Hi Milly,  it sounds like you've both had a massive shock, but what we have all been through...it feels like shocks have become the norm!

It sounds more promising now than a few days ago...I hope he keeps improving-good luck.

Lee

Oh Blimey Millie!
what a nightmare, what can I say!
BUT- they have fixed it. I wonder if these sort of events are not more common that we realise. When you consider the MASSIVNESS(queens English ?) of the surgery and the billions of tiny capillaries, veins, bits and pieces in there - I suspect they are far more common. Just to cheer everybody up Oesophagectomy has a 5% mortality rate even before they operate, that is how major it is. Surgeon told us that- something we really 'needed to know'

They guy opposite my husband when he was in ,went down like a sack of spuds one morning. Some bleed, but like your guy- all sorted.

Please don't EVER refrain from posting if you need to, that is the whole point of our club, in it for the good and the bad.

SO Millie, they sorted it. If he is out in the chair, even more brill, brill. Trust me , if he was looking at all 'dodgy' he would be nowhere near it !
He is probably being seen by the whole hospital staff- he is probably famous (:

That 'phone call' sounds horrendous you must have a SERIOUS wobble- which I think , given the circumstances was compulsory!
Now that his leaks and lumps  have been sorted, he will be on a very quick discharge programme I would imagine.

Many on here have had stumbling blocks on the way, which is no surprise given the extent of the surgery.

Do remember that he is now 3/4 of the way done 'just' recovery from op,the final FLOT and job done?
Husband is 5 months post op and 9 weeks post his last chemo and last week I think I would say 'normal' (ish). You'll get there.

take care and keep the faith (:

Hilts

Hi all,

Thanks for your understanding and support. Yes maybe it has happened somewhere before. By all accounts not where he is, everyone says the same. One nurse with 20 years experience said he'd seen lots of different things but never known anyone have to go through the op again, although as I said the actual surgery was good. But obviously he's had all the drains, monitors and general parafinalia again! He has had his first cuppa today! Surgeon is going to remove the final drain tomorrow morning.
 

He had so much fluid on him because they didn't know what was wrong so they pumped him with everything just to keep him alive before surgery. Over 5 litres have been got off using Frusemide which has helped him to clear his lungs. Still not lost his sense of humour. When I asked what his pain level was he replied "4 and 3 of that is my bum!" Flat bum from sitting. Good job he got fit beforehand. Just got to hope all keeps going well and he can continue to move forwards.

It was horrendous being at home phone call 9.00 am another at 11 am and then at 1.30 pm to say he'd gone to theatre. Fortunately our two sons work fairly locally so they came home. Anyway as you say they sorted him. Just hope all goes well tomorrow and from then onwards. 
 

Bfg hope FLOT continues to go as well as it can do.

Yes keeping the faith Hilts!

Milly
 

Hi all,

Some good news! Yesterday the last chest drain was removed and so far, so good. Kev is still in ICU but had his first food yesterday (had soup and ice cream before before all the drama!). Puréed sausage, mash and peas. The best news possible is that all of the tumour has been removed and there are good clear margins. Also 37 lymph nodes removed and all are clear! Such a huge relief after the last 6 months never mind the last week! 
 

So onward and upwards albeit at a slower pace. The surgeon has just spoken with me and is very pleased with his progress considering all that has happened. He is moving to 'step down' either today or tomorrow. It has been a real knock back but he is recovering. They are taking it slowly to ensure he is well enough to come home. He also said that prior to what happened he was exceeding all expectations and it was so sad that this complication happened. 

All in all a good day! Much better than last Wednesday. Surgeon said he's not out the woods yet but has done remarkably well.

Lee I hope you've managed to get out and your dad's swallowing should improve with chemo. 
 

Bfg hope your FLOT is manageable.

RayB hope you are continuing to make progress.

Hilts - I think I need to have four pints!

Doug your continued recovery is very encouraging.

Everyone - this is such a hard diagnosis and having people who understand is truly helpful.

Keeping the faith

Milly

Very good news Milly...nice and steady,  one step at a time. 

My Dad has just had his first session of his second round of chemotherapy.  The oncologist has said he will have 4 hrs every week for 2 months- standard chemotherapy and antiangiogenic (if I've spelt that correct!).

It's my birthday today so we have all been to the beach for a nice day. 

Good luck with your husband's recovery. 

Lee

Hi Lee,

Pleased you have a plan. My husband had those injections for 7 days. They can cause muscle cramps/back ache so just speak to the cancer team if they do. He had warm baths and used Aveeno and I massaged his legs for him. I'm sure your dad will know to try and drink lots of water. Also my husband found ginger biscuits helped and lemon and ginger tea. 

Happy birthday. So nice that you've been to the beach. As you say one step at a time.

keeping the faith

Milly

Hi Milly

Delighted to hear about progress and the fact that he is now on "minced and moist".  From the original OP side of things, that's usually the pre-cursor to getting out of there and going home - so hopefully not long!

Happy Birthday Lee! Hope your Dad is doing well as can be on the chemo.

bfg

Hi y'all.

Happy Birthday Lee 21?
 

Millie- that is really GOOD news, they will chuck him out in the next couple of days. Not sure about anyone else, but my husband chest drain was the last thing to come out, and now your guy is also having a la carte hospital food- his 'eviction' looks imminent (:

Bad day for me today, sense of humour left me and a total meltdown arrived. Other people as usual and managers at work grrrrrrrr , emotional intelligence of a camp guard !

Better a bit, and now husband has put 'Gordon Ramsey- Headteacher' on you tube. I'm not sure who is enjoying it more him or the kids!!!! Making me laugh too.

For some weird reason , when I logged on here it took me to a page ' Agnes left ***' god that made me laugh, I posted to her . Maybe karma, but I am now smiling at the thought of my bosses being a pair of t**its (((: ( triple smile = laughing +++ emoji, but this board doesn't like emojis)

I sometimes think meltdowns are good for the soul, clears junk from the ' spin cycle' brain

Anyhows

Laters, fellow travellers & keep the faith

Hilts

Hi Hllts and everyone,

You have made me laugh too! The surgeon has said he will be in a while longer, looking at next week. To be honest he needs to get back where he was before it all kicked off! Surgeon said was such a shame as he was exceeding all expectations by a long way. However he has made good progress for saying he's had two major ops in a week! Fluid coming off him and bits and pieces being removed. He has been in ICU for 2 weeks apart from 1 day in step down. 

One day at a time but such good news and he is determined!

Work will always be there and events like this certainly put everything in perspective. As you say sometimes we need a 'meltdown' to enable us to move forward again. Life eh? You sound like you have a great family unit with all it's day to day normal ups and downs and having a sense of humour is essential! 

Keeping the faith (not the TV programme!)

Milly