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105.226.67.54
Well, the day is almost upon me...
In June 2014, I was diagnosed with cancer of the lower esophagus and, since then, have had 9 weeks of chemotherapy followed by a break followed by 6 weeks of radiation treatment and then a longer break.
A PET scan & gastroscopy showed that the combination of chemo & radiation had successfully shrunk the tumour down to under 50% of its original size and that surgery was now an option to remove the remaining bits as there had been no metastasis.
So, tomorrow at 09h30 I go into theatre for an 8-hour procedure which will include a partial gastrectomy (there goes a part of stomach), a partial esophagectomy (there goes a part of esophagus) then the stomach will be lifted up to behind the lungs before a new attachment of remaining esophagus to remaining stomach is done.
The next 7 days will be spent in ICU on a drip - until the food passages have healed sufficiently for some form of "solid food" (for that read "finely ground jello") to go back on the daily menu of fine dining. It seems that they will then hang on to me for observation in a general ward for another 3-4 days - by which stage I will probably have the desire to gnaw on a passing cow but more-than-likely lack the wherewithal to act upon the urge (among other sorts of urges).
I've got this mental picture of having one of the starring roles (Sir Loin) in a Carvery, with Sir Gin (aka surgeon) in the counterpoint role and getting to play with his cutlery while doing sushi chef impressions.
Anyway, this situation has been one the contributing factors to my absence from Central so I felt some explanation was due.
Am I nervous? Probably - but, since the initial diagnosis, I've tried to stay upbeat to avoid making all around me depressed and/or morbid. This has also been helped along by still being to do some contract work (which continued through both chemo and radiation cycles, but which I seriously doubt will be possible during surgery). The surgical procedure is probably the highest risk area but I'll be under a general anaesthetic so, if anything goes awry, I won't know about it... :) The part that probably bothers me more is the post-operative recuperation/physio phase where pain will be lurking.
Anyway, we had a family get together yesterday which was originally planned as an evening bash but after my comments about "the last supper" it was moved to lunchtime to put a stop to that dialogue. (Last chunk of cow - for a month or more - was gnawed and some fine Shiraz quaffed).
Well that's gonna be that for a while...
Dave
DevillEars
Follow Ups:
Esophagus surgery was tough but I always insisted on having the last word.
and a return to good health.
Here's wishing you well!
I'm guessing the time difference between there and Texas is about 10 hours, so you're probably "out" at the moment, or maybe waking up to a roomful of hot nurses. Which reminds me, do you get to choose which one bathes you?
Hopefully, your drip will include flavor stimulators for the brain, so you can think "hmmm, that's tasty".
"finely ground jello" Ha! That's funny!
"the post-operative recuperation/physio phase where pain will be lurking." They have really good drugs for that. Heck, I had a little surgery on a finger a couple years ago, and for the next two weeks, I felt "fine" if you know what I mean.
Not to be morbid, but you're a lucky guy. My Dad had stomach cancer, and the plan was to operate. They opened him up, and then closed him up - it was too late.
See if you can get a photo album of 8x10s of the procedure. After all, when you're under a general anesthetic, it'll seem like nothing happened and no time passed, so it might be fun to see what really on during that blink of an eye.
Maybe they'll let you have a nice stereo system while you're in ICU.
Which reminds me, remember the famous slalom skier named Peekaboo Street? Well, she donated a bunch of money to a hospital in Johannesburg to build a new Intensive Care Unit. They're naming it after her... the Peekaboo ICU.
Best wishes to you.
:)
... As long as they connect all the right bits together and know how to sew you back up it should be a breeze!
Please let us all know it has been a total success at your earliest convenience. Or instruct one of the Bat-girls to drop us a line.
I'm raising a glass to you this very moment for a speedy and fruitful recovery.
My most positive antipodean vibes & best wishes are headed through the ether with your name on them this very moment.
Stay tough you old bar steward.
Talk soon mate.
Smile
Sox
...will hold good thoughts for a successful procedure, followed by good recover.
Hey, thanks for posting! Good luck and my prayers! My dad had a reconstructed stomach in his late twenties or early thirties, and
he's still kicking at 95! Enjoy your music! And your family!
we're all rootin' for you I'm sure!
good luck we're all pullin' for you!
Bill
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
Best wishes
Hugs from here
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
thanks
will get you through all these just fine. Don't forget to listen to Sarah McLachlan and or Holly Cole the night before...and perhaps throw in some Raphael Ravenscroft's sax into the mix.
If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
(Proverb)
As others have said, your attitude has success written all over it!
Cheers,
John K
I'm sorry to learn of your health and cancer issues, but the treatment plans look organized and well thought out. Your jokes about the Last Supper were funny, at least in my opinion. Last Brunch just doesn't have the same gravitas. Anyway, I'm glad you got your family together for the send off to surgery. Best of luck, and I'm sure things will go absolutely as planned, then on to recovery and living cancer-free.
Best Wishes.
just think how good that steak is gonna taste once you're all healed up!
I agree with FenderLover, your positive attitude will carry you a long way. I hope you're back in the sunshine soon!
"You won't come back from Fletcher-Munson curve"-Jan and Dean
Glad things are looking up and coming to a great conclusion. So nice to see you back at AA as I had wondered about your absence.
Will
I am pulling for you and the medical team. Stay positive.
Good vibes headed your way...
Warm and fuzzy thoughts on the surgery and recovery. Your positive attitude will help go a long ways for all around you, as well as you.
8^)
I just know, you'll be fine.
----------------------
"E Burres Stigano?"
With part of your stomach gone, you'll be able to order off of children's menu! :))
You are fortunate that the cancer was/is treatable. My ex had pancreatic cancer and there was no fix, only a future date that her life would end.
You have a good attitude towards this and I am pretty sure that is half the struggle ...good luck and keep us informed. I wish you well, fast.
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