Guest guest Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 Hi , When I went to have my gastroscopy in November, My Doctor told me that my esophagus was very narrow at the top and when he pushed the scope through, my esophagus resembled a "flaccid sac". At that time, he told me if I decided to have an esophagectomy it would only last for 5 years any way. I see Dr. Gehman again on January 11th to discuss my options. I will definitely question him on his "5 year" statement. I have already had two open myotomies in the past 14 years, but if I have to live on liquids for many years to come, I can cope and maintain my weight. I'll be sure to let everyone know where the 5 years for an esophagectomy data is documented before having any thing performed in Thunder Bay. (I know is still doing very well after several years). I just wanted my gastroscopy done here so I didn't have to travel to London or Toronto again. I'm sure Dr. Gehman is very good, but he doesn't have a team working with him. He is our only Thoracic surgeon. Scary!!! P.S. There are also two 's in our group. Best of luck on Monday to Liz! We'll be hoping for a very speedy successful recovery for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep stretching. Good Luck! > > Hi , > > When I went to have my gastroscopy in November, My Doctor told me that my esophagus was very narrow at the top and when he pushed the scope through, my esophagus resembled a " flaccid sac " . At that time, he told me if I decided to have an esophagectomy it would only last for 5 years any way. I see Dr. Gehman again on January 11th to discuss my options. I will definitely question him on his " 5 year " statement. I have already had two open myotomies in the past 14 years, but if I have to live on liquids for many years to come, I can cope and maintain my weight. I'll be sure to let everyone know where the 5 years for an esophagectomy data is documented before having any thing performed in Thunder Bay. (I know is still doing very well after several years). I just wanted my gastroscopy done here so I didn't have to travel to London or Toronto again. I'm sure Dr. Gehman is very good, but he doesn't have a team working with him. He is our only Thoracic surgeon. Scary!!! > > P.S. There are also two 's in our group. > > Best of luck on Monday to Liz! We'll be hoping for a very speedy successful recovery for you! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 Hi , I'm only 39 and was diagnosed when I was 25. I had my 2nd open myotomy about 13 years ago, so my esophagus has had a lot of years to stretch. I am able to eat runny mashed potatoes, creamed soup with a lot of milk, ensure, etc. If I use a lot of butter, cheese, sour cream etc, I can keep my weight at about 125 lbs. I'm 5 ' 7 ", so I look pretty healthy. I can manage, it's just frustrating most days. I have days where I can't even drive, yet I have enough energy the following day to shop, etc. My husband and kids are very supportive. (Thank God) I am not on any medication, yet sometimes I do feel depressed. Usually only around dinner time :-) Have a great day, . Re: 5 Years For Surgery Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep stretching.Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 My Lord you sound like me Except I am finding it hard to eat butter And cheese Ensure keeps me going When I feel like I can't walk up the steps Ensure helps I wonder how many Ensure can I take in a day????? I am getting addicted to ENSURE My Husband is not supportive He wants me to go back to a surgeon I have no faith in BAHHH from beautiful NJ -- Re: Re: 5 Years For Surgery Hi , I'm only 39 and was diagnosed when I was 25. I had my 2nd open myotomy about 13 years ago, so my esophagus has had a lot of years to stretch. I am able to eat runny mashed potatoes, creamed soup with a lot of milk, ensure, etc. If I use a lot of butter, cheese, sour cream etc, I can keep my weight at about 125 lbs. I'm 5 ' 7 ", so I look pretty healthy. I can manage, it's just frustrating most days. I have days where I can't even drive, yet I have enough energy the following day to shop, etc. My husband and kids are very supportive. (Thank God) I am not on any medication, yet sometimes I do feel depressed. Usually only around dinner time :-) Have a great day, . Re: 5 Years For Surgery Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep stretching.Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 OH my god I lived on Ensure for months. I was drinking 4 a day, when I could get them down. I go so sick of them I couldn’t stomach them any more. From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of Bartolino Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 6:52 PM achalasia Subject: Re: Re: 5 Years For Surgery My Lord you sound like me Except I am finding it hard to eat butter And cheese Ensure keeps me going When I feel like I can't walk up the steps Ensure helps I wonder how many Ensure can I take in a day????? I am getting addicted to ENSURE My Husband is not supportive He wants me to go back to a surgeon I have no faith in BAHHH from beautiful NJ -------Original Message------- From: Date: 12/16/05 17:13:54 achalasia Subject: Re: Re: 5 Years For Surgery Hi , I'm only 39 and was diagnosed when I was 25. I had my 2nd open myotomy about 13 years ago, so my esophagus has had a lot of years to stretch. I am able to eat runny mashed potatoes, creamed soup with a lot of milk, ensure, etc. If I use a lot of butter, cheese, sour cream etc, I can keep my weight at about 125 lbs. I'm 5 ' 7 " , so I look pretty healthy. I can manage, it's just frustrating most days. I have days where I can't even drive, yet I have enough energy the following day to shop, etc. My husband and kids are very supportive. (Thank God) I am not on any medication, yet sometimes I do feel depressed. Usually only around dinner time :-) Have a great day, . Re: 5 Years For Surgery Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep stretching. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2005 Report Share Posted December 17, 2005 With reference to 's statement that her oesophagus has had many years to stretch, I believed that having a myotomy would stop any further stretching occurring and that that would be one of the most important reasons for having it. Could someone please say something about this?I shall be having a myotomy in the near future and thought that this was the reason for it. I realise that it will not improve my peristalsis and although I cannot eat what I would like to, by any means, I am able to maintain a healthy weight and some days do quite well with eating. But I am aware that I cannot carry on like this indefinitely because of the stretching that is gradually taking place.Best Wishes to all from Ann in England xx>> Hi , > > I'm only 39 and was diagnosed when I was 25. I had my 2nd open myotomy about 13 years ago, so my esophagus has had a lot of years to stretch. I am able to eat runny mashed potatoes, creamed soup with a lot of milk, ensure, etc. If I use a lot of butter, cheese, sour cream etc, I can keep my weight at about 125 lbs. I'm 5 ' 7 ", so I look pretty healthy. I can manage, it's just frustrating most days. I have days where I can't even drive, yet I have enough energy the following day to shop, etc. My husband and kids are very supportive. (Thank God) I am not on any medication, yet sometimes I do feel depressed. Usually only around dinner time :-)> > Have a great day,> > .> > > Re: 5 Years For Surgery> > > > Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of > course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all > of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far > but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep > stretching.> > Good Luck!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 : Try the 3 oz jar of infant fruit. I actually ate it with an infant spoon and would wait quite a while before taking another bite. I would sit at my desk and eat one spoon at a time. ... the entire jar took 2 1/2 to 3 hours to eat ... but at least it was a little variety. At my worst, I was only getting 600- 800 calories a day ... a small ensure also took the same amount of time to sip thru a can. Good luck Kathie in cold Pittsburgh > > My Lord you sound like me Except I am finding it hard to eat butter And > cheese Ensure keeps me going When I feel like I can't walk up the steps > Ensure helps I wonder how many Ensure can I take in a day????? I am > getting addicted to ENSURE My Husband is not supportive He wants me to go > back to a surgeon I have no faith in BAHHH from beautiful NJ > > -- Re: Re: 5 Years For Surgery > > Hi , > > I'm only 39 and was diagnosed when I was 25. I had my 2nd open myotomy > about 13 years ago, so my esophagus has had a lot of years to stretch. I am > able to eat runny mashed potatoes, creamed soup with a lot of milk, ensure, > etc. If I use a lot of butter, cheese, sour cream etc, I can keep my > weight at about 125 lbs. I'm 5 ' 7 " , so I look pretty healthy. I can > manage, it's just frustrating most days. I have days where I can't even > drive, yet I have enough energy the following day to shop, etc. My husband > and kids are very supportive. (Thank God) I am not on any medication, yet > sometimes I do feel depressed. Usually only around dinner time :-) > > Have a great day, > > . > > > Re: 5 Years For Surgery > > > > Hi - yes, please keep us posted. So we can offer support of > course, but also because E-gectomy is a very real possibility for all > of us at one point or another. Managed to dodge that bullet so far > but I'm only 37, in theory, I have a long time left for my E to keep > stretching. > > Good Luck! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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