Two weeks & counting.

[fredsonic]

Two weeks to the day after my stomach was removed along with the tumour at the Oesophagus junction. Gradually getting used to life without an appetite. Lost 10Kg sine the operation. Been told I'll struggle to keep weight on. Gentle walking at the moment. Picked my son up from school, a novelty. Got to get used to "new normal".

[OPA_LarryR]

Great that you got out to pick your son up so soon after surgery. Keep it up! I'm 5 years down the road and much more used to the "new normal".

It does get better I promise. just remember to keep eating little and often. You'll soon get the hang of it and learn how to stabalise and build up your weight.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Larry

[Pasta]

Hey, very well done Fred. Was wondering how you were getting on. Wasn't picturing you picking your son up from school 2 weeks post op. Bet you weren't picturing that 2 weeks ago either. Well done ! Tackle the all important weight, slowly by slowly.

All my best, Jill

[AndrewB]

Fred. Keep this up. I find beer keeps my weight up! After four years have been told "you can stop putting on weight!"

Andrew

[Bernadette]

I am very impressed..at two weeks could not walk to the top of the lane and 4 weeks down the line I had to be taken out in a wheelchair..The only concern I have regarding your post is that it may make others feel that there is something wrong with them that they are not recovering so fast. Can I ask did you have keyhole surgery or the shark cut..if you had the shark cut then your recovery is absolutely fantastic Fred.

[fredsonic]

I had a total Gastrectomy with roux-en-y reconstruction. This was done as open surgery rather than keyhole. I was told it is not as invasive as the Ivor Lewis that many patients have, but I was still under the knife for around six hours. The tumour was on the junction but had spread to several lymph nodes on the stomach, hence the removal of my entire stomach.

As for walking etc, the Physioterrorists had me walk from my bed in HDU to the nurses station less than 24 hours post op. I was walking the length of the hospital within five days, still connected to the epidural pump.

Main problems are around eating. I don't feel hungry & don't know when to stop. If I eat too late in the evening I get a build up of mucus & have had a couple of nights where I have had to vomit before feeling able to sleep. Still here though!

[Magdav]

Your progress is coming along really well, that's excellent news. Almost 5 years on post surgery, for me, I'm finding maintaining my weight feels like a life time mission. It's true what everyone else is saying that you need to eat little and often, try not to eat and drink at the same time and I find not eating at least 2 hours before going to bed stops the acid reflux. Sleeping propped up with lots of pillows or having the bed head raised should assist with food going down rather than up the oesophagus. I also think exercise, in moderation, is good for body and soul. Keep up the good work.

Regards Maggie

[shamrock]

You are doing well Fred, I had a similar op with part removal of stomach by keyhole and part removal of oesophagus almost 6 months ago and am sill trying to get used to the new normal

[cherrybailey]

Wow! Go Fred Go. You are doing fantastic! I related to Bernadette others think there is something wrong not recovering so fast.

I had the tumour on the junction, took away the whole stomach, part oesophagus and few lymph nodes removed. I would have had the Ivor lewis I am guessing. I had breathing problems, spent 10 days in i.c.u. Out of hospital after a month, wheel chair when I got out. Could not taste anything for 2 months after, etc etc.

I am 4 years down the line, still get the problems when eating, bowel has a mind of its own. Battle with the weight and energy. Not stopped me achieving all I have since!

Time is a healer! You will be running a marathon in no time! Give it time!

[VerenaSmith]

Good for you!! keep positive, it WILL get better but be patient. I am sure your son will appreciate the time you will have with him. REST when you need it!! Jolly well done.

[jay2908]

When you say 'picked up', did you mean literally? Surely weight training after this operation is a bit much? Yes terrible joke. Well done for getting up and about so soon. Careful not to push yourself too hard.

[fredsonic]

Well, it is nearly six weeks now. Haven't resorted to Jeremy Kyle yet! Had an appointment with the dieticien, specialist nurse & surgeon the other week. Feel queasy after eating, so they have given me Domperodone. Does not seem to do much. Still on pain killers for an aching back that appeared after surgery. Had X Rays to see if they had broken any bones manhandling me when asleep. Luckily not, so it seems that somehow a muscle has been pulled. Allowed a bit of excercise now. Have joined Mr. Bannatyne's gym. No weights, just the machines until I get the say so, along with swimming, sauna, jacuzzi...

Allowed to drive again on Monday. Considering buying a really silly open top sports car. Call it the the Menoporsche. But it won't be one of those.

[ColinT in reply to fredsonic]

Hi there Fred, so glad to hear that you are being so positive. Read through your notes and your doing really well. I too had issues with Domperidone so I was given Ondansetron as an alternative, that worked a bit better but the best relief was Domperidone suppositories. It just means it gets into your system more directly and doesn't get degraded by any stomach acid. I did struggle with pain and was on Buprenophine patches for a while (10 microgram/hour then down to 5) which did take the pain away but as it is one of the opiates it can lead to a dependancy. As I managed fairly well, I was able to reduce it and now only have the occasional Tramadol. I have now had a referal to a local gym for a "Fitness 4 Work" scheme which is fairly gentle excercise to start with and gradually builds up to a more rigorous level but at your own pace. I too thought I had a pulled muscle but it was mainly where you have been cut through and or put in a strange position for a long time during the op. It still gives me some twinges but is now more manageable. They did get a TENS machine whilst I was in the post op recovery ward and it did help, though I don't rememer that bit at all.

Love the idea of the Menoporsche, where can you get them? You seem to be coping really well in general, so keep it up!!

[fredsonic]

Hm, that was until yesterdays news - that my cancer has not all been removed. All treament in future is to be palliative care. Physio thinks the pain is a combination of Arthritis in my back & referred pain from the wound site. Given excercises to do. Domperidone did not work. On something else at the moment (can't remember name but it is no better). Still off work, attending the gym, walking & cycling as much as I am able. Just got Sky TV as a treat for myself!