November Is Designated As National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and I’m Speaker at No Stomach For Cancer Symposium At MD Anderson
Last year, I didn’t even know November was National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. I was busy juggling my life like everyone else. So happy with my passion of cooking and promoting my cookbooks. I had just appeared on The Harry Connick Show and the The 700 Club with my new cookbook, Guy’s Guide To Eating Well. Life was exciting and good. Then, in August, my life changed abruptly. I was diagnosed with linitis plastica stage 4 stomach cancer. I didn’t know much about stomach cancer signs or gastric cancer symptoms. I was honored when the No Stomach For Cancer Foundation asked me to be one of their speakers November 10th at the No Stomach For Cancer Symposium at MD Anderson in Houston.
I’m Speaking at No Stomach For Cancer Symposium For Stomach Cancer Awareness Month On November 10th
I have a purpose with my diagnosis of gastric cancer to share my journey on all my social media platforms. Hopefully, I’ll help others battle their own cancer and make people aware of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. When the No Stomach For Cancer Foundation asked me to speak at the MD Anderson No Stomach For Cancer Symposium on my personal experience and my Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook, I got so excited. A dream came true for me. I felt like I got my life back again because I cancelled numerous keynotes this fall with my diagnosis. To share my story made me feel normal and so full of life. I can offer a fresh perspective as a stomach cancer patient and a national healthy cookbook author. You can register here.
My Topic Is “Food And Dietary Concerns” at No Stomach For Cancer Symposium
I want to create an awareness of stomach cancer and hopefully help others in doing so. Speaking, now as a patient along with being a national healthy cookbook author at this conference, is meaningful to me during Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. My food journey gives you perspective how I approached my new guidelines with food. You can register for the seminar here. Here is the link to download the program.
My Gastric Cancer Symptoms
I had only five days of gastric cancer symptoms. We were at a resort and after eating my stomach got extremely distended and then I started belching with a smell of rotten eggs. I always tell my kids to take control of their bodies and I knew something was not right. On Monday morning I called my gastric doctor and he listened to me! After blood work that came out fine, he suggested an ultra sound which showed a thickening in the lining of my stomach. Next, an endoscopy which showed stomach cancer, even without a biopsy. It was diffused in the lining of my stomach. Then, my stomach cancer journey began.
Stomach Cancer Signs Are Important To Know
What are the stomach cancer signs? As in any cancer, early detection of stomach cancer is important. However, usually by the time stomach cancer diagnosis its in the later stages. Some of the stomach cancer symptoms are indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The problem is many of these gastric symptoms are similar to other stomach problems and get overlooked. The one symptom I did relate to was a feeling of fullness after eating. The problem was I always was a voracious eater and ate huge portions so I was use to a feeling of fullness.
My Passion For Food With or Without A Stomach!
My son says all I do is talk about food, when I am going to eat and what I am going to eat. If not talking about myself, I am talking about what he is eating. Well, that is my life! I have been writing healthy cookbooks for over 25 years and that has been my passion. I have been on all the national shows from The NBC Weekend Today Show, Fox & Friends, The 700 Club and worked with Walmart on The Harry Connick Jr. Show – all spreading my message of eating healthy with my easy and practical 30 minute recipes.
Queen of Food Now Has Feeding Tube
Now, the queen of food has a feeding tube! I couldn’t eat at all in the beginning. In fact, I got my nutrition only from the feeding tube but now my menu has expanded after six treatments. No more Cream of Wheat and my diet keeps expanding!! I have moved to a diet of chicken, fish and so much more. At this time in my life, I also turned to my Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook to select recipes that fit my symptom. I am so excited to share my perspective at the No Stomach For Cancer Symposium about my food journey. Yes, you can eat without a stomach! I even prepared my favorite Easy Potato Soup with my feeding tube on my back!
I Use My Eating Well Through Cancer Cookbook As A Patient and Not As A Cookbook Author
I wrote this cancer cookbook over 15 years ago to help my father battle laryngeal cancer and the side effects. There was not a cancer cookbook to address the symptoms the patient experiences going through treatment. Eating Well Through Cancer contains simple everyday recipes with everyday ingredients. I have talked about my cancer cookbook for years but now I am the patient and using the book. The recipes not only are delicious but the entire family eats the meals. I can’t wait to share all my cooking experiences with you on the blog. I have been doing LOTS of cooking from the book.
More Information About The No Stomach For Cancer Symposium At MD Anderson
The seminar packs some of the best gastric cancer doctors in the world. This spotlight on stomach cancer answers questions you might have during your journey. The symposium is for cancer patients and caregivers as well as medical people too. We will all learn so much and learning in important. I feel so fortunate as many of the doctors speaking are on my dream team! You can register for the seminar here. Here is the link to download the program. If you can’t make the Spotlight on Stomach Cancer Symposium, you can listen to it live from here.
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