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Anyone been diagnosed with GIST Tumor in the stomach?
Sarcoma | Last Active: Jul 22 2:05am | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
I am a healthy specimen. Other than giving birth to 5 children, I had no reason to be admitted to any hospital.
2 weeks prior to Sept 6, 2018, I had an episode where I had a horrible black, tarry stool. I felt faint and weak but I ignored it, not really knowing the severity of what just happened to me.
On Sept 6, I had another episode, no bowel movement, but feeling faint and weak. I went to my PCP who did a blood work sample, where my hemoglobin was at 6 and my blood pressure was 90/60.
She immediately stated that I needed to be in an emergency room. I went and was admitted to the hospital, where I received 2 units of blood, a CT scan and an endoscopy. At first what I was hearing was I had a “bleeding ulcer” which was biopsied and results were benign for cancer.
When I was dismissed on Sept 10, 2018 from the hospital the term now was that I have a “GIST tumor”. Surgery is recommended. I have talked to a surgeon who have advised me that a second biopsy is necessary and depending on that biopsy, would determine if my surgery will be minor or major!! I could go to sleep with my stomach intact and wake up with my stomach removed. I am right now seeking a Gastroenterologist for a second opinion. Needless to say, this journey is challenging being a 75 year old woman on a Medicare advantage plan!
Sorry, I know this is wordy but I want input on this issue!!
Replies to "I am a healthy specimen. Other than giving birth to 5 children, I had no reason..."
Please make sure your surgeon has performed gist surgeries. Its different than normal surgeon. Always ask your surgein how many gist surgeries has he performed.
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I can certainly understand your concern, @anxious4nothing. You are facing a very big decision, that certainly could be life-altering and I understand that you are looking for some input and help. Being age 70 myself, I can understand your position a bit better. I can only share what I would do in your position.
You do not mention where you live, but I would certainly encourage you to seek your second opinion from a university medical center or a facility like Mayo (in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona). These types of facilities would have a good team of specialists who are best skilled in order to help you. Multidisciplinary systems, like I mentioned, would have the best knowledge, skills and research behind them.
How are you feeling now that you have had blood transfusions? Do you know the exact location of the GiST?