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

I too would advise, push push push.  My brother had been visiting his GP since March with fears of this dreadful cancer and was pooh poohed and told it was acid reflux.  Eventually at the end of August he had an endoscopy and a biopsy.  By this time he had lost 1 and half stones in 6 weeks.  He was rushed into hospital on 20th September, and passed away on 25th October without having had any treatment.  I could go into far more detail but would not wish to distress anyone on this forum.  It was obviously too late for him and I find it extremely upsetting that in spite of him doing the right thing and going to his doctor, (and advising the doctor that his paternal grandfather had died of the same disease) he was sent away and not seen to in sufficient time to give him a few months quality of life.  

Make a nuisance of yourself, push and push for scans and tests and treasure every moment you have xx

Hello I wanted to share a great book I got for People struggling to eat . It was from e bay only £10. 
it gives you recipes for all different types of foods even various of texture . 
SOFT FOODS FOR EASIER EATING . 
hope this helps . 
the soups are delicious .

Thank you - will have a look x

Hello y'all

Very quiet on here recently! Even me - now that is rare (:

Hope you are all keeping that faith xx

Andi47- from my experience- well his- it is really a case of trial an error. Really a case of eat it and see what happens! . For him Rice is an absolute no no, but pasta is okay- go figure we can't! He gets appalling dumping after rice. Bread ,he's half and half. Toast , 1 slice, early in the day is okay, but anything later than about 12, it 'hangs about' and he will then start coughing. Same with potatoes. Those 'complex carbs' are really tricky. 
what he does best with is meals with no ' cloggy' stuff. So on Saturday he had trout , mussels, small amount of veg, followed by 3 ! Scoops of ice cream. No dumping/ coughing. He will also go for things like steak, casseroles, curries. Usually protein heavy Doesn't cut the stuff up small , just as you normally would. Also if you're out for food, he sometimes goes for 2 starters, just about the right size.

Glad you made it away, once you've done it once and you managed, there will be no stopping you now xx

Take care and keep keeping that faith

Hilts x

Good to hear from you Hilts - and a huge thank you for the 'tips'!! I also can eat pasta but not rice but OK with potatoes!!  Haven't really tried bread as even a tiny bit - and I'm sick but will keep persevering!! Just love fresh bread!!  Hadn't even thought about steak or any 'dense' meat!! Will give it go now - just thought it would need chopping into mince!!  So good to hear other journeys. Keep keeping the faith everyone 

Andi xx

Hi Andi, Hilts and everyone 

So pleased to hear that you've made it on holiday to Scotland Andi! Great you've booked Turkey roo. We are just on our way home from the airport after two weeks in Sorrento to celebrate my 60th. We've had a fab time! 

Hilts interesting re carbs - I'll pass that on as no dumping this last two weeks and thinking about it he's had less carbs. He can eat bread but just smaller amounts. Limoncello was fine as were the local beers lol. Hospital appointment tomorrow for routine check up. How is your husbands cough as it sounds like it's less persistent fingers crossed. 

Still keeping the faith

Milly

So pleased you've had a great holiday  -  definitely'moving on'. I'm sure your appointment tomorrow will be routine. How long since surgery??

Andi xx

Hi Andi,

His first Oesophagectomy surgery was on 4th May, 2021 second emergency surgery was on 11th May. Third planned emergency surgery was on 1st  July. Post chemo started beg August. 2021 after 3 major ops in 8 weeks! A year in total from diagnosis to being told 'visibly clear' in October 2021 Fingers crossed for tomorrow but no scans etc needed hopefully. 

Keeping the faith still for everyone 

Milly

Hi Milly 

What an ordeal - so glad things are better for you - the NHS is amazing.  My surgery was 29th September - so 5 months later but as things went horribly wrong, I was in hospital for 10 weeks and couldn't have post op chemo!! Never thought I'd be as well as I am.

Andi xx

Hi Andi,

Yes it was an ordeal as he was doing so well until they removed the last drain and it caught a blood vessel and caused internal bleeding which was very small so didn't show up on the x Ray. He became critically ill the following day and was taken back into theatre to find out what was happening. They saved his life but like you he then developed further complications which led to a 3rd planned emergency operation on his left lung. At one point he was told he wouldn't be able to walk up the high street but his surgeon ensured he was given the chance to have the last operation. They are amazing -  it is a massive operation with big risks but like you say you've both come through it thanks to the NHS staff. I remember you being in for 9 weeks and your great granddaughter was born. You have done incredibly well Andi x

keeping the faith

Milly

We have all done well - this site has been a godsend - but the NHS are wonderful xx

We have all done well - this site has been a godsend - but the NHS are wonderful xx

Hi all,

Just checking in to see how everyone is on their respective paths. I hope your breathing continues to improve Andy.  My husband is still doing the Active Recovery through NHS. 

