CancerCompass message board discussion started by cal1519 on 7/4/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25729,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ How many stomach cancer patients out there went through radiation?  What were the effects?  Did you receive a 2md opinion before treatment?  Did the cancer return and if so after how long?My husband had total gastrectomy in October, 12 rounds of chemo and is now waiting for radiation.  He does not want it and I'm afraid of pushing him.  I'm really at a loss here and need advise.  Please help.  cal1519 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had post gastrectomy chemo-radiation last fall for stage IV adenocarcinoma.  I took 1500 of Xeloda each day of radiation, Mon-Fri, for five weeks.  They did five angles, two shots/angle, since the target area was so large.  The first couple weeks were fine.  The side effects are cummulative and last for a month or more after radiation is completed.  I gradually became more fatigued  and nauseated.  By week three I had coughing from irritation to the bronchial tubes and some trouble swallowing.   I had regular fluid infusions due to decreased fluid and food intake (no appetite).  Overall, it wasn't too bad.  I didn't need a feeding tube. I had three more rounds of Xeloda and Carboplatin after radiation.  So far, a  year and one-half post diagnosis, I am in remission.  No evidence of cancer. I was up for anything thing the Docs recommended.  I was treated at Stanford and didn't get a second opinion.  Each treatment course was recommended by a team of the tumor board.  I was 57, pretty healthy to start with, and had a lot of excess weight to lose before I had to worry about weight loss. Hope this helps. Tom LabGuy Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband just finished 25 sessions of radiation, at first with chemo (carboplatin), to reduce the tumor size so it could be operable. This followed three cycles of ECF -- recommended by Johns Hopkins. His fatigue and stomach spasms (retching) worsened toward the end of radiation and in the 2-3 weeks after radiation was completed. We've been told this will taper off... Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the retching? How to stop it? He takes zofran about once a day now. He uses a nasal -gastric tube for nutrition and hydration. kathyd Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT