Stomach Cancer

My DAD has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and we have read on this forum and others about others beind staged.I would liked to know if any of you were staged before surgery which is what it sounds like.The doctors that are working with us at the V.A. haven't mentioned staging until surgery.

  Also I would appreciate any info on where we may obtain another opinion on limited funds.My dad has been a hard working man all his life and raised his family on hard work not government help.So now he and my mom live on ss and what ever job he can do otherwise.My dad is going to be 68 in July.

Please respond.We are going back to the V.A. in 10 days also to see if there is any esophogeal cancer and I am sure they are going to scedule surgery. I would like to have every question available with me thank you.

Take your times to do reseach, the tumor was there,if you have to spend a few more weeks to be well prepared that is more important and it doesn't matter what stage it was. It is really matter if the Surgeon did not have enough skill in lymnode assessments for that type of cancer and he must perform many case in that type of cancer.  Besides that have family 100% support is a very important one.

God Bless you and family,

Is your dad still working?  Does he have Medicare.  Individuals who are retired and over the age of 65 generally have Medicare and that can be helpful in covering costs for this treatment.....God bless you and your family having to struggle through this terrible disease.  Stay strong and stay on this website for support.

Lila.

N o my dad is not working a regular job,he is a carpenter and people call him when they need work done.He has alwys woked his entire life but again has no retirement.My mom and dad live off ss and we help all we can.They are fine in that respect however could not afford much finnancial strain.We will have at least a $1000 bill from hi emergency trip.But thats better than the #35000 bill that is if tha VA picks up the doctor bills.Thats under review.

Do you know of any programs that we could use to maybe get him to another cancer center say if we are not sure with what we here at the VA.We appreciate your response very very much,and hope there are more out there.I's pretty scary.

My wife (43) was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer that had spread to her liver.  The original diagnosis came from an endoscopy in which they took tissue samples and she received the diagnosis of stomach cancer.  From their the next test was a CT Scan and that is when they discovered a spot on her tumor; this was later confirmed by taking a biopsis of this area by actually inserting a needle into her liver where the spot was and taking a sample.  During this time she also went in for an ultrasonic endoscopy where they identified that the stomach tumor had gone through 3 of the five layers of the stomach; in this test they actuall send a small thing into your stomach that takes something that resembles an xray and shows how far through the wall of the stomach the tumor had grown.  These are all very minor scanning and testing techniques but the cost does grow fast. 

Since it was Stage IV when we discovered it, the option of surgery was not as appealing as chemotherapy so there is some importance in knowing the extent before attempting a surgical intervention.  Keep on researching and seek out a second opinion.  Perhaps a case worker at the VA can assist - even if you have to travel to another VA to receive the testing.

 Good Luck, keep us posted.

Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.

Good luck, keep us posted.

On 2/25/2008 momwithkids wrote:

Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Good luck with your dad.  Please update us after the surgery.

My son was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in mid-December. They said surgery was not an option.  He is going through chemo right now.  Most times I think I am in a dream..  He has a wife adn 2 small kids 5 and 7.  Seems to unfair. Anyone know anyone diagnosed so young?

On 2/28/2008 Jockey wrote:

 

On 2/25/2008 momwithkids wrote:

Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Good luck with your dad.  Please update us after the surgery.

My son was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in mid-December. They said surgery was not an option.  He is going through chemo right now.  Most times I think I am in a dream..  He has a wife adn 2 small kids 5 and 7.  Seems to unfair. Anyone know anyone diagnosed so young?

 

My wife is only 43 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV.  She had two sites, the stomach tumor was 2-3 cm and her liver tumor was 1-2 cm when they found it.  She was diagnosed in March of 07 and in remission by June of 07 using ECF chemo.  She remains on chemo today and is scheduled for another 6 months at this point (for a total of 18 months).  She does however remain in remission.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your son, and his family.  We have two girls 12 and 14 and they have done well through the whole thing; imagine the younger kids will do fine. 

Keep his spirits high.  Keep him motivated.  Get all the opinions you can.  Surgery was also not an option for my wife at this time due to the thought that if the cancer got to the liver, it could have gotten anywhere and thus better to try to kill it all through the chemo.

Keep my posted.

Steve

Hartford, CT