Hi guys. Sending love to you all. We have just lost my mum to this cancer after only 6 months post surgery. My advice push for the chemo after and push for all the scans you can get after too. If this had been possible for mum then she might still be here. Xx

hi,

it,s sad to hear about your loss especially after your mum going through the operation i know its difficult to accept your loss especially when you read posts like mine telling others it will all be fine , god bless you and take care of yourslef and your family.

Hi Everyone,

The big day arrives on Tuesday, being admitted on Monday just wondering what people took into hospital to keep occupied, or what they wished they had taken in? Secondly did anyone have a change in there voice after the operation. Because of covid im trying to take in as much as possible as there are no visitors allowed. Been advised i will be in at least 14 days, so any tips, advice greatly appreciated.

OMG Ray, 

I was just thinking about you ! I was thinking about your op and birthday!!! Don't worry though, not a pervo/stalker!!! I was coming on to post to you and there you were.
 

Anyhows- what to take in?. He took in a book, pants n t- shirts- that was it. - he was in a gown for 3 days.Small toilet bag. and essential ear plugs- quite noisy in there.TBH he had no time to do much. Between post op physio's getting him up & walking the ward,the next day and everyday after. He slept a lot. He also chatted with the blokes in the ward, who were all having the same op. I did take him a paper in everyday and a latte after day 3. They chucked him out on day 7! Probably on the early side as it was xmas eve! Your phone, charger and headphones= essential. We also did Skype calls for kid purposes as only one visitor allowed.

No change in voice, but an annoying cough. Which improves hugely with his chemo Dex.

He had a great histology and is now doing the post op chemo. Which of course is great fun.....  not. He is even almost mastering the post op eating- he's managed curry, pie n mash, gravy dinners etc. At the start is was all mush, but by week 6 he was on everything. He gets dumping ( what a surprise), but I really getting to grips with it.

So , good luck Ray and a 'happy' birthday. Getting rid of the *** will be the best present.
 

Wishing you all the best of luck for your op Ray, do come back and let us know how you are getting on when you feel able to do so! We are all rooting for you x

Thank you for your comments and advice, will keep you informed of my progress.

Hi Ray 

we are all thinking about you today , i am sure all will be fine and look forward to hearing how you are doing in weeks to come , take care

Douglas

Hi Ray, just wondering how you are getting on? Hopefully you are recovering well. 

2 weeks ago my world fell apart, when my husband of 42 years was diagnosed.  Tests done so far suggest it has been caught early stages but PET scan today will reveal the truth.

I am still numb, can't ear or sleep  properly and keep crying..  It's so unfair.  Our daughters are also in bits, both of them idolise their dad and are worried sick.

How long will it be before we get a response to the PET scan result?  If it is early stage, will this mean FLOT and surgery?  It would be good to hear from those who have already been there.  He is still managing to keerp down soup/bread and the usual milk shakes and ice crream, which seems to have halted the weight loss.

Just to talk to someone who has experience of this would be helpful;

Hi everyone, 

Milly - thanks for your words of encouragement as always, they really help.

Scott - thanks also,  I'll keep you informed over the next few days of progress. 

Distraught- I am probably not the best person to reply as my Dad's situation is not really the 'norm' - we were diagnosed stage 4 and only palliative (but things have changed slightly). I know that catching OC early gives you the best outcome possible so that's a real positive for your husband and your family- good look with your next stage. 

Lee

Hi distraught

In the words of hilts - welcome to the club that nobody wants to join.

I was diagnosed at the beginning of October 2020, and like a number of others on this little chat of ours was put on the FLOT/surgery/FLOT path.  Surgery was back on the 2nd March and the 2nd round of FLOT completed on the 17th June.

I can't sugar-coat it - it is quite a hard journey, think rollercoaster and bumper cars, with the odd twister thrown in.  You are currently going through the assessment phase to check and double-check that the path is suitable for your husband.  There will be a team setup in the hospital who will probably meet every week (a multi-disciplinary-team (MDT) who will discuss the PET scan and if confirmed localised, then there will be a final laproscopy (where a camera is inserted) and the major organs checked over for any signs of spread.  Once all confirmed OK, then FLOT/surgery/FLOT will kick in.

It's great that he is still eating well and it's important to keep the weight up and to ensure that your husband is reasonably fit for the journey.

We are here for you and can answer any questions, however gruesome they may sound.  

And feel free to rant!  We've had some great ranters on here (I won't mention any names - cough).

You should also have access to an Upper GI nursing team who will usually be on the end of a phone to answer any ongoing questions around treatment and timescales.

cheers

bfg

Hi

Hilts – great news on the cough.  That’s been bugging since the op, so must be a relief that he’s on the mend now. Also great that he’s not on the minced and moist diet (I still have strange dreams about that). 

Scott, Lee – thinking of you both with your respective fathers going through the op.  Do feel free to throw any questions our way!

Milly – holiday in the sun!  Outrageous behaviour.  Let us know where you are staying and we can all come and visit!

cheers

bfg

Hi

Hilts – great news on the cough.  That’s been bugging since the op, so must be a relief that he’s on the mend now. Also great that he’s not on the minced and moist diet (I still have strange dreams about that). 

Scott, Lee – thinking of you both with your respective fathers going through the op.  Do feel free to throw any questions our way!

Milly – holiday in the sun!  Outrageous behaviour.  Let us know where you are staying and we can all come and visit!

cheers

bfg