Stomach Cancer
Posted on: Mon, 04/08/2008 - 01:23
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Stomach Cancer
My cousin 33 was diagnosed with stomach cancer two weeks ago. There are some things I don't understand.First they said they don't want to operate to remove tumor in her stomach because it will cause it to spread to the rest of her body. and want to treat with radiation and chemo.Four day age they did Laparoscopic surgery to install a j-tube in her small intestine but said they could not because they needed to lift her large intestines and they were to frigle. I don't know what they mean by that.plus the j-tube was going in her small intestines. The j-tube would be her feeding tube, since that was unsuccessful they moved her small intestine to a different place on her stomach above the tumer that was causing blockage.The doctors said they were able to see her liver and cancer had not afected it, but was not able to see her pancreas.So from what I can get from my family is that it has not damaged any other organs and is contained in stomach but does show in one near by lymph mode. now we are waiting for her intestine relocation to heal . They said she needs to be able to eat to be stronge for chemo and radiation treatment.Nobody has said what stage this would be so I'm looking for my own answers
Does this make sense to anyone.Looks like another three weeks before she will start Chemo.
Thanks Jeff
I can't make much sense of it either, but it does suggest that they are being VERY CAREFUL with her. It shows that there was no cancer in her liver, a real blessing, and that she needs to build up her strength.
It probably means also that her large bowel needs something going through it so that it doesn't give up hope. Not very technical, but maybe a slight explanation.
As for not operating on the stomach, there are a lot of blood vessels in the stomach wall, and removing the cancer from there would be very difficult to prevent cells from travelling all around the body.
Who goes to the doctors with your cousin? I took a small voice recorder with me so that any member of the family could hear what was said. The Chemotherapy consultation needed a lot of listening to, but they explained it well.
Has your cousin got a Macmillan nurse available, or a Nurse consultant to phone or email if she wants to ask any questions? Someone usually gives you a card with their details on, and that person looks after you, as a kind of liaison between the patient and the NHS.
I hope she stays strong and is able to cope with the treatment.
Ruth
Triumph and Disaster are imposters