I’ll keep ya in my thoughts. Hope all goes well. Keep you’re head up 

You got this!  
 

how did they find it?

Oh, no. Sooner or later, Father Time takes a whack at us. We just have to whack back and it sounds like you're already doing that, starting with being proactive and requesting that they look inside you, but continuing by tapping all your resources to keep your head up, which is key. Please keep us posted. We're all thinking the best thoughts for you. 

 

Cool that you saw that eagle. They're something special, aren't they? I had one circle behind me this year, coasting to the water where it took a bass in its talons and then it ascended to a tree where it fed the bass to its young.

 

To the best of your ability in the coming days, get outside. There's healing to be had under the sky and you'll need Mother Nature's tender touch after the fluorescent lights of hospitals. 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming—and it’s completely normal to feel numb and uncertain about how to respond. From one survivor to another soon-to-be survivor, I understand what you’re going through.

 

The optimistic outlook you’ve been given is great news, but I strongly recommend asking (or insisting) on a PET scan. It’s essentially a full-body scan that can detect any signs of cancer elsewhere—or give you the peace of mind that it hasn’t spread. Either way, it gives you clarity, and if anything is found, it’ll likely be early enough for a great outcome.

 

Through all of this, know you’re not alone. You’ve got our full support—and a community ready to provide encouragement, laughs, and anything else you need to help you through this. We’ve got your back!

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

You got this!  
 

how did they find it?

There were signs going back about a year. But the major complaint was that I felt full prematurely and I knew it was unusual. I could eat half as much as I used to but feel like I was stuffed. 15 minutes later, it would settle and I'd feel normal again. Also, my iron is very low and I can tell. Suffice it to say, I insisted on an endoscopy and it was discovered that way. Honestly, I feel normal otherwise. It was difficult to believe the diagnosis.

 

16 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

There were signs going back about a year. But the major complaint was that I felt full prematurely and I knew it was unusual. I could eat half as much as I used to but feel like I was stuffed. 15 minutes later, it would settle and I'd feel normal again. Also, my iron is very low and I can tell. Suffice it to say, I insisted on an endoscopy and it was discovered that way. Honestly, I feel normal otherwise. It was difficult to believe the diagnosis.

 

thanks for telling us this.   nice you knew your body well enough to tell something was not right.   I'm stoked you advocated for yourself.  

11 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I would greatly appreciate your prayers

You got it my man

 

5 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I'm really glad I pushed for the endoscopy. 

I've come to have almost zero faith in the American medical system.

 

1 minute ago, Banned User said:

You got it my man

 

I've come to have almost zero faith in the American medical system.

 

The GI said they really were not expecting to see a tumor. They were expecting esophagitis. They thought they might have to stretch the esophagus due to scarring. Doctors play the odds.

Praying for you @the reel ess

9 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

They thought they might have to stretch the esophagus due to scarring

Like if it was esophagitis?

 

10 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Doctors play the odds.

I've worked on the medical world in multiple settings, I've seen the guts, much of a patient's well being is in their own hands, your story is one prime example. 

 

I saw doctors push for a discharge of a little kid once and they offhandedly mentioned "one last test they could do but that it probably wasn't necessary and they didnt want to put the kid through it." Well the parents told the story of how their kid had already gone to the hospital the day before, different hospital, who discharged them. 

 

They had to go back to that hospital the next day, who sent them to this hospital. The parents said that one more test was worth it just to know for certain. Well after the results came back the doctor's demeanor changed entirely, ish got real serious real quick and they said they were transferring the kid to a bigger hospital in the city immediately. 

 

Went from ready to discharge to needing a better equipped hospital, all because the parents pushed for it.

 

Not the only story I've seen like that, and dont even get me started about billing and insurance. 

 

Anway, I'm just trying to say good for you for advocating for yourself, many people don't know how to do that.

 

Stay up my man, praying for peace and strength

Praying for a good outcome and that your morale stays high. You’ve got this. 

