Just saying hi

Before you start chemo, you are given a list of "possible side effects", and I found that this alone was enough to make me lose the will to live!

However, don't be put off. I have had eight doses of chemo now, with virtually NO side effects at all. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I feel as good today as I ever have.

And the chemo has helped me intensely. Three months ago I was only eating liquidised food, but nowadays, I can eat anything and everything.

Never give up hope!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.  Its lifted my spirits and is so encouraging. I am glad the situation has improved for you.    I know everyones treatment is different however we are going to stay positive and strong to get through this.   Thank you once again.  

Hi

I had the FLOT chemo both before, and after, my operation. It seems to affect everyone differently so I know that some people struggle with it. I was lucky as I got through relatively easily - that is not to say that I had no side effects but they were manageable. I found that each 2 week cycle fell in to a repeatable pattern so after a couple of cycles I knew what to expect each day. 
I hope that it goes well for your husband. 

Thank you  so much for responding and for sharing.    Hubby is having 4 sessions then operation then another 4.   Whatever happens we will get through it and continue to remain  hopeful.   

Hi and welcome to this forum. FLOT is a very intensive chemotherapy regime and the list of “possible side effects” you will receive can be a little overwhelming. While you won’t have all of them, it is also extremely unlikely that you will get away Scot free like Geoff79. The most likely side effects will be; some hair loss, crushing fatigue at times during each cycle, diarrhoea/constipation (yes, both), loss of taste and peripheral neuropathy (sensitivity to cold in extremities like fingers and toes) Keep your husband well away from the freezer and make sure he wears gloves if handling things from the fridge to avoid any permanent nerve damage. Eating can become less enjoyable (due to loss of tastebuds) but it is important to keep his weight up as much as possible to ensure his body will be able to cope with the rigours of the surgery. Think of food as medicine. That’s what I did. Similarly with exercise. There may well be days during chemo when even coming downstairs or taking a shower can feel totally exhausting but, again, it’s important to keep fitness levels up as he will need to pass a fitness test before he is deemed eligible for surgery. You have a challenging year ahead (no point in sugarcoating it) but you can get through it together. My journey started with my diagnosis in Oct ‘23, FLOT in Dec/Jan, surgery Feb ‘24 (16 days in hospital including 8 in ICU) and post-op FLOT completed June ‘24. Not a period of my life that I would ever want to repeat but I got through it with the support of my wonderful wife. Never underestimate the importance of your role in your husband’s treatment journey. Best of luck to you both. 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.  I am encouraged to read things have improved for you.    My hubby has lost alot of weight however despite the tumour being large, we have been fortunate that he can still eat soft foods so  we have been bulking up on protein and good fat foods and we have been able to stablise his weight and hes gained a few pounds.    Thank you on the tip of gloves and the fridge/freezer.    I am glad you are out the other side of your treatment journey and that all continues to be well for you.  

Hope everything goes well for him