hi all,im just over 6 months post opp ivor lewis surgery and the realisation of just how life changing its all been, has just hit me! it has been and continues to be a real struggle. coping with the eating, the drinking, the dumping the new plumbing, the discomfort and pain from surgery . and the constant time scale of having to fit it all in , in such a small window of time from getting up to going to bed and you still have everything else on a daily basis to fit in as well, appointments, visits from family and friends etc etc! i am really really grateful for for having the chance of being here a little longer thanks to my surgeon Dr Tan, and all at walsgrave hospital in coventry and my wife and children ,family and friends. Reading all the posts on the forum has been really useful and a great comfort to me knowing im not alone in how i feel and how i might cope!
6 months post ivor lewis: hi all,im... - Oesophageal & Gas...
6 months post ivor lewis
It sounds like you are doing OK though! I think it does take a few months before it all sinks in. I think that this might be because we expect the recovery to be like other surgery where you seem to be up and about after six weeks and life is much the same afterwards.
On the plus side, and it might not seem like it now, I think going through this stage is the start of things gradually improving long term.
On the issue of pain and discomfort from surgery, all other things being equal, things normally improve with gradual, progressive exercises and perhaps some physiotherapy. It does take some energy though, and it is also worth checking your vitamin / mineral levels.
We all appreciate this extra chance of life, don't we, but we also appreciate the best quality of life that we can attain. So on the eating side of things you may have to compromise by sticking to a diet that does not cause problems for you dumping-wise. There are some information sheets on the OPA website opa.org.uk/pages/factsheets...
These are, I think, really useful, but you have to read them when you are ready for them! There is a natural feeling of bereavement for the loss of good appetite, a large meal and all the sweet things that we used to like, but which no longer like us!