Stomach cancer 4cm

I can understand that Peter,  my husband didn’t and still doesn’t drink but nice  to know if on holiday a drink is ok. Hope the chemo goes ok, husband didn’t have chemo xx

Thanks! 

Hi Peter,

Great that you're prioritising fitness at the moment - my dad's surgeon says he likes his patients to be 'fat and fit' before surgery!

My dad had a total gastrectomy back in 2018 and I just want you to know that he's a real foodie and he is able to indulge in multi course tasting menus - we went to the Fat Duck for Christmas and he managed to eat everything (though he shared the last couple of courses around the rest of us, instead of clearing his plate). And he does have a little bit of wine every now and then but he was never much of a drinker. When he goes for regular meals out, he tends to order two starters and dessert instead of starter, main, dessert.

Dad says the secret to his success was that in the first 6 months or so post surgery he pushed himself to the limit of what he could manage every time he ate because he was determined to create a little 'pouch' after his surgeon said it was possible. He made it his mission from day one. Incredibly, he is able to eat desserts without ill effects, which technically he shouldn't be able to do.

Post op chemo is definitely harder than pre-op, but an important benefit of doing it if one can, if it's an option, is that it can help to mop up any microscopic seeding of cells which might occur during the surgery.

While it's preferable not to pick up bugs during chemo, chemo regimens used for stomach and junction cancer tend not to mess with the immune system as much as other regimens for other cancers. I believe that household members of people as well as those undergoing chemo are eligible for covid vaccinations now, every three months, so that might be worth looking into if your wife is concerned?

Hope it all goes well,

SDH

Hi SDH

thats all very positive, what age was your dad when he had the surgery? I’m 59 which im hoping will help with recovery. Annoyingly, my chemo has been delayed as i got a reduced white cell count after round 1. Im hoping to get back on the juice next Sunday but that’s dependant on next blood test this week. I think the worst thing at the moment is the PIC line which is driving me crazy. It’s painful and irritates my skin, but it could be worse - at least it’s operable!

Hi Peter,

Dad was diagnosed the week he turned 70 and had surgery a year later, to the day (he was stage IV and it was a bit of a 'journey' getting him to surgery, which you can read about in my profile).

About your white counts - he had private insurance and their response to reduced white counts, which he also had after his first cycle, was to give him neupogen (filgrastim) injections to take home and administer himself. My husband who had colon cancer, also got these to take home on private.

It's available on the NHS but from what I gather people have to jump through hoops/fight to get it - I really don't know why, it doesn't seem right or fair. But this is something you could ask about and look into for future cycles?

SDH

Hi, I started FLOT on 2nd Feb, side effects haven’t been as bad as I thought it would be and hoping that they don’t increase over the 4 pre surgical rounds. 
I am expecting a further 4 rounds of chemo after the surgery.

I have been given the filgrastim injections to administer at home on the NHS and didn’t have to ask for them.

 I’m a 60 year old female who is usually fit and active so sitting around is not the norm. 
I have managed to take my dog out for some short walks which is helping. 
Hope everything goes well for you

Hi

my flot was ok as well, no pins and needles just a bit of a dodgy tummy. And general tiredness etc. 

I’m slightly annoyed that I wasn’t offered that drug as it’s set me back 9 days.and I was hoping to get on my sons stag trip. It’s my fault for assuming everything will go as planned but I’ll def ask when I’m back on for my pre assessment. 

keep smiling!

peter 

Hi, i got my second ‘juice’ today, immediately got pins and needles literally driving back from jimmys!. They’ve also given me an injection to take every couple of days to maintain white cell count. Also today marks 50 days since i had my last drop of alcohol. I’m still going out to pub and golf club now nd again and it’s not bothering me so some good is coming out of all this as well as hopefully getting cured of my alien. 

Hi, had my second on Friday the pins and needles were awful until around lunchtime on Saturday, I’ve kept 2 pairs of socks on and kept out of the cold as well as drinking as much water as possible, this seems to have helped. Hair started falling out today, still if things don’t get any worse I’m not complaining, I’m just thinking that it’s 2 down and 2 to go, I have the injections for 7 days from today. Just got to keep going and I have plans in place for the day they say it’s gone x

I’ve been wearing thermals and it still tales ages to warm my feet in bed even with electric blanket. 
sounds like we’re  more or less at the same stage so let me know how you get on. Good luck

peter