Karen, I am sorry to hear this - I know all of you are beyond devastated!

Please let me relate my experience:

My husband was diagnosed with esophogeal AND stomach cancer in 1999. He had the very major surgery and lived 7 years, getting clean biopsys and scans clear up until Jan. 2, 2007, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic AND liver cancer, which he died from 4 1/2 months later. No one, not even the experts, can predict with any accuracy, how long someone will live with a major disease - many factors play into it.

I found the following information on the web - maybe it will answer some of your questions and concerns:

How Long Do People Live With Stomach Cancer?
Contributor By Paul Bright, eHow Contributing Writer
Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is also referred to as gastric cancer. Stomach cancer can form in the glandular, hormonal or immune system cells, as well as the nervous system tissues. Most diagnosed cases are glandular in root, where the cancer cells have developed in the stomach lining glands that secrete a protective layer of mucus that wards off acidic stomach juices.
Defining Prognosis

In cancer prognosis, the life expectancy is referred to as the five-year survival rate. That is, the percentage of people who live beyond five years after initial diagnosis. In stomach cancer patients, this survival rate also depends on the type and location of the cancer tumor, what stage of development it is in, how bad the cells look and the person's age. Doctors also consider how well the patient responds to treatment. They can then make a prediction as best as they can.
Early Stage Five-Year Rate

The American Cancer Society reports that the overall five-year survival rate for diagnosed stomach cancer patients is 28 percent. Stomach cancer is relatively rare and is often caught at later stages of development. For patients diagnosed at stage 0, where cancer cells are present, there is a nearly 90 percent survival rate. Stage 1A diagnosis, where the cancer has developed under the connective tissue, has a 78 percent rate, while stage 1B, where it has also spread into the lymph nodes or under the main muscle layer, has a 58 percent rate. The stage II five-year survival rate is 34 percent.
Late Stage Survival

Stage IIIA happens when the cancer has grown into the stomach lining and between seven and 15 lymph nodes; or has gone through the stomach muscles and up to six nodes; or outer layer of the stomach. Stage IIIB involves cancer that has grown through all the stomach layers and wall as well as infecting between seven and 15 nodes. Those survival rates are 20 percent and 8 percent, respectively. At stage IV, where cancer has metastasized to other organs, the survival rate is 7 percent.

((((((Cherryfiz)))))) Oh, I;m so very sorry for your friend, her family and you. Having recently lost my DDIL to this awful disease, I know how devastated you feel. My prayers are that a treatment can be found that will spare her. She is so young and has such a young family. Dottie

Such sad new about your neighbor. My thoughts and prayers are with her. This is the cancer, I'm told, my mother died of 53 years ago. She was 41. Let's hope research and treatment has advanced since 1957.

Anne, it is tough seeing anyone go through something like this. You have the heart to help her when she needs you, so remember that. There are medical miracles happening every day now.

God Bless.

Sue

Dear Anne,

I am very sad to hear of the pain that your friends are suffering, and you, as well, as you have been so close for a number of years.

Although we all loved my Dad, I think that brother, the retired farmer who had him for Sunday dinner almost weekly, with his wife having done Dad's wash in the meantime, felt sadder at his death than did I, who only saw him once or twice a year.

Maybe that's part of the reason that you feel more upset at this recent message ... as your lives touched at so many more places and more frequently - plus more recently?

(((((Karen and Dave, plus daughters - and Anne)))))

ole joyful

I'm very sorry for your friend and her family. ((((Anne))))

Oh, Anne ... this is, indeed, shocking news to hear. My prayers go out for your friend, her family and for you because you love her.

How devastating for your neighbour and family. Those stats are interesting but I hope they don't get too depressed over them. The only stat that really is important is the one that applies to you - the one you make. I know I got really depressed reading the 16-21% five year survival rate when Heather developed IBC. I wasn't ready to hear that the stats were so poor. I had a hard time getting my mind around those stats and finding hope. Everyone that knew her said if anyone could beat it she could. I hated hearing that because I didn't want to "blame" her if she didn't do well. Nine years later- she's still with us and NED (no expiry date! or more correctly no evidence of disease)

I'm very sorry to hear this sad and shocking news. Doctors usually say that patients who are in excellent shape, as Karen sounds, to start with have a good chance to fight diseases.

I hope she is able to beat the odds and have many years ahead of her!

