dilation

sandy1943
sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I had a endoscopy today to try to dilate the esophagus. It was almost closed completely, so the Dr. had to use a pediatric scope and then the regular scope. Once again he was unable to open it completely because of inflamation. this was the third attempt since May '07 when I had my surgery and 80 percent of esophagus and 1/3 of stomach was removed.Today he recommended I stop taking my athritis medicine, because of the irritation it can cause. Looking forward to tomorrow to see if I can swallow better. Is this a common thing to have this done repeatedly?

Comments

  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #2
    YES IT IS
    Yes is it is, Jeff had to have his done at least once a month. after about 3-4 times he is doing much better.

    I hope you get this solved I know you are ready Good Luck

    Lori/moe58
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #4
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thanks William for your
    Thanks William for your response.In '07 I was having some heartburn. A couple of times I had very bad pain in my chest. The Dr. checked my heart(OK). Then in Oct.'07 after food stuck the Dr. sent me to aa gastrologist,who did an endosopy . It was determined I had cancer. He refered me to Dr Joseph Miller Jr. at Emory Health care in Atlanta.After a barium swallow, xrays, ct scan, and pet scan it was determined I had stage 111 with activity showing LOWER ESOPHAGUS AnD 2 lymph nodes in stomach.He ordered me 3 roundds of chemo, pre op. This turned out to be 4 because of set backs. My oncologists gAVE ME Cisplatin,Epirubin, and 5-fu which I took continusly through a pump. The surgery to remove 80% of esophagus and 1/3 of stomach was in May '08. Because of activity in 1 of nodes tested I was started back on chemo in August. two weeks into treatment I got a blood clot in the Jugular vein. At this time the oncologists said he did not want to give me anymore chemo, because it was destroying my body.I decided to leave it in Gods hands.In Nov. my ct scan came back clean. I have had regular bloodwork and ct scans by my oncologists and barrium swallows and xrays by my thoracic surgion.
    I was having back pain, so the Dr. did a bone scan in March '09 . Also had a pet scan in July '09, Because of continued weight loss.All test have been okay. My gastrologist has done three endoscopy to stretch the esophagus because scar tissue made my food stick. He was unable to do it aggressively because of inflamation. Last week it was almost completely closed, but since the procedure I have done a lot better.My eating is very good!!!! At this time the gastrologists says we'll wait and see if I start gaining before doing any more test. When I went this time My weight stayed the same( still loss of 98 pds). Right now my diarrhea has been better.
    My surgeon has retired. The hosipital has sent me the names of some Drs who I am researching. I go back in Sept.for my checkup. After reading all the inf. I've been getting, I'll go armed with questions. I know that Emory Hospital is one of the best so I know they have good drs---just deciding which one. I know this was long but I tried to answer all I could think of. Have a wonderful weekend!

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