Treatment Decision

Sorry Beverley it’s one that is fitted into the small intestine and you have a pump that puts the food in overnight ! 

I see. I hadn’t thought about them not managing to get it down! Did you have to go into theatre for that?

Yes I had it fitted when they did my laparoscopy but my  tumour is in the bottom of my oesophagus on top of my stomach goj joint is yours a bit higher ? So should be fine 

Hi Travelhappy

I had a nasogastric tube for about 6 weeks. I played with the pump until I found out the maximum rate I could tolerate at night whilst asleep. This allowed me to disconnect from the pump for the maximum time during the day and thus allowed freedom of movement. Flushing the line is very important as the tube is small diameter and can block although this unusual. The tube in my throat was surprisingly comfortable. I thought it would be awful but I barely noticed it. Of course the bits of sticking tape around the nose are an irritation. 

I know you are concerned with the hair loss during chemo and of course this is far more concerning for a lady than a male such as myself. I had the same chem/radiotherapy as you are having but fortunately had no hair loss whatsoever so I guess it varies from person to person. The effect of radiotherapy was at its worse at the completion of the course but the discomfort went away after about 2 weeks.  

It must be comforting that your team are putting you down the surgical route although it is of course daunting. I am sure you will be well looked after. I found the post op. care was fantastic. I would certainly not suggest looking at it pre.op but the whole procedure is available on BBC iplayer and you might want to see it afterwards as an education as to what has changed within your body.

All my best wishes to you for the operation and do try and not get too worried by the thought of it. There are a lot of us on this site who have been though it and can help you with managing the after effects. 

Thank you Anglers for all the information about what is ahead. I am surprising my family as I find myself feeling reasonably pragmatic about what is ahead. At the moment I am focusing on the chemo/radiotherapy ( and of course tomorrow’s nasogastric tube), and find just getting the information around what is involved is enough to keep me grounded. To be honest I have barely thought about the operation itself since it was decided as the preferred treatment option.  It seems so far ahead, I also think it helps to focus on the immediate issues, otherwise I can see myself getting overwhelmed by it all.

This forum has been great in that it shows everyone has very different experiences when dealing with this horrible cancer and that helps me remain positive that there can be a positive outcome for me.

Thank you once again, and thank you to everyone who contributes to this forum.

Morning Beverley 

hope all goes well today I will be thinking of you ! 

Sending hugs 

Tricia x

yes keep us updated, have my ct pet scan 8am tomorrow, month after chemo/radiotherapy finished (diag T2 N0 M0) praying nothing has changed,  then 30th appointment with the surgeon, to discuss the results, with pre op 6th, jan then 8th surgery pencilled in. and again thank you for the honest posts about what to expect, x

not worried about having the scan tomorrow, just the results, like a lot of posts what a different xmas and new year to last year, was mid breast cancer chemo but still eating.

sending love and hugs especially to those we no longer see posting on here, will see what the churchill oncologist says on 30th with pet scan results, meanwhile hubs due his hernia op 3rd jan, so 2 weeks of not doing much, what a pair we will make.

what ever you are all doing for xmas and new year, thinking of you and thank you for all the support and posts that keep this family going as well as myself, think the next phase is going to be a bit tough xx

jules

Good luck tomorrow Jules, the waiting for results is always challenging. 
So my nasogastric tube was inserted today I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t have to do that again.  I am finding the tube more uncomfortable than I had hoped for but I am hoping I will get used to it. I had the training on the pump this afternoon and I have just attached my first feed under the supervision of a nurse. I think I passed the test!  Fingers crossed all goes well and I get home tomorrow.

Beverley

Bless you hope all goes well with the CT PET scan and hubby’s operation at least you have a date for the results which is good rather than going into the new year not knowing 

have as good a Christmas as possible sending hugs 

Tricia x 

Glad all went well with the tube fitting ! Hope you manage to get some sleep how long do you have to have the pump on for ?

sending hugs Tricia