What happened, in summary

Johanna Chelcun was 26 when she underwent total gastrectomy because hereditary diffuse gastric cancer affected her family. Preoperative screening had not found abnormalities, but pathology after surgery identified 32 cancerous lesions in her stomach.

Recovery required major changes in eating, drinking, and social life. Johanna sometimes had to decline food or drinks that would make her uncomfortable, while deciding how much to explain to other people. She found support in her family and later in a partner who understood the surgery’s long-term implications.

Johanna began walking soon after leaving the hospital, returned to activities gradually, and worked with a personal trainer to rebuild strength and stamina. About 10 months after surgery, she completed a half-marathon.