Need Some Info On Gagging Etc After Surgery

I'm 51 years old and was diagnosed in February 2008 with Esophageal cancer but after a PET scan, it was discovered that I have stomach (originated in my stomach) cancer and it has spread to my esophageous and Lymph Nodes. I just (less than 2 months ago) had 2/3 of my stomach removed, the lower portion of my esophageous removed, 26 Lymph nodes removed. The remainder of my stomach was then pulled up and reattached to my esophageous. I was in the hospital for 11 days. Doctor says he's pretty sure he got it all, but I'm now getting Radiation and Chemo to be sure. When I first came home from surgery, I could eat decently, but after about a week, I started getting a real bad gagging sensation right before I swallow food. I can eat pretty much anything as long as I can get away from the gagging. Can anyone tell me what causes that gagging? I had a Barium Swallow done and the doctor says everything looks to be working properly. During surgery, I had a tube that entered my nose and went down my throat and it seems like where that tube enered my throat is where I'm having the problem. Could that tube have done some damage or possibly irritated something? If anyone has some additional info, please either email me or post on this forum. I'm very new to all of this, so any info would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. I'm also having some problems with nausea and after I get physically sick, I do feel better. When I do get sick, it appears to be what I'd call Bile that comes up. Kind of yellow and brown and tastes real real bad! Any info on that or what the problem may be?

Thanks and God Bless!   Bill

Bill,

So sorry to hear what you are going through. My popa was diagnosed the same way you were, 1st esophageal then stomach after more scans. He had surgery and they removed 70% of the stomach a small bit of esophagus and 9 lymph nodes. 7 were cancerous. It seems that you are experiencing the same 'gagging' as my popa did. To my surprise I see your Doc did a barium swallow and found nothing. My grandfather had one done and it showed that the esophagus closed up while healing. They then did a 'balloon' procedure to widen it. He must go through this procedure 3 or 4 times before the esophagus will permanently stay open. Would you possibly have the test done by another doctor? Have they done any scans since the surgery? Also what is yuor chemo/radiation schedule like? You may want to look into another opinion on the barium swallow before radiation as they cannot do any other procedures while on radiatioin. Hope everything goes well for you!! -Erin

My husband, who is a very similar "case" as you, same age, and course as you with the exception of that he had a total gastrectomy. He began experiencing this same thing right after he started radiation, and it continued for months until his doctor decided to take a look and did an EGD and found an anastomotic stricture, where the esophagus and duodenum are joined together, it was caused by scar tissue and radiation and he was able to dilate it and he has had some improvement. However, he still does have some episodes where his gag reflex will kick in when he is trying to eat. We were told that there could be some nerve damage from radiation that may or may not get better. Only time will tell. 

I'm sorry you are going through this, we understand the frustration. I hope you find a solution soon. 

God Bless