Hi my dad has t3n1m0 gullet cancer and is scheduled for an osphegectomy at the RVI Newcastle next week.
Currently my dad s eating and drinking is back to normal and is walking 5 mile per day.
Im so fearful im worried incase they open him up and abort the op. He had a response from his chemo and it looks like cancer has not spread else where. I keep reading about operations being aborted ... how can i keep positive .
I understand your fears completely, but the fact that they are planning to operate suggests that they are hopeful of a successful outcome - there are so many tests conducted beforehand to ensure it is worth doing. Your dad sounds as if he is in "good" health apart from the cancer, which will certainly help in his recovery after the op.
His staging is the same as my husband's - his op was just over 3 years ago. After his op they said they didn't find anything unexpected, by which time we had moved on to other worries!
We all worry about the things that might go wrong as hospital staff seem obliged to tell you all the worst stuff before they get round to saying that they hope to cure you.
Stay strong and hopeful - I know there are many people who would think your dad lucky to be having this chance. This is just the start of his journey back to health.
I wish you both all the best and hope you will update us on his progress.
Elaine x
I know that it is scary for you - I am a 10.5 year survivor of esophageal cancer and was a similar stage to your dad. Like your dad I did exercise in the build up to the surgery and ate well (the chemo I had before that enabled me to eat), the exercise did stand to me when I had the surgery. I do not know how to allay your fears - I do know that my husband took it day by day at this time.
Best wishes to you and your dad.
Hi my family also feared the same. They have to warn you but i am sure everything will go to plan. I'm 17 mths post op and doing well.
Positive thoughts
Good Luck
Debbie
Thanks very much for all of your positive comments. Im very grateful aswell as been very grateful for the opportunity for my dad to beable to have surgery in the 1st place as i know some are bot so lucky.
My dad is very determined he has been on his excercise bike today for over 1 hr & is walking around 2-3 miles per day.
❤❤
A decade or so ago this sometimes happened, but nowadays with modern scanning techniques I think that this no longer occurs. Newcastle, under Prof Mike Griffin, is a definite centre of excellence for this surgery, so he is in the very best of hands. The whole purpose of all the tests and chemo before the surgery is to improve his chances.
When the TNM analysis contains M0 it means that there are no signs of metastatic spread.
Your Dad is doing the right thing in trying to keep as fit as he can before the surgery. There are lots of people who enjoy a good quality of life after this operation. David Kirby, who started the OPA in 1985, is still alive and well, so that fact may help you to look forward more positively.
You cannot argue away the natural fears about surgery like this, and you, your Dad and the other members of the family all have to find your own best way of coming to terms with the situation; it does take quite a bit of a certain sort of courage.
Hi, my Dad is about 7 weeks post op and doing really well. He was a big 'walker' and the doctors say that his fitness has helped with his recovery enormously so the fact that your Dad is walking 5 miles a day is a real positive.
There is no point worrying about things that have not and may not happen..this situation is stressful enough! Trust in the team that is treating your Dad and take each day as it comes..keep us posted and let us know how he gets on xxx
Thanks so much for the positive comments and the inspiring & brave stories.
I agree I think the modern technology of pet scans , ct scans ect is much better these days and believe they would of told my dad if he was a borderline case.
Naturally i want the best for my dad as everyone does and i do sometimes feel guilty posting my worries on here as again some people are not so lucky . Im very very grateful my dad has the opportunity for this surgery with a cure intent.
Dad will be admitted to the ward today around 2pm, we intend to stay with him untill visiting time is finished. ....not sure what to do after that .... as dad will go down to theatre around 7am the next morning ....all being well with a bed in HDU or ITU being available to which we have to ring this am.
Keep the posts coming ❤❤
Feeling selfish for being nervous, op date looms!
Ivor Lewis surgery + post op care
POST OP..... EATING PROBLEMS
