Its been 6 months since my surgery finished chemo 4weeks ago and had pneumonia. But still feeling week, nauseaus.

[COL21]

and not feeling like doing anything but lie on the bed. Having a scan 6th June is this the norm getting apprehensive about it. Just want to know has anyone else recovery been a long process.

[quince]

Hi,

I am 2 years on from my op, had a bad time with the post op chemo. Still had a problem going into hospital every few weeks . They then found I had pneumonia .

That was a 7 day stay which sorted it. This process does take time ,stay with it .

You will find on this site we all have simuliar problems . I still feel weak after doing jobs after this time. Stay with it.

Quince

[COL21 in reply to quince]

Thks quince for your reply its reassuring to know other people are experiencing the same perhaps im expecting things to get back to normal to quickly. All the best to you.

[valruss]

My husband is 10 months post trans hiatal oesophagectomy. He had a "leak" 10 days after surgery, resulting in another long operation and was in intensive care for three weeks with pneumonia, sepsis and multi organ failure and then another two months in hospital. Consequently he was unable to have the three rounds of post op ECX chemo as he was too ill. He has now developed a tumour attached to his aorta and has undergone 10 sessions of radiotherapy. Of course, he is still very weak but is able to eat reasonably well, very slowly putting on weight and able to enjoy short walks although he suffers from acute late dumping syndrome which causes him to have constant hypoglycaemic attacks. All in all, he has had a long and difficult journey and I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced a similar pathway. We do know that the aortic tumour will shorten his life so we are enjoying every day as it comes. This community is a great support to us and we thank you for previous positive replies and helpful information.

[Westoncromwell]

Hi col21,

We'll done for putting up with all the medical procedures! The good news is it does get better but the Chemo knocks your body for six ! 2 years 7 months on my life is getting back to normal but still often tired but 3 stones lighter is a positive thing ! Did have nausea at first but it disappeared . Keep fighting and adapting and I'm sure things will improve as the months go by.

Best wishes

Brian

[COL21 in reply to Westoncromwell]

Thks Brian for your reply. To speak to someone is reassuring. Its just a long journey and as you say adapting to new way of life..

[Hidden]

Never under-estimate the time it takes for your lungs to recover from pneumonia. I think it is probably relatively early days for you but it should gradually improve. The body takes its own time to do this regardless of our frustration and impatience!

You are entitled to feel apprehensive about the whole thing - and it is not unusual to have a morale dip at this stage when you are gradually coming to terms with everything that has happened.

Just because you are recovering slowly does not mean that the cancer is on its way back, even though you may worry about twinges in the middle of the night.

I would try and monitor your nutrition intake, vitamins and minerals, and ask for help regarding the nausea, because that can be dreadful, and it is important to make sure that the food is progressing through your system at the right rate.

[COL21 in reply to Hidden]

Thks Alan having sickness tablets cyclizine 50mg x3 times daily and halepedol 1.5mg x2 daily doesn't seem to make any difference really don't know what to do any suggestions.Thks

[Hidden in reply to COL21]

They do sometimes take a little while to 'kick in'. Plus the nerve system has been disrupted, and this can also take a long time to settle down.

If there is no improvement, make sure that you mention it on 6 June so that they can check that the food is clearing from the remains of your stomach OK. Sometimes the pyloric sphincter at the base of the stomach needs a stretch so that it does not keep food there too long, especially if the sphincter does not end up at the bottom of the stomach after the surgery. It is then a bit like a plug hole that is not at the lowest part of the sink.

They are probably thinking about the cancer side of things as a priority but this does not sounds like a cancer issue at all, so you may have to ask about a barium swallow test perhaps.

[COL21 in reply to Hidden]

Thks Alan I will ask about that and will let you know

[DavidP]

Hi,

I found it was slow progress post-op and post-chemo but it did get better. I found keeping notes helpful and comparing progress week by week and then month by month.Try not to worry about the scan, I had a scan at the same point to provide a baseline image - it was nothing to worry about.

All the best,

Dave

[COL21 in reply to DavidP]

Hi Dave it is slow progress and a worry for my wife. They said to me when the tumour was removed that it wasn't a very clear margin so that's why the post op chemo, so I think shes worried about that.

[Hidden]

I am afraid the recovery from surgery etc can take a long time it varies from 12 to 18 mths mine took 2 years but now 4 years on but still on chemo but feel much much better and complete recovery from op.You are still in the early days.Try to adapt and move around.It is not rare to feel depressed so may be worth a trip to gp to prescribe medication which there is no shame it should perk you up as it did me.Cheers

Griff

[COL21 in reply to Hidden]

Thks for your reply Griff. Glad to hear your feeling much better hopefully in time to come I will to.

[sallym]

It's a long journey and takes the body time to recover from the shock of all the changes it has to adapt to. The new normal takes a lot of understanding but I'm still here and have a good quality of life, 20 yrs post op. So good luck and keep going sally

[COL21 in reply to sallym]

Thks Sally 20yrs that's good. That's what I have to think off people like you.

All the best

[spanner16]

Recovery, as mentioned above, is a long process. My surgeon said that it takes about a year for your body to adjust to it's new 'plumbing' so hang in there, it gets better every day / week / month. Scans are always a worrying time naturally. The way I think of it is that the scan isn't going to change the situation, just show it i.e. if its all clear (fingers crossed) then that's not going to change by having a scan and if it's not then the scan doesn't make that the case, that's the situation already. (That was very badly explained so I hope you understood what I was getting at!!) I was also told by another cancervivor the following:- If the scan does show something bad in the end then how do you want to spend those last few days before the scan / results, living life, enjoying everything in ignorant bliss or worrying and fretting? I know which I try and choose when it's scan time.

[COL21 in reply to spanner16]

Thks spanner that's a good way of thinking I will try and think positive.

[Hidden]

You will trust me.Lookafteryourself

[Hidden]

You will so look after your self

[sallym]

My surgeon only gave me 3yrs so the last 17yrs has been positive determination, good days follow bad and bad days remind you it can get better. You will look back in a few months and see a difference. sally