Mikef,
I absolutely agree with smbsmb. I had an esophagogastrectomy (esophagectomy) using the Ivor-Lewis approach in mid-2005. I had it done because I had stage 1 EC. My choices were limited. I am now 56 years old. I am cancer free and doing very well. I am probably in the top 10% of esophagectomy patients as far as quality of life.
However, my life is not "back to normal". I now have to eat smaller portions; that's not terrible, more of an inconvenience. ( I can eat enough to cycle lots of miles and maintain my weight). I do have pain that, so far, is not understood. At times this can be a show stopper. I would say I am 90% and not expecting to get back to 100%.
Again, I agree with smbsmb. An esophagectomy is a huge, dangerous surgery. My surgeon told me it's the biggest surgery they do unless they are putting someone back together after a car crash. You have other options to explore. Do the esophagectomy only after researching those options and deciding it's your best choice. If you choose it, do not expect to get 100% back to normal.
Please, let us know what you choose and how it goes.
In any case, KEEP MOVING. Exercise all you can.
Steve