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 distraught 

on the subject of feeding lines the one you get post operation known as JEJ goes in about 4 inches to the left of your belly button and into the small bowel or jejunum it is easy to maintain as its quite short but needs flushed out with sterile water after use , i had mine in for about a couple of months , i think it can only be fitted during the surgery though , take care now

Regards

Douglas

Hi all, not so good news today.

We had a meeting with the oncologist (first meeting post surgery). He confirmed that although my Dad had had a successful esophagectomy 7 weeks ago, the scan has shown it has spread to the liver and probably also in the blood stream and maybe lymph nodes.

As you can imagine, this is really hard to take - a feeling that we always had but one that we hoped wouldn't happen. 

The oncologist has said the plan is again palliative and the chemotherapy will start again in 2 weeks time after my Dad has strengthened more. 

I guess we are back somewhere near the start of this journey again, back in August 2020.

Lee

Hi Lee,

That is tough news to take on board.Very difficult for your dad and all of you. I'm not sure what to say other than they are continuing with treatment and hopefully chemo will keep it in check and your dad can build his strengh. 
I appreciate you letting us fellow travellers know as I certainly feel a connection to you and your dad. 
 

keeping the faith for you all

Milly

Hi - my line has been in since September - and will be there for another couple of months - it's very easy to look after xx

Hi Lee

So sorry to hear about your dad - keep strong

Andi x

Hi  Andi 

my line was never a major problem either, i got large clear waterproof dressings from the nurse which were great for showering , the only nuisance was the brown waxy stuff that stuck to any body hair around the wound and the stitches , mine eventually fell out completely in the shower one morning but i was assured it would close up within a few hours which gladly it did , using it was more a nuisance than anything else , take it easy.

regards 

Douglas

Hi Douglas 

I agree - it's just a nuisance - I now 'plug-in' when I go to bed -I was doing it during the evening. Will be very glad when it's out!!

Andi xx

Hi Leechap 

sorry to hear your journey has taken you down a more difficult road and i hope the palliative treatments provide your dad with good results , surprisingly i bumped into a fellow patient last week with who i shared a ward with in hospital and has been getting ltreated for liver cancer for over 2 years and he is still receiving treatment as we speak , anyway take care.

Regatds

Douglas 

Thanks Douglas, any true positive stories are a real help at the moment. We'll keep fighting as we have from day 1.

Lee

Hey Andi, hope you're doing OK.

You will get there and be out socialising again ... I've had a total gastrectomy and was out for a family meal in a restaurant in Brighton for my sons 18th birthday at the end of December - and split a prawn cocktail with my Wife for a starter, and ate half a main that was a big plate of chicken arrabiatta pasta (got the other half doggy boxed and took home for later) with a bottle of cola on the side.

Keep going, stay positive, you're doing great by the sound of it.

Hey Andi, hope you're doing OK.

You will get there and be out socialising again ... I've had a total gastrectomy and was out for a family meal in a restaurant in Brighton for my sons 18th birthday at the end of December - and split a prawn cocktail with my Wife for a starter, and ate half a main that was a big plate of chicken arrabiatta pasta (got the other half doggy boxed and took home for later) with a bottle of cola on the side.

Keep going, stay positive, you're doing great by the sound of it.

Hi Redski

Thank you for the encouragement - can eat so little at the moment!!  Still have a very annoying cough!!  I think the dull grey days don't help.   Have just been told that my prolonged hospital stay makes it too late to have post op chemo - so treatment over. 
 

Really happy to hear you are doing so well

Andi xx

Don't stress or worry too much about it, I'm still getting used to the new eating regime too ... and the amount you can eat gets better with time. 
I still struggle with some stuff too ! ... my eyes are obviously bigger than my non existent stomach - so I have to remember to eat slow, chew loads and not eat more than half a usual portion and come back to the rest 20-30 mins later.

Some stuff goes down really well like creamy pastas ... think carbonaras etc work well with me and creamy curry's like Tikka Masala by Charlie Bingham on the supermarket shelves.

Other stuff can randomly cause me discomfort / getting sick with the food not sitting right or perhaps I've eaten it too quickly !

Well done for finishing treatment and getting out of hospital in time for Xmas - was so happy for you to hear that in your update.

Keep going, stay positive !