Life after Chemo

Hello.

I have no idea about life after chemo but my husband's weight started to pick up, along with his appetite from the 2nd cycle of his treatment. He's part way through his 5th cycle. Which palliative chemo is your husband having?

Kindest wishes,

Lorraine

He’s having capox.and immunotherapy. So glad to hear your husbands weight began to pick up. I hope that happens to my husband too. His third cycle is in just over a weeks time. Thanks for your help it has made me feel happier today. 
Kind wishes. 
Jean. X 

Hi Jean,

My husband finished 6 cycles of capox in July, he has lost over 5 stone in weight, he had a rough time with chemo 1, 5 and 6, he then had 10 sessions of radiotherapy due to the oesophagus tumour pressing on a nerve in his back, he has good and bad days, takes oramorph and slow release morphine tablets for the pain, his quality of life did improve for a time but he still gets very tired easy and he will never be the same man he was before diagnosis. He wasn't suitable for immunotherapy.

But the positives are he is swallowing food again at the moment after being on a liquid diet and he is still here and still fighting.

We are coming up to a year in December since diagnosis and what a year it has been.

Love to all on this horrendous journey.

All the best

Angie x

Thanks for responding Angie. I have no way to know how to walk along this path that is called ‘a journey.’  I was feeling so isolated yesterday and you have reached out with support, which is really comforting and I thank you. Eating is such an underestimated pleasure in life that we share with friends and family and this has now become something that is no longer the pleasure it was in our family life. We try our best, but I can’t say it’s easy. My husband has had a stent fitted and that has helped, as he was on a liquid diet prior to that. It heartens me to hear that your husband is still fighting a year down the line. We only got our diagnosis 2 months ago and the decline has been so devastatingly fast. You must be an amazing carer for your husband. Well done you!!! I wasn’t sure, when I joined this forum yesterday, that it would be any help, but you have already made a difference for me, so thank you. You have helped to lift me in a low moment. You are further down the road than me and I send you my heart felt strength for the future. Thank you Angie!

Hi Jean,

I don't think any of us know how to walk along this path, it is heart destroying and we have to take each day and challenge has it comes.

We always liked to go out for family meals and that it is no longer possible, life changes in the blink of a eye.

My husband is 57, how old is yours?

This forum has been amazing for helping me this last year and I have made many friends. I had been quiet for a few weeks but was always checking in, a few people I had met haven't made it and sometimes the sadness of it all hits you

We have to be strong for our men and stay positive.

Keep your chin up we are doing well.

Angie xx

My husband is 67. 
Initially I found all the sadness on this forum too much to taken on board. But I’m getting used to the shock of the initial diagnosis and trying to find coping mechanisms. This forum is helping me at the moment and I hope it is helping you too.  One day at a time seems to be the best advice. I wake up each day and take it on. I don’t think looking too far into the future will help. So I am cherishing each day. Keep your chin up too. 
Jean.