CancerCompass message board discussion started by Mikeyalbuq on 3/10/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10246,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi, my name is Mike and I recently had my entire stomach removed as a result of stomach cancer.  It appears all the cancer is gone at this time.I am seeking support/tips on what to drink, eat, nutritional balancing, etc., as this is a total life-style change, with rapid weight-loss.Thanks for any advice you can give me.  Mikeyalbuq Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube? Katrina Katrina1 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/11/2007 Katrina1 wrote:Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube? Katrina  Mikeyalbuq Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/11/2007 Katrina1 wrote:Hi Mike,  I had 80% of my stomach removed in December. I have gotten a lot of  help from the nutrionist from my local cancer center.  Also my insurance company had a book they sent me to read. For me it is so much trial and error. See what settles and what doesn't.  When did you have your surgery, did you have a feeding tube? KatrinaHi Katrina -You are right, it is a lot of trial and error.  I have been so darn tired of just plain water that my oncologist recommended kool-aid with Splenda on Friday.  I had 4 sips of the kool-aid on Saturday morning and have had dumping syndrome, diarrhea, and just been sick for the entire weekend, now dehydrated.My surgery was on February 5, 2007 and I returned to work last week, full-time.  I am thinking it is too soon to be working ft again.  No, I do not have a feeding tube :).Thanks for responding.  This really helps to get support from those who have been through the same thing.  Take good care, Katrina.      Mikeyalbuq Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT I am having my stomach and adrenal gland removed on Tuesday, March 13th. I'm afriad I didn't ask my surgeon many questions. Do you mean that you are only having water weeks after your surgery. Are you unable to eat regular food? Please advise. I'm worried now.. ThanksMarlene  Gilroy California Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT My sister is 38 years old and recently diagonosed with stomach cancer.  Her surgeon had planned to do the surgery in January, but the oncologist said it would be better to do chemo first.  Now they have done chemo for 2 months and now the surgeon is not sure he wants to do surgery.  May I ask where did you have your surgery?  I believe we need to get a second opinion and we need to decide where the best place is to do that.Thanks! Pamkf Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Mike,My suggestion is:1. Keep a note of what you eat and how much ( in cup or oz )2. Try to avoid suger and milk until you think you can eat normal food..3. Try to see if you can eat more if you stand up while eating or walk after eating.4. How much can you eat or drink every hour?  Can you eat one cup ( or 12 oz) solid food or drink?  Keep on eating every hour.  Drink only  between solid meal..5. After surgery, it is more important to see what and  how much your system can take.  Next step is to gain weight. After you gain weight, you can start to eat healthy.6. What was your stage (TNM)?  Did you loose weight b4 and after surgery?  How much.   7. keep a record of your weight at least morning and night ( b4 bowel or after eating)Let me know how you are doing and I may be able to suggest more.ssc Ssc200 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/11/2007 Pamkf wrote:My sister is 38 years old and recently diagonosed with stomach cancer.  Her surgeon had planned to do the surgery in January, but the oncologist said it would be better to do chemo first.  Now they have done chemo for 2 months and now the surgeon is not sure he wants to do surgery.  May I ask where did you have your surgery?  I believe we need to get a second opinion and we need to decide where the best place is to do that.Thanks! I sent a private message to you.  Hope it can help you.ssc Ssc200 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/11/2007 Gilroy California wrote:I am having my stomach and adrenal gland removed on Tuesday, March 13th. I'm afriad I didn't ask my surgeon many questions. Do you mean that you are only having water weeks after your surgery. Are you unable to eat regular food? Please advise. I'm worried now.. ThanksMarlene Hi Marlene -My stomach was entirely removed on February 5, 2006, along with my spleen, lymphnodes and God knows what else my surgeon took out.  A new stomach, about 1/2 the size of my thumb, was created within the small intestines when they connected the intestines to the esophagus.  All the cancer was confined to the stomach, so I am now cancer free.I was in the hospital for 8 days, then home alone.  You really need someone to help you the first couple of weeks.  I went back to work last week full-time, but it really was too soon.I have been eating food since my surgery.  Caution:  No concentrated sugar, no carbonation.  Eating is trial and error, as I can eat 2 oz. of food, 6 times a day.  