A gist is an uncommon and completely hereditary form of tumor. It's caused by a defective gene that gets passed on (usually from the mother). Chemo and radiation are not needed for this type of tumor, and it rarely spreads to surrounding areas.
Assuming you use these things, maybe this will be the catalyst to cut out unnecessary things like soda, alcohol, diet drinks, etc, and get down to basics. Worked for me, still holding at 202 lbs. I wonder if you will need any chemo or radiation therapy with this, or just surgery. Sounds like its very localized which is a plus.
Actually I posted in this thread to reassure Fritzo
I don't log in here and post much anymore either. Seeing posts like this from one of the old school guys is what catches my attention and have to post.
You got this Fritz. Sounds like the GERD will be gone after this.
The funny thing is it's been better since they rammed that scope down there. The nurses said sometimes that's all it takes to stretch the scarred tissue in the esophagus.
Must_refrain.......
No such thing unfortunately ... hope your okay!
Funny I just had a basal cell removed and my reaction was that is the cancer to have if you have to have cancer. As I told my wife if that is the payment for enjoying being out in the sun my entire life I am good with it.Doctor quote: "If you could choose a type of cancer, this would be the one to choose." I'm fortunate it's a form of tumor that generally doesn't spread- it just gets bigger until it starts blocking stuff. If it does spread, it will only affect some lymph nodes around the area.
Of course, I'm taunting it now, so watch this all come back with smack me in the face
uh. i dont undertstand the update. benign? is that what you are trying to say? if so that's great news. if that's not it, well I'll just see myself out if thats the case.
Hi all. Long-timers may have noticed I haven't been around the last several months, and that's mostly due to a new job that's proving to be interesting, challenging, and actually making me happy. Life has actually be good for the last couple of years, until...
I've been having a problem with GERD (which is like acid reflux on steroids). I constantly have an acidic stomach, and if I eat dense foods often I'd get severe hicups and end up regurgitating what I ate. As long as I took acid-reducers every day, everything was fine. After living with things for a couple of years, I decided to have things checked out.
They stuck a scope down my throat, and yep- I have GERD. But that didn't concern the doctor...the large golfball sized growth right past my stomach did. They scheduled me for a biopsy and ultrasound, and that will be happening tomorrow morning (5/10/17) at 11am ET.
In the meantime, I've been Googling everything I can find that resembles the picture I was given...and it doesn't look good. Even if it's a benign tumor, treatments seem to involve removing part of the bowel and intestine...possibly even part of the liver and pancreas.
I'm 46, have never had any kind of surgery or procedure in my life, have never been seriously ill, I don't smoke, I don't drink excessively, and keep fit. I have no symptoms of cancer, no history, yet...there it is. On top of this, since I just started a new job recently, I don't have much sick or vacation time. It's just not a good situation all around.
I'm not scared for me so much as my family. My wife has had a lot of medical issues over the last 15 years and, while much improved now, greatly depends on me. My son is about to start college and we need my income for his education. Things like this aren't supposed to hit until you're older. Leave it to me to break the rules...
Sorry. Just needed to get some thoughts out.
5/11/17 UPDATE: Well, the scoping and biopsy went well. Was a little groggy all day from the anesthesia, and throat's a bit sore (Props to porn stars! They're troopers!), but I'm back at work today. The Dr. is 90-95% sure I have what's called a "gist"- which is a type of cancerous tumor and it's partially blocking my esophagus. Originally my daughter told me it was just past my stomach (I was out the first time, so she misheard), so this is a whole new ballgame. A gist is a rare form of cancer caused by a genetic defect. The good news is it usually doesn't spread, and it's one of those "cut it out and it's gone" type of cancers. The bad news is it's pretty rare (only 5000 cases per year are reported in the US), and it takes a special surgeon to remove them because they're filled with blood vessels and can't be "popped", so I'm most likely going to have to travel for surgery. They'll most likely cut out part of my stomach and stitch it to my esophagus (bonus side effect- free weight loss surgery!).
So, tldr: I have cancer, but it's a sissy cancer and can be surgically removed with little to no lasting effects. I'm getting a consultation May 23rd and will schedule surgery after that.
I actually felt better after reading some of the comments here, and it really calmed be down. Thanks everyone!
Update 5/17/17:
UPDATE 6/23/17:
Surgery scheduled for 6/26 at 10:30. Expected 4 day hospital stay. I've never been in bed that long (hell- I have a hard time sitting still to watch a 30 minute TV show). This has the potential to suck. I'll live post from my bed if able
UPDATE: 6/29/17:
I had surgery Monday, and was able to come home yesterday afternoon to heal because I have super-human recovery abilities or something. Got six incisions in my gut with a drainage tube sticking out of one of them (pics on request! ), and other than being in a lot of pain I think everything came out pretty well. Stuck on a liquid diet for two weeks though. Great way to lose weight!
Great news! Pics or it didn't happen! ;P