Hi Bill,
When I was first diagnosed (and it took months to get a diagnosis) they didn't know what stage it was. When I was operated on, they discovered the cancer had already spread beyond the stomach and was starting little colonies throughout my abdomen. This made it stage IV. They removed 85% of my stomach and the little colonies they could see before starting chemo the first time.
I'm now in chemo for the second time since a recent scan showed the cancer had returned, both to what was left of my stomach and more little colonies throughout the abdomen. I am taking taxotere only, once every three weeks. We'll do another scan in three weeks to see if it is making a difference.
The supplements I am taking have not been recommended by any doctor, but are things we have researched or learned about from other people with similar cancers. They are supposed to enhance the chemo. Who knows? When you're in stage IV and your doctor talks about palliative care, you do anything.
I drink avemar when I first get up in the morning. It's a powder mixed with water and is supposed to help with appetite and weight gain. It tastes awful but appears to be helping as I've gained three pounds in three weeks--quite a turnaround as I had been losing weight every week and had gone under 90 pounds.
I take AHCC and melatonin, both of which are supposed to enhance the chemo. In addition, I take vitamins, CQ10, and Vit D. I feel pretty strong, am still driving and can walk a mile (if I feel like it).
Like I said, my oncologist only recommended a multiple vitamin, but he knows what we're taking and hasn't any objections. My doctor did write an Rx for an antidepressant yesterday to stop me from weeping all the time. I can't wait for that one to kick in.
I hope your wife is doing okay and that you are taking care of yourself as well. I know this whole trip has been hard on my husband, bless his heart. I don't know what I would do without him.
Take care,
Teri