CancerCompass message board discussion started by Papaw on 2/17/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21049,0.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My DAD has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and we have read on this forum and others about others beind staged.I would liked to know if any of you were staged before surgery which is what it sounds like.The doctors that are working with us at the V.A. haven't mentioned staging until surgery.  Also I would appreciate any info on where we may obtain another opinion on limited funds.My dad has been a hard working man all his life and raised his family on hard work not government help.So now he and my mom live on ss and what ever job he can do otherwise.My dad is going to be 68 in July.Please respond.We are going back to the V.A. in 10 days also to see if there is any esophogeal cancer and I am sure they are going to scedule surgery. I would like to have every question available with me thank you. Papaw Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Take your times to do reseach, the tumor was there,if you have to spend a few more weeks to be well prepared that is more important and it doesn't matter what stage it was. It is really matter if the Surgeon did not have enough skill in lymnode assessments for that type of cancer and he must perform many case in that type of cancer.  Besides that have family 100% support is a very important one.God Bless you and family, loc0322 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Is your dad still working?  Does he have Medicare.  Individuals who are retired and over the age of 65 generally have Medicare and that can be helpful in covering costs for this treatment.....God bless you and your family having to struggle through this terrible disease.  Stay strong and stay on this website for support.Lila. LSUSAN Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT N o my dad is not working a regular job,he is a carpenter and people call him when they need work done.He has alwys woked his entire life but again has no retirement.My mom and dad live off ss and we help all we can.They are fine in that respect however could not afford much finnancial strain.We will have at least a $1000 bill from hi emergency trip.But thats better than the #35000 bill that is if tha VA picks up the doctor bills.Thats under review.Do you know of any programs that we could use to maybe get him to another cancer center say if we are not sure with what we here at the VA.We appreciate your response very very much,and hope there are more out there.I's pretty scary. Papaw Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT My wife (43) was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer that had spread to her liver.  The original diagnosis came from an endoscopy in which they took tissue samples and she received the diagnosis of stomach cancer.  From their the next test was a CT Scan and that is when they discovered a spot on her tumor; this was later confirmed by taking a biopsis of this area by actually inserting a needle into her liver where the spot was and taking a sample.  During this time she also went in for an ultrasonic endoscopy where they identified that the stomach tumor had gone through 3 of the five layers of the stomach; in this test they actuall send a small thing into your stomach that takes something that resembles an xray and shows how far through the wall of the stomach the tumor had grown.  These are all very minor scanning and testing techniques but the cost does grow fast. Since it was Stage IV when we discovered it, the option of surgery was not as appealing as chemotherapy so there is some importance in knowing the extent before attempting a surgical intervention.  Keep on researching and seek out a second opinion.  Perhaps a case worker at the VA can assist - even if you have to travel to another VA to receive the testing. Good Luck, keep us posted. momwithkids Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Correction to that great typing in the last post.  From there, that is where they found the tumor on her liver.  momwithkids Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT How is your wife? What were her symptoms before diagnosis? I am sorry you have to go through this. My father, 67 was diagnosed last February with stage four cancer. He was a Timber faller for forty years, then retired and drove school bus. He was a very healthy, outgoing guy. Hardly ever sick even with a cold. Then this came like thief in the night. I know what you are going through. If you or your wife need help with questions, let me know. God bless! Very Sad Daughter Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.Good luck, keep us posted. momwithkids Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/25/2008 momwithkids wrote:Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.Good luck, keep us posted.Good luck with your dad.  Please update us after the surgery.My son was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in mid-December. They said surgery was not an option.  He is going through chemo right now.  Most times I think I am in a dream..  He has a wife adn 2 small kids 5 and 7.  Seems to unfair. Anyone know anyone diagnosed so young?  Jockey Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/28/2008 Jockey wrote: On 2/25/2008 momwithkids wrote:Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.Good luck, keep us posted.Good luck with your dad.  Please update us after the surgery.My son was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in mid-December. They said surgery was not an option.  He is going through chemo right now.  Most times I think I am in a dream..  He has a wife adn 2 small kids 5 and 7.  Seems to unfair. Anyone know anyone diagnosed so young?  My wife is only 43 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV.  She had two sites, the stomach tumor was 2-3 cm and her liver tumor was 1-2 cm when they found it.  She was diagnosed in March of 07 and in remission by June of 07 using ECF chemo.  She remains on chemo today and is scheduled for another 6 months at this point (for a total of 18 months).  She does however remain in remission.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your son, and his family.  We have two girls 12 and 14 and they have done well through the whole thing; imagine the younger kids will do fine.  Keep his spirits high.  Keep him motivated.  Get all the opinions you can.  