My husband also had surgery last May. He had the same disease as your husband. He was hospitalized for 18 days and was discharged a month later. He started chemotherapy for half a year and is now undergoing immunotherapy. My husband insists on walking every day and has changed his diet. He is healthier and in better spirits than me. You have to take good care of yourself and don‘t be too anxious. I hope you can face it positively and everything will be fine.

Hello Michelle and thank you for contacting us. I am sorry you have these concerns, and I will try to reassure you.

I appreciate that it is difficult waiting for the next stage of your husband's cancer treatment, but do try not to worry too much if you can. The timing between treatments, surgery (removal of the primary cancer tumour) and then chemotherapy, for any cells left in the lymph nodes, is important. A gap is needed to allow the body to completely heal from the surgical procedure. This is then followed by an appointment with the oncologist to ensure he is recovered, talk through the chemotherapy (its side effects and consenting) and organise any tests your husband might need to check his heart or kidney function. 

The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill off cancer cells which are recognised as rapidly dividing cells. But, some good cells (non-cancerous) are rapidly dividing too, for example, the cells in our stomach, bowel, nails, and scalp, which is why patients get certain side effects like sickness, diarrhoea, and nail and hair changes. Another example of a rapidly dividing cell is those which are constantly repairing any injuries or wounds in the body. Surgery to the bowel will mean that the bowel itself as well, as the external skin wound, needs these cells to heal.  Chemotherapy given when the body has not fully recovered and healed after surgery would therefore cause these wounds to break down and any healing be reversed.

So, although it may feel that this gap could be a concern, I hope you can understand that it is essential. 

It can be hard looking after someone who is going through cancer treatment. I hope you have support at this time and you are looking after yourself too.

Take care Michelle, and if you want to talk through things with one of the nurses on our helpline the number is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Sarah.