Hello,
I am a 40 year old female, several years ago I was diagnosed with FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, A rare inherited cancer predisposition syndrome. Since the diagnosis I have been receiving annual colonoscopy. The average amount of polyps collected from my colon were 10-15, in which none of them were cancerous. This particular year I received an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy. The upper endoscopy showed I had polyps covering the entire stomach, 2 of the polyps collected showed evidence of low grade dysplasia. Now the doctors are interested in giving me a Total Gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y Esophago-jejunostomy (whatever that means?).And in the future, I am to consider a full removal of the colon. Are these to diseases both related with FAP? Is there a local support group of patients living with the FAP disease in my area(Laurel, Maryland area)? This is all new to me and I am so nervous right now. I know the surgery is very important to me and the doctors are considering this for precautionary measures. I just don’t understand, how am I going to live without a stomach and a colon or have problems related to the surgery. Thanks
