Knowledge gives you power … Sharing gives you strength

Families from across the globe are finding comfort in the sense of community available on the No Stomach For Cancer website.

Reading the personal stories shared by others facing issues that may be similar to your own, and being able to share your story with others who may draw strength from it…is what this page is all about.

Use the Sharing Stories tools to create your own blog / journal. Be sure to send us the link along with your photo so you can share your story with others too.

Yes, sharing gives you strength.

 

Jennifer Lai is gastronomically speaking to you. Join her on her journey through the maze of a Heriditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer diagnosis.
January 2012

Sandra Sankar, from beautiful San Diego … My only brother died from gastric cancer at 37. I was diagnosed at 39 and found out that I have a CDH1 genetic mutation which I inherited from my dad who does not have gastric cancer. I had a total gastrectomy on Feb 18, 2011 and am still going through chemotheraphy. I am hoping to get back to my prior activities after this is through. I have put together a web site documenting my experience.
February 2011

My name is Trudy Podvorac. I live in Brisbane, Australlia and I will be the fifth person in my family to undergo a Prophylactic Total Gastrectomy due to inheriting the CDH1 gene mutation. This is my journey and thoughts on my decision to have a Total Gastrectomy.
November 2009

An ordinary woman on an extraordinary journey. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife and mother of two… and this is my little diary of my journey through gastrectomy. I live in Brisbane, Australia.Tammy shares her story HDGC & Me.
July 2009

Teresa Feeney’s blog Latest Skinny. Teresa is the fifth member of her family to undergo a total gastrectomy in as many years.
June 2010

Within 7 weeks of CDH1 diagnosis I had a total gastrectomyin Sheffield, England at the age of 31 (November 2009). I live with my wife and son in South Yorkshire, England whilst learning the way’s of stomachlesslife! Lee’s story HDGC and me.

I am Megan McFetridge, a medical assistant working for Bryn Mawr Rehab in Malvern, Pa. since sep 2007. Working with stroke and brain injury patients has taught me to treasure my health and never take life for granted. In November of 2007, after my older sister (28) was diagnosed with HDGC, I found out I had the same CDH1 gene mutation that we inherited from our mom (Jeannie Marie McFetridge 4/16/60-2/23/03). This spring, I decided to get the prophalactic TG. My surgery is scheduled for September 28, 2009. This is my story.

Allison Levine (Ali) was diagnosed on April 10, 2008 with signet ring cell carcinoma (gastric cancer). Ali ended her courageous battle victorious on Monday, March 9, 2009 at the tender age of 32. Allison’s  journal & inspirational comments of visitors are a testament to her extraordinary character (Kia Kaha) & compassion. Shortly after her passing, we discovered results of genetic testing revealed a mutation of the CDH1 gene. Our family now enters a new phase of this journey to determine additional genetic results of Ali’s parents, sister (her daughter if necessary) and eventually – our nearly 3 year old son Noah.
March 2009

March 18, 2009, my life was changed forever when Tracey Leedom (Duke Geneticist) conveyed to me that I was a carrier of the CDH1 genetic change that my mother and grandmother have. Bethany Tucker’s story.
March 2009

Chad Sapieha’s blog, Gutless’s Posterous. Chad had his total gastrectomy on March 2, 2009. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
March 2009

Brian Chelcun’s journey through total gastrectomy at the age of 26. Brian lives in Washington DC.
February 2009

In three years’ time (2001-04), Rose Evans witnessed the deaths of four family members. They all had had stomach cancer. Genetic testing revealed that all four — her father, her sister, and two of her aunts (her fathers’ sisters) — had a mutation of the CDH1 gene. In 1960, her paternal grandmother had also died from stomach cancer at the age of 57. After testing positive for the gene in 2006 (at the age of 42), Rose was the first in her family to have her stomach removed to prevent diffuse gastric cancer. Rose shares her family story In the genes….

Erin’s Gift is a place to learn about the Sutherland family and how they have been affected by HDGC.
January 2009

Karen Chelcun’s journey through total gastrectomy at the age of 51. Karen lives in Madison, WI.
September 2008