Ann, I'm sorry to hear your friend is going through this. And so young too. Like others said, you probably feel worse for her than your sister because she is so young, and your closer to her and see her more often. Prayers for Karen's healing, and strength for Dale and the girls.
Leslie

Thank you Kay for the info and to everyone for for all the kind thoughts and words. Gosh, I wasn't even thinking about life expectancy when I asked about the stomach cancer. This is not a cancer I am familiar with.

My Mom died from pancreatic cancer 7 years ago this month. I feel exactly for Karen that I did when I got the diagnosis from the Doctor about my Mom - maybe even a little worse knowing that she is young and because of her 2 daughters. My Mom lived a full life before her cancer struck. The Doctor said it was a blessing my Mom had Alzheimers at the time of her diagnosis.

I really feel Karen will beat this but what about the quality of life without having a stomach. This concerns me. Maybe I am feeling the fear of the unknown.

For years August has not been a good month - bad things always happen in August and today it struck again when I got this news.

I can't wrap my mind around this.

I will pass on your good thoughts to Karen and Dale.

Anne

Hi Anne,

Sending you a cyberhug. Your friend's quality of life may still be quite good. She will never be obese, but remember they do take away a lot of people's stomach with obesity surgery. They can always hook up IV nutrients if necessary and give these overnight as she sleeps. There are ways and means to help your friend and at your friend's age they will do everything possible to help her live a good life. There is a lot of medical research being done in this field. I've even heard of stomach and intestine transplants. I hope they caught the cancer in the early stages for Karen. Her youth and previous good health will help her in the fight. I'm glad she has you as a friend.

I am sorry to hear that your friend is hurting. I found this article about a young lady who had her stomach removed because stomach cancer was running rampant in her family. She seems to be doing very well without it. Hope this helps

Here is a link that might be useful: Life without a stomach.

I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbor...it must be quite a shock to all who knows her.

In gastric bypass surgery, just a little pouch of a stomach is left -- the stomach is mainly for breaking up solid foods and adding bile from the gall bladder. Almost all of the actual digestion is in the semicolon and colon. So, without a stomach, she will probably be on a highly nutritious liquid regimen. Think highly fortified milkshakes, etc. Or even pureed dishes. If she's able to beat the cancer, she may have some good quality of life, with tasty slurries instead of steaks.

I wish her and (((you))) the best.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Prayers to you and her.

Sue

Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way. You are such a good friend to care so much and also that you are finding out what you can about the cancer and what you can do to help.

Stacie

Anne,

I followed your remodel adventure and felt I got to know you as well as your neighbors through all that. They were both so kind to you and only deserve the very best. My prayers are with them and you and with Gods' grace will pull through this.

Pris

FizzyCherry
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. She is lucky to hvae a friend and neighbor like you.
As far a feelings for her and your sister... if I remember correctly, your sister is at least 40 years older than Karen, she lives out of the country so you don't see her as often... she doesn't have young children.... so I think in a way it is understandable! dont' feel badly about that! You are a good person!

Your friend, Karen is physically fit and that will go a long way in to helping her recover. Talk to Dale about what you can do to help. If you ask Karen she'll say she'll let you know... or if you tell them to call, they won't.. lol I KNOW! So if you really really DO want to help, just tell Dale you are going to do such and such, does he think that will help? He will probably go to the first chemo if he can... but I think if you are available, that would be a great thing for you to do. You can take her, sit with her, chat if she wants too... for you could walk, shop, or sight see when she is getting treatment. Depends on how long the treatments are. Mine were two days worth of chemo. The 1st day was 8 hours (by the last chemo cycle, that was cut down to 5 as they figure out how much you can handle.. how fast it can be delivered) and the next day it was only 4 hours... ....
she may want to doze, or read, or talk with other patients... or maybe like to chat with you, or have you just sit quietly with her. Make sure you take something to do... read, knit, crochet... probably wont use it, but might come in handy!!!

((((((Karen and family)))))
(((FizzyCherry lol))))

((((Anne, Karen, Dale, and the entire family))))

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer is terrible - there is no doubt about it. And it strikes everywhere. Karen is fortunate to have a caring neighbor like you. I had a friend who went to my chemo treatments with me and we talked and played cards. Made everything seem not so bad. I also had friends surprise me come and plant flowers outside. I'm sure you will find many ways to show her how much you care. God bless you both!

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Sending healing thoughts her way.