Treatment

I'm sorry to hear of dad's condition. You need to ask your oncologist or surgeon. Advice on here would be impossible without being aware of other conditions and none of us are medically trained. We too are sufferers and carers looking for answers.

I really would urge you to go back to those who are professionally trained and in a position to answer you. Maybe call the rapid response line or his cancer nurse team. 

All the best to you all.

Geo 

Thank you, just dad keeps saying why !! I've told him everyone's different. TBH he's so scared of the operation . Thanks again Geo.

I had the op on Feb 22. 54 yrs old stage 4, 7 out of 71 lymph nodes were found to be infected, 12cm tumour down to 7cm after the chemo. I didn't want the op either, I tried to find ways to avoid it - proton beam therapy, other chemo etc but the date came and I had the op instead after finding no other alternatives. FrankIy, I'm now glad I did.

Whilst it's not pleasant, it wasn't as bad as I feared. Obviously it might be worse depending on age. I was discharged around a week after the op with no complications. Mine was fully robotic with davinci which I believe made the difference in recovery.

The goal is to survive and get rid of the cancer as much as possible - I'd throw every reasonable option at it. However if I were NED after chemo and before op my attitude might be different.

Good luck, whatever you guys decide, but I'm my experience the op isn't as scary as it sounds.

Thank you so much that's so reassuring. Hope you are well. Can I ask how long was it before you were back to a normal diet. Dad loves his food at the moment he's on shakes and soup. 

I was a bit naughty. I was on jelly and ice cream on second day after op. No leaks. Before discharge I was on pureed food in hospital with no problems.

About 5-7 days after discharge I was cooking burgers for the kids, the girl left half of hers and before I realised this might not be the best move I'd scoffed it. No problems. I gradually introduced other foods from then. I didn't go by the schedule prescribed. Again I think this fast recovery is down to the fully robotic surgery. My main issue encountered have been portion size and dumping syndrome - getting used to which foods and amount which cause that is ongoing.

That is amazing!!!. Thank you so much we really appreciate it.