3wks after operation I have furred tongue and I am today coughing up clear foam , and still not feeling hungry just sickly, is this normal ?

[moule]

[Buzzboy]

Hi there, Three weeks after the op is not long at all.... I remember that at that time I had zero appetite, and any and everything tasted like cardboard! The hospital had sent me home with a crate of Ensures, which I ddn't like at all. My diet was mainly scrambled eggs or porridge oats....... Hang on in there - life does slowly get better, you're on the way back up now !!

[moule in reply to Buzzboy]

Hi thanks for your answer.... it helps to be in contact with others , I am on jej feed at home and finding it hard as it makes me feel very bloated and full hence also not helping with the eating side of things . but will hang in there !!!

[patchworker]

Yes that's normal. I'm presuming you had an esophagectomy? Are you home from hospital yet? It's different for everyone, but three weeks is very early, and you will probably feel yucky for quite a while yet.

I was in hospital for eight weeks, and at three weeks I was still in ICU, So you're doing brilliantly by comparison!

It takes a long time to recover, don't push yourself, get plenty of rest and eat small amounts when you can. Is there some food you particularly like that might tempt you? For me it was humous

Don't expect to get better quickly, it could take a year or more, but you were one of the lucky ones who could have the op. that's the important thing.

Each week you'll feel a little better, but sometimes time goes so slowly you don't notice the improvements, but you will improve!

There are lots of us who've had the op. living normal lives, and counting ourselves very lucky.

[moule in reply to patchworker]

Thank you so much for your answer .... yes came out of hospital a week today and doctors are pleased with my progress don't think I really understood how hard the recovery is going to be .

[pferries31]

Hiya, ime nearly 10 mths post op and I too am still recovering. Like u I really didn't grasp how major an op this was. I was the same with the feed and was changed to perative and its soooo much better and I feed through night so I don't loose apetite during day. I still struggle with swallowing and have had several stretches since op. It really is very early days for u and just being on here is doing pretty good. Hope u get stronger each day x

[Rowland]

Hi,

I am almost a year post op and remember so well the feeling you describe. You can't describe to anyone how much the operation affects you but boy do you know about it after it is done! I suffered with severe sickness and loss of appetite along with dumping syndrome when I did begin to eat. All I can say is to take each day one at a time, the recovery is very very gradual - but certainly in my case that recovery is well worth the wait! I am back at work full time, swim regularly and doing virtually everything I was before I became ill. I have just had a week in Spain and it was the best feeling ever to enjoy the sun and the food and the relaxation, however I remember once having a right old sob because I was so upset thinking I would never enjoy being able to taste a simple cup of tea again!

All the very best xx

[Danko]

Yes, it is very early days for you and I would echo the comments made by other members. I am 11 months post op but remember being at your stage and thinking I would make sure I would beat all the predictions and be back at work in two months etc. It just isn't possible. There is so much adjustment your body has to make as well as mental adjustment. There will also be setbacks such as when the dumping seems to have gone but it suddenly happens again for no obvious reason. Although you may want to put on weight, this will be very difficult because your intake will be limited. I think I found the period after about 4 months most difficult because of the realisation that recovery was necessarily slow, winter was setting in, I was still quite weak but needed mental stimulation. I think I have now got through this period with the help of family and friends. Also, this site is terrific for sharing things and exchanging mutual support re diet, sleeping positions etc. Best of luck in your recovery.

[sallym]

Your body has had one of the biggest shocks you can give it and it takes time to adjust.

We expect our organs to take on a different role than the one they were designed for and it takes time to sort out.

You have done well to be out of hospital so quickly but it is a long road so let things take their time

I still haven't found the answers to all the problems but just accept them as they come along.Life is good, busy and enjoyable and I've had 19 yrs since my operation.

Should you feel up to it come and meet up with some of us at Guy's hospital in october.

All the best and it does get easier sally

[TerryE]

I,m 3 years post Ivor Lewis and as some said "It's a long road back" hang in there you will be better as time passes. I still suffer from the mucous but medication is available. Beware that though not being diebetic you may suffer low blood sugar from "Dumping" which not uncommon after OC. Talk toi your GP or surgeon. By the way I'm seventy years young and not very energetic but alive and copeing. Good luck.

[Hidden]

The actual feeling of hunger is controlled by ghrelin that comes from the top part of your stomach, and your vagus nerve, both of which have almost certainly been affected by the surgery, so you probably have to develop a new way of eating little and often that is not controlled by the natural hunger feelings.

The foamy feeling might be reflux - the valve at the bottom of your oesophagus will have been removed, so acid and bile are more likely to find their way up towards your throat.

Feeling nausea is common - but it might be that your system is not clearing into the rest of your digestive tract as it should. That might mean a stretch - or that some medication will help.

If it does not improve, do go back to your specialist nurse and have it checked out. It is the fine tuning after the surgery rather than anything more serious.