Flot

Hi Stalis

Dealing with your husband's mood swings must be very difficult for you especially as it's out of character for him.

I don't have any advice but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet so thought I'd suggest that you might benefit from joining and posting this message in the carers only group which is a safe and supportive place to share your emotions and worries with others who are caring for someone with cancer. If this is something that you'd like to do just click on the link I've created and then join and post in the same way as you did here. 

When you feel ready it would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Hi Stalis, 

I found FLOT harder (and more painful) to tolerate than the surgery. The treatment is tough and FLOT messed with my head. Everyone reacts differently. But your husband will need your help especially after surgery and during the post operative cycle of FLOT. The treatment is also tough on carers! But worth it. I was treated in 2018 and am still in remission. 

Thanks how long were you in hospital

Hi Stalis,

I was in hospital 12 days. I think this is about average for an esophagectomy?

I think my surgery was pretty routine? They did break a rib on gaining entry which my surgeon was disappointed by as he said it was only the second time this had happened to him and he had performed over 100 of these operations. It only hurt when I breathed and was fixed in 12 weeks when I was in the middle of my second cycle of FLOT that was causing me a lot more pain than a broken rib. I did get an infection due to the nursing staff removing the wrong drain, but this was fixed with antibiotics. When I was moved from intensive care to a GI ward (no beds available on HDU) my pain relief pumps ran out (pentanol & Lidocaine)  it took them over 40 minutes  to sort out their computer systems to be able to re-prescribe me my medication. This was about 40 hours after surgery. I went into shock. Apart from these events.... pretty routine?

The bottom line: I was in the right place for these problems to be managed and fixed. Would of been better if they didn't happened in the first place but c'est la vie.

Yes me too.  I was at times nasty.   My I did upset my partner once or twice, she said she was OK but I knew she wasn't,.   I knew it was the chemo and re-assured her it would be OK in the end and so it has been.

     As a couple we all have our little annoyances and I found it was those where I would normally ignore them that I reacted to.

thanks for the reply