Op yesterday

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jackflash22
jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

had my throat op yesterday. Double endoscopy. The surgeon reached the blockage from my stomach end with a probe, the probe had a wire inside and probed the scar tissue until it pierced right through then another surgeon pushed a balloon probe and dilated the stricture from the throat, it was successful, they've left a tube going through my nose down my esophagus to my stomach and I have to leave it there for a week until the next normal endoscopy which will be weekly for 10-15 weeks. They went through my peg tube hole so no more cuts to my stomach. I can't feel any disturbance with the peg tube hole I would never have known they went through that way. my throat is sore and hurts when I swallow but no pain no gain. I've had my peg tube since sept 2013. Thought I'd never swallow again. I was in hospital overnight, didn't get any sleep as I had tubes everywhere and couldn't roll over. Thank goodness the first part is over. If anyone has to have this op don't be scared it was a doddle and apart from a sore throat I'm fine. The first thing I did was a burp, great feeling Hadn't done one since throat blocked....

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  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    blockage

    Glad to hear is all went well and you are back in action once again. I did not know they could go in through the PEG but why not, like you said no cutting what don’t need to be cut.

     

    Tim Hondo

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
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    Oh, I bet that did feel great.......

    That is very good news Jackie. Glad no more cutting and better yet, they got it un-blocked. Now I hope and pray the rest goes even smoother.

    Bill

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #4
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    We'll take a burp as a good

    We'll take a burp as a good sign! If air can come out, food should be able to go in. I'm praying for quick and complete healing for you.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
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    This is absolutely wonderful!!!

    This news put a happy smile on my face for this day!  I loved it when you say your throat is sore when you swallow.... :)  YOU SWALLOWED!!!  Whoo Hoo!

    p

  • OrchidNancy
    OrchidNancy Member Posts: 23
    #6
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    phrannie51 said:

    This is absolutely wonderful!!!

    This news put a happy smile on my face for this day!  I loved it when you say your throat is sore when you swallow.... :)  YOU SWALLOWED!!!  Whoo Hoo!

    p

    Success

    Glad to hear the positive news! Sounds like you have it under control. I hope the NG tube is not too uncomfortable for you. Sending healing thoughts. Nancy

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #7
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    Dilation

    PS...I meant 10-15 weeks of dilations not endoscopies

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #8
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    jackflash22 said:

    Dilation

    PS...I meant 10-15 weeks of dilations not endoscopies

    dilations

    i had 13 dilations in 2013.  With everyone, they did the full upper gi endoscopy - all the way past the stomach.eI have lots of pictures.  Most were uneventful.

    So, you might end up with lots of pictures too!

     

    Lorna 

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #9
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    jf, you SWALLOWED!!!!!!  i am

    jf, you SWALLOWED!!!!!!  i am definitely doing a dance for you my friend.  i'm so very thankful the procedure worked and you can swallow.  that is huge!!!  i can't wait to hear what your first meal is and how much you enjoyed it.  i know i'm moving you along rather quickly but you've been waiting so long....lol.

    God bless you jf,

    dj

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #10
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    How are you doing?

    It's been almost 2 weeks now - how are you doing?  Have you been able to eat or drink?

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #11
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    lornal said:

    How are you doing?

    It's been almost 2 weeks now - how are you doing?  Have you been able to eat or drink?

    Jackie

    That is wonderful news! Glad you are such a trooper, sounds like it is paying off

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #12
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    Dilation

    I had my first dilation today after the opening of my throat two weeks ago. It went well. The tube wasn't taken out of my nose/throat the surgeon used the tube as a guide. I have to keep it in another week or two. It went better than expected and a bigger balloon was used. I can swallow half a mouthful of water and spit the rest. Maybe when the soreness and swelling goes and the tube taken out I will do better. I don't expect huge steps already, just knowing there's way through my esophigagus makes me happy. I met another man in the recovery bed next to mine who went through the same op, same problem. He hadn't been able to swallow, even his saliva, like me, for three years. He was the first one to be given this procedure, a guinea pig, in oct. I was the second.. He can now eat soft food ..soups etc and is keeping his weight. Today his dilation opened his throat fully but it's not as stretchy as a normal and he has to take care on solid food.I now have to go for dilations for at least 10 weeks plus at intervals until mines fully opened, by summer I will be fully functional to join everyone socially. I've forgotten how nice it is to meet up with friends in the coffee/cake shop.

