DILATATIONS

JJB
JJB Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
HAD ESOPHEGEAL RESECTION SURGERY ON DEC 3,2003. DEVELOPED A FISTULA WHICH HEALED. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD 14 DILATATIONS. THE LONGEST TIME BETWEEN EACH HAS BEEN 6 WEEKS 3 DAYS.CAN ANYONE GIVE ME INFORMATION ON THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH DILATATIONS. THANK YOU

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • bke
    bke Member Posts: 42
    #3
    Wow, you have certainly had a challenge with keeping the anastomosis open. I had some difficulty at first, but three dilations seemed to do the trick. Is your surgeon or gastroenterologist doing the dilations? Have you sought a second opinion about the challenges? I know there are several different ways of doing dilations - the first two I had were baloon dilations and the third (which seemed be the one that gave long term improvement) was with another type of dilator. It is very frustrating when swallowing is such a challenge. I pray you and your doctors find a good longer term solution.
    In addition to this list,
    There is a list group sponsore by www.acor.org where 1200 esophageal cancer survivors and care givers share a lot of good information. You can find the list either by going to ACOR (association for Cancer online resources)directly or by going to Cathy's EC cafe www.eccafe.org. If you post your questions to that list you are bound to get some additional feedback.
    Blessings on your journey.
  • jace
    jace Member Posts: 1
    #4
    I had esophegeal surgery July 23, 2004. I'm just 4 months out from surgery and I have had 5 dilatations so far. I can tell that I'm going to have to have another. When I try to swallow it feels like it gets hung up and then after a few seconds will make it's move.
  • threefriedfish
    threefriedfish Member Posts: 3
    #5
    hi my name is bill im new to this web site
    but maybe i can help
    I was dignosed july 8 2005 and had my resection july 23(t-3,n-1,mo)13nodes removed 8 pos.
    any way my dilatations started in october. twice a month untill april (14) when my doctor did some reserch and found a new type of stent It is plastic fishnet looking tube that is ment to be removed after 6 to 8 wks to give the esophegus a rest from all the streching and lets the scaretisue heal around it then thay simply remove it by egd. it reminds me of chines finger trap or chines hand cuffs any way mine was removed 6/9/05 and im still open 6/21/05 and counting i wish i knew more details on it (ie.) name & manufature . I will ask my doc. and repost i hope this helps some of you.
    keep strong and my prayers are with you all
    GOD BLESS
    BILL ROSS
    York Pa.
  • threefriedfish
    threefriedfish Member Posts: 3
    #6
    hi my name is bill im new to this web site
    but maybe i can help
    I was dignosed july 8 2005 and had my resection july 23(t-3,n-1,mo)13nodes removed 8 pos.
    any way my dilatations started in october. twice a month untill april (14) when my doctor did some reserch and found a new type of stent It is plastic fishnet looking tube that is ment to be removed after 6 to 8 wks to give the esophegus a rest from all the streching and lets the scaretisue heal around it then thay simply remove it by egd. it reminds me of chines finger trap or chines hand cuffs any way mine was removed 6/9/05 and im still open 6/21/05 and counting i wish i knew more details on it (ie.) name & manufature . I will ask my doc. and repost i hope this helps some of you.
    keep strong and my prayers are with you all
    GOD BLESS
    BILL ROSS
    York Pa.
  • spooly
    spooly Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Yes!I had a complete esophagectamy in march of 05 and have had 3 dilitations,the last of which doubled my opening and it has been great every since(Praise God!)I hope yours goes smoother in the future as I will pray for you.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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