I was resent;ly been diagnosed with oesophagus cancer. I have not started treatment yet but after chemo and radiotherapy I have been to I will need a very serious operation. Has anyone had this operation and how are you coping
Hi it is a very frightening thought but really it’s doable , I had mine 2 years ago open at the front and the back and it took quite a while to get eating again but it gave me my life back , get as fit as you can and just focus on getting your unwanted guest out , once it’s out the only way is upwards and onwards , we all cope differently and at a different pace but the experts did say two years to get back to where you were , good luck and positives thoughts xx
Thank you for your reply. I am half way through my chemo and radiotherapy so my op is getting on closer. I am so worried I will regret having it done if I can't eat or enjoy going out with friends. I know everyone is different but it scares the life out of me. I'm no spring chicken (69) and I don't want to waste what time I have left
I had surgery two and a half years ago. They broke one of my ribs gaining access which is not that unusual, but the problem with the surgery is they deflate one of your lungs for the surgery. This can take 1-2 years to recover from.
As Frank (Zappaman) says I think a positive attitude is the most important thing to have? I did do a lot of upper body strength training between my first cycle of chemo and surgery which may of helped?
The bottom line is I'm still in remission, fully recovered from surgery (which I found easier to tolerate than my chemo!) and enjoying my new strange lockdown life. I found the pain from this surgery went quite quickly and I was given a lot of pain management medication that worked for me. Don't fear the surgery, look forward to being cancer free.
Like everyone else is saying, get as fit as you can before the operation. The recovery takes a while. I'm celebrating 2557 days since my op. ( that’s seven years to the day). I’m fitter and happier than I was before my diagnosis.
The surgery is frightening, which is ok, so long as you approach it with a positive attitude. They take such good care of you, and really the discomfort is minimal.
