Hello GillT,

I am sorry to hear your relative has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. We have detailed information on stomach cancer on our website which you can find here and you can also find out more about stomach cancer surgery on this page.

But as nothing replaces hearing from personal experiences, I thought I would put you in touch with [@Mikeswife]‍ who has had surgery for stomach cancer and I hope she will be along soon to share her story and experiences with you. You can read her story here and feel free to respond to her thread too if you wish.

Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 should you have any questions or need to talk things through with them. You can ring them Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Wishing your relative a smooth and speedy recovery after the surgery. Do you know when it will take place?

Best wishes,
Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi GiLLT (& thanks for mention Lucie)

sorry to hear about your relative, I think we may have spoke a while back during initial diagnosis, it must be hard to try and reassure someone so anxious but I will tell you my recent experience and hopefully it may help. 

I had full gastrectomy on 2nd January so only 15 days ago, I too was very anxious before it and pictured myself incapable of anything for weeks/months afterwards. However, I can honestly say it’s been much better than I anticipated. Within 24 hours of surgery I was up and moving about independently, yes it was uncomfortable at first but not painful, that was managed really well by the nurses. I was able to have clear fluids about 72 hours after surgery after they performed a leak test which is basically an X-ray to see that everything is working, from that I was on to puréed food which I need to continue with for another week when I can move on to mashed food and solids 2 weeks later. I was in hospital for 7 days and at. I time during the past 15 days has anything felt physically unbearable. Eating enough and getting fluids can be hard and I’ve lost weight but it’s all a learning curve. The hardest part is emotionally because I have children and am unable to do normal activities and am mostly tied to the house whilst I rebuild myself. 

I am able to go out for short walks and do light housework  I even went to the cinema 9 days after surgery so recovery can be quick  

I did have chemo, and will have more in February. I understand you must be concerned as your relative is unable to have it, however not all people with stomach cancer get it, especially those in early stages. It does sound like the surgeon is confident in going for a cure, even with chemo there are no guarantees unfortunately, recurrence is a worry for us all, but as my surgeon always says take things one step at a time and deal with any problems only when they arise. 

If you could plant the seed in your relatives head that they have to get up and mobile in the early days of recovery it can really help, it was drummed in to me to be mobile to avoid risks of infections, pneumonia, post surgery complications and that I’d get home sooner, it worked. 

I know nothing can really take away all the anxiety but I hope I’ve helped a little, please message me if you have any other questions. 

Best wishes x

Hi Mikeswife

Thank you so much for this very informative reply.. I hope you feel better today and continue to get well . I just keep reassuring my relative that he will get lots of support and to take each day as it comes and I’m sure he will be fine. He’s just so anxious and him being terrified of hospitals doesn’t help much. My mum had a stomach bypass around 20years ago so I keep telling him that he’ll have sort of the same eating habits as my mum.

Thank you again for replying to my post and I truly wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.