Post Op Problems-Please Advise

Hi my grandma just had esophagectomy 1 month ago, was told she was a good candidate for surgery. Life has been much worse post-op though than it ever was before surgery. In one month she has barely eaten, throws up whenever she eats, has lost weight, become extremely depressed, re-hopsitalized fro dehydration, and is on a feeding tube full time right now. I am hoping she can come off the feeding tube, but she says she cannot swallow at all. This was not what we expected, and I don't know how to help her. She does not want any other medical treatments, but I thought she would be able to eat again. She is also nauseas and was told she has to be in bed to receive her feedings? Is this true? Is there any advice anyone can offer? What has worked for other people? How did you recover form esophagetcomy? - Thanks.

All good questions, however everyones answers are different.  Do you have a home health nurse? They are pretty good for support and answers. 

My husband has been put on IV fluids because of the nausea.  He has all different kinds of Meds...  For my husband Reglan works well.Zofran is also good, but expensive.  There are alot of good medications for nausea and most can be taken together or shortly after each other.  fluid intake and diet can paly a roll as well.  Your doctor knows your case best... The hematologist is usually the guy to ask as well.  

I hope this helped a little...Search through some of the other post, you might find some others who have had or have the same issues and what the result was for them....

Take care, you are in my prayers...

Kimmie 

 

 

 If you are in a state that allows medical majiuana this is the perfect answer and if not there is a synthetic legal pill, whose name I can't recall.  I had both and it was the only thing that worked.  Lost 60 lbs in 2 months till I started on this treatment. 

On 3/6/2007 Fighting For Grandma wrote:

Hi my grandma just had esophagectomy 1 month ago, was told she was a good candidate for surgery. Life has been much worse post-op though than it ever was before surgery. In one month she has barely eaten, throws up whenever she eats, has lost weight, become extremely depressed, re-hopsitalized fro dehydration, and is on a feeding tube full time right now. I am hoping she can come off the feeding tube, but she says she cannot swallow at all. This was not what we expected, and I don't know how to help her. She does not want any other medical treatments, but I thought she would be able to eat again. She is also nauseas and was told she has to be in bed to receive her feedings? Is this true? Is there any advice anyone can offer? What has worked for other people? How did you recover form esophagetcomy? - Thanks.

 

Medical Marijuana may be available, and work well - But insurance, as far as i know won't pay. Mu husband revd a couple sample capsules. It would cost 700.00 to get that kind of script filled. Though it may increase the appetite, you have to be able to eat.

I don't know how old your Gram is, but there are many variables. Most times it does take a month or so, maybe longer, to get back to not just wanting to eat, but being able to. This surgery is very traumatic to the body. They have re-arranged the digestive sytem. My husband did not have the surgery, we were told the tumor t the junction of the esophagus and stomach could not be resected. All I can offer is, try not to overwhlem her with questions of what she wants to eat. Just offer oatmeal, popsicles, italian ice, ice chips, mashed potatoe, applesauce, try no sugar for anything, but if she does not like it without sugar, give her what she wants. Try the liquids first. She has to basically re learn how to swallow things. Be a liitle patient with her. If you think something is really wrong, she may give signs that there is, if not ask the docs. If it goes too long, get a scan to see whats going on. Prayers and Hugs

Sorry to hear about your grandmother.  Please tell me what state you live in.  I may have some contacts for you.  My husband was supposed to have the surgery and his doctors gave us information on who to contact that had the surgery and how they coped and got better afterward.  (At the last minute thay canceled his surgery because of a liver problem).  I will look for the information and get back to you.  Please feel free to e-mail me privately if you want to.