Ivor Lewis surgery and home within a week.

Great News!
Well done Rob, and well done you too. You sound surprisingly with it, all things considered.

So what to feed him? Whatever he wants! Obviously you will be thinking of high calorie foods, but if he’s got a feeding tube that’s not too much of a concern at this stage. I remember I wanted tasty food, so baby food wouldn’t have been my choice! Any soft food, like shepherds pie, lasagne, Mexican food, anything with sauce or gravy! Macaroni cheese! Pancakes! Rice pudding! Banana & custard. Be careful of too much simple carbohydrates as he may experience late dumping syndrome an hour or more after a meal... which is easily treated with four jelly babies. Early dumping... just rest for 20-30 minutes and it’s gone.

Keep the portions small. He may not have much of an appetite as his guts are receiving all sorts of strange signals, so small flavoursome meals.

So pleased for you both. I do hope the recovery continues smoothly and the covid test comes back negative.

Hi Judy,and Rob well done Rob for the super fast recovery. Judy I had to inject myself and I hated it, the nurse showed me in hospital how to do it, my wife just couldn't bare to do it. Porridge oats and scrambled eggs  were on my menu and anything made with minced beef because it was easy to swallow. The occasional ready meals like Carbonara and as Brent said macaroni. Brent also mentioned about the simple carbohydrates, seemingly they are converted into sugars quickly and can cause early food dumping syndrome. Which for me caused bloating, nausea and a feeling that I was going to faint, usually I would go lie propped up in bed and break wind on several occasions. It could last up to an hour and was often followed by late dumping which is to me basically a sugar crash, sweating profusely a feeling of weakness and confusion. For Brent the jelly babies sorted it for me it was some chocolate.  It's a bit trial and error on the diet and Rob might not get dumping syndrome at all. Don't worry about the Corona virus, stress releases chemicals and hormones which can suppress the immune system. Good luck with the new eating regime kind regards Frank.

Good morning Judy, oh my goodness, I’m so so pleased for you both, rob sounds like he’s doing amazing. Your story sounds just like I’m hoping for myself when the time comes, fingers crossed!  Lots of love to you both and I’m over the moon everything has gone according to plan for you both. Lots of love Jayne xx

Hi Jayne

ive had lots of advice on here from some amazing people who have had the op. The one thing Rob believes is keeping fit. We listened to advice so Rob did some weights and used an exercise bike and went on lots of walks with the dogs. I’m not an expert but I totally agree with getting fit before the operation. Keep us posted with your journey please. 
Judy xx

Hi Brent 

thank you so much for your advice. Robs face lit up when he saw your message on what he could try to eat.  I will definitely keep some jelly babies and chocolate in the cupboard incase of dumping. 
I don’t think I will bother with the baby food. 
I really can’t thank you enough for helping us get through this. I know I’ve sounded extremely desperate at times and I apologise for that. 
I appreciate he still has a long journey ahead of him with chemo and the ongoing testing. I’d like to find out about the nodes and staging when we see the surgeon next. 
Judy xxx

Hi Frank

Rob is happy that he could try these other foods. I think I’ll bin the baby food!  We will try and avoid the dumping as it sounds awful. 
Im just glad to have him home. I know he has a long way to go. 
Rob said he had the best nights sleep at home last night. He found the hospital beds very uncomfortable because he had a back accident a few years ago. But he had a full nights sleep which is fantastic.  
You have helped us through this nightmare and again I’d like to thank you for your support and having to put up with my desperate messages. It’s hard enough with the operation but it was the corona virus that just finished us off. But he’s home now and the recovery can begin. 
Thank you Frank. 
Judy xxxx

Hi Judy

Just wanted to send my very best wishes to you both, good to see you are writing everything down, I was also daunted by the amount of meds, and tube feeding etc  For the first few weeks following my husbands op I had checklists everywhere, I recorded everything he ate and everything he drank, lists of med times etc, it was the only way I could be sure I was getting everything done. I also noted any new aches pains etc to see if a pattern was emerging, but, here we are, 5 months post-op and doing well.

Good luck and my very best wishes X

Oh thank you for replying. I think it’s the only way I will cope with it writing it down. It is very daunting. How on earth do nurses cope?  It sounds like it worked for you so I will definitely continue making notes and writing everything down.  What a journey! 
xxxx

That's Brilliant news Judy , well done Rob.

Great to hear another positive story on here !

Take it easy - you have a great crowd and great advice from the forum. The only thing I can add regarding diet is to use a handblender to have whatever you fancy/anyone else is having , no need for babyfood

My wife kept a food diary of what I had everyday just in case something didn't agree with me.

Very best wishes on a speedy recovery  

Hi Judy, I totally agree, there’s some lovely positive people on here isn’t there. That’s what’s been keeping me going really and yes 100% what you’re saying re fitness, it’s obviously done Rob the world of good. Luckily my hubby and I have 4 horses at home so I’ve been riding every day, in fact, have ridden and looked after the horses, apart from some help with the mucking out, all the way thru my chemo, I think it’s kept me sane as well as fit!  I’ve gone back to biking every day now too to try and build up a bit more fitness, especially in my lungs etc in readiness for surgery. How long did Rob’s surgery take in the end if you don’t mind me asking?  I’ve been told to expect possibly 10 hours but apparently my surgeon has them down to a fine art now and is considered one of the quicker ones at the job lol !! I just wish I had a date. I’m just over 4 weeks post chemo and am in touch with James cook on a weekly basis and they are still hoping to do it within the 6 weeks post chemo target but just have to wait and see I suppose. Anyway love to you both and Rob, keep up the good work. Lots of love Jayne xxx