Almost impossible decision

FormerMember over 3 years ago

1 reply
28 subscribers
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Hi. I have to decide on whether to have my stomach and my spleen removed, AND if so, what I need to know before they do it.

Hi. I'm in Melbourne, Australia, and I have not been able to find a local stomach cancer support group. And I'm faced with a near impossible decision, with almost no information, and no one else to ask.

So, after a month of 'upset stomach' in February this year, sought explanation, and had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy in mid March, to very surprisingly be told I had stomach cancer. Bad one. 20 mm and growing fast.

April started with chemo plus another drug, and with grit and determination to beat it, surprised everyone including me, when we saw PET Scan and blood test result in mid July - it had virtually gone.

Oncologist passed me on to surgeon 10 days ago who shocked me when he said I now needed my stomach and spleen removal.

Apparently, surgery improves my odds, but apparently, they're not fantastic. Better than not having the HUGE operation, but is it worth it?

And if I have the operation, which everyone says totally changes one's lifestyle, if YOU have had it, how can I better prepare? I mean, if you knew 'then' what you know now, what would you change (about the operation and how you prepared)?

So badly want to talk with people who understand.

Thank you so much,

Peter

Jacquiw10 over 3 years ago

Sorry to hear about the decision you have to make. I can only share my own experience and hope it helps you.

I was diagnosed with early stage stomach cancer three years ago. I had chemo first then a partial gastrectomy. Many people on this forum had a total Gastrectomy with a very positive outcome.

I got a clear pathology after the operation as the chemo removed the cancer. I then refused more chemo but it was offered as that’s the gold standard pathway.

I recovered well after surgery and now lead a normal healthy life - I eat normally although smaller portions.

I am not sure if I had been given the decision not to have surgery what I would have done but my view was that I wanted the best chance of beating this awful disease.

I would suggest you ask the medical team for more information- why does your spleen need to be removed as well?

I found the Oespheagal Patient Association website really useful both before and after surgery

https://opa.org.uk

I wouldn’t be afraid of the surgery- I was a reasonably fit 60 year old and focused on getting as fit as possible prior to the surgery. I walked a lot and ate really well. If you click on my name you can read my blog.

Good luck!

Jac

Life is what happens when you are making other plans!

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Almost impossible decision