I'll keep you in my prayers. Keep us posted.

@the reel ess  My prayers are with you.  There are lots of bass in your future!

Praying for you, stay positive!!!!

Have a speedy recovery so you can slay the bass.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping for the best possible outcome for you. Your positive attitude will carry you through.

It sounds like you have the right attitude which is critical and a lot of people praying for you which can’t hurt, wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery I’m sure we will be seeing pics of you with fish before we know it.

To my prayer list you go! Will be praying for you. 

A co-workers husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer this fall. He's probably around your age as well, maybe slightly older.

 

Everything is going really good for him.

 

You got this!

 

 

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."   - Jimmy V

 

V Foundation.

 

100% goes to research.

 

https://www.v.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

A co-workers husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer this fall. He's probably around your age as well, maybe slightly older.

 

Everything is going really good for him.

 

You got this!

 

 

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."   - Jimmy V

 

V Foundation.

 

100% goes to research.

 

https://www.v.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's very encouraging. I'm going to get through it. I just have to go through it. Before this whole episode began, the only person I knew who had stomach cancer died from it. So that's all I could think of before i got the CT scans and consulted with the surgeon. When the surgeon came in the exam room and started talking about the surgery (surgery would not be an option if the cancer had spread) I said "So, you're thinking of this in terms of a cure?" He said it appeared to be contained to the stomach and, therefore curable. I said "Stick your hand out! (shook hands with the man) That's the first good news I've heard yet." The wife and I cried right there in front of two doctors. I texted my daughter the news as we walked out and waited for bloodwork. I honestly believe the oncologist was pleasantly surprised when we met with him again.

On 12/3/2025 at 3:16 PM, the reel ess said:

Well, I have had indigestion since I was a teen. I'm 55 now. About a year ago I started noticing that when I ate a good amount in one sitting it was uncomfortable and that slowly increased. I also developed these belches that seemed to bubble up all the way form my stomach, not just a burp. It happened more when my stomach emptied. I saw my PCP in May and discussed it and she gave me another acid blocker, though it wasn't really an upset stomach feeling. In the meantime I noticed inflamed gums and saw my dentist about it. She asked if I had ever had chemo/cancer or if I might be anemic. That was alarming so I went back to the PCP and she was of the opinion that the inflamed gums were caused by some mineral deficiency. The stomach was not doing its job completely. I basically demanded an endoscopy then and she agreed and referred me to a GI. The GI thought it was going to be a case of esophagitis. The tumor was discovered by that procedure. I'm really glad I pushed for the endoscopy. 

 

In SC, the eagles are more common over larger lakes. But they do have a range and travel pretty far from lakes. It's still kind of a big deal to see one. When I was young, they simply were not around here. I saw my first one when I was maybe 30.

This type of BS happens way too often, you knew better than the doctor 

 

to quote my papaw, “that’s why they call it medical practice, they are just practicing “

 

my brother had colon cancer for like 18 months before they finally gave him a colonoscopy and found it

 

Luckily they are better at treating cancer than finding it so you should be in the clear soon enough! 

I wish you well.  I'm 80.  Two heart attacks.  One eye.  Bad shoulders. Real bad.  Still able to fish, but rough.

 

Unfortunately,  we're born, we live, we die.  

 

I've enjoyed my life.  Will enjoy the rest of it as best I can.

 

Hope you do the same.  

 

God Speed!!

Hoping for the best for you. Glad it was caught early and sounds like a promising diagnosis. We’re all here for you if you need someone to talk to.

Glenn suggested a PET scan to resolve any questions. Be proactive and insist you get a PET scan.

Tom

^ Heck ya .... just be prepared for a little discomfort - not the scan itself....just the 24 hrs of no caffeine and the 6 hours of nothing but water before-hand. For someone who 'grazes' through the day and goes through 1/2 a pot of coffee a day - that's the killer for me.

 

I just had  my latest PET scan yesterday...then pigged out at Perkins afterward.