive care for six weeks…most of that time he was on life support…but was sent to a general ward after six weeks and came out after a further three weeks….tube fed (NJ tube) and on 12 hour nightly feeds.  So most of his post op healing was whilst he was asleep in ICU!  But a stay in critical care makes the recovery harder as your body is coping with two things I think.  He didnt have his post op chemo as he was so weak the oncologist suggested the negatives would outweigh the benefits.  Said it would make him just too poorly.  But he is coming along in leaps and bounds now….walking (albeit at a slower pace!) for about 30mins a day weather permitting…and eating reasonably well and has now had his NJ tube removed.  So keep looking forward….every best wish for your dad….

Thanks for your reply. I too still believe it is early days. Unfortunately my Dad is seeing people who had the operation after him leave hospital sooner than him, and although easy for me to say he shouldn’t be comparing himself to others, I understand when you’re the one in hospital it’s hard not to. 

That is a long time to be in intensive care and must have been very worrying for you too - I’m so pleased to hear that he is doing well now. X