I’ve just returned from having such an uplifting lunch in Taunton with my dear friend Vanessa, and I’m home now full of energy to update my blog.

We had our post-op meeting with Richard Berrisford on Wednesday and it went well. He told us he was really pleased with my progress and described me as I the ‘model patient’. It was really good to hear that the pre op chemo/rad treatment did it’s job and that Deirdre was no bigger than the scans had predicted, so there were no nasty surprises.

I keep forgetting to mention that my operation is called an ‘Ivor Lewis’ operation after the surgeon who pioneered the combined abdominal and thoracic surgery in the 1920s. He was a Welshman (1895-1982) from Carmarthenshire where I lived as a child and became a consultant surgeon in hospitals in Wales and England, later lecturing about his technique to surgeons from around the world including USA, Canada, Australia etc. Its rather a nice feeling to know that a Welshman’s surgical brilliance has saved my life. Here’s a link to find out more about him:  http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s10-LEWI-IVO-1895.html

During my operation the surgeon took out 23 lymph nodes around my oesophagus which were examined afterwards under a microscope. Only 3 had microscopic residual tumours called R1s in them which is good news as the remaining 20 were clear. And of course these 3 little nasties are no longer inside me but in a path lab somewhere. None at all (R0) would have been amazing news but just 3 R1s is very good. Apparently in the USA they’d be really happy with that and not go forward with chemo, but here in the UK they are more cautious and will follow up with chemotherapy. We knew this was to happen anyway, no matter what the results were, and we have an appointment with the oncologist at 12.20 this Monday in Exeter to find out when the next chemo will start. I’ve had contact with patients who have had my surgery and the cancer returned a few years later, so I’m determined to tough out this next chemo to ensure that Neil and I will continue to travel the world well into our 80s. Thats the plan!!

Despite all this good news, I had felt quiet and a little low since chatting to Richard. I think the main reason is that I can’t eat much without painful tummy problems and I’m so keen to get some nourishment inside me to aid recovery. Its very frustrating. I failed to walk up to the beacon yesterday as I was so tired. Maybe also its because I didn’t want those R1s and had hoped for R0s. Despite the surgeon recommending I move on to soft foods, I’m still suffering with bad stomach pains after many meals, so it’s case of trial and error as to what I can eat successfully. This affects my energy levels as I’m not eating enough to climb mountains. But so long as I focus on the long term recovery, then I’m fine. This is only one small early phase in my story.

So on to much happier positive notes, I managed to go clothes shopping in Tiverton just 5 days after getting home from hospital as I need baggy clothes which are loose around my middle. The retail therapy worked and I loved it. I had such a successful shop with new comfortable clothes I’ve pretty much lived in since. I then walked on to meet Neil at the swimming pool and I was feeling so good that he treated me to afternoon tea at the nearby Hartnell Hotel. We had such a lovely time, but I paid the price of breaking the rules just 5 days home as I felt awful once the scones worked their way beyond my stomach.  I’ve certainly learnt my lesson about food, but it was worth it as we both had such a lovely day.

Neil and I walked up the beacon again last weekend, then relaxed in the hot tub. We’ve started popping in to see friends on good days, but we can’t really plan social events we cant cancel as I never know if I’m going to have a good day or a bad day, but it feels wonderful to get out and about.

I absolutely loved going back to choir on Monday evening. That’s only 3 weeks post op! So many people hugged me and welcomed me back, it felt amazing. Thank you everyone in Voiceworx for making me feel so loved. I’ll DEFINITELY be singing in the concert in Uffculme on 8th December. There are 400 tickets for sale, but they’ll get snapped up by relatives of the performers. Here’s the link if you’d like to come: www.ticketsource.co.uk/voiceworx

So the good days and the not so good days will continue until we figure out which food upsets me. Today a most definitely a GOOD day, and long may it continue.