Stage III Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Harrison's Survivor Story
This gastric cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage III
- Subtype
- Adenocarcinoma
- Treatment
- surgery
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- Underwent surgery for gastric cancer.
What happened, in summary
In 2018, Harrison developed persistent stomach discomfort after meals, occasional nausea, early fullness and an unplanned weight loss of about 10 pounds. A gastroenterologist performed an upper endoscopy within 2 weeks, and biopsies confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma. CT imaging showed local spread. After a second opinion, the diagnosis was Stage III gastric cancer.
Harrison underwent surgery for the gastric cancer. Afterward, eating required significant adjustment, including smaller and more frequent meals because larger meals could trigger heartburn, reflux and vomiting. Ongoing care included medicines for pain and reflux as well as supplements for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Fatigue also meant taking more frequent breaks.
Counseling and strong support from Harrison's wife helped with the emotional impact of treatment. The children lived far away but stayed in regular contact. Several years after diagnosis, Harrison described being in remission, although fear that the cancer could return remained intense. Future hopes included spending more time with family, traveling with a wife, practicing yoga and sharing the experience with other people facing cancer.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Our Cancer Stories. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer