Hi I’ve not been on this forum for a while but just wanted to offer some positivity to others who have gone through surgery recently .
My husband had his OC surgery in Dec 22 ..He was almost 65 at the time .He had two thirds of his oesophagus removed and a section of his stomach ..His tumour was situated in the junction between the two. .
It’s been a year of trial and error with his recovery especially with his food intake …it’s safe to say the little and often eating regime has been both time consuming and a challenge at times .However we took all the advice from the specialists on board and persevered ..He doesn’t feel hungry anymore which at first caused him great anxiety but he’s grown accustomed to it because in his words ‘I’ve bloody well had to !’ Lol .( we’ve found keeping a sense of humour does help ) .he can now eat virtually anything albeit in smaller portions but sufficiently enough to keep his weight stable . .He has now almost regained the three stone weight loss .
His recovery from the surgery has been slow but steady .He has a few issues such as Oesophagitis and non erosive gastritis which is inflammation caused by acid reflux but it is being kept under a certain level of control with Lansoprazole which he takes twice a day mornings and before bed ..He also finds sleeping upright helps too . .He also has osteoarthritis in his hips and knees ..a consequence of the FLOT chemo and he now walks with the aid of a walking stick ...He’s always said the chemo hit him harder than the surgery …Life has definitely changed and so has he ...Realistically a person can’t go through all this and be the same person as before ..(He was an active and very fit man before all this) So it’s been a year of acceptance too …It’s definitely more food orientated with the little and often eating regime but we’ve grown accustomed to it and basically just get on with living life the best we can one day at a time . His dumping episodes have reduced in frequency so he’s happy about that as they’re very unpleasant to experience .On the whole though despite these issues things have settled and improved gradually over the year …We now find ourselves more relaxed about everything .
I can’t believe it’s been a year already ..the time has passed by so quickly .His 13 months of diagnostic tests and treatment were a real rollercoaster and certainly a real challenge at times but now he’s on the better side we do think the surgery was so worth it for him to have the great possibility of a cancer free future …(He was hesitant about having the surgery at first but now he’s happy he went through with it ) He hasn’t been given the definitive’All clear’ yet but everything is looking positive for him up to now so we’re thankful ..I think his specialists prefer to err on the side of caution as it’s such an unpredictable disease .
I just wanted to say to anyone treading a similar path to Hang on in there ! It’s certainly a difficult process to go through but things do get better given time.. ..Patience and perseverance are the key to getting through it all ……It’s a unique experience for everyone but you do find your own way of coping with the recovery ..the rehabilitation.and the life changes …Some recover quicker than others and some have complications along the way ..
My husband officially becomes an OAP in February ..He’s less than impressed lol ..He was a self employed Painter and Decorator for over 45 years prior to his illness ....He's had to accept his plan on returning back to work isn’t going to happen now as he would struggle with the physical side of his work due to his hip and knees …eating regime and acid reflux . ..It’s safe to say adapting to all these changes is a phycological challenge as well as a physical one too !
A realistic view from our experience this past year Warts and all ! and this is just his experience of course ..Everyone is different ..Life does go on , albeit differently but thankfully it certainly does go on 
Hope you all have the best Christmas possible and a kinder New Year !
.regards J x
I hope all went well today 
Andy has picc line in tomorrow ready for 1st chemo on Monday .
it's feeling very real now ..
