Attitude

Hello Everyone,

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April 2008. At that time I was given 18 months to live. My 55th birthday will be in November this year and I am not expected to make it. My condition was inoperable as it had already spread to my liver. I have been living with this ticking clock hanging over my head ever since. I endured 18 weeks of Chemo. A subsequent CT scan showed no shrinkage of the tumours, but no growth. I am doing all I can to keep a positiive attitude. I live in the UK, but I have taken three holidays to Florida and hope to be going back in May. It did take me quite a while to come to terms with my diagnosis and in the beginning I could not talk about it with anybody without bursting into tears. I have now accepted my condition and have no problems talking about it at all. I have no pain and I am enjoying myself as much as possible. I am setting targets and doing all I can to help myself by eating and juicing the right right foods. I recently joined a gym and do intend to use the machines for toning purposes, but right now I am just using the sauna and steam room facilities, which make me feel good afterwards. I lost quite a lot of weight whilst on the Chemo and I am having a hard time putting it back on. It seems that no matter how much I eat or drink, I am stuck at this weight. I am determined to beat this and prove the medical profession wrong and I see gaining my weight back as the first step. I have to have another CT scan soon and I am hoping there has been no growth. I have friends and relations praying for me from all over the world, so if that works I will be OK. There are times when I feel a little sorry for myself, but dwelling on my condition is not good, so I try to think of something positive and keep off that slippery slope that can so easily lead to depression. I bought a camper van last August, but the weather in the UK was bad last year. However, Spring is in the air right now and I have already been to Wales in it enjoying the beautiful Welsh mountains and breathing air that is supposed to be only second in quality to Switzerland. My next target is Florida in May and then I aim to have have a 55th Birthday Party. Hope to post again on November 10th. I hope this helps fellow sufferers....Do your best to beat it and never give in.

Chris

Dear Chris,

 Thank you for your message of hope and determination.  It is just what I needed to read.  My mother is with advanced stomach cancer with metastasis in the peritoneum since spread to her bowels.  I understand that if the chemo works, we may hope for some months together, if it does not work, weeks, maybe days.

 I stay focussed on her continuing, and in my inner eye see her with us for time yet.  So far, it has been grim determination, but when I read your message, I thought to myself that the attitude had to be more positive and that there has to be good things to look forward to.  How right you are.

 With gratitude,

Anna

Chris,

Thank you for your message.  I am a survivor of recent stomach cancer.

My first thought is, who cares what the Dr.s predict.  I love the fact that you are living your life the way that you want, and enjoying it.  That attitude is fantastic.  Way to go.

I believe in the power of prayer.  I don't know any of God's plans for us as individuals, but I believe that he answers prayers that are within His plan.  We just need to ask and believe that He wants the best for us.

Having a good support group around, was increadible for me.  I have a wife and eight kids, other family close, and great friends from work and church.  There messages of encouragement and the assistance that we got from them was beyond measure.

I sincerly hope that you enjoy Florida and your new camper to its fullest this year!

Vince

Chris,

Keep the faith........We are at 2 years and counting. The doctors can only give you best guesstimates. Your attitude, faith and a support system will make all the difference in your experience. I know that we have enjoyed the last two years with immense pleasure, (think Bucket List movie) and life has had a different focus since diagnosis here.

Good for you, getting a camper. We lived in a motorcoach for two years way back when and what a blast. Enjoy it in good health, and yes we expect to see you posting on your birthday in November. You will make it. Enjoy Florida in May.

Godspeed..... Scott

Dear Chris,

Keep moving ahead, keep your positive attitude and don't give in.   Stay focused on things that keep you thriving.  Dr. Andrew Weil has written some good books on Optimum Healing, and has some pretty remarkable stories of people that were given no hope by their doctors but healed themselves through alternative remedies of diet, meditation, vitamins, etc.  Get yourself a copy and read it while your relaxing and taking in the fresh air.  My thoughts and prayers are with you. Be strong.

Karen 

 

I was informed last week my mom has stomach cancer, stage IV. After getting over first shock I have realized the very first thing to stop doing is to read statistics! I believe in good, I think positive and give all my positive energy to my mom and everybody around me. I believe positive thinking and hope are crucial parts in this fight. Every person is individual - she is 48 years, I'd say young, and even my grandmother (her mother) died because of that 2 years ago, I believe history is not going to repeat!

To,

Anna, Scott, Karen and Ciascuno 

I would like to thank you all for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the people in your lives who are suffering this terrible illnes will all soon be free from it. 

To Vince, I wish you all the best with your recovery, people in your position give hope to the rest of us.

Cheers

Chris

Just a quick update to my first message regarding "attitude".

I mentioned that I had to have another CT scan "soon", well that appointment arrived and it was set for April 27th. The first thing I did on getting that date was to go online and book a flight to Florida on April 28th.

I had another wonderful time in Florida for a month. My next appointment at hospital for the results of the CT scan was June 10th. I was very scared and was not looking forward to it at all, as I had never had any good news from the hospital apart from the previous CT scan showing no growth.

I am very happy and relieved to tell you that my latest CT scan results showed no growth in the tumours. When I heard the news I got a bit emotional, but after I pulled myself together I enquired if it would be OK to go back to Florida and was told "of course".

This will be my 6th trip to Florida in just over a year and I am sure the sunshine is doing me good. I have just booked another trip to Florida for three weeks in September and hope to post again on my birthday in November. My next hospital appointment is September 30th. I wont learn much from that, but I am just going to carry on doing what I have been doing and remain positive, keep setting targets, always have something to look forward to, try to eat healthily and whatever else I can think of besides taking flax seed oil daily and reishi mushroom extract, on top of my regular drugs.

Still hoping to confound the medical profession

Bye for now

Chris