is there any hope out there

bridgette25

I recently found out that my dad has advanced stomach cancer. He went in for an operation on Mon morning to have 60% of his stomach removed, because the doctor had been pretty sure that the cancer had not spread. However, when they operated they found that it was much more advanced than originally anticipated. I'm terrified.....I'm only 25 years old and my dad is only 51 - I never thought something like this would happen until I was much older. We lost my grandfather only a year ago to lung cancer. The doctor's prognosis is not good - but he always seems to add in that there is a chance of remission. Is there anyone here who has gone into remission while in the advanced stages of this disease that can give my family hope?

greeny

I'm so sorry to hear that. My brother was diagnosed last year. They thought they got it all, Took out about 75% of hi stomach. He's back in the hospital with his second surgery. He had chemo and radiation. But it came back. Try to get as aggresive whith his treatment as possible. I don't think his doc did. My brother is only 45 with two young kids. Make the most of the time. Question doctors, they aren't always right. Be strong for him and talk openly. To me there is always hope, but be very active in his treatment. One of the most important people are his family, be honest with him. I wish my neice and nephew were as old as you. Be strong Bridgett and I wish you all the best.

bke

Bridgette, There is always hope. My stomach cancer was not as advanced as your fathers, had only spread to some lymph nodes. I am, a year and a half after surgery, cancer free. I hope you hear from some others who are survivors. In addition to this forum there is a list group sponsored by ACOR. You may hear from more survivors on that list. Go to www.ACOR.org and register for the stomach cancer list. It is a good resource. Make the most of every day you have and keep your hope alive.

Blessings, B

ZELLARS

bke said:

Bridgette, There is always hope. My stomach cancer was not as advanced as your fathers, had only spread to some lymph nodes. I am, a year and a half after surgery, cancer free. I hope you hear from some others who are survivors. In addition to this forum there is a list group sponsored by ACOR. You may hear from more survivors on that list. Go to www.ACOR.org and register for the stomach cancer list. It is a good resource. Make the most of every day you have and keep your hope alive.

Blessings, B

I AM 29 AND MY DAD 56 WITH SAME THING! IT IS HORRIBLE! BKE WHAT ARE YOU TOLD ABOUT YOUR PROGNOSIS? MY DADS WAS OPERABLE AND HAD NOT SPREAD TO ANY LYMPH NODES AND FOLLOWING SURGERY HE HAD CHEMO AND RADIATION AND HAD BEEN DOING FANTASTIC. MY MOM SAYS SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF THE DRS. TELLING HER VERY BLUNTLY THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO IT WILL BE BACK--I NEVER HEARD THIS BUT NOW EVERYTHING I READ ABOUT STOMACH CANCER ISNT GOOD. THE STATISTICS AND SO FORTH--JUST WONDERING WHAT ALL YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD. MY DADS SCANS WERE ALL CLEAR FOR THREE YEARS THEN THE BOMB DROPPED. HIS RECURRENCE IS IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AND HASNT SPREAD ANYWHERE ELSE BUT HIS STOMACH IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKED--OR RATHER I SHOULD SAY THE STOMACH HE HAS LEFT SINCE SURGERY 3 YRS AGO. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR SPECIFIC DRS. HAVE SAID. THANKS BETSY

ZELLARS

BRIDGETTE YOUR STORY ABOUT YOUR BROTHER IS IDENTICAL TO MY DADS. WE ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IN TOUCH IN CASE EITHER OF US HAS SOME NEWS TO SHARE. THEY THOUGHT THEY GOT ALL MY DADS ALSO AND HE HAD TREATMENTS AND FOR 3 YEARS THINGS WERE GREAT--THEN BAM!!! THE PAST 7 MONTHS HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE WITH BLOW AFTER BLOW OF BAD NEWS. THE SADNESS AND SORROW IS JUST WAT TOO MUCH TO BEAR BUT WHEN YOUR HEART TRULY SURRENDERS ALL TO GOD YOU FEEL A PEACE THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE. KEEP IN TOUCH. BETSY BETSYCLEV1@COX.NET

jmorris

My dad just went in to get his whole stomach taken out because the doctors also said they didn't think it had spread. When they opened him up, they couldn't believe what they saw! There were so many tumors in the tissue of his stomach that had turned into a plastic (linitis plastica) and the doctors could not remove the stomach for fear he would then die on the table. His Dr. sewed him back up after leaving him open for about 5 hours, which is not good because air helps the cancer spread even faster! Unfortunately, his doctor said he would have only a couple of months to live without chemo and about 12 months with chemo, but the healing from the surgery will take a couple of months. Needless to say, I am trying to think of my dad as one of God's miracle stories where he will live many more years. I just can't imagine life without him. He just turned 59. Keep your faith; that may be the only positive force to help your dad. Good luck in your future.

Edman

It's hard to find out that a family member has any type of disease, especially if it's cancer. This is my father's screen name, but I decided to take a look at what this was all about. My aunt was diagnosed with stomach cancer in January. It's been very hard, but I always have something in mind. God has healed so many diseases, so many things that kill living beings. Though my aunt is as sick as she is, I still have faith that she can be healed. Right now as I write, my aunt is lying in bed suffering. But I know God is almighty and he has a reason for everything even though it might seem unfair. Maybe in the future something bad will happen and she will be spared of the hardship. Nobody knows but the LORD. I know it's hard. And though I am so young, only 16, I still have faith because he has done so much in my life, I know he will do his will for the best. We bring all these diseases on ourselves because we have denied our creator for so long in so many ways. I accept what my God brings on my life. I may cry and feel pain, but I just think of all the good things that he's done. I hope you can understand. God understands your pain. He died on the cross for you and everyone's sins. Just remember that someone died to save you. If you believe this, you can accept him as your Lord and saviour by asking him into your heart. God bless you and give you peace.

