Happy to share my Chemo and surgery journey

Good to hear .

Hi Stew,

My hubby Alan is being treated in City Hospital, he was to have 4 sessions of FLOT chemotherapy, then his operation was to be on 4th May, then 4 more sessions of FLOT following.  Due to the situation at present his operation has been postponed and he is getting 2 extra sessions of chemo and everyone is hoping that by the time June arrives his operation will then be able to go ahead.  We are, of course worried about the op as it is major surgery.  Any information you can give us would be great, such as how long you were in intensive care, how long in hospital, how long feeding tube in etc.  Have you had follow up scans to see if all good?  Alan's surgery will be performed by Mr. Harris. 

As I said, any info would be good. 

I hope you are keeping well and staying safe.

Thanks

Jayne

Hi Jayne 

I'm pretty much the same as Stew timing wise, I had 4 lots of FLOT chemo the operation in December then 4 more lots of chemo. My operation lasted about 9hours I woke up in ITU with tubes coming out of my body in different places. These were taken out one by one as I started to recover. They got me up and walking the next day, only around the bay for a start then around the ward. It was tiring but the encouragement was fantastic. I was in ITU for I think 10 days but that was because I got an infection which was treated straight away, it just put me back a bit. I went in on December 5 and was home by the17 ready for Christmas. I can't say it was the best time of my life but it certainly saved it. I'm like Stew recovering well and ready to go back to work asap. The second lot of chemo was harder than the first but it's the last bit so just get through it. I hope all goes just as well for your husband as it did for me. If you need to know anything just let me know. Mickd31 

Thanks Mick, it's very encouraging reading all these success stories.  we are still waiting for a date for the op, Alan has just had his 6th flot so we are hoping to hear within the next couple of weeks that he has a date, as we feel it's important to have the chemo afterwards.  It's very frustrating to keep being put off but I suppose it's better than contracting covid!  Glad you're well on the road to a full recovery.

Jayne

Mickd31

ive has 3 cycles now, with the next due next week. Surgery planned for end June... post operation how long before they took out the feeding tube and started you on food? Did you lose lots of weight post surgery.. any tips? I’m 50 yrs old and tbh proper crapping myself for surgery.. 

Hi Nicko 

My feeding tube is coming out this Friday, I was eating  sponge and custard and other soft foods before I left hospital. I was started on water and juice as soon as I could after surgery, this was in ITU. They try to get you back to as near normal as possible as soon as possible. But it's all done at your pace. Everything is done to suit you. I did loose weight after surgery but that was down to me not wanting to eat. Thankfully I have a brilliant nutritionalist who really told me off and kick started me into eating. The tube was only used over night just for a boost. I have been having everything that's bad for me, Jersey cream milk on my breakfast and in my tea and coffee, small cheesecake pots, small trifles, anything I can eat all along side meals. You will need to work out what you can eat because everyone is different in what their body can take. Please don't worry about surgery, my way was to put all my faith in the surgeon and his team to get me through. When you wake up in ITU you are in the best part of the hospital, you will be really well looked after. You will have pain management of some kind, mine was oral others around had an epidural. You will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible, walking a bit further every day. After that it's the slow process of recovery. Everyone reacts differently to every step,it's by no means easy, there were times I didn't know what to do with myself but family friends and the staff in ITU got me through. I guarantee you in a few months time when you are posting how your time was you will wonder where the time went. Most importantly you have to stay positive and exercise as much as you can. 

Hope this was helpful, if you need to know anything else just let me know. All the best. Mick

Thanks Mick

appreciate your support on this... tough times ahead but everyone I speak too says to me that the more you put in the better you will recover! That’s the aim.. and thanks for your support, and good luck on your onward journey

Nick

A year on and I am doing well, back to work and involved in OG Cancer NI a great local charity check us out 

Hi Stew, 

Thank you so much for bringing your previous posts back to the front again, great news about your results, I am sure you will be a great support to so many of the newer members here. 

May you continue to go from strength to strength....  

I have had a quick look at OG Cancer NI which has a wealth of information, well done, looks like a great charity.

Lowe'

Hi Jayne 

My Dad also is being treated in BCH he’s also having 4 sessions of FLOT (he is half way through these, they had to defer cycle 3 as he was so unwell and had to be admitted for nausea) cycle 3 is now due this Thursday all being well.  as far as we know he will rest for 4-5weeks when finishing this and then for surgery also expected May time followed by 4 more sessions of FLOT. Like you with everything else going on in the world we’re apprehensive and worry daily that everything will go to plan. We’ve been told dads cancer is lower down in his stomach so he should not require a feeding tube apparently. I’m so worried about the surgery and can’t help but overthink it all. It’s really reassuring to read these positive stories from those who have experienced the same