Hi Milly

nice to hear from someone with the same concerns i still am trying to get information on how to get the best from supplements which our modified digestive systems are maybe not getting through our reduced food intake , our government in Scotland sent us vitamin D tablets FOC by post last autumn if you had the flu jab , on another subject yes your right having a higher body weight definitely gave the body the  extra reserves which made the recovery from the surgery easier ,  keep posting , in the meantime best wishes and take care of you and yours 

Regards

Douglas

Hi Milly and Doug,   Thank you for the heads up about the oral thrush,   I guess he has been lucky to get this far with it just starting now...    He has been prescribed an anti-fungal for it - nystatin drops and has been taking them for a couple of days now.   Hopefully it will ease up soon, it seems to be in his (new) gullet which is most sore.

sally X

Hi,

Just to let you know what I still need you all and still read the chats.  :-)

There have been some great posts, interesting questions and Tabnabs I'm sorry to read about the change in direction - that really is, to keep the analogy going, where the rollercoaster almost makes it to the top and then heads off in a direction that hopefully will become clearer.

I'm now 6 months post op and 2 1/2 months post my last flot cycle.  Weight has stablised - still get the "odd" dumping episode, but hopefully these are getting further apart.

Hilts:  I did it!  4 pints of boondoggle! 

Milly:  Bootless and now a menace to us all on the road.  :-)  I bet that's a relief.

Coping mechanism: Cancer does not define me; I choose how to live. But that is me and is often easier said that done especially with covid.  But hey - my wife of nearly 11 months now has 35 years of remission from Hodgkins, had a carcenoma removed from her lung (lobectomy last July which involved 3 ga's in under 3 weeks), an adenocarcinoma SABR'd in February (in between my 1st FLOT and the OP) and due a procedure to remove a 3rd little *** next month (only a day job). When we had the results that a 4th lump was benign we didn't know what to do with the good news. Our request for his and hers CT scanning rooms also didn't happen (I mean if you can get his and hers massage rooms - I don't know what the problem is). It's our 1st year anniversary next month which is also exactly the same day that I was told the tumour was localised and subject to the other tests, I would be on the flot/op/flot path.  Little did I know back then that I would meet all you lot!

So,

still here, still keeping the faith, and looking forward to my "next" couple of beers.

bfg

That's good to hear bfg. Happy anniversary for next month.

Lee

You are definitely an inspiration - I'm due to have the 'op' on 29th Sept or 4th October - I think I dread the second round of FLOT more!! Hope to still keep drinking the wine post op!!  It's just so good to know there is some kind of 'normality' at the end. I still look like Charlie Drake (who remembers him?) - one of my granddaughters said I look more like a grandad than nanny . Hopefully will have hair again one day.

Looking forward to hearing all your stories 

Andi xx

bfg,  great to hear from you, your post made me smile!   Congratulations on the first wedding anniversary coming up!!!   And making that [@Hilts]‍ aspirational 4 pints (_) (_) (_) (_) Well done!!!
 

sallyX

Hi Andi

The 2nd round of FLOT for me was pretty much like the 1st, but with the side-effects notched up slightly and for slightly longer (as I explained to somebdy, your body is still going through a level of post-op recovery when you hit it with the 2nd round).  Nausea was increased - but after talking to the team, different medication was given and this worked.

It took me a while to get back to wine - for the simple but strange reason, that my taste buds were shot.  I'm relatively back to normal now - well normal for me.

As for hair - practically every dark hair disappeared leaving me with whispy grey bits, but 2 1/2 months after the final cycle it's now grown back dark (I did joke with somebody on the risk of goiing ginger post flot) and have ran out of excuses for not shaving regularly.  As for Charlie Drake - yes I remember him - and at 1 1/2 foot taller it's never been said that I look like him.  :-)

cheers

bfg

Well here I am back on the chemo ward, having FOLFIRI, got three months on this then another scan, my ever pessimistic consultant came to see me this morning and said there was no promises that this would work and may have to start thinking about end of life care! Deep joy. Have been pretty quiet recently as have been an emotional train wreck since I got the news.

Doug, as far as supplements go, check with your team, I know mine got a bit snarky with me taking various ones.

BFG, boondoggle one of my old man's favourites, but he's recently got into home brew, last time he did it  our old house was called The Peregrines, so we called it Peregrines Piddle, now we live at Honey Field cottage, not sure what to call it, lol

as for everyone else, thinking of you all and sending healing hugs out everywhere 

Tabnabs x

Hi all 

Wow BFG -4 pints - well done!  Congraulations!

Blimey Bfg you and your wife have had some serious **** to deal with! Your post made me smile as well and gives us hope too!

Congratulations too on your forthcoming  anniversary!

Hilts I hope you find Maggie's helpful  - I'm interested to see how you both find the help available.

Tabnabs I've just seen your post - I can imagine it's been very tough. Pessimism is not helpful. Optimistic realism is hard but you have been through a lot already and have defied the odds. You've seen your daughter get married and your son graduate which I would think at some points in your diagnosis and treatment didn't seem possible. Keep going and maybe ask for support from other sources if you feel it would help you and your family.

Keeping the faith  for everyone 

Milly

Ps Honey Hangover?!