More than seven years and I'm still here.

[lonestray]

Saturday the 7th Oct was a day I'd longed to see as it way my youngest Grand Daughter's wedding day. It was also my late wife's birthday. More than seven years after my Total Gastrectomy I was able to attend the wedding. I enjoyed the food, dancing and meeting all the family (nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren) up until midnight. Another blessing was to celebrate my 86th birthday the following day the 8th. It's been a long tough journey most of my life and I'm still learning in my own way. I've discovered I can continue run for half an hour five days a week at five o'clock in the mornings. Since my wife's death, ten years this Dec., I've lived alone and the only visits I have is from our Daughter. The positive aspect, is I'm free to do as I please and answer to no one. The first signs of my problems cane whilst I was caring for my wife whilst in the late stages of Alzheimer's. On a number of occasions I wheeled her into our local GP and he diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. As I was caring for my wife on my own (had no wish to share her care with a stranger) after she passed away, I had a proper check-up. The results of an endoscopy test were given to me straight away: "I've been doing these tests for years. There's no need for a biopsy you have stomach cancer." Strange as it may seem I was not shocked, I've had worst happenings in my life: just another challenge. The only medication I have is a B12 injection every 12 weeks. There are still the odd days I have burning sensations for which I suck a mint humbug, but require them far less these days. Over the years I've learned what not to eat through trial and error. The one problem I'm still dealing with: attempting to regain lost weight. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I decided it was time research my background. The results are amazing and each day I've come to better understand who I am and what makes me tick. On Friday 13th it will be my Mother's. birthday, a woman I never got to know. As I see it she took me by the hand as a two year old, pointed down the road of life: "There you go kid, your on your own, bye," Fourteen years later we met very briefly when I was 16, there was no emotional attachment, we parted never to meet again. From that day onwards I had but one option: to live life my way. I'm still learning and stomach cancer has been a tough and an interesting challenge. Now I'm informed I have skin cancer! Don't know if this post is of any help to others, but I'm willing to answer any questions.

[milz]

Thank you so much for posting, my mom will be going in for a 2nd surgery. Gist tumor at esophageal junction recurrence. Thank you for giving us hope.

[Jennyretro]

Hi Lonestray

I have also faced challenges in my life and can understand. Not everybody has a relationship with their parents unfortunately-but I believe that what you go through in your childhood makes you a stronger person as an adult. In two days time, Friday 13th, I will be having a full gastrectomy like yourself and so a new challenge of my strength of character will begin. I live alone too. You have done amazingly well Lonestray, thank you for sharing your story.

Jennifer x

[lonestray in reply to Jennyretro]

Jennyretro, Thanks, in many ways the authorities id me a favour in raising me as an orphan. The beauty of the internet is than one can look up and discover what life in the Irish Industrial Schools was like in the 1930/40. Strange as it may seem I was sentenced by a Judge Cussen to 14 years detention at the age of two, for 'receiving alms'. To this day I'm sifting through the mountain of information I'm managed to collect. All the evidence proves I was innocent of all charges. On my release at sixteen I was uneducated as we were put to work from the age of 10. I was also emotionally barren and my physical devolvement was stunted. All these years later I read that the Inspector of the school reported: "The livestock were better fed than the children." In spite of what experts say; that a child with a poor education and poor family background, I managed to retire in comfort by my mid fifties. In many way the lack of family, home or friends has proved a challenge on entering a strange new world as a teenager. For me the whole of life is made up of positives and negatives. Once we accept that we can switch on the light in the darkest areas. Whenever I encounter a problem I first look for the underlying cause to find a solution. The mind is the control centre for the body and so I avoid, stress, anger, hate, bitterness and worry. Many with vested interest attack our five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. As is often said on here "everyone is different" none the less the 'experts' tell us what's best. I'm pleased to have been raised 'outside of the box' and continue to live 'my way'.

[AMLux in reply to Jennyretro]

Hi Jenny,

I hope all went well with your surgery.

Thinking of you and sending healing hugs.

AM x

[AoifeMcC]

I am thrilled that you are a 7 year survivor from another long term survivor

[lonestray in reply to AoifeMcC]

Thanks I'm grateful for each day as I learn something new.

[haward]

Great story! It shows we can get through these things. Four and a half years on from an oesophagectomy I am as positive as possible. Haward

[lonestray in reply to haward]

Good on you haward.

[AMLux]

Hi Lonestray,

It's wonderful to read of another positive result as I embark on my own journey. I'm having pre-operative chemo at the moment and expecting to have a gastrectomy early December.

Take care and continue to enjoy life. You are an inspiration.

AM x