My surgeon called the other day with my official stomach pathology results. Two separate groups of Stage 1A diffuse gastric cancer cells were found in the lining of my stomach upon its removal. Of the sixteen lymph nodes that were removed, all were negative for cancer. This is the best news I could have hoped for. The cancer cells that were present were contained within my stomach, and did not have a chance to spread. I also have photos of my stomach after it was removed, although I have not figured out the best way to share them just yet. I don't want to force them upon people who don't want to see them, but I do want to make them available to people like me, who are curious and intrigued by gross body part photos. I will let you know when I get a link posted.
I have been meaning to post these results for a couple of days now, and I have also been meaning to update the resource pages of my website with all this time on my hands, but let me tell you, the exhaustion post gastrectomy is some next level stuff! Throughout all of my cancer treatments and past procedures, I haven't felt anything like this. It is extreme physical exhaustion. Not sure how to explain it, but basically, I can go to bed at 9pm, sleep through the night, wake up at 9am the next morning, get up, do my morning routine, and by the time I am done showering and dressing, I am ready to go back to bed again. I find myself napping throughout the day. Not because I want to, but because I have to in order to make it through the rest of the day. With the exhaustion, I don't feel like I can think or focus like I wish I could. So, I have been sticking to napping, watching television, figuring out how to shove calories down, as well as liquids, napping some more, and snuggling with the fuzzballs. I am trying to get out for at least a short walk each day as well since I don't want to give up all physical exercise, and I need to breathe in the crisp fall air. Emotionally, I am doing pretty well. Some moments are more difficult than others, but all in all, I am feeling pretty positive.
I am hoping, as my body adjusts to the limited calories, limited fluids, limited exercise, and heals the physical wounds, the exhaustion veil will lift. Next week I am traveling back out east, to the NIH for my 1-month follow up visit. This time, I will be traveling by myself and meeting my seahorse sister out there. It will be a quick 3-day trip. Hopefully there will be plenty of time for naps!