12 months since chemo completed - husband back to pre cancer condition!

illAussie
illAussie Member Posts: 21
in Stomach Cancer #1
Hi all

It is now 12 months since my husband completed his round of chemo. Looking back at photos from last Dec, he definitely looked very frail and had lost most of his hair thru chemo, but not his eyebrows or eye lashes, so was lucky not to lose all. He just wore a beanie & didn't look 'that ill' unless he took it off. He was VERY skinny tho, which made him look old & frail (he was 73 when diagnosed & turns 75 this month.)

Having had most of his stomach removed in mid June - he was told he probably wouldn't be back eating 'normal' sized meals for well over a year - not so! He has had a remarkable recovery to date & was virtually eating whatever he wanted from Oct last year, just 4 months post op! After the surgery, I used to feed him every hour, on the hour, small amounts. This gradually increased & as I say, he has been eating normal sized meals for 12 months now!

He got back into triathlons earlier in the year - with small 'sprint' distances initally & has now worked up to 'Olympic' distance. The Triathlon World Championships are being held in Auckland, NZ next Oct - and he now has these in his sights. He has entered a few 'qualifying races' and hopes to compete with his twin brother in Auckland.

THere is very little that he can't eat. He just can't tolerate really cold stuff any more - ice cold drinks, ice cream, stuff like that - but that is a small price for getting back to a relatively 'normal' life. He has gained a lot of the weight he lost - post op, he was 50kg & is now about 56kg & looks very well. He has always been 'slim'.

His surgeon was very pleased when we saw him 2 weeks ago, given a clean bill of health & his next check up is in Feb '12. He had an endoscope in June, for the surgeon to 'check out his work from the inside' and was very happy with the way everything looked.

He DID have one nasty episode in August - he had a massive anaphylactic shock, passing out in the Doctor's waiting room & spending the night in hospital. The specialists could not determine the cause, even tho he was tested for about 50 known allergens & he's back eating the same things he ate that morning - tho we now have an Epipen and anti histamines on hand, just in case it happens again.......

So, overall, we have been very lucky to have had such a good result - and I hope that there are many more success stories out there as well.

All the best to you - I hope your cancer journey has a successful outcome, too

Have a great Xmas

illaussie

Comments

  • yohab
    yohab Member Posts: 16
    #2
    Brings hope
    Hello,
    I felt so much hope as I read your post. My husband 40 yrs old was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 gastric CA w/ mets to the lung, lymph nodes and liver. He has completed 3 rounds of chemo and has been very miserable in the last week. He has been throwing up all the time , he had vomiting as well during the first 2 rounds but after the 3rd round it was very hard on him. They tried to insert a Jejenostomy tube for nutrition purposes through endoscopy but his pylorus was completely obstructed. His tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening. The good news is that the Cancer shrunk! Now we are considering surgery because of malnurishment and obstruction. Did your husband get the surgery first then his Chemo or Chemo first? I am concerned that the surgery will push back the Chemotherapy which seems to be working.
  • ProudNavyMom50
    ProudNavyMom50 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    yohab said:

    Brings hope
    Hello,
    I felt so much hope as I read your post. My husband 40 yrs old was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 gastric CA w/ mets to the lung, lymph nodes and liver. He has completed 3 rounds of chemo and has been very miserable in the last week. He has been throwing up all the time , he had vomiting as well during the first 2 rounds but after the 3rd round it was very hard on him. They tried to insert a Jejenostomy tube for nutrition purposes through endoscopy but his pylorus was completely obstructed. His tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening. The good news is that the Cancer shrunk! Now we are considering surgery because of malnurishment and obstruction. Did your husband get the surgery first then his Chemo or Chemo first? I am concerned that the surgery will push back the Chemotherapy which seems to be working.

    chem or surgrey first
    read your post. I am a 6 yr. gastric cancer survivor. I've seen it done both ways. Depends on the type of cancer he has. The drs. may feel that he would be in better condition to go through the surgrey and be able to get him back on his feet so he can get built back up...I didnt have surgrey only chemo. Have done really good but am having some problems now so will just have to wait and see. I just reminded myself everyday that it is out of my hands and only the good lord knows what the final outcome will be and hopefully he is guiding the dr..in making the right decisions. The main thing right now is just be there for your husband because believe it or not your it biggest worry right now. When your the one sick the worst part I think is worrying about what you're putting the one's you love the most through...I can tell from your post you're there for him and keep reminding him that he is going to beat this and your lives will continue for many many more yrs...that is proably just as important medicine than anything the drs. have to offer...I will be thinking of you both and will say a special prayer for you all. Linda
  • ProudNavyMom50
    ProudNavyMom50 Member Posts: 7
    #4
    yohab said:

