The first step is over.

Had my exploratory laparoscopy on Thursday. All went well except that on recovery my pulse kept dropping from 64 to 37 continuously; up and down like a yoyo. Yet I was not aware of it. An ECG done there and then showed no particular heart problem. The staff was puzzled. I was still allowed home the same day. Should I be referred to a cardiac unit for further tests before the curative removal of my stomach? And it will have to be the entire stomach I have been told. The surgeon is still confident to go ahead with it. The tumour is 2 cm. It seems such a drastic step to take for such comparatively small tumour.

Although I was given paracetamol and codeine phosphate to take home with me I have had no need for any painkillers so far. I feel OK.

Now I am waiting for my next appointment when everything will be discussed with me again and when I have to consider my options and choose how I wish to proceed.

[Paulbrighton]

WhenEver I have treatment my heart rate goes up or Down

Sometimes immediately after chemo

It was 140. Others down to 40. I always end up having lots of ECGs and blood tests etc and there is never anything wrong so I am always eventually just sent home. Although that can be delayed for a few days. I think it’s just how my body reacts to being messed about with.

[rayw55]

I was similar. Indeed when I had my oesophagus removed I kept setting off the alarms with a slow heart rate below 40 for almost a week even now when resting my heart rate can be anything from 70 to as low as 40

[Hidden in reply to rayw55]

Was your problem ever investigated further? Have you been given a reason for it or is it normal in certain circumstances?

[rayw55 in reply to Hidden]

No doctors say there is nothing to worry about and that some people just react in this way

[Hidden in reply to rayw55]

Thanks, rayw55. That is reassuring.