Weight Gain After Chemo?

My husband was diagnosed with State 4 Stomach Cancer and had a full gastrectomy in October of 2007. 

So far he has lost about 75 pounds due to the effects of total stomach removal (i.e. nausea, chocking feeling, etc.) combined with chemo treatment.

It's been very diffucult for him, but he wanted to find out if anyone out there has gained weight after chemo and if so how quickly.  Also, did the side-effects remain or subside with time?  Are the effects related to not having a stomach or chemo?  It's very hard to get clear answers from the doctor.

Thank you for sharing information with us.  We truly appreciate it.

My 43 year old wife has been on chemo for the past year.  8 rounds of ECF and the last 6 months on Oxaliplatin and Xeloda.  She has gained weight, she says the steriods make her crazy hungry.  Although at times she feels sick to her stomach, she has maintained a great appetite.  Not sure if this helps.

My mother had a full gastrectomy Oct. 31, 2007.  Stage 1 stomach cancer.   She had a 1 cm. tumor.   Doctors think they got it all, but they did 5 days of chemo and 28 sessions of radiation.   She completed all of this treatment Feb. 4.     She started at 154 pounds and is now at 108.    She eats very well.  Sometimes she feels a little shaky or weak, but I think that's just from not being able to eat large quantities and feeling hungry.    Every now and again she still chokes on her food, but she'll attribute it to not having chewed a piece of something well enough.    The other day my sister took her out to dinner and she ate 8 pieces of california roll sushi.   That's a lot of food.  I think what she needs to do is eat foods that contain a higher amount of fat in a more concentrated and smaller amount to maintain her weight.    I encourage her to eat peanut butter and other high fat foods.   A friend of mine commented to me the other day that it may not just be a food issue, but an absorption issue.   Without the stomach, maybe the fat doesn't get absorbed into the body and it gets released too quickly and therefore maintaining weight is more difficult.   Makes sense.   I am happy to report that my mom is now back at work with my dad.  She drives herself.    She also drove for 2 1/2 hours by herself out of town for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago.    We're praying she continues getting better and stronger. 

 I hope this helps.

On 4/4/2008 cal1519 wrote:

My husband was diagnosed with State 4 Stomach Cancer and had a full gastrectomy in October of 2007. 

So far he has lost about 75 pounds due to the effects of total stomach removal (i.e. nausea, chocking feeling, etc.) combined with chemo treatment.

It's been very diffucult for him, but he wanted to find out if anyone out there has gained weight after chemo and if so how quickly.  Also, did the side-effects remain or subside with time?  Are the effects related to not having a stomach or chemo?  It's very hard to get clear answers from the doctor.

Thank you for sharing information with us.  We truly appreciate it.

 

Hello-

   I was curious...you mentioned your husband had stage iv stomach cancer and had a total gastrectomy right? Where had the cancer metasasized to? My father was just diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer as well, but the doctors are saying that a gastrectomy is not an option for him because it is stage IV. I feel as though the doctors here are giving up.  Prior to this recent diagnosis, my father was a very healthy man, no prior medical conditions at all.  In fact, this was the first time he had been to the hospital in 65 years.  I am currently going to get a second opinion, maybe even a third opinion after reading all of these people with stage IV stomach cancer having surgery. Your response and any additional information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.