Oesophagectomy

Hi Tess

Its great to hear that you are doing so well, so soon after surgery.

The discomfort after food... well, I’m six years on and still I can feel I have eaten too much or just feel like s**t, just occasionally!

Eating too much in my case is caused by liking my wife’s cooking too much. Strangely enough it doesn’t happen when we eat out. That’s how good my wife’s cooking is. 
Dumping on the other hand (early dumping that is) is like a bad case of the flu, that lasts 20 minutes.

I’m not saying you have either greed or don’t recognise early dumping syndrome. Someone I know needs to wind himself like a baby, by bouncing up and down on his heels and patting his chest. Sometimes it takes time to find what works for you.

I hope your recovery continues apace and you manage to find a new and comfortable normality soon.

Hi Brent,

Thanks for that, it's great to hear you only suffer occasionally. I have been having discomfort most days, it occurs about 15-45 mins after eating. I think it could be trapped air. I will try the bouncing up and down !! I spoke to my nurse this morning, she is not too worried, she suggests going back to a puréed diet to see if that makes a difference.

Other than that, I am doing really well, I have only lost 0.5 lb in the last week.

I am lucky that I love running/cycling and gym work and was super fit before the op which really helped. I also deliberately put on 9lbs beforehand which I would recommend people doing as it's one less thing to worry about.

All the best to you.

Tess

Hi Tess

I had my oesophagectomy 3 days before you and, although I had some complications immediately following the surgery, the minute I got discharged I have bounced right back and, like you, I can't quite believe how normal I feel now. I'm completely off any form of painkillers now and feel no pain at all, which is truly amazing, I think, following major surgery some 5 weeks ago (and I wasn't even super fit before the surgery!).

I've found I can eat a lot more than I expected to be able to so I'm not having to think too much about calories etc. 

Are you having any post op chemo?? 

Great to hear that you are doing so well! 

Deb xx

Hi Deb,

So pleased you are doing so well too. I am on no medication now which I am pleased about. I had my post discharge appt today, which was good. The only problem I seem to have is mild dumping syndrome now and again. It's not carbohydrates that only cause it with me, as for example I had one scrambled egg with rocket and mayo on Sat, and that caused it. Doctor is not worried about it as it's early days and things need to settle down. I am trying to lie down straight away after I eat and that seems to stop it, so keeping fingers crossed.

I am not having chemo. My case is a bit different in that my twin sister died from oesophageal cancer last year. I thought it best to get mine checked out and although I didn't have cancer there were pre cancerous cells present. I was told I had a high risk of developing oesophageal cancer and made the decision whilst fit and relatively young to have mine removed.

Its been a tough few years as I was very close to my sister. Her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she was told an operation was not an option. 

Sending you lots of positive thoughts, hope you get back to normal soon. All the best.

Tess xx