John

if you think about what you have been through, you badly has taken it all ... ok it’s been really tough at times, but the worst is over .... the trouble is recover takes about 4-6 times longer than treatment ..... and we are only human, not super human, coupled with this the older we are the more time it takes

try mixing in a bit of Neskwik milkshake flavouring with the fortisips and water it down with a bit of milk or water if too thick .... just keep getting it down though ... I hated the stuff but it kept me alive for 3 months

the weight loss I can relate too ... I had to go and buy a whole new wardrobe .... enjoy the shape you now are and embrace it. Although I’m half a stone off of my pre cancer weight I am a different shape and even I am a size down around the waist, I could in some fits still go down another size nd get away with it.

at the stage you are now putting on weight is very difficult, regardless of what you eat. I finished my treatment 15th August and took myself away to a fully inclusive resort in Egypt and ate like a pig (for me at that time anyway). all the high calaory stuff and did not put on 1lb.

It’s more important not to lose anymore weight than to gain it at this stage, so keep going with the juices.

as I said you body is in massive recovery mode and it’s wants time to repair itself, therefore anything physical you do is going to make you tired. Pre cancer I would take my dogs on hour long walks, but during and about 3 months after my treatment I could only manage 20 minutes walk and when I tried to go for longer I would have to stop for a few minutes, then cry on.

i can just about manage a sandwich, but have now switched to wraps and the bread tend s to suck all the moisture from my mouth and it then just becomes a big lump that I have trouble getting down, so small changes have to be made (from bread to wraps), but I can taste it.

hang it there and don’t put yourself under too much pressure, keep on walking, keep on taking the juices and keep on doing the things you want, but remember you are not superman .... not just yet, but you will get there

time to rest and enjoy life now

vatch

Hi guys, I am going to have a feeding tube in next week.. Teeth are felling as lot better or should I say the sockets where my teeth used to be are feeling better! Mask made... Treatment starting hopefully the week commencing the 5th March! We shall see!...xxx love to all... Feel better soon John...i can't wait to lose weight! Xxx

Paula

glad to hear your teeth are feeling a lot better, I’ve had one that has started to crack a bit so being sent back to my cancer hospital for an emergency appointment ... all is ok though

the peg is uncomfortable for a couple of days, but it soon wears of ... enjoy the fun and games with that especially if it gets blocked and you have to back flush .... it’s a minor hazard 

nearly there

vatch

Thanks Vatch.

I'll try the food tip - I think somebody also mentioned a dash of lemonade.

I hope to keep the weight off, but not at the expense of not eating - I've got too much catching up to do. 

I am starting a a local wellbeing centre shortly. I really need to put some muscle into the rolls of fat where my biceps used to be. 

Lightheadedness is proving a pain. There again, I am 6'2',  but have spent the last 10 months living at 3', so it is not surprising that when I stand up I go a bit dizzy. At least the nausea feeling has gone.

Cheers

John

Hi Paula, glad the tooth extraction ordeal is over - I don't think I would have been as brave! 

I bet you cannot wait for the treatment to start - mine was only three weeks from diagnosis to start and I counted down the days. 

I kept my mask and it now hangs in the study with a scarf and flat cap. I want to hang it above the front door at Halloween, to keep the little devils away, but my wife says I have upset the neighbours enough already.

You can never start too soon or do too many mouth exercises - they served me well.

When in radiotherapy reception, the only people who want to talk are those who want to moan. Get a book, put your head down and repel all attempts at conversation.

I found it helped to break each treatment into a percentage: each radiotherapy was 4% and each chemo, 20%. It  is surprising how it helped them pass.

Good luck and treat yourself to some quality meals before treatment starts, because you will miss them afterwards!

John

Hi John... I am ship looking forward to getting started and then it will be percentages closer to being finished! Lol... Then I look back over your posts for the last few weeks and wonder what I'm wishing for! only cancer patients! 

I hope this finds you feeling better? It sounds like you have been doing the hard yards just lately? 

Will you make you special dinner in April was it? 

You will... I'm confident for you! 

Thank you for thinking of me....xxx xxx

Paula

I like the sound of the sausage and cheese sandwich! My birthdays in May.... Tell me when you are going to eat it and I will liquidise one and have it  with  you.. Lol

Hi all

how are we all doing.

i have a referral back to the hospital to investigate the too and have an mfi scheduled too ..... it all part of being in remission

john some nhs districts give you free gym memberships, mine did not but I know of some that have had it. I took myself off to the local gym, told them I had cancer and that I just wanted to build muscle back up, not get a six pack, one of my biggest problems was that I had no bum muscles and after a while it became uncomfortable to sit ..... I’m back playing 5-a-side football and attend a weekly salsa dance class with my wife .... not bad for a 55 year old .... and John I’m also a bean pole ( that’s what I got called at school for being tall)

glad you are all doing well at the moment though

vatch

Hi Paula, 

Good luck for next week!  I assume that the gowns you put on for radiotherapy will be in piles according to size. Go for at least one size bigger than you think - they are not generously cut. On my first day I looked like I was auditioning for Village People.

I'm afraid I've had to put off 9/4 meal - no way am I going to be ready.

Let us know how you get on.

John