Hello scooby101, 

I also had stomach surgery for cancer which started as an ulcer. I had the surgery about nine weeks ago. After the initial surgery pain and bowel movement problems I am feeling a bit better now. My advice is that stay positive and wait for the treatment plan. I understand that stomach cancer if diagnosed early is very treatable. 

Hoping it works out OK for you. Good luck and kind regards, pcd. 

Hi Scooby

sorry you find yourself in this situation, I fully understand how you feel. 

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August last year,  and today I have finally finished treatment, it has been a long 8 months with plenty of downs but far more ups. 

I am sorry that they have found spread upon investigation, I always felt I was living on a knife edge at this time before a plan was made and those were certainly the darkest days. Treatment brings its own problems with chemo but it doesn’t last forever. 

The oesophageal Patients Association website holds masses of information for gastric cancer which is useful for practical matters, they also have a forum you can find via the health unlocked site http://healthunlocked.com/ there are many people there with all stages of or recovered from oesophageal/gastric cancer, the Macmillan online community also has a stomach cancer forum, I’ve found these very useful and have made connections with some wonderful people. It helps to talk to people who just know. 

I really hope your next meeting brings you some clarity and treatment starts soon. 

Please let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes

louise

Hello,

i was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer last summer. I wish someone had told me then that cyto reductive surgery (CRS), HIPEC and gastrectomy are a potentially curative option. If nothing else it will give you more time. They don’t offer this in the UK but do in Germany and France. It’ll cost about £46,000 but where there is a will there is a way.. crowdfunding, friends and family, kind super rich people.. If your cancer is only on your diaphragm then you will definitely be able to undergo the described procedures. Chin up, it is not over yet.

separately, PIPAC is an aerosol chemo treatment directly to the peritoneum, which is also offered in other European countries and costs £1400. I have undergone this procedure and can tell you that the side effects are very minimal when compared to standard systemic chemo. PIPAC has been proven to mitigate symptoms of peritoneal cancer and gives those treated more time.

All good wishes,

PS re the ups and the downs: some look into mindfulness, or your local hospice will offer coping therapies (these people are angels), or you could consider faith (John G Lake Ministries). The last two options work for me. I have two small children but we’re carrying on as normal. There is fun and laughter in our home every day.