First chemo last week

Hi Ryss and welcome to our little safe corner of the community,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing some of your journey with us, I am sorry to read that you have started to struggle with eating since having the chemotherapy for a stage 3 lower oesophagus tumour. 

As I think you may already know, everyone reacts differently to treatment, so it is hard to give a definite answer as to whether the struggle you experience will continue or ease off, but I hope that you will find that it improves. 

It is good news to read that after a few more chemo sessions, keyhole surgery should be possible, you don't mention at this stage whether there has been any suggestion of a stent being fitted, although I imagine that with possible surgery soon, they may wish to delay providing one for as long as possible. The nutritional drinks are sometimes very sweet, if possible could you consider making your own high in anti-oxidant smoothies, my husband and I rave about these and we are pretty convinced that this is what has helped him to continue on his journey with a fair amount of success. Our Blog will tell you his experience to date and hopefully give you some nutrition ideas. We really do throw everything at the blender and also add super green powder, which can be bought from most supermarkets. 

We also learnt in the beginning that he had to chew the smoothie to begin with, this ensured that he alerts his gut to the fact that it is food that is coming and will need to be broken down further. 

managing food with OC is a big challenge, and I hope that over the coming days you will feel slightly better.. how regularly are you having the chemo?

Lowe'

 Chemo every 2 weeks side affects  so far constipation took laxatives very tired sore throat 

Thank you for coming back to me, please if you can try the smoothies, they will (in my opinion) help with the constipation and ease the throat. Honey is also great for sore throats, it is a natural antiseptic. 

I hope things improve for you Ryss, here if you need a chat.

Lowe'

hi spoke with care team and doctor still struggling to hold nutrition drinks down they are fitting feeding tube asap and will put 2nd chemo back so i can build strenght back up not fitting stent doctor said as may complicate op all views on feeding tubes welcome thanks ryss

Hi there!

I suffered from constipation after chemo.

Which chemo regime are you on? I had FLOT. 

My husband and kids would make fruit smoothies blended with ice to help me try and avoid constipation. I couldn't drink water as the tastebuds had gone wonky and it tasted rank. I also used to suck million sweets as well to help change the taste in my mouth. I wouldn't eat either but the hospital wasn't too worried as long as the fluid intake was ok.

I even tried eating prunes too. I was told to increase water intake after chemo as it would quickly flush out the chemicals from the body. I would also drink laxido too.

I can't quite remember what worked but I got away with not suffering too bad with constipation. Everyone is different so try different options so presevere.

Don't worry about chemo being delayed as its better to build your strength up so that you can tolerate the next set of chemo. 

Keep your chin up and stay positive. You will be surprised how much you can take and deal with especiallywhen face with OC. You will overcome it.

Wishing you well in the future. 

Rf2k18

hi there my chemo is flot managing to sip 1 or 2 nutrition drinks a day and water or squash took laxatives 4 days ago so bowels ok waiting hear about feeding tube .thanks for youre reply keeps me positive . ryss

Hi ryss here had to go into hospital for a week got ill and weak ,but ok now and had feeding tube fitted also eating soft blended foods ,second chemo had to put back 23 march ,so hope i get through chemo ok all replys welcome .ryss

Hi Ryss

Sorry to hear that you had to spend some time in hospital, but glad that you are home now and are able to eat soft blended foods due to the insertion of the feeding tube.

How are you feeling? I hope you are recovering well and the chemo continues as planned for the 23rd

Thinking of you

Lowe'

Hi feeling good and positive stay in hospital helped me to get my mindset focused on positive thoughts on getting this oc cured ryss

Hi there!

Keep that positivity up . It really helps. Don't worry about the chemo being delayed. The set back allows you to be in a better position to fight the side effects of the chemo. 

I would take each appointment and chemo session as a battle to be overcome and once it was over it was a matter of getting ready for the next hurdle.

Before you know it - it will be all over soon. 

Keep at it and you will succeed.

Rooting for you all through this process.

Regards 

Rf2k18