Hi Everyone, I am about to have my second round of chemo, then the Ivor Lewis operation in about 6 weeks time. I am very very nervous about

[prissymissy]

having this operation, as I'm not sure what to expect afterwards. eg. what is the recovery rate like afterwards how long is it roughly before I shall be back on my feet

[Buzzboy]

Hi there. Recovery time depends on how the operation goes - how much of the plumbing they remove, how they gain access, how fit you are now, how old you are! If via keyhole(s) surgery then the recovery is quicker than the 'sharkbite' method. Two months after my op another course of 3 Chemo sessions started - and this was far harder than the pre-op course. We're all different - my recovery was slow but steady, after six months I was well enough to go on a short holiday. BUT - you do recover - my op was nearly five years ago and life is good. I was advised that the op is "Life Changing" - and only after did I really understand what that means. However a changed life is far far better than no life. Just take one day at a time! I wish you well.....

[prissymissy in reply to Buzzboy]

Thank you, I feel much better now

[margie1]

Hi my op was nearly 2 years ago and i had the shark bite Ivor Lewis, recovery for me was but good, am still adjusting to my new plumbing system lol forget sometimes and overeat but i am learning. things seem hard at first but you will adjust and soon be back on your feet taking short walks and progress everyday. I am struggling to walk far at the moment but i will get there with each new day is a new small step. I went back to work last September and do get tired but so do all my colleagues lol wishing you well and thoughts with you take care and positive thinking all the way

[prissymissy]

Thankyou margie, feel more positive now

[phil]

You will feel much better after the operation because you know the cancer has been taken away.After that the recovery rate is different for everybody but it gradually improves week by week.So keep positive because you have a good long life to look forward too.

Phil

[prissymissy in reply to phil]

Hi Phil, thank you for your kind words, much appreciated

[hilr]

Hi, good replies so far. Agree that age and more importantly how fit you are before the surgery are key factors. OC and the treatments are defo life changing, and alter your perspective on life. I now treasure every single day and every beautiful view, piece of nature etc and try and spend as much quality time with family and friends as possible.

For me, surgery was not as scary as I had expected and the 12 days post-surgery in hospital went by in a drug-hazed daze. I resumed walking etc quite quickly and was back at work on phased return 7 weeks after surgery. Had to undergo post-op chemo, which as someone else said was worse for me than pre-op chemo, so took time off work for that. Now 9 months after surgery and back in gym and swimming and work full time.

A positive mental attitude really helps.

Wishing you good luck , Hilary

[Thorno]

It really is so dependant on age, general fitness, type of cancer, where it is etc. etc. However, it is a major operation and recovery times can vary enormously. I am over three years post-op and some days I still really struggle but I am back at work and leading a relatively normal life.

This week for example, I've had to take a couple of days out to rest as I've overdone it a little (I've found that as recovery improves, the more I do, and then tiredness creeps up on me until suddenly, I've clearly gone too far and have to adjust again). There are a lot of people on here that can help and will have experienced what you're going through and are about to go through. Do stay positive.

Best wishes, Peter

[prissymissy in reply to Thorno]

Hi, i am feeling more positive now thank you

[prissymissy in reply to Thorno]

Hi thorno, and thanks for your reply

[sallym]

What everybody says is true, concentrate on the present, get yourself as fit as possible in the next 6 weeks, it is life changing ,but time to cross bridges as they arrive. Go into it with a positive view , The first positive is the ability to have the operation. My surgeon thought he would give me a few more years but I'm now into year twenty.

Wishing you well sally

[clachuk]

Hello Prissymissy,

I had the op 5 years ago and was walking about 5 days later, out of hospital on day 8, and back to work after 8 weeks. I am now living a completely normal life. It takes a while to regain any stamina, but each day you will see a slight improvement. I am now 62. Hope this helps.

[prissymissy in reply to clachuk]

Hi yes it helps many thanks

[strangetimes]

I really sympathise with your nerves .. I found the not knowing what it would be like in hospital and the inability to get a clear picture regarding recovery nearly drove me mad !

