Recovery after recent Ivor- Lewis

I had radation and chemo and then the surgery in April. I am about 12 weeks into recovery.

I hope others who have gone through or are going through the same thing will get back to me with their stories of recovery.  I am finding recovery perplexing and frankly depressing. 

I am so fatigued, changing the sheets on my bed can wear me out. I do try to walk in the swimming pool, but that wears me out too.

I still am having issues with food and last night took a few sips of wine for the first time and got sick.....I never know what will cause me to thow up.

Thanks to those who respond..deary50

Hi,

You will be fatigued that is normal. The IL surgery is one of the most complicated performed so you will take awhile to recover. Also, you are learning to eat again a whole new way. Small meals and you will vomit sometimes, just because if you go over what can fit in, it will come back up. Don't give up on the wine, just take small sips, we all need some wine and enjoyable things in our lives. I had mine 12/09, did not feel like myself for 7 months, in fact, last year during July. Take your time, keep exercising, it is good for you but take naps when you are tired and try to keep your nutrition up. Just be patient. That is what everyone told me and they were right. It takes time to heal from this, just keep taking one step at a time, you will get there. I will admit it can be very frustrating. Good luck, there are many good stories out there and be happy you were lucky enough to get the surgery. take care,

Donna70

Hi I agree with Donna it takes time. My husband, whose 68 had The Ivor Lewis surgery March 8th 2010 and his surgeon said it would take 12 to 18 months to be really well again - and he was right. Alan still has smaller meals, all the nausea has gone now and he even managed to gain 21lbs since his op. He is now doing the garden again and feels well. It does take time but you will get there. Good luck. Ann.

Thank you for your response. I think I just needed to hear I am going through the same process you all have gone through. Thank you again, Deary50

Thank you for your response. I think I just needed to hear I am going through the same process you all have gone through. Thank you again, Deary50

I would say you are doing just fine. For the first six months my husband slept for much of the time. After 9 months he began to really improve and since then has a very good quality of life.

Everything you describe is normal.

It is perplexing and depressing, and tiring and infuriating. But it is worth it. I had my op in august 2008 - I am coming up for my 3 year anniversary.

It is perplaxing because everyone responds differently so no-one can tell you exactly what will be happening to you. Even you will respond differently from one day to the next. It is depressing because it all seems so slow and you want to get better fast. It is tiring because it is a massive op and it is infurinating because just now you can't call the shots like you used to.

BUT everything will get better. Exercise is important. I always found that if I had a day when i didn't make the effort to exercise that I hurt more and had more trouble with my food. The trick is trying to get the balance right, because if you do too much you don't just get tired, you get exhausted. I have always been an 'I've started so I'll finish' person and that just doesn't work anymore. You have to stop when you've done enough and rest before starting again. I didn't do anything like changing sheets for ages longer than you. If you do not have anyone to help you do the more strenuous jobs, then try breaking them up and doing them in a few goes with a rest in between. You will get more done that way.

The food issues last a lot longer. It took me a year to tolerate wine. I was better with an aniseed or even a dilute gin and lemonade, though in the beginning we used to make the mixer with lemon, water and sugar because I couldn't handle the bubbles!

Recovery does not even just proceed gradually. It is 2 steps forward, one step back, but gradually I have got back to a good place. My biggest problem was dumping, but that is very mild now. I am back to gardening and decorating - though in smaller chunks than I used to. I enjoy walking along the cliffs where I live, and my life is good again, as yous will be.

Be patient, you have done the worst bit. Please believe things will get better. Just eat small amounts very frequently and keep active and you will get stronger and stronger.

Sue