In this Cancer Interviews podcast, Hans Rueffert shares the story of how he survived Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer despite double digit surgeries that resulted in the removal of his stomach, jejenum and esophagus.  Following the surgeries, he had to go on a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation.  Hans, a chef by trade, achieved survivorship, but without a stomach, closely monitors what he eats and how much he eats.  Incredibly, Hans Rueffert says he has as much energy as he had, pre-diagnosis, and is an active participant in pickle ball.

 

Hans Rueffert is a chef from Jasper, Georgia, and says in the restaurant business, stress comes with the territory.  So, in 2005, when he experienced acid reflux, blood in his stool, and had trouble swallowing, he dismissed them as occupational hazards.  But when he experienced what he thought was a heart attack, he called 911.  He had severe chest pains and the left side of his body was numb.  Soon he was in the hospital, where he was told his blood oxygen level was that of an infant, and doctors suspected internal bleeding.  Further probing revealed a tumor at the junction of Hans’ stomach and esophagus.  Subsequent biopsies resulted in a diagnosis of Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer.

 

As if his diagnosis wasn’t bad enough, Hans was told the five-year survival rate for his type of cancer was around ten percent.  He says in 2005, the protocol was to perform surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.  The procedure would involve a partial gastrectomy and a partial esopagectomy, the removal of the top half of the stomach and the bottom of the esophagus.  The procedure is also known as a gastric pullup.

 

The surgery was a success.  Next up was the chemotherapy, which Hans said “cooked” the junction of the stomach and esophagus, known as the anastomosis.  As a result of the chemo and subsequent radiation, Hans developed leaks in the anastomosis necessitating an additional dozen surgeries.  Doctors concluded that to stop these leaks, they would have to perform yet another surgery, in which all of Hans’ remaining stomach and esophagus would have to be removed. 

 

Without a stomach and an esophagus, Hans says he can chew and swallow almost anything, but without a stomach, the process of breaking down food becomes more difficult.  As a result, he has to closely monitor what he eats and how much because there is less room to store what he has consumed. 

 

Hans Rueffert is able to maintain a healthy diet and incredibly, he says his energy level has returned to what it was prior to his diagnosis.  He has taken up pickle ball.

 

Additional Resources:

 

Support Group:

 

The Gastric Cancer Foundation: https://www.gastriccancer.org