In October last year, I met with a genetics department to find out if I had inherited the CDH1 mutation. If somebody had told me back then, that in less than twelve months I would be living a stomachless-life, I wouldn’t have believed them.
Since that very first appointment, it’s been a crazy rollercoaster ride. A few days after my Uncle’s funeral (who had passed away from Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, caused by the CDH1 mutation) I found out that I myself had inherited the mutation. I was devastated.
I made the decision to have an annual Gastroscopy, as I wasn’t ready to have a Total Gastrectomy. In April, I had over 30 biopsies taken from the inside of my stomach, and found out 4 weeks later that one of them showed signet ring cell carcinoma. The decision to have a TG had been made for me.
I had my surgery 4 months after I received those results, so that I had some time to mentally and physically prepare myself – at least I’d hoped to.
What I’ve learnt is that there will never be a perfect time to have a Gastrectomy, and you’ll never be as prepared for it as much as you’d like to be. You just have to try and be as brave as you possibly can, and believe that you made the right decision.
Stacey is a 28 year old expat from Yorkshire living in Bergen, Norway. Blogging about her experiences in Norway and things relating to her health.
Found out in November 2016 that she is a carrier of the CDH1 mutation, and began writing about her journey to raise awareness and to help her cope with the whole thing.
She is a lover of house and techno, a keen graphic designer and a sucker for pizza and beer!
To follow Stacey’s blog follow this link https://northernerinnorway.com/
