17th.March
I had an outpatients appointment with Mr.Knight, one of my surgeons last Friday, 13th.March. It was just under 5 weeks since my operation and I was very keen to get my feeding tube and drain bag removed at the jejunostomy site which was only used when I was in the ICU. It was removed OK....what a relief to get rid of that bag. The surgeon also mentioned that he removed 36 lymph nodes, none of which showed any sign of cancer so essentially it means I am now free of cancer. I was not offered any follow-up chemotherapy, the surgeon considered it unnecessary. Mr.Knight planned to see me again in 6 weeks time, 1st.May. In his report he remarked that I 'looked the picture of health'.
It turns out that there are 600-700 lymph nodes in the human body so 36 is not that great a deal. However lymph nodes do play a part in the immune system which is a little bit worrying considering the threat from the coronavirus. Not having any drains or dressings now , I have counted up the number of 'entry/exit' points on my stomach, chest and back form the keyhole surgery........there are 9 sites all healing well but some are a bit mis-shapen which hopefully in time will improve.
Today I removed the final dressing from the jej site, it was fine so I was able to have my first shower for 5 weeks.....another milestone.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Saturday, March 7, 2020
At Home
Saturday 7th.March
It is now 27 days since surgery and 12 days since discharge form hospital. Despite my pessimism, I can eat pretty much what I like now, apart form steaks etc., and I have not experienced and acid reflux problems. However, food volume is reduced quite a bit since I get full very easily and of course I still need to chew very thoroughly. Spent my birthday visiting my GP and getting my chest drain bag removed. Only one drain left now at the jejunostomy site.but that has to wait 6 weeks after the operation. Have lost a few pounds as expected so getting on the exercise bike regularly now and yesterday did my first walk around the block trying to get a bit of muscle loss back. Otherwise things seem to be improving, my GP is happy for me to start driving.
It is now 27 days since surgery and 12 days since discharge form hospital. Despite my pessimism, I can eat pretty much what I like now, apart form steaks etc., and I have not experienced and acid reflux problems. However, food volume is reduced quite a bit since I get full very easily and of course I still need to chew very thoroughly. Spent my birthday visiting my GP and getting my chest drain bag removed. Only one drain left now at the jejunostomy site.but that has to wait 6 weeks after the operation. Have lost a few pounds as expected so getting on the exercise bike regularly now and yesterday did my first walk around the block trying to get a bit of muscle loss back. Otherwise things seem to be improving, my GP is happy for me to start driving.
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