Alex’s Story

Site created on May 20, 2019

WOW! Here we are, Alex and I have now joined a new circle, it's called Signet Ring Cell stomach cancer!! He was diagnosed on April 16, 2019. That was a very shocking and life changing day. Never in a million years did we think this would happen to us. We cried together and then we told our 3 sons, that was difficult, but we knew that we would fight as a family to win this battle. Stomach cancer can be a quick growing tumor with a low survival rate if not caught early. Alex has T2/N1, meaning it's stage 2 and spread to one lymph node.

He has started chemo on 5/7/19 and that kicked off round 1 of 3 rounds of chemo before they will look at doing surgery to remove the tumor but only  if the cancer in the nodes has been shrunk/killed. His first treatment went pretty good, it was days afterward that he became sick, started having more pain and was admitted into the hospital over that weekend. He has a hard time eating due to the tumor, it is pretty much blocking his entire stomach to the bottom intestine so food is not able to pass. He is drinking liquids and eating puree foods at this time. Round two of chemo is on 5/21/19. He is a very strong and brave man, I know he can do this!! Since his diagnoses he has lost over 30lbs, is fatigued from the cancer and in a lot of pain, but he is so ready for round two, I am so proud of him and his determination.

We have tons of support and prayers coming in and I cannot express enough how much that means to us, to me! Our boys, Andre, Alex and Anthony, along with their wonder wife's, Jennifer, Lydia and Kinley have been wonderful. The boys travel back to Kansas to help with appointments, dishes, chores outside and just to hang with dad. It's been great. Co-workers have also been awesome, they have helped with cutting our grass in between the boys visits and his employer has been very understanding and supportive. He has an extreme caring, supportive and loving circle of friends and family, Thank you all!!




Newest Update

Journal entry by Tanya Santiago

Friends and family, I want to share that Alex was admitted into the hospital Thursday, his right lung was filled with fluid and he had blood clots in both lungs (which we learned about from a CT scan the ER ordered), this caused a lot of pain and shortness of breath. He was admitted to get the blood thinner into his system quickly. Yesterday they were able to remove 1 liter of fluid from his lung, so Alex is able to breathe and his chest pain is gone. He is doing good and will be released to go home today! Thankful for the doctors and nurses for the care, quick acting and their guidance. Alex will continue with the clinical trial, he’s not able to take his cancer pill for 10 days since he had the procedure to remove the fluid and the pill can cause bleeding. He will of course be sent home with blood thinner meds to keep the blood clots at bay. The fluid was caused by the cancer and this is a common issue to arise. We hope this doesn’t reoccur but it can keep refilling his lungs with fluid and then they have to evaluate what is the best plan to deal with that. I will say Alex is so strong and I know it’s not easy for him, getting poked constantly, having nausea and new unexpected conditions arise but he is doing so well with fighting his cancer! Thank you all for continued prayers and support! Thank you God for your blessings, strength and your love. Amen.
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