Our Schmitt family learned about Hereditary Diffuse Gastric cancer last spring when my brother was diagnosed and found to have the CDH1 gene. It put some puzzle pieces together for us about our fathers and uncles passing from stomach cancer many years ago. I was tested and learned that I too was a carrier of the gene as well as my other 2 siblings. We sadly lost our brother. As a result of his courageous journey, the rest of our family has received the gift of life by learning of this early enough to be able to eliminate the threat.
On May 5th, I will undergo a Prophylactic total gastrectomy. Big words that mean they are going to remove my whole stomach. This is the only preventative measure known today for this rare form of cancer. It is an extreme approach and life changing (as far as eating) but the body can live without a stomach. So with God's confirmation that this is the right course, I am moving forward with peace.
I will be on a 3 month healing sabbatical. During that time, I look forward to rest, catching up on my favorite dvr'd shows, visiting my youngest daughter at Disney, vacation in Hilton Head and seeing all the ways that God is going to use this change for good in my life.
Thank you for you prayers, care, and blessings as I walk this through. Your friendship is a treasured gift.
God bless
John
If you want to learn more, we have found this No Stomach for Cancer site to be helpful
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=12982254&msgid=131959&act=BX3R&c=1550558&destination=http%... (
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=12982254&msgid=131959&act=BX3R&c=1550558&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nostomachforcancer.org%2Fabout%2Flife-without-a-stomach%2Fgastrectomy)