Surgery was also not an option for my wife at this time due to the thought that if the cancer got to the liver, it could have gotten anywhere and thus better to try to kill it all through the chemo.Keep my posted.SteveHartford, CT momwithkids Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Get copies of every test and procedure done at each visit and keep a folder.  If you don't get them when you speak to the doctor yourself, you may be required to later fill out "medical release" forms which will take forever, etc.  This is important if you need to get to another specialist quickly.Best of luck-stay strong, positive and focused! Chrisobrn Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thanks Steve,I am so encouraged.  Please give my regards to your lovely wife.  I am glad she is in remission.How did your kids take the news?I don't think my grandbabies understand.Please also keep me posted on her progress. What is your wife's name.  I would like to include her in my prayer list. Jockey Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you.Great idea!!I bought him a journal to write out his thoughts..Will get the folder for medical papers.  The medical jargon is so much!!My vocabulary has so expanded in the last 2 months..  :)Jockey Jockey Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Jockey: My wifes name is Lisa.  She remains on chemo including oxaliplatin and now 5 FU since she could no longer take the xeloda.  In another month, she will be reduced to just the 5 FU; next month marks a full year of chemo treatment for her.  She remains in good spirits and in remission.  At this point, it does not appear that their is any recommended course of action and the oncologists are just making it up.  This has been the frustrating part throughout her treatments; different opinions, different options.  They leave it up to us to decide.  Learn what you can, make the best guess, pray! momwithkids Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thanks..I appreciate you writing.  I am doing research all the time. Please wish your wife well. Jockey Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Yes, hi, I was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in May 07, when I was 38.  I had a palliative total gastrectomy, followed by 6 rounds of chemo, and then 25 sessions of radiation.  Today I'm waiting for results from the latest CT.  The key I think is to fight, be positive, and stay busy with other things in your life, as much as possible.Like your son I have young kids - aged 6, 4, and 1.  They inspire me to beat this for them, for us.If your son wants to be in touch with me directly I would be pleased, or any other way I can help.  Stay strong. jeremyc Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for the enocuragement. I definitely would love for Fred to communicate with you directly.Pls send me an email by private mail that I can give to my son to contact you Thanks.  Jockey Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 2/28/2008 Jockey wrote: On 2/25/2008 momwithkids wrote:Good luck to your dad on the 27th.  Be sure to ask alot of questions.  An important question prior to them performing surgery is HOW MANY of the surgeries they have performed prior to his.  Those with the most experience tend to do better.  Please try to get it staged, they can do that without surgery but it requires multiple scans.  They usually start out with endoscopies and/or CT Scans to find out if the cancer is in other locations.Good luck, keep us posted.Good luck with your dad.  Please update us after the surgery.My son was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in mid-December. They said surgery was not an option.  He is going through chemo right now.  Most times I think I am in a dream..  He has a wife adn 2 small kids 5 and 7.  Seems to unfair. Anyone know anyone diagnosed so young? My son also was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) in June 2006.  He underwent 9 weeks of chemo (cisplatin, etoposide, epirubison and 5FU 24/7), then surgery, then 6 more weeks of chemo and 35 radiation treatments.They removed his entire stomach and 48 lymph nodes, 23 of these having cancer cells.  During the last round of chemo, he got a staph infection and almost died from that.  He lost 60+ pounds and was extremely ill for the entire period of time.  He had a stomach tube but was unable to use it due to severe reflux from the liquid food.   During radiation they gave him a shot in the stomach every day 20 minutes before the treatment to keep his internal organs from damage.  These shots made him extremely ill - throwing up all day and then it was time for another one the next day.   They had thought the cancer was in his pancreas and spleen - but thank the Lord it was not.  He was Stage III.  Sometimes they can't always stage a person until they get in there.The GOOD NEWS!!!!!   He is doing great!!!!!!!!  He went back to work last June, 2007, has gain 22 pounds of the weight he lost and feeling better each day.  He still has some stomach cramps when he eats but that is also getting better.   He has 3 children (6,4,2 and expecting another one in September).  The doctor said he would be sterile - so this is just another blessing from God!!!!Do not give up - there are survivors out there!!!  My son is one of them.  I also keep in contact with 2 other people I met on line - a gentlemen in New York who is 5 years out and a gentlemen in Dallas, TX (which is where we live) who is 2 years out.   Hang in there.....  Pabbygirl43 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT So glad to hear yor positive news.Iam so excited to hear your son is doing so well.  He is such a fighter. Tell him to keep up that fighting spirit.My son is still on the chemo.  He has more fluid buildup in his belly.  They have been draining that every few weeks.  When they do he feels so much better as it pushes against his organs when it fills up.Otherwise, he is in very good spirits.  Strong in his faith which is just wonderful.  His wife is a wonder woman.  Very strong in the Lord and the encourager.  This illness has brought them even closer, especially in sharing their faith. Even in the midst of this, we laugh a lot. I have lots of friends from bible study and church that have been bringing food every weekend. I look forward to Friday nights and Saturdays.  We sit  around with friends and have some good conversation and laughs.  I am so thankful that my son is not in pain, per se.  He is uncomfortable but not in pain.  The only thing that worries me is his inability to eat.  He continues to drink liquids, though.I really appreciate this board.  Keep those encouraging messages coming.Wishing everyone good healing.Have a wonderful day!!Jockey Jockey Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT