I had a second laparoscopy today in preparation for a total gastrectomy in two weeks time, as I am under two hospitals with Addensbrooks taking over the surgery my diagnosis by the other hospital has been perhaps down played in the seriousness of the illness. Today I first learnt that I was being treated as if it wsre stomach cancer albeit the tumour lies in the gullet and its size was more bulkier than he expected. The only good point was that he found it had not spread. I had over the weeks been reading the articles by macmillan and other people's experiences in these columns formed an impression of what is to come. Today I have come face to face with the reality and now I am somewhat scared. I am 76 years of age and I feel reasonably fit and I would like to hear from anyone else who have had a total gastrectomy and how well they have done since
Hello Buzboombang
I did see this post earlier, but did not reply in the hope that someone who could offer you their experience was around to do so.
I want to bump this post up again, in order to see if we can find others who have faced what you are about to go through.
Please remember that you can always call the Macmillan helpline who may be able to give you even more information, and to reach out to your oncologist, for support too.
Good Luck, I know it is scary, but the unknown often is.. l hope someone with some experience of this can come along and respond better to your post
Lowe'
