Radiotherapy and Chemo2 mon 27 Dec 
Well, the last 5 weeks went better than expected.
The treatment area was larger than most, with 6 interwoven beam directions every day (from Nov 24 - Dec 24) gradually 'cooking' the internal tissue. Plus continuous Chemo (5-fu)
It was expected that eating would stop halfway through the treatment, however, eating solids (including meat) continued throughout. In fact, Xmas dinner (the day after the final radiotherapy) was enjoyed, and included many slices of ham.

Distractions house and grand-daughter
The final weeks of radiotherapy had a number of pleasant distractions.
We have just bought a new house, and had a new grand-daughter.

Rest 25 Dec - 23 Jan
After the Radiotherapy, she had four weeks off to recover.
(Dec 25 - 23 Jan)
Didn't recover in the rest period as much as expected but still not too bad. 

Chemo3 24 Jan 05
(24 Jan - 13 Feb)
With lots of extra anti-nausea medication, this chemo cycle was very mild in comparison to the first. No Vomiting. However, fatigue was intense, sleeping a lot.
One of the anti-nausea drugs (Dex for short) has a side effect of being an 'upper' (as I understand it), so when it stopped being taken, depression was the result.
Depression and fatigue eased on Feb 01.

Hair started falling out big time on 13 Feb, though it still looks pretty normal. (Scalp was pretty tender for 3 days prior to hair falling out)

Chemo4 14 Feb 05
Not eating as well this cycle.
Body weight has gone up and down a bit... but mostly down weight now is 53kg (it should start picking up again soon)
Hair loss has slowed down... it seems to hit hardest towards the end of the 3rd week of each cycle. 

Post-treatment 26 Apr 05
All chemo and radiotherapy completed.
PIC line removed.
Body weight starting to slowly increase.
Attempting to go back to work soon.

One year passes... 05 - 06
She has returned to work successfully (just completed a full year), but has had some changes to her lymph nodes above the left collarbone. Hard lymph glands appeared (apparently multiplied) and now seem to have disappeared again. Increasing pain in her spinal/pelvic area has been a concern. 

It returns in another form 19 Apr 06
A bone scan has revealed that the original gastric cancer has spread to her bones, particularly her back left pelvic bones.
(multiple metastases including mid shaft left femur) 

Life Expectancy
Research online shows a wide range of possible life expectancies fora gastric cancer that has metastasized to the bones. (which by the way had very low odds of occurring... to the bones that is.)
Each cancer reacts in a different way, depending on where it comes from...
One line of research shows an average of 3 months after the discovery of stomach cancer metastasized to the bones.
Another shows an average of 5 months.
The longest known survivor lasted for 3.5 years.

Radiation 26 April 06
8 grey of radiation was used to treat the wing of pelvic bone... (Palliative pain relief)
(one grey is enough to cause radiation sickness)
Pain is likely to increase for a week or so after the treatment, before it takes effect.

Continuing 05 May 06
Paracetamol and Voltaren appear to be still controlling the pain at the moment.
Anti-anxiety medication is also helping her deal with the stress and appears to be working well with little or no side effects.
The Cancer is confirmed at this stage in the left (Ileum) wing of the pelvic bone, upper left Femur. It is also suspected in the right armpit area and an upper left rib.

She has up and down times, but mostly appears to be as content as one can be, and dealing with things pretty well.

Cat scan 23 May 06

Chest:
A cat shows inumerable tiny nodules scattered throughout both lungs (pulmonary metastases) 
Some compressive atelectasis in lower right lobe adjacent to the intra-thoracic stomach

No definite bony lesions in
No pleural abnormality
No axillary, hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy 
chest.

 

Abdomen:
several new small left-sided para-aortic nodes just below level of renal hila 

​

No abnormality in: 
Liver, Gallbladder, Biliary, Spleen, Kidneys, Pancreas or Adrenal glands  
No pelvic lymphadenopathy