Phil, your gastric bxs are being over processed.  We process those bxs just 
like a breast section and all the other tissues.  But, we rehydrate by doing 
the following.  Face the block. Soak in cold water for a few minuets and then 
take your final section.  We generally will have about 10 endoscopic bxs 
every day... by the time we face each one and soak them (beaker of water in 
our ice bucket with the specimens) the first block faced is ready for 
sectioning.  We routinely section at 4 microns and use a disposable knife 
system.  Simple, but it works for us.  Good for liver bxs, too.