Worse than at first thought.

Went to Hospital for removal of stomach. After a laparoscopy the surgeon thought the cancer had not spread. Unfortunately, after open surgery I was told that my spleen had to be removed as well and also part of my pancreas. I spent 5 days in HDU and another 11 days on a post surgery ward.

Despite all I seemed to do reasonably well, but now, having been home for 8 days, I find I can hardly eat anything because of pain, discomfort, lack of appetite, nothing tastes right. Luckily I have been keeping my weight so far. How can I get myself interested in food when it has never played a major part in my life?

[champagnelover]

Hi ayaya First of all it is good to see that you are home after your op! As everyone here will say it is very early days for you as far as eating is concerned. Also what people are able to eat is variable - I lived off tinned fruit and ice cream whereas others are unable to eat ice cream. There is some excellent advice on the NHS site for eating after stomach cancer. Ideas for soft foods to start etc. Have you seen a dietician before you left hospital? It goes without saying that you must eat little and often to build up your strength. For pain I found a hot water bottle helped enormously. I am sure others on here will have more advice for you. Good luck and keep positive!

[Hidden in reply to champagnelover]

Thank you champagnelover. You are right, I suppose I have to experiment with different foods to find the ones that suit me best. I had to see the surgeon today and he was very pleased with my progress, calling me a miracle and saying they were proud of me, probably due to my big age, but it was my entire wonderful cancer team who deserve the credit for getting me through a few critical moments. I am ever grateful to them as I am grateful to the people on this forum who gave me the encouragement to go for the op. As for the cramps the surgeon suggest to eat more protein and less carbs. I certainly will try it.

[Golf1910]

Hi

Losing your appetite is not unusual, I had my total gastrectomy 7 years ago this month and what I liked before the op was completely different after it. Things didn't taste the same and it was a problem eating anyway. To start with you need to mash foods up, bit like baby food, and gradually start to build up. I was on a feeding tube for a couple of months and didn't eat much during the day in that period. I lost 2 stone in hospital, was there 7 weeks as the initial op leaked so had to have another one, lost another 2.5 stone at home and presently down to 59 kgs but not unhappy at that, was too big before anyway. Don't rush things you/we have all had major operations and I know it is frustrating as one wants to get back to being as normal as the operation allows us but even after 7 years I have swallowing issues and pain at times. We all react to the operation differently there is no one way to resolve your issues. Speak to your specialist nurse and the dietician who should be giving you eating advise anyway. Stick with it and as champagnelover says keep positive. Best wishes

Rob

[Hidden in reply to Golf1910]

Hi evans3842

Wow, you lost a lot of weight! So far I have only lost 3 lb since the op, but I know it is early days yet and from what I have read it is not exactly going to be a picnic from here on. I guess it is one day at the time. The positive note is that they believe all cancer has been cut out and of 46 lymph nodes removed none had any cancer cells in them. Pity the cancer had got to the pancreas.

All the best

[Golf1910 in reply to Hidden]

As I say we are all different, I have met same operation people at the patient group meetings I go to who don't have the same issues as me so whilst we can let you know our situation it doesn't follow it will be the same for you. I had 70 lymph nodes removed of which only a small number were cancerous and not a problem. Do keep us updated as to how things go for you.

All the very best

Rob

[foxy62]

Hi,get some high protein powder,and mix it in with a milkshake.I know not much tastes good,but this is easy and you will get your protein too.Good luck

[Hidden in reply to foxy62]

Good idea, foxy62. I have such a lot to learn yet. Thank you.

[foxy62 in reply to Hidden]

YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME.FEEDBACK FROM OTHER PEOPLE HELPS ALOT.I HAVE LOTS TO LEARN AS WELL GOOD LUCK