OT-My Sister

Hi All, My 35 year old sister was just recently diagnosed with gastric cancer and a tumor at the GE Junction. We have seen a surgeon at OHSU and she has had an ultrasound, CT and PET scan. Fortunately it does not appear to have mestastasized (sp?) to any other area. Treatment plan so far is to have a total gastrectomy and partial removal of her esophagus,then Chemo. She has always been a little overweight and has so far lost about 50 pounds. She is unable to eat hardly anything because of the tumor blocking her esophagus. She gags and it comes back up. I guess that the doctor that she was seeing just didn't think that her symptoms could have been caused by cancer. She has been seeing him since February for heartburn, chest pain, problems swallowing, vomiting. My question is, since she will not have her stomach at all, is she going to always feel like she is dumping after eating anything? Do any of you know anyone that has had their entire stomach removed? When it comes to taking pills or medication is that going to absorb? Thanks. Now I almost feel guilty to have been wanting this surgery so bad and now she is forced to undergo a severe procedure to save her life. I wish that I could have my surgery so that we could go through it together. Both of my insuance companies paid for my consult but supposedly this is excluded. Does that sound right? Why would they cover a consult if they wouldn't cover the procedure? Amy

Amy - I am so sorry to hear about your sister. What a horrible thing to learn... I cannot say for sure about what your sister will experience, but if she eats sugar or heavy carbs it may cause a dumping feeling. I know that over time our intestines will grow some protective linings to compensate for that though, so maybe it won't be too long before it is okay. Please keep us updated on how she is doing. As for your insurance, I can't say why they would pay for one but not the other, but I suspect it has to do with the way they are billing the consult. I hope you find good luck in getting the coverage. Dina