my journey so far

MillyE

Such a pleasure to read your experience,  i am waiting for my op in August and very anxious about 

Hi fellow warrior. It’s been the same for me that I never thought I would use this type of forum ( I’m anti social media) but it’s been my rock. As I already said getting to the operation goal is a massive achievement and we can all have a laugh post op about the joys and tribulations of , as Mick put it, our new plumbing system! I read everywhere that in 4-6 months I’ll be eating same as before only smaller portions but the journey over the last month with food type, taste, intake, reaction is a great distraction from what caused this in the first place. I didn’t fear the surgery at all but I requested the surgeon come and see me as soon as I was awake to say whether he felt he removed all the tumour, which he did ( even though technically until the histology came back). These surgeons are pretty experienced in knowing what they see at the time. I’m 5 weeks post op today and flying. I’m back to work, walk 10k steps a day and potter doing other little jobs. I still can’t lift much weight or use a drill ( which I’m dying to do - I’m a DIY enthusiast) I often nap in the day (not a concept I’m used to) BUT life is good. I’ll talk about the food intake saga when you are at that stage because I think it’s very different for each individual. Really looking forward to hearing when you get a date. Milly

Hi this is 46 years old female diagnosed with stomach cancer back in March. So far I had 4 flot session which were hard especially last one. I am still waiting for surgery date which should be in august. This group chat has helped me so much, thank you all. 
I am having surgery at Queen Elizabeth, anyone else had it there?

I just wanted to ask if I should have ct scan or pet scan before surgery. Also is the operation is done through keyhole surgery? 
any information would be helpful. Also what do I need to take for operation? I am scared about the surgery and pain. 

thank you. 

Hi member nice to meet you. Ironically pain after major surgery is minimal due to a lot of nerve severing so I think we were all unanimous that pain from op site was the very least concern. It is completely natural to be apprehensive pre o-for any surgery BUT the added plus with this surgery is ITS REMOVING THE BAD STUFF! That alone is a good reason to celebrate. The operation absolutely flies by and the hardest thing I think is adapting to a new lifestyle and the complications that can occur. However, we can get a lot of comfort from discussing with other members on here.You would usually have a CT scan prior to surgery. As for keyhole surgery this is done when the type of tumour is very localised and its consistency is not likely to spread ( sorry im trying to put in layman's terms as I only really know medical). In general Keyhole has much quicker recovery but open surgery is probably more effective as the majority of stomach tumours can be the aggressive little bugger type! I didn't have mine done in Queen Elizabeth, I was in Portugal at the time so it added a little more stress for me BUT im doing great. Share any concerns anytime we will all be happy to at least share our experiences. Milly x

Hi, I had mine in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary last April. I had a CT scan after my 3rd FLOT. The surgeon contacted me 3 weeks after my 4th chemo and set a date. He explained the procedure, length of the operation, incision, aftercare on the ward etc. Incision is below my bra line straight right down to my belly button. I had 2 drains on either side of my belly got a few days. Pain relief is available when ever you need it, and you’ll have some to bring home. Luckily I didn’t need it at home. You will be very sore for quite a few weeks. Movement will be slow when walking but each day it improves. When you see your surgeon take a list of questions with you, as you will forget to ask as I did. They won’t let you suffer, you’ll be fine. 
Any other questions just ask me, I’m here! 

Take care 

Michele 

Hi Ahuss welcome to the group.

You will know the type of surgery you will be having when you have your pre op this is where you will no doubt meet various medical professionals who will be able give you detailed answers to questions you have. If you have open surgery I know different surgeons have preferred ways of performing the operation.  Mine was to cut in an half moon type from one side of the ribs up across and down the to the other, others have had a straight cut from top to bottom in line with the belly button obviously this also depends on the type of operation, total or partial Gastrectomy for example.

Please don't worry about the surgery you will not feel a thing and after you will have all the care and pain management you need to make things comfortable for you, any pain whatsoever let the nurses know.

You don't really need anything on the day of the operation just the essentials, slippers and mobile. Anything else can be brought into you in the following days. Hope this helps 

Mick. 

1. Thanks i will write down some questions. 

That’s interesting Mick, same hospital and total TG but different cuts, Martin had his straight down. 
Ahuss my husband only had one CT and PET scan at the very start, nothing before the operation and was told nothing afterwards either, only 3 monthly phone calls.  He did have a staging lap about 3 weeks before the operation, he didn’t have any pain as had an epidural in for 5 days and was out on the 7th day. Good luck xx

Thanks Mick, I really appreciate this. I am little scared but hopefully will over come that. Thank you again. 

Hi all,

Update, I had my follow up meeting with the surgeon yesterday and great news he said all the cancer was taken away and 10 lymph nodes were checked with no signs of cancer, he still wants me to have the follow up Chemo hey ho better safe than sorry so I now await the oncologists appointment for the start of that.

Like your husband Sue there are no follow up CT scans unless anything develops in the future so I will now have telephone checks every three months for the first year and every six months In year two.

I am feeling and doing quite well with getting to grips with the new plumbing, the dietician has helped with information my portion sizes are still possibly too large which can cause issues.

The only other main problem I have is the neuropathy in my feet this is really driving me mad and gets me down on occasions, I am on my third type of medication, now pregabalin and this still does not help, I will take this up with the oncologist.

Hope everyone else is doing ok