Does swallowing improve after FLOT?

Like you I didn't notice any difference in swallowing after two FLOTs. I carried on with mashed potato and cheese and protein drinks.  It was after the chemo and while waiting for the operation that I found I could eat again. The morning of the operation I had a breakfast sandwich - bacon egg mushroom and sausage  in a bun. Got into Newcastle for the op and had a quick wrap of the day. Well, they had told me to try and put weight on!

My FLOT was apparently very successful taking the tumour from T3 to T1.  Sadly, although I can now eat anything I have lost my taste for fried breakfasts, curries, and fish and chips...

Wow, T3 to T1, that's wonderful 

Wow, I'm so pleased you went from T3 to T1 too! I can only wish mine will go the same way. I caught it early, T3 with no spread anywhere, so am hoping!

And the fact you ate a sandwich pleases me and gives hope too lol. I love my food, and am missing eating what I like. I can't eat fried food in any way at the moment, and don't actually miss it too much, so that won't be a hardship. I tried some Chinese takeaway ar the weekend, which came straight back up, but it's the roasties I miss most... and pasta. I can't currently eat that either, as it seems to stick.

Happy to wait until after chemo though, that little light at the end of the tunnel gives me hope, so thank you :-) 

Hi, I was lucky, my eating improved after the first week of FLOT, but as it progressed I lost my sense of taste. If I ate and something stuck I would go off and bring it back up then go back to eating my meal. After surgery I was nil by mouth for weeks so my sense of taste was non-existant but it did come back, the second round of FLOT ruined it again and now I never feel hungry but I enjoy food again and can eat anything I want. Just focus on getting through, eat what you can when you can, keep.your weight up and think of all the things you can eat when it's all over. 

Hi.  Just noticed your user name.  Can I ask if you had your op at Castle Hill?  If so, how did it go?  Any problems with the hospital?  My husband is due to have his op there in the next few weeks, hopefully.

Hi, thanks for the reply, yes I had my operation at Castle hill, right in the middle of covid. I had Mr Jain as my surgeon, top man and him and his team looked after me. I was on ward 14 which is an old ward but the staff push you to get moving, dressed, showered etc. Everyone from the nursing staff, ICU and surgery team was brilliant. I had complications, I got an infection which kept me in ICU for 8 days and a leak from the new joint kept me on a feeding tube for weeks even at home. But it was all manageable and soon i was back eating. Couldn't wait for my first cup of tea. They will look after you, don't worry, it's frightening but do as your told and focus on the end goal. Don't worry.

Thank you.  That is very reassuring.

Hi glad to hear about your progress hope you are still well. I started my FLOT chemo at Castle Hill yesterday prior to surgery but am ready for the bumpy road ahead.

I had my picc line fitted yesterday Monday the 3rd just say that cus of time i start my flot chemotherapy Wednesday i hope I can get my down from t3 to t1 as well also hope it helps me swallow again I'm been on this liquid diet to long the fortisip and complan is nice but I miss food 

I had my PIC line fitted in May 2024. After the 3rd session of FLOT swallowing food became easier. I had surgery at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull in early August I ate a curry on my birthday towards the end of September. My tumour was diagnosed originally as T3 but after surgery to T2. I finished the second series of FLOT chemo by mid November. I ate most things but nausea and lack of taste was a bit of an issue. Following a CT scan in December I was given the all clear.

It will be a bumpy road ahead but stay positive and I hope you have a good outcome.