It is 21 months since I left Hospital after 15 days including five days in intensive care following partial lung collapse. Chemotherapy was not an option for me as after two cycles prior to surgery it was stopped due to DVT in my lower left leg. I am now on warfarin for life. I had a lot of the problems often talked about on the forums with poor appetite vomiting nausea and fatigue. My Gp put me on citalapram to help reduce my anxiety about eating and retching which was a real issue for me. It helped me a great deal.
I find the specialist nurse a real help and she arranged for me to have a gastroscopy and CT scan as my weight had dropped to 10.4. I was 13.5 before operation. Fortunately both came up clear and I was given advice about diet. Since working with Dietician I have gradual reached the stage where I can eat in smaller portions much of what I did before the operation. Occasionally I get it wrong and have retching and vomiting usually through eating to much.
On November 7th I had inguinal hernia operation due to swelling in my groin. having been given a spinal injection I was awake throughout the 40 minutes.Nurse looking after me commented on my scar and chatted about the problem that patients are often referred late and are stage 3 before being seen. I said my own GP treated me for indigestion with Omoprazole for 11 months before she suddenly fast tracked me for an endoscopy. It must be very difficult when they are under pressure not to refer to hospital until everything else has be tried.
I was delighted to go home same day but a bit fed up that I had to carry on injecting myself with heparin.Thankfully only for a week.I had for months of injecting following end of chemotherapy.
If I was to assess how far I have progressed I would say I am 80 percent back to being the man I was. We have had three holidays to Spain and since getting my Oesophageal and gastric support card we have been able to go out occasionally for meals with no problems in getting smaller portions for me.
To sum up I do get a tightness on my left side and stabbing pain now and then in my chest. I do not like the taste in my mouth on waking each day. However life is good and I am so indebted to Mr Ifitkar my surgeon and the many others who played their part in my recovery to date. My GP and specialist nurse are always there for me.
I finish by paying tribute to my beloved wife who has been a rock to me. Without her I doubt I would be so far on as I am. So now AT 78 I realise how fortunate I am to have a future together and with my family and friends.
Seasons blessings to you all
Andrew
