Gastric Cancer Support Group

hi everyone I am Dhana I am a 76 year old lady diagnosed with stomach cancer in Jan 2011. I underwent a total gastrectomy early Feb this year Everything happened so fast from my diagnosis to surgery I didn't even have much symptoms except for gastric pain in dec 2010. The docs said I recovered well despite my age but there is a lot of things happening to my body which is so frustrating I have lost tons of weight and eating is a challenge I have undergone 5 sessions of chemotherapy after surgery and my 6th (hopefully my last!) is next week. I do get the dumping syndrome associated with total stomach removal and lot of wind Lately I have difficulty sleeping at night. Any suggestions will be appreciated Thanks.

God bless

Dhana

Hi Dhana. I don't have gastric ca but understand that with total gastrectomy it helps to have 5-6 smaller 'meals' than 3 main meals and you may have to keep track of what food "agrees" with you and what doesn't. Also, it's best to not drink fluids WITH the meal. {Fluid along with food intake encourages the "dumping" is my understanding.}

I'm curious how you got diagnosed...you mentioned stomach pain in 12/2010. Were there any other symptoms you experienced before then? Even years ahead perhaps? Wishing you a wonderful week!

Welcome to MDJunction, also!

Thanks Duck (actually how do i adress u?) I'm glad to receive my 1st reply from you!

My first symptom 2 months b4 diagnosis was gradual weight loss followed by poor appetite. Whatever I consumed even water would be stuck and feeling full. I felt some hardness in de stomach n consulted a gastroentologist. He did an endoscopy n said I had an ulcer! He also did a biopsy n ruled out cancer! He gave me medicine for de 'ulcer' n told me to see him a month later. My eating still didn't improve n I saw him in Dec for another scope. This time he said my ulcer had healed n I just needed to take de medicine. My condition worsened in Jan when I started vomiting what I eat. I went for a 2nd opinion n this Dr was good He did a scope took a biopsy n confirmed I had linutis plastica n referred me to a surgeon. A ct scan confirmed it covered a large part of de stomach n total gastrectomy was performed a few days later in Feb

I am taking small meals n not with liquids but still get this feeling of fullness in throat n chest sometimes. I am learning to look out for de timings n stuff to keep it under control Very challenging indeed! I am dreading 6th chemotherapy this week sleep at night is difficult lately. I keep lots of positive thoughts taking everyday as it comes.

what about yourself Duck? What ailment do u have n how r u coping?

My prayers r with u n all friends in this group. God bless n take care

Dhana

what about yourself Dave? What is your ailment?

Post edited by: Dhana, at: 06/20/2011 06:43 AM

Hi Dhana...call me Duck ~ that's fine!

If you look at my profile page here you can see what all I went through

to be dx with metaplasia. Like you I had endoscopy (capsule and GI tract) along with colonoscopy. No ulcers found but biopsies found cellular changes in stomach lining one step before dysplasia on Correas cascade (with end result being adenocarcinoma). I've been told my chances of this going to cancer are low but having the metaplasia (intestinal cells invade and replace normal stomach cells) puts me at a moderately low yet 10x increased risk of developing cancer. I had no symptoms (!) except for anemia...that's what started my "wild goose chase" as doctor suspected an internal bleed somewhere and that's what they set out to find thus all the tests. I have minor aches (just dx as osteoarthritis) and life tumbles along...hope you're having a great day!

Hi Duck I have been having osteoarthritis 4 couple f years. The common prescription seems to be glucosamine Be careful of taking aspirin which was given to me n caused my gastric ulcers/inflamed my stomach lining!

I stopped these painkillers n practiced yoga exercises which helped me a great deal . I was even advised to undergo knee replacement surgery but I really prayed hard n did exercises as I had feedback that such a surgery was not always successful My check up prior to planned surgery shocked de doctor as my knees were in better condition n I did not have to go for de op!

I don't know if this was due to my ardent prayers or exercises or both but it worked. Nowadays having lost so much weight osteoarthritis is at bay.

U r in my prayers Keep smiling always

Cheerio

Dhana

Hi Dhana!

I already take an 81mg baby aspirin everyday and wonder if that's part of the cellular change in my stomach...my GI insists "No" and that I keep taking it, but I keep wondering. Hema doc wants me to take iron pills (even with good iron counts, sigh!) but I've decided I won't ~ I mean, I got my normal range iron #'s when I wasn't on extra iron (just more animal meat)so why constipate myself to "follow the doctor's orders?" I'm human not a machine to wind up!

I found that ibprofen knocks some aches off so will use that once in awhile.

Good luck with the chemo....I just emailed my GI to find out what subtype my metaplastic stomach is...there are 3 and one type tends to go into lymphoma so wanna be aware of that for myself.

Hope Friday finds you happy, ready to relax, and settling down with a nice drink!