my journey so far

Hi, thank you for sharing this with me… very interesting to read… 

In a strange way I was really glad to read about others having issues this far after surgery as I didn’t want to post and be the only negative one. I’m six months post op now and it’s still hit or miss. Eating is no pleasure at all. Maybe one or two spoonfuls then it’s either the pain, the regurgitation or stomach pains and feeling of food stuck. I feel like I’m  whinging but I loved my food pre op and I thought I read everyone was great 6 months after, eating good portions, enjoying food like before etc. I’m never hungry either and just eat every four hours (can’t manage more frequent as I feel so full) only to maintain weight and even one or two days of skipping one meal and bam weight down under 100lbs. 
I am very grateful to be doing well and hopefully cancer free, I would just like to hear that it will get better or if not then I’ll try to adjust my lifestyle as eating out is no pleasure at all and maybe I am doing something wrong? I’m going Saturday for CAT scan and barium swallow so if that’s all normal I’ll pull myself together and stop moaning!

Dear Milly, you are not alone. My husband had a total gastrectomy in October 2021 and eating continues to be a struggle. It is so hard for him to maintain his wait. Like you he can hardly manage more than 4 small meals. Meals are a hit and miss, he no longer enjoys food as often it will cause pain, feeling very full or has to throw up. When this happens he has to wait until discomfort subsides and then start again. No reason was found, he had a barium swallow and a gastroscopy, all was fine. Food has become his medicine. I wish you all the best, every day is a blessing 

Thank you so much. It’s reassuring that this may be my new normal. I can live with that. I guess it’s true what other people say that you are always acutely aware that there is a spread of cancer but to hear your husband is two years post op and still having these issues but it’s only due to the new plumbing is a relief for me, sorry for your husband! Great to hear he has normal results. 

Hi I had my operation on the 7th August. I had and still have all these issues however I am constantly eating. I have noticed if I eat what I crave it doesn't give me a side effects. I do have to eat small portion and often. I am taking green tea after each meal. That does help me. I have struggle with drinking any liquid other than hot tea or  milk . I also take tumeric with hot milk every morning.  X

Hi I had my surgery on 7th August last chemo was three months ago. I just feel very tired. My whole body aches especially legs. Is this normal? I have booked my blood test to see what’s wrong. Anyone else had this issue? If so for how long? Thanks in advance. Xx 

Hello I just won`t to let you know. I had my operation in October 22 and had post op chemo which ended in Jan 23 and I still suffer from slight side effects even now. I have been told that these could last for up to 2 years. So you are not on your own in this. The effects are starting to subside but only very slowly.

Thanks I was getting worried. Maybe I need vitamins. I will do my blood test. Thanks 

My husband was told to take a multivitamin daily also B12 every 3 months after his TG X

Thanks I have been taking multivitamins and b12  but I will see if I need anything else. X