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #13
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    jackflash22 said:

    Dilation

    I had my first dilation today after the opening of my throat two weeks ago. It went well. The tube wasn't taken out of my nose/throat the surgeon used the tube as a guide. I have to keep it in another week or two. It went better than expected and a bigger balloon was used. I can swallow half a mouthful of water and spit the rest. Maybe when the soreness and swelling goes and the tube taken out I will do better. I don't expect huge steps already, just knowing there's way through my esophigagus makes me happy. I met another man in the recovery bed next to mine who went through the same op, same problem. He hadn't been able to swallow, even his saliva, like me, for three years. He was the first one to be given this procedure, a guinea pig, in oct. I was the second.. He can now eat soft food ..soups etc and is keeping his weight. Today his dilation opened his throat fully but it's not as stretchy as a normal and he has to take care on solid food.I now have to go for dilations for at least 10 weeks plus at intervals until mines fully opened, by summer I will be fully functional to join everyone socially. I've forgotten how nice it is to meet up with friends in the coffee/cake shop.

    Great!

    Glad it is going in the right direction - and hope summer comes quickly for you

    Lorna

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #14
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    jackflash22 said:

    Dilation

    I had my first dilation today after the opening of my throat two weeks ago. It went well. The tube wasn't taken out of my nose/throat the surgeon used the tube as a guide. I have to keep it in another week or two. It went better than expected and a bigger balloon was used. I can swallow half a mouthful of water and spit the rest. Maybe when the soreness and swelling goes and the tube taken out I will do better. I don't expect huge steps already, just knowing there's way through my esophigagus makes me happy. I met another man in the recovery bed next to mine who went through the same op, same problem. He hadn't been able to swallow, even his saliva, like me, for three years. He was the first one to be given this procedure, a guinea pig, in oct. I was the second.. He can now eat soft food ..soups etc and is keeping his weight. Today his dilation opened his throat fully but it's not as stretchy as a normal and he has to take care on solid food.I now have to go for dilations for at least 10 weeks plus at intervals until mines fully opened, by summer I will be fully functional to join everyone socially. I've forgotten how nice it is to meet up with friends in the coffee/cake shop.

    That's so very good news Jackie.

    That is great news and I'm glad it is not that uncomfortable to have. It will be so good for you to swallow again. 
    I can eat anything and food is not a problem, [have to go slow and chew chew chew] but I noticed I have to think about every time I swallow liquids. Hope to get over that someday, but It wont be soon.

    Bill

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #15
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    jackflash22 said:

    Dilation

    I had my first dilation today after the opening of my throat two weeks ago. It went well. The tube wasn't taken out of my nose/throat the surgeon used the tube as a guide. I have to keep it in another week or two. It went better than expected and a bigger balloon was used. I can swallow half a mouthful of water and spit the rest. Maybe when the soreness and swelling goes and the tube taken out I will do better. I don't expect huge steps already, just knowing there's way through my esophigagus makes me happy. I met another man in the recovery bed next to mine who went through the same op, same problem. He hadn't been able to swallow, even his saliva, like me, for three years. He was the first one to be given this procedure, a guinea pig, in oct. I was the second.. He can now eat soft food ..soups etc and is keeping his weight. Today his dilation opened his throat fully but it's not as stretchy as a normal and he has to take care on solid food.I now have to go for dilations for at least 10 weeks plus at intervals until mines fully opened, by summer I will be fully functional to join everyone socially. I've forgotten how nice it is to meet up with friends in the coffee/cake shop.

    I swallowed a mouthful of

    I swallowed a mouthful of water today and none remained in my mouth, things are going faster than I thought it would.......

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #16
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    jackflash22 said:

    I swallowed a mouthful of

    I swallowed a mouthful of water today and none remained in my mouth, things are going faster than I thought it would.......

    That is a Major accomplishment ..... Celebrate BIG TIME.

