Esophageal Cancer Support Group

If you're like me, knowing the surgery needs to be done - it's nice knowing that the time is coming for it to be done & the recovery to begin. As they prepared me for my surgery - early that morning - I was concentrating on how glad I would be to have that part out - that needed to go - and that I could begin my healing and recovery. So, when you wake - concentrate on doing the best you can to do what they say and what your body is telling you. Each day something new seemed to be unhooked and I could see progress :-) Just take it a day at a time and before you know it, you'll be heading home and each day should get better & better. I'll be lifting some extra prayers for you on Tuesday. You can do this :-) Brenda

Thank you, Brenda. I will keep the positive thoughts and motivations with me along this path. You're right. It is good to know that the tumor can be removed. The doctors never gave me that option, in the past. I am Blessed. Thank you for your wisdom and your prayers,
Sherri

As Brenda said, "one day at a time" is the best advice. Before you know it, you'll be remembering it like a bad dream that happened a long time ago. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Tuesday. We look forward to a good report.

Meant to ask ... where are you having your surgery done?

DanJJ, Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you say this will go by sooner than I'm expecting. I will remember to keep it One Day at a Time. Maybe, even one hour at a time, but I will keep that in my thoughts. I'm using the sounds of the ocean and also meditation tapes to help prepare me.

The surgery is at Kaiser in Santa Clara. The two surgeons I'll be working with have a lot of experience with this surgery and I'm told Santa Clara has the best equipment. It's a fairly new and updated hospital.

Hi:

Enjoy your time at the ocean. I can't think of a better place to be.

The docs/facilities sound very positive.

Now is the time to trust Their work.

We wish you the very best. We'll continue to pray for you,

Fred

Thank you Fred! The ocean is just the perfect place to relax. I will put my faith in my doctors and trust their work. It's amazing how just hearing and saying those words, actually brings comfort. ♥

I don't know if this will help, and I can't speak for anyone else who's been through THE, but my greatest fear heading in was that I'd awaken in serious pain or suffer the first few days. Of all the things to "fear", this one didn't even register at all following the operation. I never felt pain from the extensive incisions, external or internal. I'm two years out now and have enjoyed a fully "normal" life for at least 1.5 of those years. This surgery may interfere with a few months of your life, but a few months is well worth gaining many years. Keep writing - we are all here for you!
Nancy

In previous posts you have mentioned long walks and hikes. I wish I had spent time in physical conditioning prior to surgery. Your time at the beach has been preparative as well.

It sounds like you are prepared. On Tues you will tell the Alien goodbye and good riddance. That sounds good to me.

If you are like me, 6 mos from now you will not remember much of your hospital stay.

Have a great surgery.

John

i also took it one day and sometimes one hour at a time. i, like Brenda was in a huge hurry to get it out... I didnt think past that. I had my surgery december 17th and by March 1st i was back at work. teaching preschool. I unfortunately had some complications as you can read in my journal, and i was still able to work through it all and get my life back. you will wake up with tubes everywhere but they will be removed soon. almost every other day i had one removed. You sound like you are prepared and the ocean sounds like a wonderful place to be. Good luck and i send prayers to you..