Post Op. Journey

Hi Nicky,

That is all very reassuring. I think you sound very like me in that I have never been a big portion eater, only have 3 courses at weddings and my wife and I would always just split a carryout between us so I’m hoping that my eating habits shouldn’t have to change too much in the future. I don’t have any issues with milk, cream or ice cream and in fact have been relying on them to prevent my weight from dropping too much. Altogether I have lost about 2st during the whole process but am hoping that, now my chemo has finished, I can start putting some of that weight back on again. Aiming for 12st which is a few pounds less than I used to be. I used to suffer from reflux at night as well (in spite of using 3 pillows) but have started taking a couple of spoonfuls of Peptek before bed each night and have been fine since. Regards, CB

I bought two wedge shape pillows. They are available from any medical equipment store for about £30 each or you can buy them online. They are rock hard so you need to put your soft pillows on top- I use three. I cart one around when I travel to hotels etc.and always ask for extra soft pillows as well.

Yes, a lot of fun and laughter in E5 along with some incredible skill,kindness and compassion. I shall never forget them.

Hello

I am 4mths post Op, 29th Feb. It is interesting to read the different food journeys and helpful. I had my Op at QA in Portsmouth, Ivor Lewis robotic. I intend to watch that episode.

I called the team last week as I had discomfort on my right side, low rib area. I was reassured as I had suffered bad chemo coughs, post op. Muscle strain and I was told the nerves would still be healing. I have finished this now after 2 rounds. I also have a numb rib area, so it reassuring to read your remarks and NickyF’s. 

Did/do you have numbness with your feet or hands? 
Thanks 

Jennie

Hello NickyF

Nice to see you on here and read how you have been doing. It is somewhat reassuring that you have the rib discomfort also. 

Pillows, I have two pillows and a V shaped pillow that gives me just the support I need, either on my back or L side, snug head/neck support, I can lay on my R side but it is not as comfortable and I can then feel discomfort if I find myself on this side. 

Good to hear you are doing well.

Bestwishes Jennie

Yes. The rib numbness will no doubt continue for some time as previously mentioned- in my case circa 8 months. The secret is to get your sleeping position right to lower the discomfort and as you can see people have adopted different solutions but we all seem to have spent some time on our efforts !! I have not had any numbness in other areas.  I also spent a lot of time coughing initially but this was with an infection for which I had treatment.  I still cough mainly first thing in the morning but nowhere near as bad now as in the early postop days. Nobody seems to have mentioned whether they are on an immunotherapy programme. Is anyone doing this? I was offered it but declined because of my age but I guess I will never know whether this was a good decision. I think I would have gone ahead with it if I was younger.  

Hello Jennie

I still have numbness (peripheral neuropathy) in my feet, it hasn't lessened at all.  I also had it in my fingertips, but thankfully that has almost gone now - a particular relief as I am a self employed typist!  It's really annoying in my feet though, but isn't painful.  I have been told by my team it can take months and months to get back to any semblance of normal, and sometimes the damage can be permanent *sigh*.  I'm thankful there isn't pain though, so taking the positive.

I also had an awful cough for several weeks after surgery.  At eight months though, this has now gone completely.  I get the odd tickle at night when lying on my side, but nothing like it was. 

My ribs, however, are still rather tender at times, particularly around my bra area.  I tend to wear crop top types, as the ones I wore before dig in and it's right on the scar.  The bra goes AWOL if I'm at home and not expecting any visitors lol... oh the relief! :-)

Hi NickyF. I’m completely with you regarding the rib pain and bra fiasco. I’ve wore all sorts of contraptions since my op but now, 8 months on, I can usually manage a ‘normal’ bra for most of the day, although nothing beats P.J.’s and no bra! However, I  have found a range called ‘Shapermint’ and bought two of their Truekind Daily Comfort Wirefree Shaper Bra’s. These are the most comfortable I’ve found since the op, just in case you’re interested. Best wishes, Julie 

Good morning,

It reassures to hear others have the rib numbness, I have not heard of the immunotherapy programme? What is it?  I am on the SARONG trial for a year. 

Good morning

I have no pain with my feet or fingers, it is an annoying sensation but more then happy to live with it. Not sure if the numb fingers will impact my work yet as I am still signed off.

Haha yes, the bras, I just cannot tolerate wearing anything tight around the chest area, I have brought some bralets which I can do for a couple of hours!! 
It is good to hear how others are doing that are ahead of us. 

I am on the SARONG trial for a year, I will see how I go at my first check up, it’s the waiting for the results bit.

Best wishes Jennie

Hi Jennie. As your question is a medical one I am obviously not qualified to answer it for you and I am not going to attempt to do so but you may wish to ask the question when you are next at the hospital.   As it involved quite a lot more chemotherapy over an extended time period I decided it was not a good option for me because of my age. Nobody else on this site seemed to be referring to it and I am curious to see if others have taken this option up.  I did volunteer for the SARONG trial but because of other complications this did not proceed.