Warm up the Lizards, swinging requested

Ok, so I received  news Tuesday, and like a coin, the news has flip sides. Stop reading here if you are expecting one of my nutty irreverent posts, cause i'm totally out of character today.

The good news:  I still will have surgery with the benefit of a smaller stomach. The tumor was found pre-surgery, and it didn't wait to grow til after surgery in my anti-pouch where no endoscopy would have ever found it til it was too late, or in my pouch where I would have thought the pain was related to eating too much or whatever....   
 
The bad news is that I'm probably no longer a RNY candidate, and that I *may* have a very scary stomach cancer with really low 5 yr survival rates.  (Normally, I'd put the cancer phrase first, but after all, I AM writing on a WLS board) 

I got the tumor news from the GI doc after my endoscopy, but in my grogginess I didn't understand when he used the word "resection." He didn't seem too worried when he used the word tumor, and I guess I was still out of it, cause it just didn't register then.  Only after I read the endo report that night did I freak out. The report says "A 1-2 cm submucosal lesion was seen in the fundus. ...firm with irregular overlying mucosa...most consistent with a small Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)."  The only real hope for long term patient survival is resection, ensuring that no child (tumors or seeds) is left behind. (Yes, that IS a joke, i just can't help myself).

 I called the GI doc who did the endo to ask for more info, but no luck in getting a callback. The biopsy report isn't due for 2 or 3 weeks (now I know what they mean by waitxiety) and the hope is for no mitoses. My next appt is with the WLSurgeon next Wedneday, and we will see what he says, besides "no, you can't get any of your $600 program fee returned..." I think he should get a finders fee from the GI doc, who's going to get a gutload of business from me (yes, another joke) in the coming months. Then the WLSurgeon can give me back my $600. 

So please would you swing lizards, send healing energy my way, or say prayers, whatever your method of requesting your Higher Power's help?  I started this journey in a quest to improve my health, and obviously my Higher Power heard my plea.  I am gratefully aware of the tumor now, and if not for prepping for my WLS, who knows what the outcome would have been?  Now I have a chance of hanging around and aggravating you all with nutty posts from a doll stuffed with cotton batting! 

RaggetyAnn

OMG, I am so sorry to hear about the tumor. What a shocker! I will be swinging, praying, and sending positive vibes your way. I hope that you get a second opinion. The stakes are so high. Please use this board for support and venting. We are here for you.

Amy

OH NO.......NOT my doppleganger mom!  I know you will use your crazy sense of humor to get yourself through this!  Isn't it amazing how when we chose a path sometimes that path brings us greater knowledge about ourselves??  I'm so glad that this was found and will swing some lizard tails for ya!  I'm here for you if you need me!

My prayers are with you. God works in funny ways.

Swinging lizards, cats (5 of them), and sending healing prayers your way.

Keep us updated.

Liz

Healing vibes sent your way. *hug*

Abby

Sending you healing thoughts, but I only have a turtle to swing!

Tracey-
I'm so sorry this is happening to you. And I'm sorry you are worrying yourself into a frazzle. Maybe things are not as bleak as you think? I googled some of the terminology you used and tried to read about it.  The size of the gist (1 - 2 cm) is good news and maybe the fact that the doctor was acting relaxed and not very concerned means something.  That and not getting a call back. From my experience they are right on top of call backs etc. when it is serious.  hang in there, Tracey. I'll be thinking of you. And please follow up when you know anything more. We actually do worry.
Kathy

Kathy,
You are absolutely right with all points.  And you are so kind to have read up on GISTs; thank you so very much for using your time to put kindness into action.  I've been reading for three nights now, and my hopes go UP, down, UP, way down, WAY UP.....  In fact, I found one case just like mine, during endo for pre-surg bariatric patient docs found GIST, and two where the GISTS were found during the barisurg.  The first patient got the planned RNY with 100 cm bypassed; the other two got resections and the doctors placed bands instead of doing the RNY.   

 I believe in the power of positive energy, so THANKS to everyone swinging the menagerie. I am working on strong positive images. Obesity increases the odds of cancer--that's proven.  So now I have more reason to get to a healthy weight.  And besides, either way, I get a smaller stomach and the same few months of special stomach care and feeding!  

Swinging lizards like mad for you Raggety. You are at least the 3d person I've read about on the boards here where their life was saved just by going through the tests for WLS or having WLS and the surgeon finds something else and takes care of it right then and there. So you could be left with a sleeve or they may have to resect the whole stomach. I'm hoping you can have a sleeve. Giving you a normal operating stomach only very small. But if they have to resect the entire stomach, it would be more like the RNY pouch. You'll still have to stay after them about checking your vitamin and mineral labs regardless of what happens and you'll still have to eat very small snack and meals and maybe supplement with protein shakes. Don't let them try to put you on total meal replacements because they're full of carbs. Protein shakes, small healthy meals and lots of the right kind of vitamins, babeee! 

Please keep us posted. ((hugs))

--gina