Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Hi Mick
No, it’s most definitely dumping syndrome, and in the opinion of my Mac nurse who has seen me have it, one of the worst cases she’s seen. It’s not just specific food that causes it, it’s all food every time I eat, although some food is worse than others, such as chocolate which I try to avoid, except I have cravings for it LOL. It generally happens about 30 mins after eating so it’s called late dumping, as opposed to early dumping which happens immediately after eating. I’ve tried varying the diet, cutting out dairy etc, but that doesn’t work. The sweats are particularly bad, together with the total energy drain. I saw my consultant a while ago and he said it’s something I may have to live with and he quipped that it’s better than having cancer (he has a warped sense of humour, but he’s very nice). Or it could just stop one day. Like I said, the cereal bars are the only things, strangely, that don’t give me a problem. I’m in touch with a woman that had the surgery over 5 years ago and she had dumping for most of that time, until one day, she realised she didn’t have it any more. Also, oddly, she too found that cereal bars were the only things that didn’t cause the symptoms! Anyway, I cope with it and it’s not upsetting my life too much except I can’t go out to dinner.

I’ll be thinking of you today tucking into your roast beef and Yorkshire pudding LOL. By the way, do you get Staffordshire oatcakes in your neck of the woods? I love them and can’t get them here. Growing up in Staffs gave me a taste for them and there is nothing better than oatcakes with bacon and eggs.

Take care Mick
Love Crystal xx

Hi Moomy
Thanks for the message. I've posted a message to Snowdog on the 'New' thread and requested him as a friend.
Love Crystal xx

Hi Rumbler
Thanks for your kind comments and you are very welcome here. Just feel free to ask anything you want to know and someone will try to help or point you in the right direction. Otherwise, just feel free to chat or help others that drop in from time to time.
I can understand why you’ve elected not to have post surgery chemo as obviously if the cancer returns it would mean more chemo anyway. It’s also very difficult to gauge if further chemo is actually beneficial, and as far as I know, there is no exact proof that it is. I mentioned it before because in the UK I think it’s automatically assumed that more chemo would be given if lymph nodes were found to be affected. I could be wrong, so if anyone knows otherwise, please let us know. Anyway, as you say – ‘make hay…’ LOL.

How are you feeling now? What would you say the main difficulty is with your recovery (apart from impatience Lol?) It seems as though you’re doing really well, especially as it’s only a couple of months since your surgery and you’re already able to sit with your computer and send messages. It’s really good. Initially, although I was recovering well, I had to sleep a great part of the day and night, so it took me several months to just get enough energy together before I could even consider doing much at all.

I was reading your profile and couldn’t help smiling at your favourite quotes. I think they show that you’re a sunny and positive person. Also, you live in a beautiful part of the world and one day I intend to visit New Zealand with my husband. Is it 12 hours ahead of the UK?

I too keep a board in our little office with my favourite quotes so here are some examples:

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

If life offers you lemons, make lemonade

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

You’ll more than likely meet Brumigem (Mick) here too, who is an inspiration to us all, and a good, fun bloke too. (This isn't a quote by the way, although I guess it could be ROFL )

Hope to hear from you soon
Love Crystal xx
Hi Mick xx
Now I’ve said all these nice things about you can I have my commission now? Hope all is ok with you as I’m still wondering if they sell oatcakes in Brum.

Hi Jane xx
How are you and is Nick doing ok still? How is his diet going? I know this can be a very difficult problem, especially at first. You mentioned about going back to school this Wednesday? so let us know how that goes too.

Hi Woody xx
How are you doing with the chemo now? I hope all is going well.

To anyone I’ve missed, hugs and hope you’re all having a good day.
Love Crystal xx

Hi Crystal,

Thanks for the fast response, sounds as though my main problem is definitely impatience. I was pretty fit and active prior to the chemo and surgery and did a fair bit of walking and I find it hard to not be able to do things. You're right I do get very tired and nod off quite unexpectedly but now I know this is par for the course I will lay back and enjoy it!
I am having quite severe pain in my rib cage (they managed to crack a few ribs during the surgery) and also find my back muscles ache after doing any sort of lifting or repetitve action so have booked in for some physio on thurs. to see if that will help.Will let you know.
But as you say it is not long after the op. and time is probably the best healer.

Yes we are 12hrs ahead of the UK - 13hrs at present due to our daylight saving time. In fact we are ahead of most of the rest of the world (in more ways than just time).
Time for more haymaking.

Hello NettyR

You've come to the right site for help and support. Both crystal and Mick have given me and my wife Lynn good advice and support.
I had my op, Ivor Lewis, in Sept 2008. The only trouble I've had since was a couple of small infections in my scar. My main thing to do, aswell as keeping an eye on Lynn is to get eating properly again. At the moment it's eat little and often. The bit I liked was being told by the doctors to eat what is normally bad for people, fats etc to help build me up. So I have things like egg and bacon, burgers and plenty of milk. They prescribed ProvideXtra for me to drink, it's not too bad flavour wise but it makes your tongue curl up. I've just tried the tomato juice well, it was horrible so I'll be sticking to the other flavours. Well I hope your op goes as well as mine and I'll be thinking of you on the18th.
All the best
Alan