Ken Davey wrote:
>> Thanks!!!
>> To all of you who took the time to send me a card.
>> As I figured - all those cards caught up with me long after I had
>> been released from the hospital.
>> Not for the update.
>> My stomach - the source of the tumor - was (80%) removed.
>> I am recovering, without complications, from that surgery.
>> As is the norm with this particular type of cancer it has spread.
>> The report from the surgeon was that he had removed all the lymph
>> nodes in the vicinity of the stomach and 50% of those nodes tested
>> positive for cancer.
>> Bad news to be sure.
>> Next week I check into the British Columbia Cancer Agency for further
>> treatment.
>> I have been told that I will be receiving both radiation and chemo
>> treatments.
>> They would not be hitting me with 'both barrels' if they didn't
>> think my survival chances weren't good.
>> It is going to be a bitch of a ride; but, as bad as that may be, the
>> alternative is worse.
>> The worst thing about all this is that food has become uninteresting
>> I mean - something tasty ain't anymore.
>> It is a real effort to feed myself.
>> Junk food (dammnitt) seems to be a way to go to keep sufficient
>> caloric intake.
>> Just about anything I haven't eaten since the operation seems to
>> taste
>> good - once!
>> The next time I can't force it down.
>> I have a fridge full of leftovers that I can't face.
>> All that be what it is.
>> I will rise above this.
>> My apologies to the group for bringing anyone down but I felt that
>> those who care should know.
>>

Thank you Ken for the update. I am sorry to hear that you need to go the
next step and undergo radiation and chemo. The good news is that medical
field has come a long way with these treatments and any horror stories of
side effects you may have heard are now pretty much taken care of with
medications. Of course some are still around.. like baldness.. but hey...
shine up the head, grab a lollipop and oretend to be Kojak! :-) We are
rooting for you kiddo. A positive attitude goes a long way in cancer
treatment and you seem to be carrying one. I'm sure you have your bad times
too.. you can't be positive 100% of the time. I hope you have good family
and friends to help you through those.. if not.. hey.. come post here or
email some of us that you feel you would like. As for your meals. Have you
been able to talk to a dietician? If not, when you register at the cancer
clinic ask to speak to one there. There is usually one assigned to your
team anyway.. they just need to know you need that service at time of
registration. Heck, even if you have seen one, ask to see one again. Take
care and please continue to keep us posted.

Debbie