Stomach cancer- age 46

Hi Ahuss, sorry to hear your news. My partner too had no real symptoms and was on omeprazole then had endoscopy after vomitting blood and was found to have an ulcer that turned cancerous. He had a CT following this that showed lympth node activity. This was last June. He had a staging laparoscopy end of July where they look in and around the stomach to make sure it hasn't gone through the stomach or into surrounding organs. It only took about an hour, under general anaesthetic and thankfully was contained in the stomach. He was told he was stage 3.

He then had chemotherapy (FLOT) which I believe is the most powerful for this type of cancer. He was supposed to have 4 lots over 8 weeks (2 weeks in between doses) followed by a partial gastrectomy. He ended up having 6 rounds as the operation was delayed. To be honest, he says it wasn't as bad as we thought. He did get a bit tired and had bouts of diahhorea, but during this time he decorated most of the house, went to the gym on days he felt good and was out with our dog fir 2 longs walks everyday. He's 61 and although his hair came out and nails went a bit weird, he tolerated it well.

He had 80% of his stomach removed with lymph nodes mid Jan this year and his recovery was remarkable. He eats and drinks what he likes. He's now one cycle down in his final 2 cycles (it's usually 4 before and four after, but he had 6 before) and its a little more hard going but he's been not too bad. Both surgeon and oncologist are talking cure, so although we know it may possibly come back sometime later as it was stage 3 with 7/18 lymph nodes affected, its a good outcome! 

I know it's a big shock and it's certainly been a roller coaster of emotions for us, but it's amazing what the surgeons can do.

I wish you well. A

Hi, sorry to hear your diagnosis… I was diagnosed with stage 4 November 21 and had no symptoms apart from my ibs getting worse hence having to go for a endoscopy and colonoscopy where they found diverticulitis and something in my stomach which they took biopsies of… I then had a ct scan and from the results they told me stage 4 signet ring. I had a laparoscopy and no further evidence if cancer was found anywhere else. I then started 4 rounds of FLOT chemo on 22nd December. I had a total gastrectomy in April and then in June 4 more rounds of chemotherapy…. I’m back at work now part time and I eat everything but in small amounts and getting on with everything… my lymph nodes they took away on my operation all came back negative…. 
I hope all goes well with you, ask as much as you can when you meet up with your care team. 

Take care 

Michele 

Thanks. It really helps. Your post had made me feel so much better. At the moment it’s shocking for me. I have cried front of everyone. Tears just won’t stop. I am thinking about my youngest child. Can I make it to see her through high school. It’s very hard. I guess once I know the treatment plan then I might feel better. Google has some scary stuff about stomach cancer. 

Thanks Michele. 

Hi there Ahuss, yes it’s sure a scary place to be, once you get started on treatment things should get moving and won’t be so scary. My husbands 79 and had all his stomach out in Jan, he was in hospital for 7 days, I don’t think he’s doing as well as Anna67 husband but he’s doing ok, eating ok and more or less what he wants but in small portions. The laparoscopy wasn’t a problem, he was out the same day. He didn’t have chemo as the surgeon said over 75s don’t do so well with it. He was stage/grade 2 with no lymph nodes involved. He also didn’t have any symptoms, his was picked up on a CT scan he has yearly for kidney cancer, they also found at the same time he has Lymphoma. Yes it’s still scary with all these things going on but it is what it is. Good luck to you and I’m sure things won’t be as bad as your thinking xx

Its so difficult, especially at the start. We too googled too much, especially before the treatment plan, but once the doctors took over they tell you straight and, although they said some things we didn't want to hear, they were very positive that they were going for the curative option, which is chemo, surgery, chemo. It took some time to get our heads around the news, and never thought we'd learn to live with cancer, but we have and are planning to get married in June and go for a well earned trip abroad. Easy for me to say stay strong, there are some very dark times and I hope you and your family navigate this awful time safely 

Hi Ahuss, my partner Anna67 who is a member of yhis group just talked to me about conversation. My name is Lee and as she said, still on chemo and not out of the woods yet, but had to say I too have been scared of the outcome but unbelievably am living a normal life, even on chemo. She has requested friendship on here. I'm saying this because I would've loved someone to give me hope. So, 80% of stomach gone, chemo... I can't believe I'm having a couple of beers and a curry. I am delighted.

Hi yes it helps when we talk to others with similar cases. I have good and bad days . I am trying to be positive and praying. 

Hi 

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you have come to the right place for support and positive stories.  I had stomach cancer four years ago and had chemo and a partial gastrectomy.  I am just back from a holiday in the North of Scotland where we had dinner at a lovely restaurant! Something I would never have imagined I would have been able to do when I was diagnosed.

The laparoscopy is very straightforward and you recover quickly.  After that there will be more tests as the medical team gather information and decide the treatment pathway.

Do post here and if it helps do message with any questions.

Good luck!

Hi Jac thanks your story gives me hope. Otherwise I was just feeling hopeless. I am finding it so hard, why me, have I done something wrong, if I went to doctor early? Etc 

everyday I get up thinking I will be positive and I will keep trying this approach. You are right once I have treatment plan then I will have something o focus on. Thanks again