I’m on the journey

Hi Sarah 

Yes I had four rounds of FLOT pre op which were difficult tbh, especially the last one. I really didn't feel ready for the op six weeks later so after a falling out with the original surgeon I delayed it for four weeks in which time I'd met up with all my friends, got fitter (and fatter!) and went on holiday to Croatia too!

I'm glad I deferred because I felt in a much better place both physically and emotionally by the time I went for the op and felt remarkably calm.

Yes the operation is a biggie, no doubt about that, but I felt safe in the hands of all the professionals and am eternally grateful to the NHS.

I've just had the PICC line fitted for the next round of chemo but am not looking forward to it at all! As Rich says this round isn't as important as the pre surgery lot so I'm going in with an open mind, I'm sure my body will tell me if I can do all four or not! 

Btw just wanted to ask if you're 29? If you are getting chatting to Rich as he's the same age as you but much further down the line 

Best Wishes to you

Anthony x

Oh and yes the tumour had reduced by 70%, it had grown again by the time they operated. It was about 4cm when it was removed 

Hi Anthony,

I only had 4 weeks between my final pre-op FLOT and surgery. That did seem very soon at the time (and I was kinda shocked when they gave me the date) as I didn’t feel that I had really had a chance to build my body back up ready for it. On the other hand, I suppose it gave less opportunity for the tumour to start growing again. Hard to know what the best timescale is. I suppose my surgeon must have felt that I was strong enough to be able to cope with the surgery. CB

Hi Anthony

Thank you so much for all the information, I really appreciate it so much and am so glad I’ve joined this forum. You do feel so alone at times and reading others stories make you realise that you are most certainly not alone in the horrid place. 
this 3rd round of chemo has definitely knocked me back a bit for sure, but I’ve only one left to go so keep pressing on and get this show on the road. I’m sure I’ll get a couple of good days before it starts again, and the consultant did pre warn me it would take longer to get over this time. 
I think the fear of major surgery frightens me and how long it will take to recover from, but it’s the only option for a curable outcome and I’d give anything to have the chance to do all the things we have planned for our future. My biggest incentive is I’m going to be a granny for the first in December, and this little granddaughter is going to definitely have one super granny for sure. I’m definitely not 29  unfortunately 54 and will be having my surgery for my 55th birthday in January, what a birthday treat that will be…

Amazing that your tumour had shrunk so much after your first rounds of FLOT I’m crossing everything mine has too 

keep going strong 

Sarah 

Oh God your weeks after chemo is brutal! I think the average timescale is six weeks. It was obviously my decision, and I knew my body wasn't ready for it. The surgeon was visibly annoyed at me and even questioned my commitment to being cured which I felt was uncalled for. I had a much better with my new surgeon, a very wonderful lady called Emma Upchurch at Gloucestershire Royal, she told me I was within the time limit at 13 weeks and generally had a much better bedside manner than him! I really do believe surgeons are a breed apart from the rest of us mortals and they don't like being questioned! 

As I sat I used those extra weeks to do many things including building up fitness levels and gaining weight, seeing old and new friends, and holidaying with my partner. I'm sure this all helped enormously when the time came to have the operation 

Love it!

Hi Sarah it’s never nice seeing a new member here knowing what that means, but is a pleasure to welcome you and hope that over time we get to know more about your journey.

there is loads of advice and support on here, I only joined 5 years after my treatment so kind of missed the boat with getting support, but being here now and seeing people at different stages of treatment I thinks it’s great how people here are so supportive. I think it’s safe to say we can all relate to the difficulties that a cancer diagnosis brings so a problem shared is a problem halved  

In this early stage of treatment if I was to offer any advice it’s keep active as much as you can, eat as much as you can this may bel tougher than it sounds especially as your treatment progress but the end result will be worth it. 

Good luck