Stomach not working after oesophagectomy

Hello Ella_1

I do not have any knowledge or experience of what your husband is going through, I did however want to reach out and let you know you message is visible.

Is it possible for you to ask your husbands oncologist?

I do hope that there are daily improvements for your husband, and also that you have some support around you during this very scary time.

Lowe'

Hi Ella, I had the gastric tube down for quite a while also, I had a leak from my reformed oesophagus so I also had 2 drains out of my back. I was fed via a stomach feed and was nil by mouth and in hospital for a month and a further 2 weeks at home to allow things to heal. The stomach can go dormant from lack of use but the gastric tube in the nose isn't there for that. Is he eating or still nil by mouth? I agree with Lowedal, talk to them, does he have an upper GI specialist nurse you can call. I will try to help with any questions if I can but don't worry

Hi, thank you and Lowe for responding. My husband came home yesterday. His stomach is working fine now. He is able to eat mushy food but not much and has a feeding tube in as well. He appears to be doing well, as well as can be expected, and we have an appointment in 10 days to go over the op and hopefully hear good results re cancer. 

Hi Ella, that's great to hear, yes stick to the mushy stuff and small amounts. I had trouble with dumping when I started eating for myself but soon learned how to avoid it. Fingers crossed for good news. I was diagnosed march 2020, 8 weeks of chemo, surgery then 8 more weeks chemo. As of February this year I am cancer free. Its a long tough road but worth travelling. Good luck

Hi Ella_1,

Great to hear your husband is hope now and on the road to recovery. 

I had FLOT chemo x 4 --> Surgery --> FLOT chemo x 4 in 2018 and was in hospital for 12 days. I was fed through a multi-port cannular in my neck in hospital for a week. and had a drain tube in my stomach (via my nose) and a couple of drain tubes in my side. 

The surgery is major and took me about 2 years to fully recover. but I'm still in remission. 

I had to retrain my GI system eating lots of small mashable meals without too much fat or sugar. I still occasionally get dumping but rest assured things do get better! 

When I left hospital I had a broken rib (an accident during surgery) and an infection on one of my drain wounds. all resolved within 12 weeks. 

I found the post-op cycle of chemo harder to tolerate than the surgery. But a positive attitude got me through it all.