My husband went to see the consultant Oncologist on 25th May and was told his next appointment will be in six months (fingers crossed). I have, at last, got my MRI scan booked for my ankle which I broke last year just as Kev was starting post op chemo! 

Keeping the faith for everyone 

Milly

Hi Milly, good to hear your positive news, I guess 6 mths means everyone is happy how it's all going.

We are starting to pick up now in the shop after 2 yrs of no trade.

Me, my Mum and my wife are doing a 10km sponsored charity walk this Saturday 18th starting from el campilo along the front - it is for a cancer charity that was set up in the name of a lady (by her Mum) who died of cancer in her thirties.

There is no support group in Spain like McMillan back home, so any little charities are really helpful.

Lee

Hi Lee,

Yes they are happy fingers crossed and all that. 
I didn't realise that you had a family business in Spain. You really have had a tough time Lee. I am pleased to her that yiu all have a focus to get you through the difficult days and that business is increasing. Still early days for you all. 
 

Great that you are doing a walk for a cancer charity. Your mum will appreciate everything that you are both doing. Again something positive. I imagine it's hotting up in Spain. Take care. 

Milly
 

Hi Milly, yes we've had a family business here for 18yrs. With COVID and brexit in particular, the last few years have been worse than you could imagine.

We are only 5 m8ns from Alicante airport, so if you or anyone else are ever flying in, please stop by and have a coffee.

Lee

Hi Lee,

Yes a lot of uncertainty has been created without all what happened to your dear dad.  Thank you and yes if we do fly there I'll definitely be in touch.

Milly

Hi Milly

Sounds like good news all round - hope MRI scan is OK. No appointment for your hubby for 6 months - brilliant. I think I still put the car on auto pilot for the hospital. I'm still waiting for Pulmonary Rehabilitation - no 24 on the list now!!  Managing to sleep without so many pillows - and going to Turkey next Sunday - bit apprehensive but excited

Still keeping the faith

Andi xx

Hey y'all,

I reckon we have all developed some sort of ESP. I was thinking earlier " oh, I'll check in as haven't for a while- and seems others are doing the same,

Good to see you Lee- and good to see you are keeping that faith and doing your Dad Proud xx

Millie- good good- onward steps

Andi- yay , nice one, warming the bones in Turkey- "told ya" little by little , it gets better. 

Why  did I check in - weeeell. No doubt you will ALL  be familiar with the saga of the cough!!! Been through loads of 'specialist' stuff etc etc, but of a mystery, but nothing dodgy. I thought back to my ancient nursing days and asked husband- has anyone actually listened to your chest! Um, no I don't think so he says. So , off to the GP for a standard chest listen....low and behold, she could hear some crackles. Antibiotics for 7 days and although my fingers arms and legs are crossed- stopped within 48 hours- so what he actually had was a plain old chest infection!  Don't  get me wrong , if it wasn't for super high tech stuff he wouldn't be here, but seems no one though of a very basic thingy. So all the scar tissue stretches might have been useful, but a good old listen to the chest might have been all that was needed! 
I would imagine chest infections are pretty standard after this type of op and new plumbing arrangements- which with his eating habits, frequently bubble over !
So, peaceful here for now 

keep that faith y'all

Hilts xxx

Oooo Hilts - so pleased the dreaded cough has been sorted - peace xx

Andi xx

Hi Andi and Hilts,

Fabulous news that you are sleeping better and that you are off to Turkey! Apprehension isn't unusual  and actually I think many people are more apprehensive than normal without what you've been through. However you will be absolutely fine! We booked an airport lounge which included express security and it made us relax more plus it's 5 o clock somewhere for a glass of something lol. Whatever you do I'm sure it will do you the world of good and another step in the right direction!

Hilts - hopefully you've found the source of the problem and as Andi said peace at last and it must be tiring for your husband too. Did you say he had decided to finish work this year? 

Our next adventure is the European road trip fingers crossed in July.

still keeping the faith

Milly
 

Thank you Milly - good idea to get an airport lounge - will look into that. European road trip sounds amazing - very envious!

Andi xx