Stomach Cancer - Need Advice

Hi, my name is Mike and I recently had my entire stomach removed as a result of stomach cancer.  It appears all the cancer is gone at this time.

I am seeking support/tips on what to drink, eat, nutritional balancing, etc., as this is a total life-style change, with rapid weight-loss.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube?

 Katrina

On 3/11/2007 Katrina1 wrote:

Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube?

 Katrina

On 3/11/2007 Katrina1 wrote:

Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube?

 Katrina

Hi Katrina -

You are right, it is a lot of trial and error.  I have been so darn tired of just plain water that my oncologist recommended kool-aid with Splenda on Friday.  I had 4 sips of the kool-aid on Saturday morning and have had dumping syndrome, diarrhea, and just been sick for the entire weekend, now dehydrated.

My surgery was on February 5, 2007 and I returned to work last week, full-time.  I am thinking it is too soon to be working ft again.  No, I do not have a feeding tube :).

Thanks for responding.  This really helps to get support from those who have been through the same thing.  Take good care, Katrina. 

I am having my stomach and adrenal gland removed on Tuesday, March 13th. I'm afriad I didn't ask my surgeon many questions. Do you mean that you are only having water weeks after your surgery. Are you unable to eat regular food?

Please advise. I'm worried now..

 Thanks

Marlene 

Mike,

My suggestion is:

1. Keep a note of what you eat and how much ( in cup or oz )

2. Try to avoid suger and milk until you think you can eat normal food..

3. Try to see if you can eat more if you stand up while eating or walk after eating.

4. How much can you eat or drink every hour?  Can you eat one cup ( or 12 oz) solid food or drink?  Keep on eating every hour.  Drink only  between solid meal..

5. After surgery, it is more important to see what and  how much your system can take.  Next step is to gain weight. After you gain weight, you can start to eat healthy.

6. What was your stage (TNM)?  Did you loose weight b4 and after surgery?  How much.  

7. keep a record of your weight at least morning and night ( b4 bowel or after eating)

Let me know how you are doing and I may be able to suggest more.

ssc

On 3/11/2007 Pamkf wrote:

My sister is 38 years old and recently diagonosed with stomach cancer.  Her surgeon had planned to do the surgery in January, but the oncologist said it would be better to do chemo first.  Now they have done chemo for 2 months and now the surgeon is not sure he wants to do surgery.  May I ask where did you have your surgery?  I believe we need to get a second opinion and we need to decide where the best place is to do that.Thanks!

I sent a private message to you.  Hope it can help you.

ssc

On 3/11/2007 Gilroy California wrote:

I am having my stomach and adrenal gland removed on Tuesday, March 13th. I'm afriad I didn't ask my surgeon many questions. Do you mean that you are only having water weeks after your surgery. Are you unable to eat regular food?

 

Please advise. I'm worried now..

 Thanks

Marlene 

Hi Marlene -

My stomach was entirely removed on February 5, 2006, along with my spleen, lymphnodes and God knows what else my surgeon took out.  A new stomach, about 1/2 the size of my thumb, was created within the small intestines when they connected the intestines to the esophagus.  All the cancer was confined to the stomach, so I am now cancer free.

I was in the hospital for 8 days, then home alone.  You really need someone to help you the first couple of weeks.  I went back to work last week full-time, but it really was too soon.

I have been eating food since my surgery.  Caution:  No concentrated sugar, no carbonation.  Eating is trial and error, as I can eat 2 oz. of food, 6 times a day.  The hospital was clueless what to feed me, but stay away from sugar.  I can eat almost anything, but some things have made me sick - i.e. bananas, kool-aid.  My surgeon encourages me to eat everything, with total portion control.

Marlene, if you want to call me, my # is