    That has to feel like you won the grand prise. What can seem like, no big deal to ones that don't have this problem, is such a big deal to us. I will never forget my swallow test in the hospital. [I told the doctors I studdyed all night for the test. They all laughed] I was able to do it and I think I got tears in my eyes. It ment Now I can swallow and no more NG tube. You have been through a lot Jackie and you kept your head up and have done all that was asked. You deserve this reward and I'm so happy for you.

    Bill

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #17
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    jackflash22 said:

    Dilation

    I had my first dilation today after the opening of my throat two weeks ago. It went well. The tube wasn't taken out of my nose/throat the surgeon used the tube as a guide. I have to keep it in another week or two. It went better than expected and a bigger balloon was used. I can swallow half a mouthful of water and spit the rest. Maybe when the soreness and swelling goes and the tube taken out I will do better. I don't expect huge steps already, just knowing there's way through my esophigagus makes me happy. I met another man in the recovery bed next to mine who went through the same op, same problem. He hadn't been able to swallow, even his saliva, like me, for three years. He was the first one to be given this procedure, a guinea pig, in oct. I was the second.. He can now eat soft food ..soups etc and is keeping his weight. Today his dilation opened his throat fully but it's not as stretchy as a normal and he has to take care on solid food.I now have to go for dilations for at least 10 weeks plus at intervals until mines fully opened, by summer I will be fully functional to join everyone socially. I've forgotten how nice it is to meet up with friends in the coffee/cake shop.

    jf, it really makes my day to

    jf, it really makes my day to hear you actually swallowed!!  i am definitely doing a happy, happy, happy dance for you!!  i pray it continues to get better and you're eating everything soon.

    dj

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #18
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    wmc said:

    That is a Major accomplishment ..... Celebrate BIG TIME.

    That has to feel like you won the grand prise. What can seem like, no big deal to ones that don't have this problem, is such a big deal to us. I will never forget my swallow test in the hospital. [I told the doctors I studdyed all night for the test. They all laughed] I was able to do it and I think I got tears in my eyes. It ment Now I can swallow and no more NG tube. You have been through a lot Jackie and you kept your head up and have done all that was asked. You deserve this reward and I'm so happy for you.

    Bill

    Thanx

    I've not been through nearly as much as you Bill, you keep cheerful for everyone, I don't know how you do it with your problems. You must have a strong faith to bring you through all this. Yes when I swallowed properly the first time I wanted to shout Eureka! From the roof tops. We mustn't take for granted the gifts God gave to us. The rest of the side effects I got from radiotherapy I take for granted now and don't really notice it's different from the norm. I try to keep my mind active all the time doing puzzles, crosswords etc, when weather permitting going for walks and once the ground dries out I love gardening. I bought several varieties of rose bushes in autumn fragrant ones and I noticed they are getting new growth and the spring flowers are starting to bloom. I'll have to get the garden chairs from the shed soon so I can get my vitimin D from the sun. Twenty minutes in the sun gives you a good dose. It's amazing how weather affects ones moods..."..

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #19
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    debbiejeanne said:

    jf, it really makes my day to

    jf, it really makes my day to hear you actually swallowed!!  i am definitely doing a happy, happy, happy dance for you!!  i pray it continues to get better and you're eating everything soon.

    dj

    thank you Debbiejeanne..."

    thank you Debbiejeanne..."

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #20
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    phrannie51 said:

    This is absolutely wonderful!!!

    This news put a happy smile on my face for this day!  I loved it when you say your throat is sore when you swallow.... :)  YOU SWALLOWED!!!  Whoo Hoo!

    p

    more like Eureka.......I

    more like Eureka.......I swallowed again this morning, I'm taking baby steps so I don't strain it, I'm on my way for socialising in the coffee shop again....

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #21
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    jackflash22 said:

    more like Eureka.......I

    more like Eureka.......I swallowed again this morning, I'm taking baby steps so I don't strain it, I'm on my way for socialising in the coffee shop again....

    jf, this news is just

    jf, this news is just OUTSTANDING!!!!  i cannot express how happy i am for you.  look out social sceen, jf is back in business!!

    God bless you,

    dj

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