Hello.
My first post. My 84 year old mother had an endoscopy/colonoscy 2 days ago and we are waiting for biopsy results. The doctor's report says, "there is a large, semicircumferential mass in the proximal body of the stomach. It appeared to extend up to the cardia, but did not involve the EGJ."
I have used AI and google and am preparing myself for a likely cancer diagnosis. I had really hoped it was an ulcer. She has been steadily losing weight and has had anemia, and as I live with her, I've been reminding her to try to eat as often as possible. She has little appetite and has difficulty swallowing. She's actually not had much of an appetite for a decade or more, which I just chalked up to her being elderly and less active.
I'm fortunate to live with her in Chicago, with excellent hospitals. I have an older brother around four hours away who is also quite worried, but I sometimes feel he is more sensitive than I and may not cope as well. He also has a wife and adult children.
I am unable to sleep well, and feeling really anxious over the news to come. And what my mother's life will look like if the diagnosis is cancer.
Often, I try to behave as calm and logical around her as I can so as not to increase her panic or anxiety. She is forgetful, and relies on me for a great deal. Sometimes I think the news I report to her is forgotten somewhat. The other layer is that English is not her first language, so the medical terminology and procedures must be simplified as much as possible for her.
Just wanted to share and find an experienced community, and this forum appears more active than the American Cancer Society forum. Thank you for reading and letting me read your experiences. I wish you all peace.
