From Amanda Johnson – My sister was just diagnosed with stomach cancer and currently is in surgery for complete stomach removal. It’s been a long few weeks of preparation and many more weeks to come of recovery.
It’s been a shock to all of us. She is actually recovering on schedule. She may actually get to move into a room today and start clear liquids. The big change will be living without a stomach and the changes that will entail.
She is in New Paltz, NY. I was there for the surgery and one day after. I am home now, but going back on Tuesday until the end of the week. We are trying to schedule people to be there all the time as she can’t be alone. We are hoping she can go home next week, but have to schedule people in the house at all times. Luckily she is only a couple hours away so I can go, as long as I can find coverage for my school.
We also have a helping hands website set up so people can see the progress, help with meals and visits. It’s been quite helpful. www.my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/verderosa-love
Class of ’68?!…no class of ’85! Anyway, thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. She is recovering as best she can. Healing from the surgery is moving along swiftly and she is adjusting to the new life style of 4-5 oz of food several times a day. As a side, this was a hereditary cancer caused by a mutation in the CDB1 gene. If you know of or suspect a family member to have had lobular breast or HDGC stomach cancer, PLEASE get tested. We have now found that several people in our family has these. The stomach cancer is considered the “invisible” cancer because it is basically undetectable until stage IV. My sister was extremely lucky. A great website for more information and support is http://www.nostomachforcancer.org
Again, thank you for all the support. It has been a blessing knowing so many people around the world are sending well wishes.