Post surgery chemo.

Hi although not for the same reasons my husband also did not have the second round of chemotherapy.  Because he was unwell after the operation he was only well enough when he was 11 weeks post surgery.  The consultant said that after the mdt discussed his case it was decided that chemotherapy only did its job up to 12 weeks post surgery.   He also still had side effects.   Mainly taste,  numbness in hands and feet.  They said that chemotherapy would only result in the issues getting worse.  He again had to make the decision.   Decided the risks were not worth it.  He had his operation in may rhis year.  So only time will tell. Good luck 

Many thanks for the response Dinard  much appreciated

Hi Dinard

I am new on the forum and just read your posts.  I was wondering how your husband is now, regarding his swallowing food?  Really hope he is improving.  My husband is just about to start his journey.  He is due to have his operation in a couple of weeks.  This will take place at Preston.  Very worried.

Denise

Hi Ami, I am 3 weeks post op and have been told that I am now cancer free. 17 nodes removed only 3 affected, tumour cut out to healthy tissue. I have been told that precautionary chemo sessions are the norm and I MUST go through with it. I am confused as the pre op chemo did not affect the tumour and was stopped after the 3rd session. I had a terrible time during this 1st session, constipation, nausea, numbness, depression and really do not want to go through it again. My surgeon has told me it is belt and braces and suggest that I may have a different strain of cancer that could come back and this chemo session may prevent it. I am not sure whether I go ahead but feel that I am being frightened into going through with it. Hope this helps and any thoughts appreciated, Bill

Hi Aml, 3 weeks post op, 3 of 17 nodes affected, clear margins and surgeon tells me that I am now cancer free but insist on post op chemo. Very confused as post op chemo was stopped after 3rd session as it had no affect on the tumour. I also had bad reactions to the chemo, constipation, nausea, depression and numbness. Really don't want to go through it again but I have been told I MUST purely for precaution. 

Hi BillDem4.

Good results from your biopsies, well done so far. My original post,support by my own research and conversations with my oncologist suggest research into post operative chemo is in its infancy. (There are a number of Japanese' and Scandinavian research articles online). She told me that it is offered post surgery where a positive response in pre surgery showed good results? More along the lines of " it may help but won't do any harm".

In my case she was very concerned that the ongoing neuropathy and  overall problems I encountered with chemo presented more of a risk than any POTENTIAL benefits of further chemo. This being so, even with my very positive response to pre surgery chemo..

Obviously like everything on our journey the decisions have to be ours. As such, I like you felt under informed and somewhat brow beaten.. 

You say it was your surgeon told you. Have you discussed this with the oncologist? Sad but true, through my journey I have realised that asking the same questions to different medical people often gets different responses Also he/she may be able to discuss reduced dosages of chemo to offset some of the extreme side effects you encounter first time round. whilst not an option for me, may influence your final decision.

Wishing you the best of everything..

Hi Dennis  sorry I missed this post.  In may of this year my husband came through the operation ok and recovered quite well.  His problems started 2 weeks after the operation where the stricture in his gullet closed up to a pin hole.  So since then has had 7 dialations plus a stent fitted for 5 weeks.   Then they removed that.   So last Friday the 9th December had yet another dialation.   So fingers crossed this one works.  After the dialations and stent it's about 2 weeks before hus gullet closes up again to the point where food does not go down.  So then relies on his feeding tube.  He has become pretty despondent.   It seems a long time where life was normal.   Its also really hard to keep telling yourself that he is lucky.  At least he is cancer free.  Well as much as anyone can be.  So he is up and down.  Trying to be positive. And dreaming of eating his xmas dinner with the family.   Take care.  Hope all has gone well x

Hi Aml, thank you so much for your reply. I never spoken with my oncologist throughout treatment. I had 1, 5 minute meeting with him before the 1st round off chemo which was him telling me the dates and where the treatment would be performed. His only other advise was to avoid having a feeding tube put in as it affects the chemo. Since that date, back in July of this year, I have not been able to speak with him although I have constantly asked the Senior McMillan Nurse for contact. She always responds with,"I have emailed him and not received a reply." I am terrified as it was after the 1st session of chemo that my throat closed up and after a month of trying to get any type of advise from him, was rushed into hospital with malnutrition and dehydration. I later had a feeding tube put in. I nearly wasted away, loosing 5 stone in that time. I cannot afford to loose any weight this time round. I have an appointment with him on the 11th of January and expect the same treatment this time round. Kind Regards, Bill