Anyone With Stomach Cancer

Bill, I too have the same cancer as well as same metastasis. I'm sorry to say that I do not know of anyone who has survived such a late stage as we have. It seems that we can only hope for time and some degree of comfort. I feel very fortunate, I was diagnosed in Dec '03 and am still here and in relatively good health. I realize that tomorrow could be the day that this cancer hits an organ that will make me very sick but for now I am very thankful that I have been given more time than most. I know how overwhelmed the two of you must feel. There are miracles in the world. I hope the two of you will get to be one of those miracles. You are in my prayers.

How you doing, just wanted to say hi. I am 42 and suffering with the above, it came just out of the blue as for most of us it seems. I am still around since Janu this year diagnoses. I have gone under European regimen - 5fu - tabs; cisplatin and Epirubicin, every 3 weeks. This made my stomach very stretchy and I have been eating v well, in fact put 2 stone on. I hsve been on 24 aeroplane journeys in between chemos, travelling the world and just enjoying my life. Just because we have cancer it does not make us more mortal. We all have an allocated time and only god knows when it is. But we are privileged, as we can discover so much about spirituality; ourselves and enjoy the company of our loved ones to full extent.

I am now on new chemo to try and blast the peritonial spread - its very little left but its there. We never know where and how this can blow, but I pray and believe in miracles and the power of our own spirits. So keep on going, as hard as it is. We can survirve this.
Cancer is not an 'invador', it is our own cells going wrong, because they stopped listening to our brain function, in my opinion in that case we should try and do our best to use our spirit, which is always stronger then body to deal with this misfunction.

Lots of thought and prayers for you. There are miracles, lets survive this.

Tatiana

Tatiana, good on you. You must be doing well. I don't think anyone capable of writing so positively when nauseated and in pain. I'm interested in knowing what new medications you are on. I had a partial gastrectomy,radiation and chose only to do Xeloda. So have not undergone any of the heavier Chemos, instead have concentrated on building my immune system up. However, am due for another Cat Scan soon, so will once again be faced with the decision to do more Chemo. I've had a total of three surgerys to remove tumors---the doctors are saying they don't do any good. I'm not so sure they are correct. I'm a year and a half out and still alive, so whatever!!! Keep that positive energy flowing. A strong believe in ones body and ability to survive can only be an asset. And YES miracles do happen.

My brother is on a feeding tube (peg) that was inserted surgically from the outside of his stomach because he cannot swallow anything at all. He says that the ensure/boost is making him really, really tired. I personally think it's the morphine...but what do I know? Has anyone ever had any experience with these issues? thanks in advance, patty

My brother was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer last week. He cannot swallow anything including pills but he can crush them up and put them in the peg tube. Is anyone participating in a clinical trial right now? I found several that sounded promising but they all said that you have to be able to swallow a pill. Why would that be?

HI all, my brother at age 40 was diagnosed with Inoperable , stage 4 stomach cancer. He is at vanderbilt and we love his doctor.He seems really knowledgeable and kind but we also understand that the best doc in us for stomach cancer is at md anderson. We were trying to figure out if md anderson truly is worth the exorbitant fees that they charge. Without insurance just have to put down a deposit....guess how much? $41,500. Has anyone been there? Any spectacular results?

I, too, have gastric adenocarcinoma and it's been devistating to my family. I'm 58 years old and am just starting my second round of chemotherapy. The first round lasted about 4 months after surgery which was in January 2005. I just started another round a couple of weeks ago after my PET scan lit up like a Christmas tree, showing cancer in what was left of my stomach and other places in my abdomen. I'm Stage IV and my doctor is not very positive either. We just keep hoping that the supplements I take that are supposed to enhance chemo will do what they're supposed and do and will get this thing into remission. MD Anderson is one of the best cancer centers in the country, said to be on the leading edge. If I lived in Texas, that's where I'd be getting my treatment. Your wife is young and that gives her a good fighting chance, so hang in there. My daughter set up a Google Alert for me so that any news regarding gastric cancer that shows up on Google gets sent to me once a week or so. Some of it regards new drugs and some of it is useless information. None of the articles have found a miracle cure yet, unfortunately.
Teri

Teri,
Thank you for the encouraging words. When you were first diagnosed with stomach cancer, what stage was it? I ask this because you mention you are stage IV. My wife is also stage IV and they told her that she would never be considered as a surgical candidate. They are giving her chemo every week (cisplatin, taxotere and 5fu) six weeks on and two weeks off for palliative care. What kind of supplements are you taking. No one has mentioned anything about any recommended supplements. Do they seem to be helping any? Her doctor at MD Anderson (Dr. Pisters) was her surgeon and Dr. Phan is her Oncologist and they have been very good to us. We go back every 8 weeks for testing (lab, x-ray and cat scan). Her last testing revealed some stranding of the disease indicating that the cancer is continuing to spread but we pray that they will continue her chemo as long as her body is able to endure it. We know that God is the Great Physician and we know that Jackie is in His arms and He will sustain us. We wish you the best in your cancer journey and hope that you are still doing well. Bill

Lorene,
Thank you for your story. Were you originally diagnosed at stage 4 or were you a surgical candidate? We praise God for the good news and we hope to follow in your steps. I hope you are continuing to feel well. Did they treat you with any chemo or any other supplement or treatment? Where were you treated for your cancer? We know that God is a loving and merciful God and he will see us through this and we pray that he give us the strength daily to be a good witness to our families and friends knowing that no matter the outcome, this chapter is not the last in the book. Thank you again for your encouragement and hope that you still continue to do well.
Bill

Tatiana,
Thank you for your message. Where in Europe are you living? We spent about 8 years in Europe while we were stationed in the military (Italy and Germany). Are you able to eat? My wife is unable to eat anything but soft foods so they have given her a feeding tube where she gets almost all of her nurishment. We too hope to travel but with chemo every week, we are pretty limited. We have our 25th anniversary coming up and hope to travel to celebrate that milestone. We know that God has blessed us with wonderful family and friends and are continuously amazed at His goodness knowing that people are praying for us and we cherish those prayers as they ascend to the throne of grace. We pray for a miracle and appreciate your testimony. God bless you in this journey and we also will be praying for you.
Bill