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..

Its a major surgery...but honestly is not that bad. Pain has no memory. Don't be a hero and let them medicate you for the first several days. I am told I was in the ICU for 3 days following the surgery...I dont remember any of it. Don't push it and take things very slowly. I had THE on August 6, 2009 and was back in the office August 31....HUGE MISTAKE. I crashed and burned and ended up back in bed. It takes time to regain the strength to return to your normal routine. I can still remember being worn out after taking a shower. It sounds as if you are in good experienced hands...its going to go fine and then you embark on your mission to beat this thing....it is beatable and you can do it...be strong....be positive keep the faith...good luck....keep us posted...ML.

I had my esophagectomy five months ago, and just had my first clear scan,and got my port removed, so far so good.Tommorrow is your big day other than not having anything buy mouth except adamp spounge for a few days, the hosiptal stay wasn't to bad, they controlled the pain. But five months out and my stomach still feels sore so i take pain and nausea meds from time to time weight was hard to gain in the beginning, every thing smelt different when i left the hosiptal and my taste in food changed also and i no longer grinde my teeth!You'll make it through it OK just be prepaired for the healing to take awhile good luck tommarow your doing all you can and your very brave.my thoughts will be with you tommorow Billl

MartinL, Thank you for your encouragement. I WILL NOT be a hero. I will take the pain meds and focus on healing. I will remember to take things slowly. I hear it's two steps forward and one step back, but I will keep plugging along!

Bill10411, Congratulations on the clean scan!!! That is a beautiful thing, indeed. I'll remember to be patient with the healing process. Thank you for contributing your insight. Thank you and I will keep in contact....after a few weeks:) I fell surrounded by many good thoughts from so many people. Thank you!

Just one final thought for you............one thing helped me immensely the first few months: journaling on Caring Bridge every single day. On even the worst days, this kept me tethered to family, friends, and LIFE. I think there were only two days in nine months that I didn't write my detailed, evolving experience - the two days following surgery. My Mac lap top was never out of reach. Writing about what was happening to me grounded me as much as breathing. There are so many foggy days, ups & downs, etc. but capturing it all in words helped make it tolerable. I recall many times that the meds would cause me to nod off and Caring Bridge had a 2-hour per writing expiration. I'd then have to start all over since I'd been too out of it to hit "save"!