    Brings hope
    Hello,
    I felt so much hope as I read your post. My husband 40 yrs old was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 gastric CA w/ mets to the lung, lymph nodes and liver. He has completed 3 rounds of chemo and has been very miserable in the last week. He has been throwing up all the time , he had vomiting as well during the first 2 rounds but after the 3rd round it was very hard on him. They tried to insert a Jejenostomy tube for nutrition purposes through endoscopy but his pylorus was completely obstructed. His tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening. The good news is that the Cancer shrunk! Now we are considering surgery because of malnurishment and obstruction. Did your husband get the surgery first then his Chemo or Chemo first? I am concerned that the surgery will push back the Chemotherapy which seems to be working.

    chem or surgrey first
    read your post. I am a 6 yr. gastric cancer survivor. I've seen it done both ways. Depends on the type of cancer he has. The drs. may feel that he would be in better condition to go through the surgrey and be able to get him back on his feet so he can get built back up...I didnt have surgrey only chemo. Have done really good but am having some problems now so will just have to wait and see. I just reminded myself everyday that it is out of my hands and only the good lord knows what the final outcome will be and hopefully he is guiding the dr..in making the right decisions. The main thing right now is just be there for your husband because believe it or not your it biggest worry right now. When your the one sick the worst part I think is worrying about what you're putting the one's you love the most through...I can tell from your post you're there for him and keep reminding him that he is going to beat this and your lives will continue for many many more yrs...that is proably just as important medicine than anything the drs. have to offer...I will be thinking of you both and will say a special prayer for you all. Linda
  • ProudNavyMom50
    ProudNavyMom50 Member Posts: 7
    #5
    yohab said:

    Brings hope
    Hello,
    I felt so much hope as I read your post. My husband 40 yrs old was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 gastric CA w/ mets to the lung, lymph nodes and liver. He has completed 3 rounds of chemo and has been very miserable in the last week. He has been throwing up all the time , he had vomiting as well during the first 2 rounds but after the 3rd round it was very hard on him. They tried to insert a Jejenostomy tube for nutrition purposes through endoscopy but his pylorus was completely obstructed. His tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening. The good news is that the Cancer shrunk! Now we are considering surgery because of malnurishment and obstruction. Did your husband get the surgery first then his Chemo or Chemo first? I am concerned that the surgery will push back the Chemotherapy which seems to be working.

    chem or surgrey first
    read your post. I am a 6 yr. gastric cancer survivor. I've seen it done both ways. Depends on the type of cancer he has. The drs. may feel that he would be in better condition to go through the surgrey and be able to get him back on his feet so he can get built back up...I didnt have surgrey only chemo. Have done really good but am having some problems now so will just have to wait and see. I just reminded myself everyday that it is out of my hands and only the good lord knows what the final outcome will be and hopefully he is guiding the dr..in making the right decisions. The main thing right now is just be there for your husband because believe it or not your it biggest worry right now. When your the one sick the worst part I think is worrying about what you're putting the one's you love the most through...I can tell from your post you're there for him and keep reminding him that he is going to beat this and your lives will continue for many many more yrs...that is proably just as important medicine than anything the drs. have to offer...I will be thinking of you both and will say a special prayer for you all. Linda
  • livestrong_fighter
    livestrong_fighter Member Posts: 39
    #6
    Great to hear your husband is doing well!
    :-)

    Way to go for everyone!
  • illAussie
    illAussie Member Posts: 21
    #7
    livestrong_fighter said:

    Great to hear your husband is doing well!
    :-)

    Way to go for everyone!

    so sorry for missing these
    so sorry for missing these replies ...

    ....is tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening.... This was where my husband's tumour was & he had immediate surgery as he had already lost too much weight & wouldn't have survived having chemo first, then surgery then more chemo. I hope that your husband's journey has been a successful one - I would assume that he has had surgery & further chemo by now. All the best to you both

    ....I didnt have surgrey only chemo. Have done really good but am having some problems now so will just have to wait and see... I hope that all has settled down again for you & on the path to recovery.

    ...Way to go for everyone!.. Absolutely. He competed in a triathlon last weekend & another one this weekend - we think he has already qualified for the Olympic Distance for the World Champs & his twin brother wil compete with him this weekend, to try & qualify for the Sprint distance! A family affair in NZ later this year!

    Go well!
  • yohab
    yohab Member Posts: 16
    #8
    illAussie said:

    so sorry for missing these
    so sorry for missing these replies ...