Nisha

I am definitely feeling your pain. My uncle is in his last days (literally) and you can't help but wonder if there is any hope for people with cancer. It is a devastating disease that kills millions of people every year. My uncle did go into remission just for it to come back and have him declared terminal. We just have to try to remain strong for our loved ones and pray that wherever they go beyond HERE is free of the pain and suffering they had to endure with this horrible disease.

bke

ZELLARS said:

I AM 29 AND MY DAD 56 WITH SAME THING! IT IS HORRIBLE! BKE WHAT ARE YOU TOLD ABOUT YOUR PROGNOSIS? MY DADS WAS OPERABLE AND HAD NOT SPREAD TO ANY LYMPH NODES AND FOLLOWING SURGERY HE HAD CHEMO AND RADIATION AND HAD BEEN DOING FANTASTIC. MY MOM SAYS SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF THE DRS. TELLING HER VERY BLUNTLY THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO IT WILL BE BACK--I NEVER HEARD THIS BUT NOW EVERYTHING I READ ABOUT STOMACH CANCER ISNT GOOD. THE STATISTICS AND SO FORTH--JUST WONDERING WHAT ALL YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD. MY DADS SCANS WERE ALL CLEAR FOR THREE YEARS THEN THE BOMB DROPPED. HIS RECURRENCE IS IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AND HASNT SPREAD ANYWHERE ELSE BUT HIS STOMACH IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKED--OR RATHER I SHOULD SAY THE STOMACH HE HAS LEFT SINCE SURGERY 3 YRS AGO. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR SPECIFIC DRS. HAVE SAID. THANKS BETSY

Betsy,

You are right that statistics are not good for stomach cancer, and at least 50% of the time even after successful surgery and chemo, it comes back. The oncologist are telling me, that the longer one continues to be cancer free, the better the statistics get. I am feeling very hopeful at this point. I fully intend to have beat this thing for good. I have been told that most recurrences happen within two or three years - so in another year or so I will take a deep sigh of relief. I will be praying for your father.

Unknown

jmorris said:

My dad just went in to get his whole stomach taken out because the doctors also said they didn't think it had spread. When they opened him up, they couldn't believe what they saw! There were so many tumors in the tissue of his stomach that had turned into a plastic (linitis plastica) and the doctors could not remove the stomach for fear he would then die on the table. His Dr. sewed him back up after leaving him open for about 5 hours, which is not good because air helps the cancer spread even faster! Unfortunately, his doctor said he would have only a couple of months to live without chemo and about 12 months with chemo, but the healing from the surgery will take a couple of months. Needless to say, I am trying to think of my dad as one of God's miracle stories where he will live many more years. I just can't imagine life without him. He just turned 59. Keep your faith; that may be the only positive force to help your dad. Good luck in your future.

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

tdimar01

ZELLARS said:

I AM 29 AND MY DAD 56 WITH SAME THING! IT IS HORRIBLE! BKE WHAT ARE YOU TOLD ABOUT YOUR PROGNOSIS? MY DADS WAS OPERABLE AND HAD NOT SPREAD TO ANY LYMPH NODES AND FOLLOWING SURGERY HE HAD CHEMO AND RADIATION AND HAD BEEN DOING FANTASTIC. MY MOM SAYS SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF THE DRS. TELLING HER VERY BLUNTLY THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO IT WILL BE BACK--I NEVER HEARD THIS BUT NOW EVERYTHING I READ ABOUT STOMACH CANCER ISNT GOOD. THE STATISTICS AND SO FORTH--JUST WONDERING WHAT ALL YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD. MY DADS SCANS WERE ALL CLEAR FOR THREE YEARS THEN THE BOMB DROPPED. HIS RECURRENCE IS IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AND HASNT SPREAD ANYWHERE ELSE BUT HIS STOMACH IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKED--OR RATHER I SHOULD SAY THE STOMACH HE HAS LEFT SINCE SURGERY 3 YRS AGO. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR SPECIFIC DRS. HAVE SAID. THANKS BETSY

My husband just had part of stomach removed 6/04 and started chemo/ he tolerated it well b/c
it does not seem to be high dose of and will be starting radiation in order to improve chance for higher survival rate after resection.
I'm completely devastated and coping one day at a time. He's only 49, had obstruction in bowel doc removed cancer and said he "got it all"
I hope and pray for the best for him and my family. I will be going through chemo/radiation with him. As we are hopefull for a positive prognosis.

Paul420

Hi, my name is Paul, 39, from Hockessin, Delaware. I was diagnosed with stomach cancer (a tumor half the size of my stomach) in June 2003. I went to the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. It is the number 1 cancer research and treatment centers in the nation and the world. I underwent 6 months of chemo (carboplatin, taxol and 5-fu) from Sept. 2003 to February 2004. By April 2004, the tumor was gone and the cancer that had spread to the liver, transverse colon, diaphragm and abdominal wall is all gone. I was on a J-tube feeding tube from August 2003 to December 2003 but was taken out when I attained a regular weight of 140 pounds. I do exactly what the oncology department told me. Green tea, brocolli, tomatoes, cran-grape juice and almonds every day.

My wife and I can not say enough about M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. There is an oncology department for each organ in the body and a floor for each organ. The center is made up of 12 hospitals, I believe, from cancer treatments for infants to the elderly and even a veterns hospital. Our e-mail is rescue26@msn.com if you want to contact or call us.

Our only other option was Sloan-Kettering in NYC.