SEROTONIN

SEROTONIN--
What is it??  Serotonin is "a chemical created by the human body that works as a neurotransmitter."
What does it do?? "Serotonin can affect mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function."
Where does it come from?? 90-95% comes from the GUT

So, it was no surprise when I was talking to Sheila Buehler, my GI CPN down in Mayo, about how I'm doing and giving her information I have learned regarding Dr. Parry Guilford and his studies that this would be brought up.  She said they are currently doing research, but she strongly believes that with 90-95% of SEROTONIN coming from the gut that people who have had a total gastrectomy could be lacking this.  We were talking about patients who were feeling down and out or "just not right" after they had their TG.  She said that she had a patient who was "just off" after surgery for the longest time.  After thinking more on this serotonin bit, she decided to have her try taking depression/anxiety medication.  Depression/anxiety medication help with raising serotonin levels.  Sheila said that after a month of her patient taking these meds, it was a NIGHT and DAY difference.  She seemed to be back to her old, non-TG, self.  I am thankful that I have not had a change in my attitude, anxiety, etc., but I feel like this was GREAT information to have and it completely makes sense!  They do say that your gut acts as your 2nd brain (ie: butterflies in your stomach).  I don't think that having to take things such as depression/anxiety medication make you "crazy," at all....and in this case, it makes complete sense why TG patients may need it!!!

POSITIVE

 

Hearing you tested positive comes with multiple emotions...sad that you may pass this down to your babies, mad that you have to "deal with all that goes into this," happy that you have options and won't have to fight cancer if you choose to be proactive, frightened at what's to come, etc. There are a million emotions...

Those emotions have been had by or will be had by EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON in my family that has tested so far. That's 6 out of 6.

I am SO sorry that my aunt, 3 cousins, and my sister have to go through this and that they tested positive for the CDH1 mutation!!!! BUT...I am thankful we have each other while on this journey. It's not a piece of cake or a walk in the park, but it could be SO much worse! We are BLESSED that we have options to be preventative before these nasty cancers can attack!

Please send extra thoughts and prayers for peace of mind to my wonderful family members dealing with this...and, also, to my cousin ,Eileen, as she meets with our team at Mayo today for her first endoscopy and appointments!!!

I'M A PREVIVOR

As much respect that I have for survivors and those who have fought cancer, I am SO thankful I can call myself a previvor!!! I am BLESSED that I NEVER had to and NEVER will have to fight stomach cancer the way my mom and grandpa had to. #blessedbeyondbelief