I am now home following my cardio- oesophagectomy on the 22.10.12 at Preston Royal. Everything went well and the histology appears to be good. I did contract a urine and chest infection but antibiotics are sorting it. I really would like to thank everyone for their help, excellent advice and support. As advised by many people on the blog, I did try to keep fit, walking and going to the gym etc, during my chemo phase and it did pay great dividends post op with me having far better movement and speed of recovery than expected.
Once again thanks for helping me "get it together for the op". I know I'm going to need you all during the following months but it's great to be home!!!
Phil
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Phil5
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hi im so glad to hear you are home and the operation went well . keep us posted im sure you will go on to make good progress. My dad is currently having chemo unfortunately he is unable to have the op , but you never know treatment plans change .take care
Now expect a long while to get used to feeling different during your recovery. I personally found that my energy levels were low which I found difficult to accept. They have improved but 13 months on are still only 70 per cent. You will also get some aches and pains some of which will eventually dissapear and you will have to develop new habits but your positive attitude will see you through.
Thank you for your comments, I am trying to stay positve and I do appreciate your referance to a lck of energy!
Phil
You will now be gradually improving, but there may be a couple of days when you have setbacks. As long as you are better than you were a week ago you are going in the right direction! And your body dictates the pace of improvement; you cannot hurry it!
Glad that the surgery went well, and thanks for letting us know.
You must be relieved that the opreation is over and you are back home.Its a very serious operation and your recovery will take time. but be patient and rest when you feel like it. Over time you will feel a lot stonger.I wish you the very best and hopefully we will see you at one our meetings in the future.
I am glad your op went well. I had mine in July this year and I see that we are the same age so perhaps my experience over the past three months may be of help to you.
The major issue was diet and getting enough to eat without bringing on Dumping Syndrome.
I received the best advice from other members on the site. I did lose weight over the first 6 weeks but this has gradually stabilised and I am gaining a little now. The 'little and often' rule is important. Also we need to accept that we will probably not return to our original weight.
Experimenting with different foods is important. I find that I now eat little bread (toast is OK) but enjoy a fry up, can manage a small fillet steak and chips (don't try this yet!).
You will also need to be patient. Like you, I came home feeling relieved and intent on making a speedy recovery. I thought the medics were being cautious but it really does take time and cannot be rushed. The mental side cannot be underestimated. There can be long periods of boredom and frustration at not being strong enough to do 'normal' tasks. I found it quite comforting to use this period to reflect on my life and think about the future with the realisation that I had come through a traumatic period successfully and with hope for the future.
Three months post op, I can live quite normally and have had a holiday in the sun. I can do most things that I used to do but for a shorter period. I need to have a siesta in the afternoon. I suppose my strength is 60% and improving. I expect to return to work in January but possibly on a 2.5 day week basis.
This blog has gone on longer than I expected but I hope it is of some help to you.
Thanks for your comments, as you point out we are the same age and have only very recently had your operation. I know it is only a few days since I came home but I do understand what you mean about diet, it is difficult to establish an appropriate eating regime and as I love a fry up your words are like nectar to my ears. Also as I like the sun the thought of you being able to travel gives me inspiration!!!
They have told me that they want me to have another three cycles of chemo in 4 weeks to mop up, which I am not looking forward to but will do it.
Welcome home and back to the blog! You have very much been in my thoughts and prayers and I am so pleased to hear that the operation went well. Remember to pace yourself and take one day at a time; every day is a blessing and a joy so make the most of it!
Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers Maggie, as a committed Christian they are very important to me. I am finding that I get very tired in the afternoon and evenings but as you say every day is a blessing and a joy.
Nice to hear that you are home and slowly improving. Strange how we all seem to have similar problems. In hospital I ended up with an infection but they couldnt find the problem, but a course of anti biotics and I was back on the mend. (I put it down to sitting next to a radiator that couldnt be turned up or down, always on red hot).
Anyway all the best, as my consultant said to me, `you will get good days and bad days` but my atitude has always been, take each day as it comes. I have had the cancer removed now its time to get on with life.
Now 8 months have passed and I`m still having off days but I`m slowly back to doing gardening, diy, the odd job (now semi retired), driving, returning to Scouting as a Cub Leader, but most of all, went on a holiday (cruise) with my wife in September. Still cant do everything as I could before the operation but it helps to keep me busy, (and from under my wifes feet). Unfortunately we are coming into Winter so I`ll have to find an indoor pastime!!!!
Take care and slowly does it, take each day as it comes.
Thanks for your comments. The anti biotics have worked but the infection did cause a stir at the time, I had to have a CT scan to check there were no leaks!!! I love cruising and only hope that I can follow your lead in 8 months time.
Welcome home, I'm glad to hear that your op went well. You have been given lots of good advice today so I dont need to add to it. just take your time, we are all here for you.
So glad to hear that things are going well for you. "Yavus, yavus" as they say in Turkey I went there 4 months after my surgery much to everyones suprise, including mine I might add! Every day is a new day and I wish you all the very best in your recovery from the op. and my best wishes with the chemo too.
I am pleased the op went well, just remember to be good to yourself. It is hard to forget about a life time of eating habits and start again, but things will get better as your new plumbing adjusts.
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I went there 4 months after my surgery much to everyones suprise, including mine I might add! Every day is a new day and I wish you all the very best in your recovery from the op. and my best wishes with the chemo too. 
Post op breathlessness
2.5 years post op -sickness problems
Post op Chemo
5 years post op
Swallowing discomfort Post-Op. 