    ....is tumor was very close to the pylorus and because of all the inflamation going on, it is completely blocking the intestinal opening.... This was where my husband's tumour was & he had immediate surgery as he had already lost too much weight & wouldn't have survived having chemo first, then surgery then more chemo. I hope that your husband's journey has been a successful one - I would assume that he has had surgery & further chemo by now. All the best to you both

    ....I didnt have surgrey only chemo. Have done really good but am having some problems now so will just have to wait and see... I hope that all has settled down again for you & on the path to recovery.

    ...Way to go for everyone!.. Absolutely. He competed in a triathlon last weekend & another one this weekend - we think he has already qualified for the Olympic Distance for the World Champs & his twin brother wil compete with him this weekend, to try & qualify for the Sprint distance! A family affair in NZ later this year!

    Go well!

    Update
    I hope that everyone had a great Holiday I sure had one. Four months ago, I thought that I wont be celebrating any of the 2011 Holidays with my Husband because of his frail condition. The last time I posted he just completed his 3rd rounds of Chemo and he was very miserable. He coudnt take anything by mouth because it would cause so much pain and vomiting. Now He is eating well but not back to what it was before. Also started gaining a little weight. His last PET scan was very promising. All the Metastasis -liver, lungs, lymph nodes are gone and the main tumor in the stomach has shrunk tremendously. Our Onc. from MDAnderson felt that he will benefit for 4 more rounds of Chemo then decide after that if surgery will be the next step. As of now he only has 2 more rounds then another PET scan. He is very motivated to fight this battle and im going to support him all the way. We are praying that his next scan will no longer show any Cancer.
    Oh and he started going back to golfing but it has been very cold here lately.
  • illAussie
    illAussie Member Posts: 21
    #9
    yohab said:

    Update
    I hope that everyone had a great Holiday I sure had one. Four months ago, I thought that I wont be celebrating any of the 2011 Holidays with my Husband because of his frail condition. The last time I posted he just completed his 3rd rounds of Chemo and he was very miserable. He coudnt take anything by mouth because it would cause so much pain and vomiting. Now He is eating well but not back to what it was before. Also started gaining a little weight. His last PET scan was very promising. All the Metastasis -liver, lungs, lymph nodes are gone and the main tumor in the stomach has shrunk tremendously. Our Onc. from MDAnderson felt that he will benefit for 4 more rounds of Chemo then decide after that if surgery will be the next step. As of now he only has 2 more rounds then another PET scan. He is very motivated to fight this battle and im going to support him all the way. We are praying that his next scan will no longer show any Cancer.
    Oh and he started going back to golfing but it has been very cold here lately.

    That is good to hear that
    That is good to hear that your husband has reacted so well to the chemo. It IS very difficult for them to eat, so I just tried to VALUE ADD to everything i gave him. A lot of it was in liquid or mushy form (initially & especially following the surgery.) Try your best to build him up, in case he does need surgery, as a lot of weight is lost with this. I was adding cream & icecream to anything sweet, even adding full cream powdered milk to regular milk, to just to get as many calories into him as I could. I would use dry mashed potato to soups and casseroles to thicken them instead of flour. ANYTHING to add calories, to get some weight back onto him.

    All the best to you and your husband in this next round of chemo - I hope the PET scan shows no need of surgery!
  • yohab
    yohab Member Posts: 16
    #10
    illAussie said:

    That is good to hear that
    That is good to hear that your husband has reacted so well to the chemo. It IS very difficult for them to eat, so I just tried to VALUE ADD to everything i gave him. A lot of it was in liquid or mushy form (initially & especially following the surgery.) Try your best to build him up, in case he does need surgery, as a lot of weight is lost with this. I was adding cream & icecream to anything sweet, even adding full cream powdered milk to regular milk, to just to get as many calories into him as I could. I would use dry mashed potato to soups and casseroles to thicken them instead of flour. ANYTHING to add calories, to get some weight back onto him.

    All the best to you and your husband in this next round of chemo - I hope the PET scan shows no need of surgery!

    Great News!!!
    We just came back from MD Anderson, Houston. I am very happy to let everyone know that my husband's PET Scan showed "No evidence of active disease". He has completed 8 rounds of Chemo that started back in Oct. 2012. We are very happy with his response and with how he is feeling now. During the Chemo week, he would have some nausea and vomiting for 2-3 days and then be back to feeling good. He has gained 5 lbs in the last 2 months. All Im praying for now is for the CA to stay gone forever. Im feeding him anything that is high in protein and calories. I find that rice cooked with lentil seeds goes easy on him. Legumes are high in protein so thats good. He also eats ice cream at least 2x a day.

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