Hi I am recently diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in my stomach and peretonium...I initially presented myself with symptoms indicative to a stomach ulcer at the biggining of May (2nd) .got scans and endoscopies which found a ulcer and also a cancer which was obstructing my pyloric .that was treated with a stent after being admitted to the hospital for a week . I am now due to start Chemo and immunotherapy In 11 days time that's 3 months from presenting with symptoms ... should it have really have taken this long so far or is this normal. I was always thought time was of the essence...plus is there any secrets about the treatment to come that I should be aware off , I have already made my house and garden as comfortable of possible just incase of bad side effects and just need to chill
Hi Ukmartian so sorry to read about your journey thus far……
In blood cancer it can take months before a clear diagnosis can be found and treatment starts but often medical professionals are able to make judgments as to how long is ‘safe’ to wait to start treatment.
I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare incurable Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) then in late 2013 I also developed a second rare aggressive NHL so over my years I have had 45 radiotherapy zaps, over 800hrs of chemo and 2 Donor Stem Cell Transplants…… and honestly your words “I just need to chill”….. is a good approach.
My great CNS (Cancer Nurse Specialist) initial words were “……Mike you can read all the information available and then start to catastrophise that every side effect that you have read about will happen but the reality is very often rather different….. take each day as it comes, celebrate the good days, endure the not so good day”…… and she was spot on.
We could line up 100 people with the same condition and in the same treatment and get 100 stories.
I see you have been posting in the dedicated Stomach cancer support group…. This would be the best place to to get support from people who have walked the ‘exact’ same treatment regimes…… my regimes will be totally different.
But these are some general thoughts…..
If you are having chemo but also radiotherapy Nausea may be a challenge, but remember you must not to suffer in silence as there are lots of tools available - but your team need to know how you are getting on as at times it is trial and error to get the right one. I was only sick once during my 750+ hrs of main chemo and this was down to a bad food choice…… I just wanted some takeaway food….. believe me it’s not a good idea.
Fatigue may well build up over time so take each day as it comes but at the same time keep some activity going as this does actually help overcome some of the fatigue..... the less you do the longer the recovery.
There are signs everywhere in our local hospital saying a week in bed is like adding 10 years to your physical age so keeping some activity going is very important.
There is a real Risk of Infection so care needs to be taken to control infection contacts. Generally it takes about 48 to 72 hours for the body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs.
But the effects of the chemo on growth areas and your general immune system will last for weeks and is important to remember that you may well be more open to infections at about days 7-14 as this tends to be the window when your immune system is at its lowest……. then the body recovers in time for the next cycle….. but the more chemo you have the longer the recovery can take so by the end of treatment it could take a few months this to recover completely.
I was given this simple rule for keeping eye on infections…… If my temperature is 37.5°C, repeat in one hour. If my temperature has increased, whether I feel unwell or not, I must contact the hospital.
I would also highlight the importance of drinking lots of water (the aim is 2 litres every day) as this will flush out all the toxins released by the chemo, protects the kidneys and keeps him well hydrated.
It is VERY important to have accurate contact information/names/numbers for reporting in issues especially during out of hours and weekends.
There is no need to be a hermit….. you can go out. I would meet up with friends in a quiet corner of a burden centre….. fresher is a good healer……. The main thing is check that folks visiting you at home are not carrying a bug…. coughing, sneezing etc….. and open the windows and let some fresh air in,
All the very best.
No problem, it’s a balance walking the cancer journey. As you see you will get completely different reactions from your friends and family but do what you need to do to navigate this - your way.
The dedicated Stomach cancer group is a good place to get support from people who have walked the exact same journey.
All the very best.
