Post surgery eating and not eating

Hello Sibylle

I am sorry to hear that you had a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer in October last year. It must have been tough to go through treatment whilst having 2 young children. I hope that you are feeling well now and remain well.

Thank you for sharing details of your blog about your personal experiences after having cancer. You are right that often there can be conflicting or confusing advice on the internet and I think sharing your own experiences with people going through similar can only be helpful. That's one thing I have found really good about the Macmillan site, you can share your personal experiences with others in the hope that it helps them but also getting support yourself. 

Hopefully people will be able to have a look at what has worked for you, combine it with advice from their own doctors and also if helpful give the Macmillan Support Line a call if they are still struggling. 

But thank you for sharing, I am sure it will give some ideas to help. Sometimes just knowing someone else has gone through similar does really help.

Jane

Hi Sibylle

Congratulations on the positives that you have achieved during the past year, tough going but with such a positive outcome considering your original diagnosis. 

I have just had a read of your blog, and it contains some very interesting information, which I am sure, someone who has experienced a similar surgery, or is about to, will find useful, it is a great thing you are doing, although you say you are doing it for fun, it has the possibility to offer something great to so many people. Well Done!

Lowe'

p.s hope you are feeling a little better

Love the idea of a blog sharing food ideas that work for you. I am 1 month post surgery for oesophageal cancer and and always hunting for food that I want to eat and that I CAN eat. I am defintely going to try the nachos and melted cheese! Thanks

Hello Sybille 

I am so sorry you had to go through this so young, in particular with GPs dismissing the seriousness of your symptoms. 

Your blog is a wonderful idea, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. Your description of hypo is very useful.

I too, need to avoid bell peppers. I had to since my hypothyroidism got worse. I had no issues with them before. It is a symptom apparently, I wonder if you have such problem too?

I agree, the advice on food is confusing and contradictory at times. I was told that taste would change, and it has for some things. I experience more issued with drinking than with eating, and I have lost both feelings if hunger and thirst. That was a bit tricky in the beginning. It still is.

Your "chasing that butterfly to have s better look" made me smile. I love your sense of humour 

Well done with the blog and thank you for this. 

All the best to you and family 

SeaSurf 

Hi Sibylle 

So sorry to hear this has happened to you at such a young age and with two small children to look after .I found your blog both interesting and informative. I will be checking in on it regularly from now on .Thank you for sharing your experience .

I found similarities regarding your GP’s response to your early symptoms..We had the same experience with our GP regarding my husband’s early onset of symptoms ..He was fobbed off with acid reflux meds for two months .As a result of much protesting on my part that this wasn’t just acid reflux ( I just knew !) He was eventually referred to the hospital …It’s a long story but from walking through those hospital doors in Feb ‘22 it was then another five months and a transfer to another hospital until he received his definitive OC diagnosis in August ‘22 ..Some of the excuses thrown at us were ‘taking biopsies in the wrong place’  (three times !! ) and ‘An unusual presentation ‘ …Thank goodness things really speeded up with him receiving treatment ( chemo/ surgery / adjuvant chemo ) after that diagnosis day  because I honestly think he wouldn’t be here today.  I’ve since had a meeting with the specialists at the first hospital and they did admit they could’ve handled things better ! Not much comfort when it’s a man’s life they were dealing with is it !

I really do think GP’s should be re-educated in the early symptoms of OC and how it can occur in younger people and not just the higher risk older ages of 45-70 . 

Best wishes  J