Oesophagus Cancer - 1 month post opp - Introduction

I’m sorry things are so difficult for you at the moment. My husband had surgery in April but at 69, somewhat older. Help with fitness pre op made a huge difference to his recovery as FLOT chemo had made so ill he was admitted with sepsis. No post op chemo because of this and it had had little effect on the cancer. Recovery has been relatively good compared to many so we are grateful for that at least but post op histology showed more local spread than scans had shown so the fear of recurrence is there all the time. Chris also has had episodes of dry retching which make him feel exhausted and unwell but these are reducing in frequency. I assume you are following all the guidelines around sleeping and diet?
I think you must contact your upper GI nurses to investigate the stuck feeling ….. many people need a dilation at least once sometimes more as scar tissue etc can form. 
Mentally, please reach out for counselling …… life must feel totally unfair for this to happen to you so young. Please see your GP about this and also reach out to MacMillan for support and signposting.

I wish I could be more help but send you the best of wishes.

Geraldine  xx

1. Here's my tasty sloppy food dish. Using a minimum of three of the following and sometimes all.* Peppers,aubergine,mushrooms, par boiled and sliced baby potatoes, broccoli or any other veg.Cut all into small pieces and cook off in butter  ir olive oil in a wok for about 20 mins. Add supermarket in a jar either tikka masala or korma sauce or any other you fancy and dilute with water if required. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. If you want to add some meat then cut into very small pieces and fry off in butter or olive oil in a separate pan and add to the cooked vegetables prior to the sauce. I have not mentioned quantities as these are to suit .                                                                                     *I normally use peppers and mushroom as the 2 basic ingredients.  I can get this meal down without coughing or choking or other problems and yes it is very tasty. I am 30 months post IL. Good luck.

One other suggestion to get more calories on board. Chris can’t take any of the shakes, juices etc prescribed by dieticians they are way too high in sugar. He uses HUEL meal replacement drink in theornings as it’s low in sugar. He’s developed a routing of drinking part of a bottle slowly when he gets up and the rest about 45 mins later. Breakfast later again and late morning he can manage his beloved coffee with some sugar. Sugar early in the day is a no no! One month on is very early days and things will get better

G  

Hi iam 13yrs post op I was a textbook case 3wks hospital, 4wks home and gradually back to work as landscape Gardner over 5yrs found it too much so retired then had a second surgery because of a twisted gut and duedenom still now keeping active and keep going back to hospital for something not right I still eat small meals proper foods not soft,my advice for you is start your day with toast and butter and a drink after 2 hrs later cake or biscuits then a quarter of what you used to eat and so on stop eating 7pm and stop being angry cancer is a wake up call now you have to stand up to it with your bravest face on x

I needed to hear this, I am angry and need to knock that on the head. I’ve just finished chemo/radio 5 weeks, let everything settle down and then surgery. I’m a Gardner (not a landscaper). I miss being outside. 

Right sash start by going outside for a couple of short walks and get your energy levels back, then after a month start pushing yourself two hours gardening and rest and having easy snacks to hand and build up if you feel it’s too much stop it’s a trial, you will only get dumping syndrome if eat too much if so a couple of sweet biscuits it will go if you would like more info don’t hesitate iam not a councillor but I do have first hand knowledge x

Thanks so much. I’ve read so much about dumping syndrome, it terrified me. Baby steps!  How long after surgery did you start to feel better? I am a throat cancer survivor (15yrs), so this is a new cancer for me. I must not be angry I must not be angry x

Hi sash probably about a year what I will say is don’t try too much if you do you may lose weight and you can’t put it on so weigh yourself every two weeks to see what exercise does to you I weigh 85kg this fluctuates,if you get dumping syndrome you’re blood pressure goes down and you usually get hot and sweaty so relax lay on your back with your legs up it goes off after about 15-30 mins don’t panic as I did the first time eat enough but not too much eat sweet biscuits or hi juice. One last thing because you have had a big shake up by your surgery you will get diarrhoea for approximately 6 months when you’re not expecting it yuk otherwise take it steady and talk to people let them know how you feel x

thanks dods, sash and the others, the anger is a real debbie downer, the dumping does ease, its definately down to user error, couple of after eights xmas last year, holy crap, big learning curve, really helpful to read everyones advice and experience, with this little shite, you never stop learning, no handbook i was told but by christ this forum is the nearest thing,

thank you all

It sounds like it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Bring it on. Thank you x