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In between surgery and FLOT, not really sure what I’m asking.

Rita20
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Hi there, my husband has T3N0 oesophageal cancer. He has just undergone 4 cycles of FLOT but seems to be lacking in energy and is very tired in the afternoons. Today we were told he has a pulmonary embolism on one lung but it doesn’t seem to be affecting his breathing or making him dizzy or anything else the nurses asked about. Apparently it’s common after chemo. 
It seems to be taking a while to get the ct scan results and we’re on tenterhooks to hear when his assessment will be and when his surgery will be. I’m wondering if we should try and get away for a little while before the surgery. Also, will our house need to be assessed before he comes home? Will the MacMillan nurses still be available to us after we are handed over to Upper GI consultant? Can I talk to them still? (It appears that all this has brought up issues about the death of my previous husband to leukaemia)

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    Hi,

    Your husband needs to talk to his named cancer nurse or his oncologist about these questions and ask for a written copy of yhis care plan (which he has a right to not only see but to be consulted on). 

    He should be under the care of a multidisciplinary team. At different stages different health care professionals will take the lesd. The Upper GI surgeon will lead until after surgery - assuming the MDT as a whole recommend surgery and that your husband (the patient) consents. Without a signed consent form, nothing can go ahead. Once he has a referral to MacMillan they will remain involved - it is his condition that is important to them, not the lesd clinician. 

    A break might help - just make sure it’s in the UK or is covered by a valid travel insurance policy - medical evacuation back to the UK can be extortionate and the insurers won’t pay out if they get wind of an undeclared pre-existing condition. 

    I hope this helps - good luck!
    Dave

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