Esophagus removed

[Blackie]

Hi, my father was diagnosed with Esophagus cancer 2 months ago and had sugery 3 weeks ago, they removed the whole esophagus and took a sample of his lymp node, results came back that he doesn't have cancer in his lymp nodes and he is doing great, the question I'm asking is he was told to start with liquids like coffee and broth which are going down fine but what concerns him is he doesn't have an appointment to see his doctor again till June, would he have to stick to liquids till June? He said he'll go nuts if that is the case.

[brainman]

Hi Blackie, have your father call his doctor's office for further instructions. Only his own medical team can give him instructions at this point. Sorry.

[In]

yep- i agree with Brainman- call the DR. Your dad might have to see his regular doctor, or just phone monotor...

Good for you dad !!!!!!

[Blackie]

Thanks guys, I'll let him know, but do you think 6 months is a long time to just stick to liquids? How long does it really take to heal?

[brainman]

I have no experience to fall back on so cannot answer your question. Sorry. It does "sound" like a long time but it might be normal recovery time. Plus, there are all kinds of person to person differences. That is why you should really ask his medical team.

[swaggerstick1]

I had mine removed in 2004 - About six weeks later my gastrologist dilated me for the 1st time. I was dilated for 7 months in a row, with each one I was able to swallow better. I now go back every 2 years for a biopsy and dilated if needed. This past April was my 2 year thing and I didn't need dilated and the biopsy was ok. I can swallow better now than I have been able to for years. I hope this helps.Send me a message if you need more specifics.

[brainman]

swaggerstick1, how long did you have to remain on liquids after your surgery?

[swaggerstick1]

I was able to eat anything I wanted - You just can't swallow any thing more than liquid. I would eat cottage cheese and things like that but it was still a struggle. On my monthly visits to be dilated, the gastrologist removed a total of 12 staples from the surgery. They were not accessible from the outside. I think he took out 4 each time. These played a part in my not being able to swallow. I lost a total of 70# before I started regaining again. I have gained back approx 45 #'s I don't want to gain anymore than this. I hope this helps.

[Blackie]

I talked to my dad and showed him this site, his reply " I got staples inside of me still" it just goes to show you how people are kept in the dark when dealing with doctors. Is there a chance he doesn't have staples inside still? He also told me his weight isn't increasing or decreasing, I thought that was good, he didn't. He is being fed by a tube directly into his stomach, I think he said he's getting 6 thousand calories a day, how come he can't put any weight on getting 6 thousand calories a day? Thanks for all the replies guys.

[swaggerstick1]

I would expect him to still have staples inside of him after only about 4 weeks. Like I said - It was 6 weeks before they took the first 4 staples out of me when they dilated me. I think it was about a 14 week period before they got them all out of me. If he is maintaining his weight he is lucky. I lost weight for appox. a year before I started gaining it back. I was never fed through a feeding tube either. Whatever food or nourishment that I got was by mouth once I left the hospital. I was there 14 days with 7 of it in ICU. It will take your Dad at least a year to realize that he is feeling better. He will probably never be as good as he once was. But in my case, I look @ it this way. I am looking @ the green side of the grass.

I hope your Dad gets a positive outlook. Its a tough road for anyone.

Good Luck & God Bless