Hello
I have my last FLOT tomorrow, 4 in all, I have also have 2 rounds of Carbo and Etoposide. I have my CT scan on the 1st Feb as they plan is to operate so I have fingers and toes crossed they I will still be on this pathway.
The Flot has been tough as people say, the Oxy-legs were terrible!! the two week turn around has given me about 3 days of normality. I would like to thank those that offered side effect advice as it really helped me to be proactive with the Meds.
The change for me is from Oct to early December I was not able to eat food, shakes only. I am now eating normally, I have attempted spicy food, like a curry 
. I find I need to eat more often or I get like an empty discomfort, not sure what that's about? My sternum feels sore sometimes also? fingers crossed these are gastral related to the growth but I guess it must of shrunk as I can eat.
I am so looking forward to some weeks without Chemo but also apprehensive, it will be back to that waiting place, and this is it, which pathway? I wish I had not been told IT was high grade, this bit really sticks in my head!!
What lovely blue skies I have in the south at the moment, beautiful 
Hello Dean
My last post, well I was writing an update and fell asleep haha. It’s all good news for me, this time last week I was under the robots knife, today I am writing this from my lounge, I left hospital yesterday, 6 days after the Op, it’s all a bit of a daze really
.Thursday. Day 0, I had the robotic assisted oesophagectomy. On moving to the ICU I was given sips of water, the Op I believe took 7.5hrs.
Friday. Day 1. I was told I could sip water freely, told to use the Spiro ball x5 per hour and 3 deep coughs, as I had the epidural and no pain I took full advantage of this situ, I was told the epidural would be removed on the 4th day. It felt like every dept. In the hospital was visiting! Physio got me out of bed and walked me with my agreement up and down the ward.
Saturday, Day 2. Felt rough and tired today, out of bed in to chair only, refused the walk. Tubes removed from the neck PM, not please with the having to lay flat for 30 min! Asked for meds to get a better nights sleep.
Sunday. Day 3. Still on sips of water, and fortisips, bloods and sats good looking how they should. Went for a good walk, 150metres. Nose tube and Chest drain removed PM. 11pm moved from ICU to higher surgical care.
Monday Day 4. Sips of water, fortisips. X2 walks around the corridors, bit a mission with the tubes. Epidural turned of at 11am, let’s see what pain I get!! Discomfort, at R side, across chest and diaphragm area, given meds which help. Epidural taken out PM, I also had a blocker inserted which wasn’t used so that was removed as well.
Tuesday Day 5. Told I could now have puréed food. Not feeling hungry but it is medicine to heal! Good walk with the physio and a flight of stairs, Told the catheter can come out and the last cannula, whoop whoop. Told that all has gone so well, the surgeons are so chuffed with my progress that if my progress continues I can go home tomorrow. Felt a bit anxious with this news but was able to talk through this with the team. Food was ok, it is what it is, another step to healing and recovery. R- side is painful, discomfort when meds taken, discomfort with the breathing and coughing exercise.
Wed. Day 6. Told that I will be going home if bloods ok, day spent finalising bits, wounds checked, dressings changed or removed. Left the hospital at 4pm
It feels unbelievable, I don’t think it has truly sunk in yet what I and my body have been through.
just getting to grips with eating, I could so easily forget and just pick up that grape or banana!!
Dean, sorry for the lengthy post but wrote it out for myself to help ground me. Sorry to hear your Chemo was put back a week, frustrating for you I bet? build up to the last bit. Hope you have the same blue skies as me and get out and enjoy
thank you for keeping in touch and checking in with how I am.
Best wishes Jennie 
