CancerCompass message board discussion started by Debbi d on 3/14/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,1703,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband had all of his stomach removed in November, 2004 due to stomach cancer. We are struggling with knowing how much and how to eat. He is still losing weight, but he just finished radiation treatments at the end of February, 2005. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Debbi d Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT Dear Debbi: I am 51 year old male. I also had stomach cancer. I had total stomach removed and cytoreduction performed on November 2003. I have already gone for 7 chemo and presently I am cancer free. I have no food restriction. I eat everything that I used to. The portion is less but I eat more often. I lost 50 lb after surgery and due to the cancer but I have gained back about 20 lb. I am not gaining any more and that is fine with me. I drink before I eat that way it helps me to have more food intake. I drink mainly hot sweet tea or Gatorade. Without Stomach, absorption is affected and it also affect the electolyte intake. That has caused low blood pressure for me. Please tell your husband to continue his effort to eat as much as he can. Gaining weight is very important to fight this cancer. I will think about him and wish you all full recovery. Let me know how is he doing. Lalabaie Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT My husband has had 6 months of a clinical trial of chemo theraphy and 2 months of radiation and chemo. We are headed back for a restaging and there is talk of removing his stomach. I would like to hear feedback on those that have gone thru with this surgery. We realize there will be substancial weight lose but is there a return to a somewhat normal quality of life? What are some of the things we can expect? Rexssis Mon, 16 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Hi Diana... My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer in 20002. After 2 years of serious chemo, she is now in remission - only with chemo, no radiation! She's an amazing person. In February 2004, she had her stomach removed. Unfortunately, she lost even more weight after the surgery - about another 20 pounds. Since Feb of last year, her health has been deteriorating. She can't eat "small meals" - in fact she can barely keep anything down. She has severe acid reflux that keeps her from eating or drinking anything. (She also must go to dialysis 3 times a week because her kidneys won't function as a result from the chemo.) I am still waiting for a somewhat "normal life" to return. I don't want to be negative or pessimistic, but she has told me that if she could do it again, she would have kept her stomach. She's 58 years old. My only advice is that if your husband can live with eating and drinking foods that may very bland in the beginning and can strictly follow nutritionist's advice, he should pursue this. I have to say that my mom has not followed any strict diet regiment or eats the right foods, but she is also in a different stage than most. What I know is that this recovery is a lot more difficult than doctors make it out to be - it's not "more smaller meals per day" ...for my mom, it's been a total change of lifestyle and her life. Hope this may have helped you with your decision. Please let me know if you have any other questions - I would be happy to be as honest with you as possible. Danielle Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Lalabaie Who was your doctor? What all did they find and remove? I'm very interested as I may have similar problems. Thanks for writing back bob Hdhntr8bob Sun, 10 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Bob: My surgeon's name is Dr. Sardi at St. Agnes of Baltimore. If you need more information please let me know. Good luck and keep the hope alive. Lalabaie Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT L, Can you send back more info? Thanks Bob Hdhntr8bob Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Bob: I am not sure more information about Dr. Sardi or my surgery. Dr. Sardi's group is one of the two who perform this surgery. He had reasonable success and this procedure is getting more recognation nation wide. The pioner in this surgery is a doctor at Washington DC. There are several centers in USA that perform this surgery. Your best bet is to ask other surgeons and also call Dr. Sardi's office. Each patient is different and the need might be different too. I would suggest to make your choice ASAP and then go with it. Stop reading too much about it or trying to find out everything about this disease. It is a serious one and you need to get at it as soon as you can. Good luck again Lalabaie Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Danielle, Have the doctors considered getting her a feeding tube for nutrients and calories so she can gain weight to help her regain her health? My husband was due to have his stomach removed but they couldn't do it because the cancer had spread. He is undergoing chemo again and uses his feeding tube to help him gain his weight back so that he can continue his fight with cancer. Please check every avenue. Don't give up. If I can help in any way, please let me know. Two people researching is better than one. Peace and blessings, J Inazone2 Mon, 02 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT HI, I am Marta and planning to have surgery with Dr Sardi. Anyone willing to tell me about his experience with you? THank you so much Martita Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Hi Danielle, I'm begging you to respond. My experience with these posts is that most people don't respond. I assume it's because they haven't checked their messages. At the age of 55, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer 2 last month. The doctors have claimed that this is inoperable as the cancer had spread to one of her ovaries (which has been removed). She is due to start chemo next week. They keep saying it's just "pallative", which is depressing. I was so impressed with your mom's story. I hate to intrude, but I need a little hope today. Did they do her stomach surgery before chemo or after a few rounds? Also, had it spread anywhere else? I wish your mom and your family all the best and will continue to pray for everyone in this horrible position. On 5/23/2005 Danielle wrote:Hi Diana... My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer in 20002. After 2 years of serious chemo, she is now in remission - only with chemo, no radiation! She's an amazing person. In February 2004, she had her stomach removed. Unfortunately, she lost even more weight after the surgery - about another 20 pounds. Since Feb of last year, her health has been deteriorating. She can't eat "small meals" - in fact she can barely keep anything down. She has severe acid reflux that keeps her from eating or drinking anything. (She also must go to dialysis 3 times a week because her kidneys won't function as a result from the chemo.) I am still waiting for a somewhat "normal life" to return. I don't want to be negative or pessimistic, but she has told me that if she could do it again, she would have kept her stomach. She's 58 years old. My only advice is that if your husband can live with eating and drinking foods that may very bland in the beginning and can strictly follow nutritionist's advice, he should pursue this. I have to say that my mom has not followed any strict diet regiment or eats the right foods, but she is also in a different stage than most. What I know is that this recovery is a lot more difficult than doctors make it out to be - it's not "more smaller meals per day" ...for my mom, it's been a total change of lifestyle and her life. Hope this may have helped you with your decision. Please let me know if you have any other questions - I would be happy to be as honest with you as possible.  