Information Needed

Hi. . .This is my first time doing this sort of thing, so here goes. . .My 77 year old dad was dx July 2nd, 2008 with stomach and esophagel cancer, and has hit two nodes .  . .stage 3. . .It was diagnosed during a routine endoscopy.  He has had a cat scan and a pet scan done. . .and thankfully, it has not spread to any other organs.  His medical oncologist and surgical ongologist suggested - two cycles of chemo - surgery - and then another two cycles of chemo. . The surgeon is suggesting to remove the entire stomach and part of the esphagus. . I just need to know if anyone out there has had this and if it's worth doing. . .it seems so radical and my concern is the quality of life dad will have after this.  He is healthy otherwise and is already down to 135 pounds.  Thanks for Listening. . .

Hi MelbaToast,

Please understand the following is MY OPINION ONLY. First of all, let me say how sorry I am that you and your Dad are in this situation. It is a dire one indeed.

I am now of the opinion that stomach removal may not be in the best interest of the patient (I warned you all, this is my opinion). When I look at the patients that seem to have the best quality of life and the most longevity (My partner Rick is one, Steve's wife Lisa is another, etc) what I find they have most in common is the fact they still have their stomachs (Not to mention they are overachievers, have great support systems, and the best spouses, lol). I really believe it is hard to put weight back on when you have had your stomach removed.

Rick has been able to put back on 27 pounds from his low of 122 lbs and has been at or around 149 for quite a while. He has no limitations on what or when he can eat. He is now 19 months from diagnosis as Stage IV. When they went to open him up for his gastrectomy, the laproscope showed cancer floating in the area surrounding the outside of the stomach and that there was no need to remove the stomach at that point. This despite the fact the scans all showed the cancer to be contained in the stomach. Now at this time, I am absolutely convinced that this was a BLESSING !!!

Chemotherapy has been a Godsend for us. We made it over a year on the first line regimen of Oxaliplatin, Xeloda, and Epirubicin. Very minimal side effects, treatment every three weeks, excellent quality of life, was able to travel every three weeks, etc.  We did have to go to a second line regimen due to possible cardiomyopathy issues with extended use of Epiribicin.

Second line regimen of 5-FU, Leucovorin, Irinotecan and Avastin has been maintaining the numbers and again minimal side effects. Every other week of treatment has been a bit of an intrusion into living life fully. (It seems we are always either in treatment or recovering from treatment). However, it sure beats the alternative.

When I look at your Dad's situation, for me, I would seriously question a gastrectomy. Why not try a chemo regimen first and see how he does? If it is possible to do that and shrink the tumor(s) and give him the possibility to eat and regain some weight, what have you got to lose? I just would not put his body through the surgery and the recovery period at his age. If you do decide to try the chemo route, please make sure they install a port in his chest. It will be much easier on everyone to treat him, including him.

Please take the time to read as many of the posts here in the Stomach Cancer section as you can stand. There is a lot of good info here and people more than willing to share their own experiences. I think we owe that to the public in general, as hard as it is, to share our ups and well as our downs. Post any questions as they come up and someone will get back to you, I am sure of that.

Keep the faith and remember that attitude is a HUGE part of this game, both his and the family and the caregivers. It is not an easy road, but you can enjoy the trip along the way. God seems to take care of these issues at His pace.

Peace and Love to you and your family. Prayers too........

Scott 

On 9/4/2008 MelbaToast wrote:

Hi. . .This is my first time doing this sort of thing, so here goes. . .My 77 year old dad was dx July 2nd, 2008 with stomach and esophagel cancer, and has hit two nodes .  . .stage 3. . .It was diagnosed during a routine endoscopy.  He has had a cat scan and a pet scan done. . .and thankfully, it has not spread to any other organs.  His medical oncologist and surgical ongologist suggested - two cycles of chemo - surgery - and then another two cycles of chemo. . The surgeon is suggesting to remove the entire stomach and part of the esphagus. . I just need to know if anyone out there has had this and if it's worth doing. . .it seems so radical and my concern is the quality of life dad will have after this.  He is healthy otherwise and is already down to 135 pounds.  Thanks for Listening. . .

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this awful situation.  It's such a difficult decision to have to make.  Get all the information you can!    My 41 year old son is battling Stage IV stomach cancer and was dx March 2008.  He was given about a 10% chance of survival.   He was initially treated with 90 days of continuous ECF chemo regimen which was very difficult and had many side effects for him.  He lost 53 lbs.  He was bed-ridden that entire time.  After a 3 week period to regain some strength, he underwent radical surgery in July.  They removed his entire stomach, 5 inches of his esophogus, part of the small intestine and over 25 lymph nodes.  For just 2 weeks after surgery, he felt fairly well and went home from the hospital with hope.  Yet two weeks later his exact same excruciating pain returned in his abdomen, back and groin.   He has been hospitalized off and on since then, and there is nothing they have been able to do for this pain except heavy Morphine.  He is home now but very depressed and discouraged.  He wonders if all this was worth it as he tries everything to live for his two small children (age 5 and 4).  The doctors are NOT indicating this is "it" and yet there is no quality of life for him.  However, they have postponed indefinitely the planned additional 90 days of chemo of 6 weeks of radiation they had planned to do after his surgery.  He is just too weak and they don't feel his body could take it.  The pain is a constant, he is so medicated that he cannot function, and it's hard for him, and those of us who love him, to stay strong.  Are there any folks out there who have experienced this who can offer some hope?

On 9/5/2008 littlewoms wrote:

 

On 9/4/2008 MelbaToast wrote:

Hi. . .This is my first time doing this sort of thing, so here goes. . .My 77 year old dad was dx July 2nd, 2008 with stomach and esophagel cancer, and has hit two nodes .  . .stage 3. . .It was diagnosed during a routine endoscopy.  He has had a cat scan and a pet scan done. . .and thankfully, it has not spread to any other organs.  His medical oncologist and surgical ongologist suggested - two cycles of chemo - surgery - and then another two cycles of chemo. . The surgeon is suggesting to remove the entire stomach and part of the esphagus. . I just need to know if anyone out there has had this and if it's worth doing. . .it seems so radical and my concern is the quality of life dad will have after this.  He is healthy otherwise and is already down to 135 pounds.  Thanks for Listening. . .

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this awful situation.  It's such a difficult decision to have to make.  Get all the information you can!    My 41 year old son is battling Stage IV stomach cancer and was dx March 2008.  He was given about a 10% chance of survival.   He was initially treated with 90 days of continuous ECF chemo regimen which was very difficult and had many side effects for him.  He lost 53 lbs.  He was bed-ridden that entire time.  After a 3 week period to regain some strength, he underwent radical surgery in July.  They removed his entire stomach, 5 inches of his esophogus, part of the small intestine and over 25 lymph nodes.  For just 2 weeks after surgery, he felt fairly well and went home from the hospital with hope.  Yet two weeks later his exact same excruciating pain returned in his abdomen, back and groin.   He has been hospitalized off and on since then, and there is nothing they have been able to do for this pain except heavy Morphine.  He is home now but very depressed and discouraged.  He wonders if all this was worth it as he tries everything to live for his two small children (age 5 and 4).  The doctors are NOT indicating this is "it" and yet there is no quality of life for him.  However, they have postponed indefinitely the planned additional 90 days of chemo of 6 weeks of radiation they had planned to do after his surgery.  He is just too weak and they don't feel his body could take it.  The pain is a constant, he is so medicated that he cannot function, and it's hard for him, and those of us who love him, to stay strong.  Are there any folks out there who have experienced this who can offer some hope?