Update from Stomach Cancer confirmed.

Saw the surgeon today. He told me that he would be willing to operate because he deemed me quite fit. However, it will depend on the result of the numerous blood tests taken today and also on the keyhole exploratory procedure he will do in 7 days time to see if the surrounding tissues and the spleen are involved, though he didn't think the latter was the case.

He said he did not worry too much about age rather than general fitness of a patient. He did say though that they do not usually do chemo before the op in the older patient, only afterwards, probably because it would weaken one. I forgotten to ask why.

What is your take on chemo pre-op?

Thanks

My best wishes for everyone on this forum. .

[sallym]

In 1994 they hadn't discovered a drug that worked for oesophageal cancer so I didn't have anything before or after, but against all the odds I am still here nearly 25yrs later, so good luck, travel with hope, sally

[Hidden in reply to sallym]

Thanks Sally. Wow, nearly 25 years? That is fantastic! I do not expect to match that; I would be 107, but 15 years would be nice. Thanks for giving me hope. And best wishes for many more years to come.

[Fizzy35 in reply to sallym]

Really impressed and wish you MANY MANY MORE years of health

[sallym in reply to Fizzy35]

Thank you, it has been an unbelievable journey but some people have done longer and it is all about giving hope when you can't see light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes sally

[Hidden in reply to sallym]

You are so right, sally. Thank you

[Tanktank]

I think pre op chemo is to reduce size of cancer to be operable whilst post op chemo (adjuvant) is to clean up afterwards to ensure everything has been removed. This was the case with my oesophageal cancer. I am now in remission and doing well. Good luck to you.

[Lynio]

Hello, as Tanktank suggests neoadjuvant( prior to surgery), is to potentially shrink the tumour size, whilst adjuvant is to mop up any stray cells following gastrectomy. My husband had both full strength chemo cycles, and a total gastrectomy in April 2015. Today he is well, just about 4 years post op. Of course life dietary wise is different, but certainly doable.

Very best of luck with your laparoscopy next week. Kind regards.

[Golf1910]

I would go with what the surgeon suggests, I was on a trial and had chemo to try and reduce the size of the tumour, unfortunately I was in hospital longer than anticipated and couldn't do the follow up chemo but that hasn't affected the outcome. I hope the blood tests all come back okay and the keyhole exploratory procedure, that I also had, shows what is needed. Keep us posted on the progress and wishing you all the best

Rob

[lonestray]

Sound like my case more than eight years and eight months ago. Back then I was three months short of my 80th birthday. I've always been fit and in my younger day represented my country at sport. Many tests were carried out before the op and keyhole surgery was included. After five weeks in hospital three in Intensive Care I arrived home and left to get on with life on my own. My wife passed away over 11 years ago due to Alzheimer's and I cared for her on my own till she passed, as I tend to be very independent. Here I am six months short of my 88th birthday and still running each morning at 05.00hrs. I'm very fortunate in having a wonderful daughter who visits me three times a week. I have nine grandchildren and they have their own families to care for and there are 15 great grandchildren the eldest is 19. The eldest grand son is 40. I've always lived life in my own way as I had no other option. The only medication I have is a B12 injection every 12 weeks. I don't even have a flu jab and I can't recall when I last had a cold. Of late I'm researching who I am and I'm shocked at what I've discovered. I'm plodding through a mountain of information to discover I was raised wrongly as an orphan. At the age of two I was charged at Dublin District Court with 'Receiving Alms' and sentenced to 14 years detention! On my release at age sixteen I was left to get on with life and by seventeen I came to the UK to join the forces. During my time served in the Irish Industrial School system (boys only) It was not possible to be nurtured or educated. I was fortunate to be accepted into the forces at the very bottom level. There I found a home, cloths and three meals a day. For most of my life I've kept my past secret and lived life 'my way'. Each day there's something new to discover. Sorry for such along post.

[jeffw663]

I had E.O.X. chemo prior to op, it shrunk my tumor but after 2 x 4 week sessions I was on my knees and the 3rd session was cancelled, this was now 1year ago, op on 2nd July 2018, no post chemo, histology reported all tumor removed and of the 22 lymph nodes, all were clear apart from one showing slight signs of cancer. At 74 I'm enjoying life, cycling on my trike, and joining in numerous activities.

So good luck put up with all the tests and tribulations that are involved, seize this opportunity with both hands, your journey back has started.

[zerodrudge]

I would suspect you would be more prone to infection,happened to me!

[grandylynda]

I had oesophageal cancer and had chemo before surgery. I was 68 at the time