Hello All,

I have been following you all for some time now and firstly I would like to thank you all for sharing your stories. It really has helped me since my dad was diagnosed with OC back in early spring! As most of you have said on here, receiving the initial diagnosis and spending every spare minute googling was the worst thing I could have done. Until I came across you lovely lot and you really put my mind at ease! 
Dad was given the plan of FLOT, Op,FLOT and no spread or in lymph nodes which was amazing!. He really took the first lot of FLOT in his stride despite it being delayed for a week. Last week he was due to get his op, what an emotional day that was. However while under his oxygen levels dropped and the doc decided to stop before deflating his lung. He's now had some respiratory assessments which he seems to have managed no bother. Fingers crossed this is just our dip in this rollercoaster of OC (I feel like I even talk in your jargon haha) but has anyone else had to go through respiratory assessment? 

Hi Scott

If it's the one where you have a respiratory device that measures oxygen levels,  ecg monitors for the heart and put onto an exercise bike that increasingly stresses the body - then yes, but I thought that was pretty routine before the op as like you said,  they deflate one of the lungs and at about 6 - 8 hours is pretty gruelling. 

They should get him sorted out soon,  and if you have any questions then please shout. 

Cheers

Bfg

Hi RayB.   We have seen Dark Waters.  Yes what a shocking film, especially as it's based on real events.  Certainly worrying.   Shows how powerless the world is really up against big chemo/pharma

Hi Scott,

Welcome to 'the club'. As Bfg said my husband had pre op assessment on bike with mask etc which he passed with flying colours! If you've read this thread you will know my husbands op went really well but he had post op complications which resulted in respiratory problems in his left lung (not the one which was collapsed) and another emergency op. All sorted now fingers crossed (it's a jinx thing lol). 
They are obviously being careful and hopefully if the assessment has gone well he will have the operation. Any others questions as we all say feel free to ask. To give you hope we have just booked a holiday to Tenerife in January so fingers crossed again lol.

keeping the faith (blame or in my case thank Hilts for this one)

Milly

Hi Milly, yes wise not to watch Dark Waters!   That's so good Kev is getting along well and not too many dumping episodes.   My husband is gradually getting better.   The crashing after eating is not so bad now.  He used to be out of it for 2 and a half hours after eating anything, so strange.   He is trying to stick to eating things he knows are "safe" for him and high in nutrients, like variety of nuts, biltong, soup.  Alcohol is not a problem at all and even seems to help??   The neuropathy from the chemo definitely affected him internally and this is all gradually wearing off now.

what a great idea a holiday to Tenerife next January, something to look forward to.   We r in the process of buying a house.   Maybe not such a great idea for stress levels!!
keeping the faith for you Milly and everyone,

SallyX

Hi Sally,

My husband suffered both times with neuropathy but definitely worse in the second post op cycle. I never and I don't think he did either, thought about it affecting internally in that way. He has had more post nasal drip (yuk) but it does seem to be getting better. Strangely a beer or fizzy drink before food definitely seems to help. Good job we are all inclusive lol. 

Hopd your house move goes smoothly and it will be good to have a fresh start in a new home.

keeping the faith for everyone 

Milly

Hey Scott, 

Welcome to the club ! 
I think certainly for me, I have 'spilled' everything since D day, or should I say E day ( endoscopy) 26th July 2020. The day husband was diagnosed. We are out the other side ( for now- I always say that, just in case (:) but he is having a hiatus hernia op on Tuesday- coughing +++++ since day after op and needs stuff tucking back in ! 'Complication' of keyhole.....apparently.

As for lungs- well where to start. I think most of the victims had the pre op lung work up- treadmill, bike, lung capacity expanders, hospital fitness tests etc. Most of us have also had post op lung issues, mine just a tad of fluid, some quite sticky, pneumonia, and More ! Goes with the turf and some trouble to be expected. I hope you are reassured to some degree that many of us are out the other side, with lots of war stories and bullet wounds. Google etc is indeed an absolute horror show, but we can't help ourselves (:

So Scott, as we love to say Keep the faith you will get there!. Even after 18 months we still look at each other and say WTF just happened. Still seems surreal!
 

Neuropathy folks! Darn platinum. Good at cell murder, a little too good and does nerves everywhere as well inside and out !. Husband still has mild tingly toes, but that is all and not a problem, all the cold feelings have gone as well as all the other lovely side effects. His last platinum was 4th ish feb as he has a lovely full on anaphylaxis to platinum no 6. 
Millie- so Kev has the post nasal drip too and 'cured' by beer- well funny ole thing eh. Him using old fashion antihistamines like piriton really really helps x

Anyway off now for tea and bangers !
keep keeping the faith ( I have sort of moved it on)

Hilts x

Hi RayB,

Thanks for your kind words. Yes make the most of your hot tub - sounds fab! Our conservatory came into its own during lockdown and all the trauma of the last year! 

keeping the faith

Milly

Hello All,

Thank you for your replies. Strange enough he had none of that pre first op and still now his assessment on Friday seemed to be just breathing into a high tech spirometer? He's been given another op date for two weeks so fingers crossed everything goes well. 

It is so positive to hear all your stories of being out the other side! I get married next summer (3rd time lucky after Covid set backs) so to have dad back and fighting fit for then would be great! Keep your positive stories and advice coming, they are great!