Hi all

All  my tests went well this week, suprised them  with the mycardial perfusion test  outdid their expectations. I don't have the final  results of the pet scan as yet but they tell that they are looking good so far. The surgery is planned for the 26 th of Janurary, still have an endoscopic ultrasound  to do next monday with the pre admission clinic and a surgical clinic on tuesday in Townsvillie. This weeks tests involved a  1 hr flight from Mackay to Townsville for the perfusion test followed by a 2 hr flight to Brisbane for the pet scan

Lot of travelling for tests but having a great time with all these new  experiences meeting a lot of dedicated people, actually looking forward to the surgery. Good healthy food, plenty of excercise and and a positive attitude.

Hope Crystal enjoyed her shopping today

Regards Lou

Hi to everyone

It’s quiet around here lately so I hope all is as well as it can be.

Hi Leisha

I’ve been thinking about you and Ed and just saw your post in the oesophageal group so I’m so pleased he’s not doing too badly.  It’s the waiting for results again isn’t it, so I’m keeping fingers crossed that the chemo will be doing its job.

Like you, I too have been thinking about Julie, so if you’re looking in Julie, our thoughts are with you and hoping that David and your mum are as well as they can be and that you are busy planning those dream trips for your bucket list.

In fact, I often think of everyone on this thread, especially recently Li’s father in law Gerald and Janet’s dad and gg, so I hope you’ll let us know how they are doing.  We’ve all come a long way together sharing the good and bad and supporting each other.

Hi Sharon

It’s so easy to let dark thoughts creep into your head after this illness and surgery.  Try to keep yourself busy with things that entertain the mind, but even then, if you’re like most of us were in recovery, your attention span will be very limited.  Mine still is annoyingly.  I do get completely enthralled in Nintendo games though Lol.  Anyway I hope you have a good day today.

Hi Lou

You are having quite a journey literally aren’t you with all that travelling around. I’m so pleased that all is looking good and that you have such a sunny and positive outlook.  Keep in touch and let us know the results of your scan.  Did I enjoy  Shopping, me?  I am the world’s expert shopper (along with all the other women in the world).  Did I get absolute bargains?  Yes!  Did I spend loads.  Yes!  Do I care?  Well if I’m honest, I did overdo it slightly this time.  But I’m worth it.

Love to All

Crystal xx

Hello everyone its been a few weeks since i was last on here.  Roy was rushed back into hospital on Thursday with a collapsed lung and things arent good for him at the moment.  They are just treating him with palliative care so we are taking one day at a time.  Its feels so scary because we have known for a while what will happen but i think part of you doesnt accept or believe it and even now ....   Its been such a rollercoaster few days.

I hope everyone on this thread is doing fine - Leisha and Ed hope things are going ok for you at the moment and the results are good , Li- hope Gerald is doing well and improving.  Crystal - you have a way with words -  no matter how you feel you always seem to boost me - thankyou for that.

To everyone take care and have a good weekend

Gill x

Hi Gill, thinking of you and sending you a hug , ((((((((((((((((((((((h)))))))))))))))))))))) love leisha xxx

To everyone I hope your weekend goes ok, at least the snow has eased. Roll on the sun to cheer us, xxxxx

Dear Leisha, Crystal and all the others who are following the thread.

PDT is obviously not an easy option - Jonathan is clearly in a lot of pain but has managed a soft-boiled egg and two tiny soldiers (as well as lots of Fortijuice.) The whole of the tumour site is obviously very sensitve.  I am now going to have to think of a new approach to food for at least the next few days. 

I' ll keep you posted as to how things develop. 

Thinking of all of you brave people - patients and carers.  

Grace. 

PS  Leisha: your post on 'Sofa' did make me laugh.  Thank you. 

