Hello,
I am new to the board, and wish to be an encouragement to you all. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January of 2004, had chemo and radiation simultaneously through the end of April 2004 and then had a complete esophagectomy on May 24 2004. Yes, I had all the side effects, dumping syndrome, dry heaves, difficulty swallowing, etc. It took me a good 8 months to get to feeling decent, but by November of that year the feeding tube was out and the port came out in December. 18 months later we drove across country, through 22 states and took a nice 7 week vacation.
The dumping syndrome can be helped by drinking one of those drinks like VitaminWater or Snapple with electrolytes. I got the kind with the most electrolytes I could find. That brought me back quicker after the dumping so I could continue doing what I was doing without blacking out and getting dizzy. ALL of the nasty symptoms do go away eventually. The doctors and nurses were right. After 2+ years, my bowels became regular and I can now even bend over and pick things up off the floor and weed my garden without losing the contents of my stomach.
My doctor told me peristolisis would take over and keep things down and he was right. One of the best investments we made was getting an adjustable bed so I could sleep in my bedroom instead of the living room in a recliner.
I would never have believed I would ever have a good quality of life again, but it did come back. It takes patience, good friends and time. I had a wonderful lady who went before me with esophageal cancer and an esophagectomy who was able to keep me encouraged through the process until the healing finally was completed.
Oh, I was lactose intolerant in the beginning, right after my operation. After 3 months, I began using Lactaid and putting very small amounts of cheese back into my diet. Now I can eat cheese and pizza and ice cream again. It definitely took a good 8 months before I saw real progress, so hang in there. I will try to remember to watch the message board if any of you need more encouragement.
I lost 2/3 of my esophagus and they pulled what was left of my stomach (I lost 25% of my stomach also) up through the diaphragm to meet the couple of inches of esophagus that was left. Most of the time I don't even think about not having a normal digestive system. Unless I am reminded, I just go along like regular folks. I found that I don't need to eat every 2 hours either. I am now eating regular 3 meals a day and have gone from 126 pounds to 163 pounds. A size 6 to a size 14.
Oh yes, lots of prayer and faith in Christ does wonders. I would not have made it without the prayers of so many wonderful people.
God bless you all.