Facing Stage 4 Stomach Cancer with Grace: Kristen Bihn's Story
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- Опубліковано 4 лис 2023
- Kristen Bihn from Bremerton, Washington, received her stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosis after weeks of discomfort. Initially mistaken as pancreatic cancer, Kristen endured several appointments, tests, and scans before learning that she had stomach cancer. This is her story of hope.
Leading into February of 2022, I’d felt unwell for six weeks. I finally decided to see a doctor. My stomach constantly seemed full, and my heart was tender and painful. When I touched the area near my belly button, I felt a protrusion similar to the end of a hot dog. At night, I’d wake up drenched in sweat, despite not feeling especially hot or cold.
Having worked in a medical setting, I knew I needed some specific tests to see what was going on. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor. Specifically, I requested an echocardiogram for my heart along with a CAT scan for the hernia I believed I had in my stomach.
Meeting With the Doctor
At the initial meeting with my doctor, he conducted some blood tests along with an abdominal ultrasound. Unfortunately, the tests revealed several masses that appeared to be metastatic. The doctor called me later to share that I had pancreatic cancer. I was not convinced - my symptoms didn’t seem to match my diagnosis. So, he said it could have been lymphoma. After that, I didn’t hear from him about scheduling follow-up care.
I didn’t have time to waste, as my symptoms were getting worse. I ended up in the ER, where they conducted a CAT scan and shared that I had stomach cancer. I received an endoscopy and discovered that I had a sizable tumor in my stomach. The doctor took some biopsies and gave me my prognosis: stage 4 stomach cancer.
Discovering the Next Steps for Treating Stage 4 Stomach Cancer
Next, I needed to meet with an oncologist. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get me in for three weeks. I was only getting worse. Once again, I ended up in the ER due to a persistent fever. They drew blood, and the results indicated the presence of blood clots. I had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The tests showed that the main tumor was growing. I desperately needed to start treatment.
Thankfully, there was an oncologist in the hospital at the time. They were able to insert my port, which allowed me to start chemo sooner than I would have otherwise.
Starting Treatment for Stage 4 Stomach Cancer
To begin, my oncologist recommended chemotherapy. They put me on a mix of cisplatin and fluoracil, along with Herceptin and Keytruda. I stayed on this course of medications and chemotherapy for five months, and we saw great improvement.
I received my no evidence of disease (NED) in October 2022. However, it was short-lived - I had to go to the hospital for Norovirus in November of 2022, and they discovered more tumors at that time. I had to begin second-line chemotherapy to stop the new growths in their tracks. I took a mixture of taxol and cyramza for six months.
Finally, after six months of second-line chemo, I was declared NED again and put on Cyramza for maintenance.
Considering Surgery
Naturally, I’ve been thinking about all the steps I should take to ensure the cancer does not return. I decided to visit with a surgical oncologist to talk about getting a total gastrectomy. However, they were not willing to move forward with it. Since I had such a heavy load of cancer, and since it was in my liver at one point, the oncologist felt that removing my stomach wouldn’t be enough.
I am only taking maintenance drugs at this point. I also visit my doctor for scans every three months and an endoscopy every six months.
Lessons Learned + Hope For the Future
Living with stage 4 stomach cancer has certainly been a challenge. However, I am doing fairly well, all things considered. I deal with some fatigue and I have to nap often to manage my schedule.
My hope is that researchers develop better treatments for stomach cancer that lead to cures. Personally, I hope to set good examples for my children so that they can face unexpected news and life’s challenges with courage and grace.
My husband has stage 4 stomach. It been 7 months on chemo..My husband have so much pain on stomach and back..
He suffering day and night.. Loss a lot weight. He was 190 pounds now is 143 pounds. It’s been very hard seeing suffering so much.
Pray so hard for evil disease go away. I’m married 43 years.. We share a good life with each other.
Thank you sharing your story. You are so brave go through illness. GOD BLESS YOU 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Keep being strong.. God bless you.
my dad will start chemo tomorrow he's on stage 4 too the stomach cancer spread to most of the liver M freaking out
On May 20, 2024 poor lovely husband found out now he have be in Hospice it’s worse news ever me and crying 😭 a lots and my husband, family and friends..
Poor husband is sufffer now taking a lot medications for comfort.. He slipped away..It so scary please god help him..
There word say terrible cancer eat my husband.. I love my husband so much from bottom of my heart ♥️
To all people goes through my lord help us its hardest to fight stomach stage 4..
May God bless every one and family 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@ikramlalune7346 So sorry sending my prayers with father and your family to be strong and pain free Amen 🙏🏼
I am stage 4 gastric post surgery going on 6 years been long long road remember to always be your own advocate and ROCK! It can be beat
Grace under pressure. Such a lovely lady with beautiful family. It sounds like you are under good care! Bless you keep you and HEAL YOU,!!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
My dad 68 years old. With stage 4 stomach cancer. Wil start chemo. Petct shows only its in ge junction and distant lymph nodes. But not in organs yet. But doctor dint giv much hope. You give motivation
Thank you for sharing and stay strong! Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Kristen is an inspiration and is very gracious. Wishing her all the best and I hope she gets to enjoy many more seasons.
My mam has stomach cancer in stage 4 we discovers bfr 3 weeks ago pray for her
God bless🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