Total Gastrectomy check up.

[lonestray]

Yesterday I attended an appointment at the hospital some four hours journey from home with the surgeon that performed a Total Gastrectomy on me a little over nine years ago. The appointment was at his request and I had not seen him over the pat fours years. Now he wishes to see me on a yearly basis. That may be pushing his look as I'll be 88 years old in a short few week. In response to my question: what the survival rate was for such an operation, his reply was 40% survive five years. It seems I've been fortunate, but then it's not been an easy journey. Coming up to twelve years now I live alone and still exploring ways to regain weight and fitness after a recent visit to my local, nearby hospital where I ended up being infected with shingles. Just another of life's challenges.

[kiddy]

Well done keep going. Like to hear great stories like this. I'm 3.5 years nearly 58 years old. I like to think I will be around many years to come. Bad night reflux but managing quite well with new regime.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[slobjohnb]

Well done you, it takes a lot of determination to carry on through all the treatment and recovery after this op but it's worth it. I am only 21 months in but am feeling well and hoping that I'm in the 40%.

[lonestray in reply to slobjohnb]

Way back then my op didn't go so well as I was in intensive care for a number of weeks. Then I was leaking on both sides of my waist with bags attached. I had a feeding tube attached to my nose. At regular intervals over a number of days I was placed in a machine to test the leakage before I commenced to be fed normally. Around five weeks I returned home and was left to get on with life on my own. I'm blessed with a wonderful daughter that visits me a number of times a week. My grandchildren, nine of them have their own lives to live as there is 15 great grandchildren: the eldest 19 and one 17. Many days I feel I don't belong to the present day world.

[rayw55]

It's well worth keeping up the fight, it's 10years since diagnosis and 22 Dec will be 10 years since my op I was 51 then and having taken retirement at 54 I have to say that life is good I will be eternally grateful to prof Barr and all the team at Gloucester for letting me live on. I plan to be here in another 10 years too 🤗😜

[lonestray in reply to rayw55]

My life has been one long fight from the start and in recent years I decided to research who I was and why I was abandoned as a child. The result is one very crazy story. At that time in Ireland it was considered to be in my best interest I be raised as an orphan. As a result I was charged with "receiving alms" by a Judge Cussen and sentenced to be detained for 14 years. I was two years old! On release I counted the months and day till I was old enough 17 and a half to make my way to the UK and join the forces. I also had my operation at Gloucester and retired in my mid fifties.

[rayw55 in reply to lonestray]

where are you living now then ?

[rayw55 in reply to lonestray]

I am in Hereford, have been since I was based here in the eighties :)a lifetime ago

[Golf1910]

I am 7.5 years on from a total gastrectomy and see my specialist nurse yearly since 5 years. I find it hard to put on weight still trying to get to 10 stone was 15 stone 7.5 years ago and whilst dont want to be that weight again would like a bit more. Have ongoing issues with pain eating and swallowing and regurgitation of food but been like it so long now it's become the norm, can be awkward when go out to eat. I was 81 last Tuesday and plan to be around a lot longer. Good to hear that we are all living beyond the expectations long may it last

Rob

[lonestray in reply to Golf1910]

I too was attempting to regain weight as I was ten stone. lean and fit prior to the op. The best I could manage was just over 120 lbs. Since I've been infected with shingles I've lost all my gain. Just have to try once again. Best wishes for the coming years.

[Golf1910]

thanks and same for you, as my specialist upper GI nurse says when I complain...you are sitting there aren't you.. and of course she is right

Rob

[hunsdon]

Well done young lady keep that good spirit high up your a amazing lady xx

[silversands]

I had oesophageal cancer three and a half years ago, they removed my complete stomach, when I heard about the 40per cent survival I asked why it was one of the only cancers that they do not do follow up scans, I had one done privately and it showed up in one of my lymph nodes, I had more chemo and ll has been good for 2 years, I have a scan every three months, so am really happy that they are offering scans every year, my eating is very difficult and I have lost over 7 stone, try to drink milk and have a lot of cream, I lost my taste and smell but can tell the difference between sweet and savoury, I seem to want sweet. good luck everyone.

[Fizzy35]

Well you are impressive !!

Still looking after your body and coping with all these issues.

You are an inspiration to many

Thank you

Fizzy35

[lonestray in reply to Fizzy35]

Thanks Fizzy, It seems my life consists of being knocked down and making my way back up. Presently I'm finding shingles very debilitating even after three months, but at least I have started back on my work-outs: curls with weights, plus push-ups with my knees on the floor: 2x30, one with hands forward and one with hands facing outward. The big challenge will be my morning run. Always like to discover what my body and mind are capable of.