The hospital was clueless what to feed me, but stay away from sugar.  I can eat almost anything, but some things have made me sick - i.e. bananas, kool-aid.  My surgeon encourages me to eat everything, with total portion control.Marlene, if you want to call me, my # is --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed.  Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---- .  I have unlimited long-distance and could certainly call you back.  I am attending a cancer support group for the first time tonite, so I am hoping to get some emotional support, as this is rough, as quailty of life is dramatically different.  But the good new is no chemo, no radiation, so I must adapt to this situation.Take care.   Mikeyalbuq Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/12/2007 Ssc200 wrote:Mike,My suggestion is:1. Keep a note of what you eat and how much ( in cup or oz )2. Try to avoid suger and milk until you think you can eat normal food..3. Try to see if you can eat more if you stand up while eating or walk after eating.4. How much can you eat or drink every hour?  Can you eat one cup ( or 12 oz) solid food or drink?  Keep on eating every hour.  Drink only  between solid meal..5. After surgery, it is more important to see what and  how much your system can take.  Next step is to gain weight. After you gain weight, you can start to eat healthy.6. What was your stage (TNM)?  Did you loose weight b4 and after surgery?  How much.   7. keep a record of your weight at least morning and night ( b4 bowel or after eating)Let me know how you are doing and I may be able to suggest more.sscThanks for your reply.I can eat 2 oz. meals, 6 times daily.  My stage is 1A and I don't need chemo or radiation, the cancer was confined to the stomach (still being monitored by an Oncologist).I have lost 44 lbs. since my surgery (2/5/07) and am losing about 1 lb. per day.  I was obese to begin with and another 44 lbs. will bring me to my goal weight.  :)  Then, it will be rough, as I need to maintain, but I can't think about that yet.I am tired of water and my Oncologist suggested Kool-aid.  I had 4 sips of the Kool-aid (with splenda), but have been sick with dumping syndrome, then diarrhea all weekend.  This has sucked!  I can dilute some juices with 50% water, but sometimes the citris disagrees with me.  Any suggestions?I hope you are doing well after your surgery.  Thanks again for your reply and support.  Take care.    Mikeyalbuq Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Mike,Your goal now is to be able to eat as much as you feel comfortable regardless if u like to loss weight or not.  You are relatively early stage cancer. Eating 2oz a meal is too little 7 weeks after your surgery.  Is it sold food of 2 oz? Would you able to test which food you can eat without dumping?My suggestion is:1. Try and error and find a list of solid food ( including vegetables and fuits)2. starting from 2oz and see if you can eat 8 oz at least each meal.  Don't force it. Try like I suggested b4, stand up to eat, walk ot walk on threadmill  b4 or after u eat.It may take time to adjust in your case.  As long as you see improvement in taking more and more food it should be ok.  If there is no improvement in 1 week or 2, u may need to seek medical help.  Did you go to a big well known hospital for surgery?Good luck.ssc Ssc200 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/12/2007 Ssc200 wrote:Mike,Your goal now is to be able to eat as much as you feel comfortable regardless if u like to loss weight or not.  You are relatively early stage cancer. Eating 2oz a meal is too little 7 weeks after your surgery.  Is it sold food of 2 oz? Would you able to test which food you can eat without dumping?My suggestion is:1. Try and error and find a list of solid food ( including vegetables and fuits)2. starting from 2oz and see if you can eat 8 oz at least each meal.  Don't force it. Try like I suggested b4, stand up to eat, walk ot walk on threadmill  b4 or after u eat.It may take time to adjust in your case.  As long as you see improvement in taking more and more food it should be ok.  If there is no improvement in 1 week or 2, u may need to seek medical help.  Did you go to a big well known hospital for surgery?Good luck.sscHello,The 2 oz. is indeed solid food.My surgeon said the pouch will hold 2 oz., but I may be able to get up to 3 oz. in a few months.No, not a large hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Abq, NMTake care.  Mikeyalbuq Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/11/2007 Pamkf wrote:My sister is 38 years old and recently diagonosed with stomach cancer.  Her surgeon had planned to do the surgery in January, but the oncologist said it would be better to do chemo first.  Now they have done chemo for 2 months and now the surgeon is not sure he wants to do surgery.  May I ask where did you have your surgery?  I believe we need to get a second opinion and we need to decide where the best place is to do that.Thanks!I am located in New Mexico.  I had my surgery done at Presybterian Hospital, Abq, NM.Good luck with your 2nd opinion.  Take care. Mikeyalbuq Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT