Diagnosis

Since Josh’s passing, we have learned a lot about his cancer. This new information comes from a partial autopsy that we ordered to be performed on his abdomen. We did this because we all still have some many questions and we wanted to make sure that the doctors learned from Josh’s situation.
About a month ago we received the preliminary results and just yesterday we got the full report. Much to our surprise, the preliminary report stated that Josh did NOT have appendix cancer (as we previously thought). Instead, what he had was a gastric cancer (originating in the stomach). The type of cancer is referred to as linitus plastica.
At first we were definitely shocked and we went through a range of emotions. We have since done more research and we are more accepting of this new diagnosis. I won’t go into details about everything concerning this cancer. If you want to learn more, please feel free to do a search on the internet, or to email me. Basically, what I can say is that Josh lived longer than he ever should have. I believe that if we had known the true diagnosis, he probably would not have lived as long as he did. He fought harder than we even realized, and he surprised a lot of doctors.

I think the main reason that he was misdiagnosed was the cancer cells themselves. By the time they were looked at under a microscope, they had morphed so much that they were unrecognizable. The actual type of cell is still the same, it is still an adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells. What has changed is the origin.

As most of you know, I had my appendix removed this summer following testing because of Josh’s situation. I don’t mind that it might have been “for nothing”, I didn’t need that darn appendix anyway. So, as you can imagine, the testing now changes completely. I have already undergone an endoscopy
To look in my stomach for abnormalities. Everything looked fine, but it turns out that I do have a bacterial infection, so I am on antibiotics to eradicate that. I will probably undergo a few more tests along with being closely monitored in the future for any sort of stomach problems. Crystal will also go through the testing. A lot of things can increase a person’s risk factors for stomach cancer, and that is something that we are not taking lightly.

I would be happy to answer anyone’s questions regarding this new information, so please feel free to email me. Gretchen and I have done a lot of research and that will continue. Also, if anyone out there has had experience with this cancer, please let us know. We would love to hear your story.