It was fine in hospital ,it's quite a complex procedure and the nursing staff rise to the occasion and were totally brilliant . I wasn't in pain ,was perfectly comfortable . Not even thirsty - which I was very worried about - given sponge swabs ,iced water ,and was well hydrated through IV and feeding tube into bowels .It sounds dreadful ,but honestly you're a little out of it in a pleasant hazy way .

Think my worst problem in hospital was getting the bowels on an even keel after op - lots of wind and diarreah . Had to send friend out for big Tena pads for those whoops " wasn't just wind " moments as hospital only had huge nappies -).

I spoke to partner on phone the day after op while still in intensive care/overnight recovery . Staff had me sitting in chair day after op . I was walking to loo in hospital ( with nurse carrying my oxygen ) on 5th day .

When I got home after about 12 days I was able to get to loo fine ,up and down stairs ( slowly ) ,make myself cup of tea etc . Recovered well ,out and about on bus after 4 weeks .

Any question you have ,just ask . Nothing too trivial .

I'm 63 ,not fit ,and had trans hiatal ( sp ) op . Which is longish incision from little below left ear to clavicle and "roof top " incision following lower rib cage across body . And excellent surgeons and care of course .

[michelle1963 in reply to strangetimes]

Hi

Thank u for ur account my husband has just finishing 3rd round of chemo with op last week in mArch we are both feeling very anxious about the op and how much it might change his life

John is 50 and was very hit prior to all this has had added complication of developing blood clots in both lungs but reading how u were after op has helped a little

[spanner16]

I agree with all of the above comments - your life changes completely after the operation and I don't think anyone can make you understand just how much your life changes until you have the op. My symptoms after the operation were terrible (I'm not going to lie to you) BUT it gets better and better all the time and like mentioned above, I sometimes over eat and get some symptoms back again but I just think that the fact I forgot about my situation and overate is a HUGE sign that things are great. I'm 12 months post op and back at work (50 hours a week) and back at the gym etc and I had the full shark bite experience.

You'll be absolutely fine - the first few days are a bit uncomfortable with all the tubes etc but like stated above you're so full of pain meds etc that it kinda passes in a haze and once all your drains are out then you feel like a new person.

[prissymissy in reply to spanner16]

Hi and many thanks for your reply am feeling more positive now

[michelle1963]

Hi

My husband is also due to same op in 6 weeks time and are feeling exactly the same prior to all this john who is 50yrs was very fit aim is when 3rd round chemo finishes Sunday to regain fitness for op

Told by surgeon last week 20 cm oseaphagus and 3 rd stomach to be removed

John also has added complicaction he has developed blood clots in both lungs so on blood thinning injections

[terryletts]

Terry

Hi there I had my Ivor Lewis 2 1/2 years ago I was quite fit before the operation and it went well and was home in two weeks. I was told that recovery would take between 9 and 12 months and this proved to be the case. I had all the classic problems rapid dumping etc. but gradually things improve every one is different but the biggest problem I had was getting my diet right, the advice to eat little and often is sound, I eat five times a day and can eat almost anything now but if I over indulge my digestive system lets me know but it is very much trial and error. T he good news is that things do get better over time and I now have a normal life I do get tired sometimes and I need to rest after meals but you will adjust to your new digestive system but you need to be patient and let your body adjust over time. I wish you well.

[prissymissy in reply to terryletts]

Hi terry thanks for your reply and feeling posive now

[gutlesswonder]

hi Prissymissy

I was 47 when I had the full Ivor Lewis and that was 22 years ago.

It's been tough but worth it.

If you read EVERY post on this site then you will know considerably more about post-op than any member of the surgical team attending you !

Get as fit as you possibly can and don't forget to educate your nearest and dearest as they also have quite a lot to contend with.

Good luck and please stay in touch.

[prissymissy in reply to gutlesswonder]

Hi gutless wonder, thank you for your reply. I am feeling more positive about the operation now

[strangetimes]

Some good tips herehealthunlocked.com/oesophag....