Hi Gill

I hope that the doctors have managed to stabilise Roy’s condition and that he’s much more comfortable today.  It’s a very difficult time for you and especially for your daughters, but you are doing all you can in difficult circumstances and I’m absolutely sure that Roy is so glad of your caring support.  I hope that you yourself are finding support in those closest to you, and that you have time for yourself with your daughters.  Sometimes it’s important just to step back for a few moments, take a breather, take stock and have some time out.  In this way, you will feel more in control and less overwhelmed.  I hope you have a good day today Gill.  Take care. xx

Hi Leisha

Hoping Ed is feeling good today and that perhaps you’re up to going out somewhere (keep him away from DIY for a bit), although I’m sure he’s very capable and these things are just accidents which happen.  You take good care too.  You are always so supportive of everyone and have a lovely nature in spite of all that you are going through.  I hope the sunshine smiles on you today and gives you a warm hug. Xx

Hi Grace

Hi, ive not posted on this thread before but thought it  looked like the right place to get some advice.  Has anyone else had problems digesting ensures etc and found an alternative.  We have tried just about every nutrional supplement prescribed (even lactose free) and they all make my son feel terrible, abdo pain and sickness.  He's eating only very small amounts of 'normal' food and his white cell count is currently too high for him to have chemo so i'm desperately hoping to find a way of boosting his nutritional intake.

Best wishes, Zoe

Crystal - you are a brilliant.  Jonathan is sittling eating some spagetti hoops as I write this!  I have to say I am a bit of a food snob and sphagetti hoops would not have occured to me at all.  Fortunately, Jonathan isn't a food snob and he saw the sense of your suggestion immediately.   So thank you from us both.  

Oh - and we got some Ready Brek too.  

Dear Zoe

Your situation sounds desperate.  Can you let us know what you have tried in the way of food?  Soups, smoothies and so forth.  

I do know that before my husband's recent treatment, about the only thing he could manage was 'Fortijuice' -  not 'Fortisip' which he couldn't manage at all - and very thin soups.  Oh - and another Crystal suggestion - Tuc biscuits.  

 You also need to ask about getting the pain and nausea under better control otherwise it is a bit of a losing battle.  I would talk to your son's GP or your Mac nurse as soon as you can.  

I hope this is of some help.  I really sympathise with you - such a terrible situation and so awful watching someone you love with this illness. 

Have a look at the thread about diet and dietary issues - there may be some suggestions there.  

Best wishes, Grace.  

Hi Zoe

We haven’t spoken for ages and after doing a quick scan of your blogs to update myself I was so shocked to read about the outcome of the surgery. It is absolutely devastating that it should have spread like this in one so young, and my heart goes out to you and your poor son.  I’m sure the doctors are doing every single thing possible and once his sickness is stabilised hopefully he will start to recover his strength and enjoy a much better quality of life.

As you know, there are many things that can cause nausea and sickness in gastric cancer, not least any medication that your son might be on. 

From a dietary point of view he will obviously need nutrients to help build up weight and preserve muscle by increasing protein and calorie intake.  I sympathise completely with his inability to drink those Ensure shakes as they are absolutely revolting and when I took them they made me much worse than I was without them.  Just the thought of them and I became very ill.  So, it might be a good idea to visit your local health food shop such as Holland and Barrett and have a chat with them regarding protein powders.  There are different types depending upon food tolerance so there is a Whey protein powder, a Soya protein one and a Spirulina one as well.  These come in different flavours such as chocolate or strawberry.  Or you could mix a scoop with whole milk, and two tablespoons of organic coconut oil.  Always check with your doctors though before trying anything you are unsure about.  Also, homemade smoothies and soups fortified with flaxseed oil or peanut butter for protein and high calories.  Sometime, just dry crackers can help relieve sickness so that might be worth a try too. 

Anyway, rather than me rattling on, have a look at this link about a stomach cancer diet, which hopefully might offer some useful nutritional facts.

http://www.righthealth.com/topic/Stomach_Cancer_Diet/overview/adam20?fdid=Adamv2_002439

You’re welcome here any time and also in our oesophageal group where you will meet some lovely people.  Also there is a diet page there with some very high calorie recipes.

Stay in touch Zoe and take good care.

Love Crystal xx

Hi Grace

I know what you mean about not considering spaghetti hoops before.  It made me cry almost when I had to resort to them, but soon put a smile on my face when they slithered down easily Lol.  I’m glad Jonathan can manage those, he’s doing really well. xx