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Jerry Vanderwoude
Benign Esophageal Tumor - Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery
The summer of 2006 was no fun for Jerry Vanderwoude. He was the victim of a car accident that left him unable to work. He lost his job and spent the next 7 months looking for a new one. The following spring, Jerry landed a great new job as a refrigeration technician for Scanlon Associates in its steel plant. Just 4 months later, in the winter of 2008, Jerry began choking on his food at every meal. He wrote it off to the fact that he was eating too fast - or maybe not chewing properly.
"My family doctor sent me to a local hospital for some testing," Jerry recalled.
"The doctors there were stumped. They weren't sure what was in my chest. They suggested I go to Fox Chase Cancer Center."
Doctors at Fox Chase diagnosed Jerry, who was 49 at the time, with a rare benign tumor on the wall of his esophagus. Surgery was the only option to remove the tumor.
"The first doctor I saw explained the surgery - which would involve a rather large incision, a week long hospital stay and 3 months out of work. I was discouraged because I couldn't risk losing another job. Then he told me about a new surgeon from Harvard that was joining the staff in 30 days," said Jerry.
"After my surgery, I was up walking around the same day. I felt fabulous."
Jerry and his surgeon, Dr. Lebenthal
Dr. Abraham Lebenthal specialized in minimally invasive surgery. Jerry decided it was worth the wait. Dr. Lebenthal performed the surgery laparoscopically through tiny incisions. According to Jerry, "After my surgery, I was up walking around the same day. I felt fabulous."
"Without a doubt, Dr. Lebenthal was worth the wait . . . and then some!"
Dr. Lebenthal explained, "Due to the location of the tumor, its type and that fact that it had not spread, I was able to perform a complete laparoscopic resection of the esophageal tumor without need for esophagectomy (esophageal resection)."
"A tiny video camera was inserted that allowed me to view the surgical field. My tools were inserted through 4 tiny incisions that minimized bleeding and scarring. I successfully removed the diseased part of the esophagus wall and there was no need for additional treatment. It is important to note that his was a rare type of esophageal tumor, and that the more common mucosal tumor generally requires esophagectomy."
Jerry only had to stay in the hospital for 3 nights.
"I couldn't believe how great I felt. I was back to work in a week which was really important to me."
"Everything at Fox Chase was amazing - the doctors, the nurses, the whole hospital. I would recommend it to anyone who has cancer," said Jerry.
Just 4 months after surgery, Jerry is back in the swing of things. He and his wife Dawn have 5 children age 14 to 23. Dawn said, "He has returned to restoring his Harley Davidson motorcycle and 1967 Cougar. He didn't let cancer stop him from living life."
Learn more about esophageal cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.