28 year old male just diagnosed with stomach cancer

Hi 28fighter,

I have probably arrived a little late to this discussion but I just thought I’d echo a little what Red10 has said above.

I have just turned 39 and was diagnosed with a T1/2 tumour N0 M0 in November 22 at the time I had a 10 month old little girl and was actually on maternity leave.

I was told that I could go straight for surgery and that some might find it controversial that I was even been offered chemotherapy but like yourself they wanted to give me the option to take an aggressive approach. There were many things that I was worried about. I always thought that my partner and I would have another little one so was concerned about fertility and a few other things. I talked this through and there are things that can be done so please don’t let that alter your decision. My treatment would have been delayed if I had frozen my embryos, this wasn’t really an option for me so I chose to have an injection instead, it might not work but I personally thought that I needed to focus on the here and now and if it doesn’t work then at least I’d tried and I have a gorgeous little girl either way.

I had a full stomach removal in April and my histology showed as a T1a N0 M0 so like yourself I was lucky that it was caught early. Chemotherapy had completely eradicated the ulcer.

I am currently going through chemotherapy post op and my first session was ridiculously hard. I couldn’t drink etc so attended the hospital so they could give me fluids. I was adamant that I wasn’t continuing but I always say never quit on a bad day. I’m actually sat having my second session as I type. I might not get through them all but for me 1 is better than 0 and 2 is better than 1, I shall take each one as it comes. Had I had been in the same situation as Jacqui I think I would’ve made the same choice as her.

prior to surgery I dealt with chemo really well as I was able to eat well and keep myself hydrated so maybe the side effects wouldn’t be to bad for you.

it’s such a personal decision but for me it was important to remember what I was up against and fight it with everything they had. I didn’t want to turn up to a gun fight with a knife  I’m hoping that what I’m doing today will give me the best chance to ensure the future and watch my little girl grow up.

I wish you all the best with your decision

Take care x

Well done Cestrian ! 

Just had to message you back and encourage you through this bit (Post Op chemo) as it was the hardest, hardest, hardest, hardddddddest bit for me and absolutely kicked my derriere and floored me ! But, I took strength that if it was KO’ing me that badly, it was definitely nuking any microscopic bad cells that might’ve been left behind !

Listen, well done for gritting your teeth and chalking up session #2 too and not tapping out.

Keep walking, even if you have to crawl over the line just try your absolute hardest to pull yourself through it and get it done … and look at this this way - you’re over half way now, so start counting them down rather than up … and sharing some insight from experience, I found the last one was much easier because mentally you know that’s it all done … so really just get yourself thru the next one Cestrian !

One tip my mentor gave me when I was in the trenches and ready to quit after the first round post op was, choose a gift for yourself, something quite special and extravagant and keep your focus on it and treat yourself to it for finishing the chemo course.

Mine was a watch, and in the moments where I was on my knees in the trenches, I’d think of my competing it all for my Wife, my kids (22, 19, 9 and 7) and the prize at the end of it !

Keep walking through the valley, you’ve got this .. and remember, to get from hilltop to hilltop we have to walk through some valleys, but you are nearly out the other side !

Hi Red 10,

Apologies for the late reply but I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your message. I struggled again with the second session and had to go to the hospital for fluids as I was unable to eat or drink.

I read your message whilst in hospital and it put a smile on my face and gave me a renewed sense of determination. I am back in the chair next Thursday for session 3. I’ve climbed the hill so I’m starting to make my way back down again now. My partner and my little girl are definitely pulling me through and I’m going to take your advice and am currently thinking of a special reward for myself when it’s all over.

Thanks again

Hi

Sorry for butting in. 

Just had to say, keep going cestrian,  your just amazing and you've completely got this!.

Think of something nice for yourself for when you've finished it all, you deserve it. 

My OH starts his chemo next Wednesday.  

He's dreading it, I'm dreading it, but what choice does he have!  

Thank you to everyone whose shared their story, your all totally amazing, and inspirational.  

Xx

I’m glad it was of use and gave a renewed sense of determination … this was the hardest part of the whole journey for me and you’re nearly through it. Keep your eyes fixed forward on Round 3 and get it done as I promise you the last one, number 4 is OK as mentally you know you’re over the finish line. Take strength and comfort that if this chemo is kicking our butts as badly as it does in this post op stuff, that any microscopic bad cells have no chance and so makes it all worthwhile in the long term for us, our partners and kids ! You got this. You can do it. Keep walking through that valley and reach the mountain top the other side. Try and pick a present for yourself ASAP so you have something to focus on and for, it really helped me as I’d wanted a nice watch for so long and after nearly not making it to my 44th birthday, hauling myself limping and crawling across the finish line of post op chemo I knew I deserved it and life was too short not to ! Your family and everyone here is proud of you. Show up, clock in, get it done and know that you’ve given yourself the absolute best chance of many happy years ahead with your family ! 

Such good advice! I think it’s hard when you feel so wiped out but you know it gets better!  Sometimes you just have to let the time flow past and remember nothing lasts forever! 
It will feel like a bad dream in a few weeks!

I used to picture myself walking along the beach in Marbella…one of my favourite places! When I felt well again, we booked a trip! 

Take care xx

Hi music lover,

feel free to join “butt in” whenever you like  Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m back in the chain today so fingers crossed this one will be better.

sorry for the late reply, I have an 18 month old little girl so when I’m feeling well the phone goes away and we make the most of it.

I am currently thinking of nice gifts to reward myself. I have always wanted a Burberry Mac or scarf so may consider treating myself to one of them when this is all over.

 I am sorry to hear that your OH is going through this, I hope that he has taken to it well. Prior to surgery I felt relatively well the majority of the time, I had a couple of days where I felt like I had a hangover and had tingling in my hands and feet but that was generally it. You’ve certainly come to the right place to get some advice and there are some lovely people on here to support both your partner and yourself through. My top tips would be to drink plenty of fluids and eat well prior to chemo, give your body the nutrients it needs to fight. I also invested in a soft toothbrush and requested the ulcer mouthwash to do a preventative swirl. Keep slippers and gloves close to avoid and tingles in the hands or feet whilst walking on cold tyres and getting treats out of the fridge and consider avoiding cold drinks.

I hope everything goes well, take care x

Hi Red 10,

It certainly was and I’m back in the chair today. I have packed a hospital bag so I can just grab it if I need to but I’m hoping I won’t 

Thank you so much for your support, I’m taking one treatment at a time and feel determined that I’m going to get to the end for my little girl, my partner and myself. Like you say if it’s making me feel the way it does then it must be doing it’s job, It’s good to know that life is good on the other side.

I walked into the first one, crawled into the second, I’m on my knees going into the third so it’s going to be some kind of commando floor crawl into the forth but like you say the finish line will be in sight. I have my eyes on a Burberry mac or scarf as a treat  

your last paragraph actually brought a tear to my eye…Thank you. I hope your check up goes well, keep us posted!

Hi Jacqui,

You’re so right, it’s important to remember that the bad days will pass and hopefully soon this will all be a distant memory.

That beach sounds lovely, I’m not too sure when it’s safe to fly again after treatment so I’m looking at cruises. I’ve always been that person that’s gone without and tried to save but I think may family and I deserve to make some nice memories.

Thank you for all of your support, you’ve been there from day 1 and it’s been very much appreciated x

It is so hard to keep putting yourself through it, but you are almost there! I hope this dose isn’t as bad but you have a good medical team around you! That Burberry Mac and the scarf will be a great reward!

Good luck! X