Last Flot tomorrow, CT scan on the 1st Feb

Thanks Dean. I’m sure that getting through the three cycles should be good enough after your good pathology report. I certainly can’t, at the moment, envisage making it through four cycles myself and certainly not the full strength FLOT I had pre-surgery!! My body definitely couldn’t cope with that! I suppose the chemo has killed off whatever hair regrowth you’d been getting?

Hi Cool Blue

Yes think the chemo Is responsible for sure. My first post op chemo was at 70% and the second at 50% and I still felt terrible for 4 or 5 days. Still feel weak now and round 3 is in 3 days !!!. End of the day will have to go with whatever my oncologist says on April 18th.

Can't put any weight on but it is stabilising for now.

I know it's hard but hang in there my friend we will all get through this together 

Best wishes 

Dean

Hi Paul

Glad you are feeling better and celebrating with a roast. I was thinking of starting driving this weekend, mentally I feel ready. I have a meeting with Dr Bartlett, oncologist this Thursday, feels a bit daunting at the thought of starting Chemo again. How long after your Op did your start Paul? 
Do you take Multi vitamins? I get stomach upset after taking mine. I am going to ask for tests to see if I need them. 

Could do with some settled weather, fingers crossed sunshine for this weekend.

Take care Jennie

Hello Dean

Think I will have a turn round Asda car park before going on the road . It’s more the soreness that stops me, yes I must be patient, I loose track of time with not being at work.

Dean will be thinking of you tomorrow with your 3rd round, I hope it is not tougher than the other two.

Take care, you are nearly at the end and have come so far already.

Jennie

Hello Cool blue

Sorry to read that some days are tough but as Dean said you did have complications which would have knocked the stuffing out of anyone. 
I am not wanting to start Chemo yet, 8 weeks is only two weeks away, I don’t feel ready. I think Niki? Said on here somewhere she started at 12 weeks? I have a meeting with the Oncologist this Thursday so will listen to his thoughts. How did your meeting go? 

I take

Paracetamol 4 hourly to keep on top of any niggles/soreness 

Lansoprazole 30mg

Forceval, which I struggling with, bad stomach pains + 

I was signed of work for 8 weeks, I will see what the Dr has planned before I ask for an extension, I can work from home but at the same time I don’t want any work pressure if the Chemo takes it’s toll. I worked through the 6 rounds I had pre op, with the worst days off. What about you, do you work? 

Take care, blue skies for this weekend 

Jennie

Hi Jennie

Yes you do have to take it easy. So hard getting the confidence to drive again but it will get better.

Yes round 3 tomorrow so will see how that goes. End of the day just got to stay positive and tell myself I'm nearly there

Hope the soreness goes soon, take care

Best wishes 

Dean

Hi Jennie,

Like yourself, at the moment there is no way I could even think about starting chemo again in 2 weeks time. My body just couldn’t cope with that yet. I have a meeting with oncologist on 29th April so will see how I’m feeling then. Meetings today went fine. Dietician said to reduce my JEJ feed down from 1000ml (1500kcal) to 500ml (750kcal) to see if this improves my appetite. Consultant said that, in spite of how lousy I feel, I’m actually doing well considering the traumatic experience my body has been through. Just have to be patient with my recovery as it could take months or even years to get there. Fortunately I’m retired as there’s no way I would have been fit to work since I started treatment (I was a primary school teacher for 30 years). Haven’t tried driving yet. My car had to be scrapped last week as the chassis was rusted through so, once I’m feeling up to it, I’ll have to hit the garage forecourts. Were you never prescribed Pregabalin then? I’ve reduced my Zomorph to wean myself off that. I’m not keen on the Forceval either and am trying to get the Lansoprasol that isn’t orodispersible. I’ve never had as much medication in my life!! Keep well and let me know how you get on at your oncology meeting. CB

Hello Jennie,

my post op chemo started 12.5 weeks after the op. Christmas and New Year got in the way.

I take multi vitamins and have been told will be for life. Currently using Boots kids liquid although soon be tablets.

Sunny today but so windy. Floods in Old Portsmouth last night.

bw Paul

Hoping all goes well tomorrow  best wishes 

Vonn 

Hi CB

No I wasn’t prescribed Pregabalin, I have looked it up to see what it is, in all likelihood it is probably because my Op was minimally invasive as robotic, I had 15 small (1 to 1.5inc) incisions and 1 4inch where they take the stomach/oesophagus and tumour bits out, all, apart from 2 were glued. So on the outside I have healed well, my ribs and right side get sore and uncomfortable.

You are so right, we are only just coming up to 6wks post Op. The consultants and the splash group I attend said the 1yr is the hardest, not just the fatigue, discomfort, Chemo, but the mental recovery, the food journey being huge. 

Hope the reduction of your feed helps with your eating, I have not felt hungry, not sure if that will return, I do get a feeling of fullness now. 

I will let you know what the Dr has to say Thursday 

BW Jennie