Mina2007 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/14/2005 Debbi d wrote:My husband had all of his stomach removed in November, 2004 due to stomach cancer. We are struggling with knowing how much and how to eat. He is still losing weight, but he just finished radiation treatments at the end of February, 2005. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any and all suggestions are welcome.We are going through this same thing.  My son (age 36) had his stomach removed in Oct. 2006.  Did you ever find anything that would work?   This is such a tough disease.  Hope all is Ok with your husband now. Patti   Pabbygirl43 Sun, 04 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/4/2007 Pabbygirl43 wrote: On 3/14/2005 Debbi d wrote:My husband had all of his stomach removed in November, 2004 due to stomach cancer. We are struggling with knowing how much and how to eat. He is still losing weight, but he just finished radiation treatments at the end of February, 2005. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any and all suggestions are welcome.We are going through this same thing.  My son (age 36) had his stomach removed in Oct. 2006.  Did you ever find anything that would work?   This is such a tough disease.  Hope all is Ok with your husband now. Patti Hubby is doing very well these days.  His weight leveled off after he lost  about 70 pounds.  He has even gained a few pounds!  He has learned what to eat and what he can't.  He eats a lot of pastas.  The only thing he really has touble with is sugar...he will still eat cakes, cookies, candy even though he shouldn't...he just stays close to home when he does. He still sometimes over eats, but not nearly as often as before.  He turned 62 October and he ate the most of his birthday cake all by his self.  He really enjoys pastas and rice dishes though.  Is your son able to eat that?  He also likes creamy peanut butter w/apple slices.  How is your son doing?  Just let him know that with time he will be able to eat more and more.  This is something we were told, although we did not beleive it at that time, it poroved to be so very true.  Keep me posted!Debbi   Debbi d Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for answering my e-mail.  We are back in the hospital since Monday.  He was having trouble eating and with the feeding tube and pain from the radiation treatments.  They did an endoscopy today and everything looks great - just inflammation from the radiation treatments.  They are going to try a new pain med and some new feeding tubes stuff and hopefully we will begin to recover from all this.   He is eating anything he wants - just smaller portions; however, everything cramps his intestines very badly for about 45 minutes immediately after eating.  Did your husband have this problem and does it get better?   He doesn't tolerate milk or dairy very well since the surgery - is that also a problem with your husband?   So, milk shakes are out - we are hoping this will get better with time also.  We are just thankful they found this when they did and we pray that it never returns.   He was stage III adenocarcinoma with 20 lymph nodes involved.  They removed his entire stomach, 48 lymph nodes but the ones further from the stomach were not cancerous.  His pancreas, liver, spleen, etc. were biopsed and all came back without any cancer involvement.   The surgeon says he is cancer-free and God willing, he will remain cancer-free.Again, thanks for your reply to my e-mail.  It helps to have someone to talk to.  I've found several people on different sites that I correspond with.Take care, tell your husband we are praying that he stays cancer-free.Patti Pabbygirl43 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/7/2007 Pabbygirl43 wrote:Thanks for answering my e-mail.  We are back in the hospital since Monday.  He was having trouble eating and with the feeding tube and pain from the radiation treatments.  They did an endoscopy today and everything looks great - just inflammation from the radiation treatments.  They are going to try a new pain med and some new feeding tubes stuff and hopefully we will begin to recover from all this.   He is eating anything he wants - just smaller portions; however, everything cramps his intestines very badly for about 45 minutes immediately after eating.  Did your husband have this problem and does it get better?   He doesn't tolerate milk or dairy very well since the surgery - is that also a problem with your husband?   So, milk shakes are out - we are hoping this will get better with time also.  We are just thankful they found this when they did and we pray that it never returns.   He was stage III adenocarcinoma with 20 lymph nodes involved.  They removed his entire stomach, 48 lymph nodes but the ones further from the stomach were not cancerous.  His pancreas, liver, spleen, etc. were biopsed and all came back without any cancer involvement.   The surgeon says he is cancer-free and God willing, he will remain cancer-free.Again, thanks for your reply to my e-mail.  It helps to have someone to talk to.  I've found several people on different sites that I correspond with.Take care, tell your husband we are praying that he stays cancer-free.PattiWhat a blessing, cancer-free!  I remember the day we heard those words!  My husband had his entire stomach removed also. All other organs were biosped and came back clean. The feeding tubes and pain meds are a distant memory now.  I know the new pain meds and feeding tube stuff will work well for your son. My husband still can't tolerate milk.  He still will sometimes cramp, but this will get better.  Hubby can tolerate frozen yougarts and sherberts.  He often has milk shakes from McDonald's.  Some one told him that they use frozen yougart instead of ice cream in their shakes and sundaes.  What ever the reason, he tolerates them.  When he eats to much and brings on the cramps he gets into what he calls his position.  Sitting in his recliner with his knees pulled up toward is chest for a short time usually takes of that and in no time he is ready to eat again!  He amazes me.Thank you for your prayers.  Take care of yourself.  I know you will take care of your son.  We will keep you and your son in our prayers.  Keep us updated!!! Debbi  Debbi d Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Debbie, my dad just had his stomach removed on Jan, 04, 2008 and he has also lost a lot of weight. But this is normal, i'm not sure but I was told by someone who was in this same situation to ask the doctor to give him vitamems B12. ask you're doctor about it this will make him feel a lot better. Also the ensure milk they say is very good. i tried givinh it to my dad but he doesnt like it because is too thick and sweet. but if you husband is flexible this can definetly be a big part of saving his life.Hope you're husband recovers soon. -Steff Steffg Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT