Need info

My Mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer that has spread to her belly and liver and has enlarged her lymph nodes. Her doctor says that it is non surgical and they can do chemo. He says that he is not calling it terminal yet, they want to see how the chemo works. He says she is young, 49 and there is alot of medicine out there. I, as well as my Dad (and Mom) and family is scared to death. I read something today saying that stomach canver stage 4 is not curable, chemo will just prolong the persons lfe. This news made me sick. Has anyone survived this??? She starts chemo tomorrow. Help!!!!

Becky

On 2/15/2009 jbnhcd wrote:

My Mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer that has spread to her belly and liver and has enlarged her lymph nodes. Her doctor says that it is non surgical and they can do chemo. He says that he is not calling it terminal yet, they want to see how the chemo works. He says she is young, 49 and there is alot of medicine out there. I, as well as my Dad (and Mom) and family is scared to death. I read something today saying that stomach canver stage 4 is not curable, chemo will just prolong the persons lfe. This news made me sick. Has anyone survived this??? She starts chemo tomorrow. Help!!!!

Becky

Dear Becky,

I rarely get on  the message board but came across your message. Take a deep breath and release. I realize how scared you must be but faith is very important right now. Your Mom is very young and I am sure the Doctor's are correct about the many treatments they can use. The word cancer scares all of us but it is not a death sentence. Attitude for all of us. You would be surprise how attitude enters into cure. Please do not research on the web, it will only give you more negative than positive. I know this from experience. Ask lots of questions and make sure you get a second opinion. No matter what you are told!!! Get another opinion. Mine saved my live. It will not hurt the Doctor's feelings. Just make sure you get it. Insurance pays for at least two if not three.

Please do that one thing and I am sure all will turn out okay. God be with you!

Lori

(Lori - your words are what I needed when I read your response. Today has not been a good day and I was crying when I read your message which gave me hope.  My sis is battling stomach cancer. She is only 30.)

Do whatever you have to do to get your mom to the doctor. It's her life. Don't read everything on the internet either.  I am the pot calling the kettle black but I can tell you from first hand experience it is nothing but depressing usually.   You have to remember that everyone is different and everyone's cancer and their response to treatment is different.   Pray , pray, pray and laugh, laugh, laugh.  Laughter is good.

It is hard to keep your spirits high. I am such a worrier and the fact that I work at an oncology office doesn't help as I'm around this stuff all the time for the last 7 years.   It is depressing.  But their are miracles. Look at Lance Armstrong! 

We have to pray and TRY to stay positive. I know it is tough..believe me I know. I sit here now crying because I am so scared for my sister. Even though she was diagnosed in August this still seems so surreal.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Tracy

Becky,

My husband is 55 and was diagnosed with Stage IV Stomach Cancer with Metastases to the Lymph Nodes and Liver, Nov. 2008.   We were told the same thing, that it is not curable, and surgery was not an option.  He is responding very nicely to treatment.  His treatment is very aggressive, Cisplatin, 5FU and Docetaxel every other week, but his first scan - after receiving only 4 treatments revealed that the liver and most of the lymph nodes were normal in appearance.  He has many more treatments to undergo, but his doctors (and our family) are very hopeful. 

Your Mom is certainly young enough, and should definitely start treatment.  There are a number of treatment regiments and I'm sure her doctors will find the one that best suits her.

It is so hard getting this type of news, but you need to be hopeful and supportive as a family (lot's of prayers help too).

Wishing you well.

Karen 

On 2/18/2009 Kareyn wrote:

Becky,

 

My husband is 55 and was diagnosed with Stage IV Stomach Cancer with Metastases to the Lymph Nodes and Liver, Nov. 2008.   We were told the same thing, that it is not curable, and surgery was not an option.  He is responding very nicely to treatment.  His treatment is very aggressive, Cisplatin, 5FU and Docetaxel every other week, but his first scan - after receiving only 4 treatments revealed that the liver and most of the lymph nodes were normal in appearance.  He has many more treatments to undergo, but his doctors (and our family) are very hopeful. 

Your Mom is certainly young enough, and should definitely start treatment.  There are a number of treatment regiments and I'm sure her doctors will find the one that best suits her.

It is so hard getting this type of news, but you need to be hopeful and supportive as a family (lot's of prayers help too).

Wishing you well.

Karen 

 

 

 

I know every person is different and just because your husband is doing good doesn't mean my Mo would, but your message seriously encouraged me. We have been hearring so much bad news that I really needed to read your message. I am very very glad that your husband is responding well to the treatments! And yes prayers are a definite need!!

On 2/15/2009 jbnhcd wrote:

My Mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer that has spread to her belly and liver and has enlarged her lymph nodes. Her doctor says that it is non surgical and they can do chemo. He says that he is not calling it terminal yet, they want to see how the chemo works. He says she is young, 49 and there is alot of medicine out there. I, as well as my Dad (and Mom) and family is scared to death. I read something today saying that stomach canver stage 4 is not curable, chemo will just prolong the persons lfe. This news made me sick. Has anyone survived this??? She starts chemo tomorrow. Help!!!!

Becky

Hi Becky

My dad is 66 and  was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable stomach cancer in october 2008, it has spread to his lymph nodes as well.  He was given 18 months to live and was told with chemo he had a 1 in 10 chance of living beyond the 18 months. After 6 chemos his cancer has shrunk, much to everyones surprise. Dad has positive thinking, a supportive family and he has changed his diet. He is very tired from the chemo and has lost a lot of weight. But he has set himself goals of things he wants to do. My advice is think positive and hang in there as I also have a friend whos dad was diagnosed 3 years ago and so far he is doing well. Cheers Karen

On 2/18/2009 Kareyn wrote:

Becky,

 

My husband is 55 and was diagnosed with Stage IV Stomach Cancer with Metastases to the Lymph Nodes and Liver, Nov. 2008.   We were told the same thing, that it is not curable, and surgery was not an option.  He is responding very nicely to treatment.  His treatment is very aggressive, Cisplatin, 5FU and Docetaxel every other week, but his first scan - after receiving only 4 treatments revealed that the liver and most of the lymph nodes were normal in appearance.  He has many more treatments to undergo, but his doctors (and our family) are very hopeful. 

Your Mom is certainly young enough, and should definitely start treatment.  There are a number of treatment regiments and I'm sure her doctors will find the one that best suits her.

It is so hard getting this type of news, but you need to be hopeful and supportive as a family (lot's of prayers help too).

Wishing you well.

Karen 

 

 

 

 Hi Karen,

 My husband is 53 and also stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosed Feb 2, 09

was told surgery is not an option and told us most people with this cancer live 15mths. What a shock it took awhile to sink in thought I was having a bad dream and when I woke it would be gone. But it is real and we have to deal with it and take 1 day at a time. My husband has a very good attitude and he will fight it.

He started chemo this past Mon. cisplatan, 5-FU and came home with pump 24 hrs. a day for 3 days. He goes back in 3 wks  and a 3rd med. Taxetore will be added for the 3 days.(not sure if I spelled the meds right)

First treatment he was only very tired and had pump removed yesterday and felt great today. If it was warm out he wouldnt taken his Harley for a ride, but was too cold.

Just not sure how 2nd treatment will be in 3 wks. 

Thanks for encouraging news.

How is your husband doing?

My thoughts are with you both.

Diane

 My husband is 53 and also stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosed Feb 2, 09

was told surgery is not an option and told us most people with this cancer live 15mths. What a shock it took awhile to sink in thought I was having a bad dream and when I woke it would be gone. But it is real and we have to deal with it and take 1 day at a time. My husband has a very good attitude and he will fight it.

He started chemo this past Mon. cisplatan, 5-FU and came home with pump 24 hrs. a day for 3 days. He goes back in 3 wks  and a 3rd med. Taxetore will be added for the 3 days.(not sure if I spelled the meds right)

First treatment he was only very tired and had pump removed yesterday and felt great today. If it was warm out he wouldnt taken his Harley for a ride, but was too cold.

Just not sure how 2nd treatment will be in 3 wks. 

Thanks for encouraging news.

How is your husband doing?

My thoughts are with you both.

Diane