New Diagnosis questions

  • 2 replies
  • 55 subscribers
  • 94 views

Hi all, I have unfortunately been diagnosed after an endoscopy found a 3cm tumour, located 32cm depth. I am currently awaiting a treatment plan which I am expecting it to be chemo followed by an operation. Pain has been an issue and eating is sore but I'm getting better pain relieve meds.

They found this tumour on 27th March, my birthday, so not the best day. I am 54 year old male with no other issues except a bit of early type 2 diabetes. I'm 107kg and 6ft1. Lost a stone so far as I want to get fit and stronger for the operation.

I was wondering what experience folk had with a similar diagnosis and any advice you could give on pain / eating better, what to expect under chemo etc. I don't know why but I get more back pain now than anything.

Bless you all 

  • Hi there Knight,

    My hair stood on end reading your post as my tumour was also diagnosed just five days prior to my birthday.....the 27th of March!! Mine was last year though, I was 59 at the time and literally in the best shape of my life.

    I'm sitting here writing this 14 months later having gone through 8 rounds of FLOT chemotherapy (four pre and four post surgery). My advice? By all means get as fit as possible as this will help enormously with coping with the side effects of the chemo (which can be brutal btw) it will also aid recovery from the operation which again is a biggie.

    Prioritise fitness over weight because any extra pounds soon disappear either during chemo (loss of taste and appetite) or after the operation (much reduced ability to eat and more loss of hunger) and made worse by post op chemo. I was around 14-15st before all this mullarkey and am now hovering around 10-10.5st.

    If you have anything you want to ask just do as there will be someone who's been there and bought the t-shirt! Wishing you all the very best on your journey. Btw I'm loving your username, very Pythonesque!

    Anthony 

    1. Hi there. BBob has pretty much summed everything up. We are here to support you on your journey. You are at the worst stage awaiting diagnosis and from then on your treatment route which can vary from case to case. Try and keep fit and eat as best you can to maintain your weight. Effects of chemo and radiotherapy on individuals vary enormously as does the treatment. Your diagnosis does seem to be a little slow so I would suggest being a bit proactive with the hospital rather than waiting for them to contact you  but then again I am a bit on the pushy side with such things. Come back to us when you have more information and those who have trod the same route will be able to advise better. Hope all goes well.