48 Days Since Dad's Surgery

Today we met with dad's surgeon Dr. Anderson.  Today is dad's 48 day anniversary of his esophagectomy.  His stomach and neck incisons have healed fine.  He still has the J-tube for his medicines and night time nutrition feedings.  Dad got a little more good news today from Dr. Anderson.  The night time nutrition feedings have come to an end.  5 weeks ago he was taking in 5 cans each night.  He has worked down to last week one can each night.  Dr. Anderson told us as long as dad maintains his 164 pound weight the night time feedings can stop.  We go back to see Dr. Anderson April 15th.  At that time he is going to take out the J-Tube.  Dad is doing very well on the soft diet.  He sleeps great as long as the head of his bed is raised up.

We are now faced with the next big question.  Does dad need to undergo a chemotherapy program.  His surgeon said that the EC was a stage III and that it had not spread.  His primary care physican says it is our call. I am going to contact his oncologist to at least talk about that part of dad's treatment.  At 83 dad has done great getting through the surgery and post surgery time period.  Dad and I have talked about the chemotherapy.  He is tough but the surgery kicked his butt. 

I have appreciated and respected the advice that so many of you have shared with me prior to dad's surgery.  I would appreciate any and all suggestions.  Thank you all.

Steve in Illinois

Steve,

Wow, so glad to read about your Dad. He's a wonder! Is he swimming again, yet?

I can't give advice, but here's what I did. After my esophagectomy for stage 1 EC in 2005, I had a consultation with an oncologist. Tests had shown no spreading of my cancer, but he advised I do Chemo just to be sure. Since he was on the fence and couldn't be sure it would even do any good if something had spread, I said no to the chemo. I was having a hard enough time as it was. I have not regretted that decision. I've had clean Pet scans since.

Good luck with whatever you and your Dad decide.

KEEP MOVING,

Steve

Speaking from experience only....

My dad had stage three EC.  He had chemo, radiation and surgery.  His doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota are not having him do more chemo.  They say after having this surgery, it would be too hard on him and research hasn't shown any positive results of chemo after surgery for my dad's stage and placement of cancer.

Tracy 

Hi Steve,

     I am so glad that your Dad is doing so well. I can't offer any advice on chemo but I will pray that you, your Dad and the Dr's make the right choice for him, whatever that may be. Please do let us know what he decides to do. Your Dad is truly amazing !

                                                                Pat