esophagectomy

[Guest guest]

I also remember at least 3, but I think there are more:

Joan, who has gone to be with the Lord.

Jan, who didn't have A, and pops in & out occasionally.

Ed, still active on the board and who has great input on things.

AND I MAY BE WRONG, BUT HOW 'BOUT ESOPHAGI, INSTEAD OF ESOPHAGUSES? LOL. Cindi

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

Along with a small, but growing group here, I am in the same position as you, the only difference being that I have not yet scheduled a date for surgery. I have looked up the Ivor- method and easily found many references to it.

"IVOR -LEWIS" - Google Search

Since esophageal cancer is far more common than achalasia, so far I am just reading how this surgery is being performed as it relates to tumors.

One of the references gives a complete detailing of the surgery, but since it applies to a cancer patient, I can't say how exact its application is to you. I wish you all the best of health in your journey ahead. I was reading this since it may also be my future too.

While you are 14 years younger than me, you have had achalasia 7 years longer than I have. Like you, I had the open Heller, but 15 years after you. You've been told your E is "droopy," mine is like a "bucket," a "second stomach." I suppose there are many "cutesy" terms for it.

There are a growing number of people who have had the esophagectomy who read this board regularly and will gladly answer all your concerns.

From where I sit, I'm curious as to how your achalasia was managed over the years since you had your myotomy. Generally speaking, how often did you have checkups with your GI doctor? Did you have periodic endoscopies or barium swallows to monitor your condition? Were your symptoms relatively easy to deal with over the years? Did your condition suddenly worsen this year leading to the operation being recommended?

Did you seek other opinions, and who did you see?

Thanks Mike.

In a message dated 9/1/2006 1:12:16 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ltmikespd@... writes:

Hello everyone:My name is Mike and I'm a 43 year male in Virginia and an achalasian. I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open) Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I began having more difficulties. I had an endoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus was "droopy" and causing food to "back up" as it worked it's way to the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the 14th of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA. I would really like to talk with someone who has had this procedure for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications, etc. Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my experiences (though my procedure was "ancient" - it did last 30 years) I'd be glad to share it.Thanks in advanceMike in Va

[Guest guest]

Hey Mike its Tonia.Glad you found the site.Just wanted to say I

really enjoyed talking with you on the phone yesterday about your

open myotomy,even though your procedure was " ancient " lol .

I really believe you will find this site a god send for achalasians

and there families.Keep in touch and be sure to let me know how

things are going after surgery and I will keep you posted on

as well.Take care of yourself, Tonia

>

> Hello everyone:

>

> My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an

achalasian.

> I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open)

> Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years

of

> dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I

> began having more difficulties.

>

> I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus

> was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's way

to

> the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the

14th

> of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

>

> I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

procedure

> for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against

> insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications,

> etc.

>

> Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my

> experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last 30

> years) I'd be glad to share it.

>

> Thanks in advance

>

> Mike in Va

>

[Guest guest]

Tonia, did you need to talk to someone about an open Heler's? That is what my second surgery was. There is a pic of the sugrery site in the photo section under my name. If you wnat to talk aboput it you can contact me anytime. My home number is 478-971-7474 or my cell number is 478-919-8813. in Georgia.toniasdogsandi <tcooper1973@...> wrote: Hey Mike its Tonia.Glad you found the site.Just wanted to say I really enjoyed talking with you on the phone

yesterday about your open myotomy,even though your procedure was "ancient"lol .I really believe you will find this site a god send for achalasians and there families.Keep in touch and be sure to let me know how things are going after surgery and I will keep you posted on as well.Take care of yourself, Tonia >> Hello everyone:> > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an achalasian. > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open) > Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of > dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I > began having more difficulties. > > I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus > was "droopy" and causing

food to "back up" as it worked it's way to > the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the 14th > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA. > > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this procedure > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications, > etc. > > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my > experiences (though my procedure was "ancient" - it did last 30 > years) I'd be glad to share it.> > Thanks in advance> > Mike in Va><FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia </FONT><IMG src=" ">

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Tonia:

I enjoyed talking with you as well. Thanks for the info on the site.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes (13 days and counting) and you

please do the same with . Again, if he wants to talk with me

about it- please feel free.

Mike

> >

> > Hello everyone:

> >

> > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an

> achalasian.

> > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open)

> > Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years

> of

> > dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when

I

> > began having more difficulties.

> >

> > I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus

> > was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's way

> to

> > the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the

> 14th

> > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

> >

> > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

> procedure

> > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against

> > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications,

> > etc.

> >

> > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding

my

> > experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last 30

> > years) I'd be glad to share it.

> >

> > Thanks in advance

> >

> > Mike in Va

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey :

Thanks for the reply.

When I had my myotomy in 1976 the doctors here thought it was

a " cure " . They didn't know much about achalasia then (they told my

parents it was possibly a birth defect). After the procedure and the

healing process things were about 90% normal. Large " bulky " foods,

like steak, etc caused me some difficulty and I had to eat slower

than everyone else but I just assumed that it was one of those

concessions that I had to make. I felt like it was the after affects

of the problem. The doctors back then never suggested that I have

any follow-up and we all assumed that I was " cured " so no GI follow-

ups

Over the past 30 years when I did have the occasional food " stick

up " I could usually resolve it by deeply inhaling or actually

streching or arching my back, in which case I could actually feel my

food portion " drop " and I could then finish my meal. I had maybe a

half dozen or so " big " incidents over those years and attributed it

to being my fault, eating too fast, taking too big a bite, etc.

In the past 6 months or so these incidents became more common. In

mid July I had a late night incident in which I regurgatated 10-12

times all night long. I knew then that something was not as it

should be and went to see a local GI doctor named Van der

Linden (great guy). He ran an endoscope on me and found the " droopy "

esophagus. A barium swallow confirmed that while the food was making

its way to the stomach, it had to go a long and " twisted " route

through my lower esophagus.

He referred me to Dr. , Chief Thoracic surgeaon and

professor of surgery at UVA, as he felt I needed the esophagectomy

to correct this. Dr. concurs, but stated that it was my

decision. He did state that it wasn't going to improve and as I get

older most likely worsen, to where in his opinion by the time I'd be

in my 70's I'd be lucky to swallow my own saliva. He asked if I

wanted to undergo this now, while in good health, or then, when I

probably wouldn't be (not much choice huh?)

So, as it stands now I'm slated for surgery on the 14th. I'm not too

happy about the prospect of this but both docs feel this is the way

to go and I'll have significant improvement in swallowing (it'll be

a " straight shot " from mouth to stomach). The main concessions I'll

have to make is that I won't be able to eat as much in one sitting

(so much for all-you-can-eat buffets) and no eating before bedtime.

This do to the reduced stomach size and proximity to chest.

I'd like to have the chance to talk with somebody whose had this

done for the same reason to see what I'm in for, hospital and

recovery wise, as well as normalcy afterwards.

Talk to you again soon. Let me know how things go with you.

Mike

>

>

> Hi Mike,

>

> Along with a small, but growing group here, I am in the same

position as

> you, the only difference being that I have not yet scheduled a

date for surgery.

> I have looked up the Ivor- method and easily found many

references to

> it.

> _ " IVOR -LEWIS " - Google Search_

> (http://www.google.com/search?q= " IVOR+-LEWIS " & hl=en & lr= & ie=UTF-

8 & start=10 & sa=N)

>

> Since esophageal cancer is far more common than achalasia, so far

I am just

> reading how this surgery is being performed as it relates to

tumors.

> One of the references gives a complete detailing of the surgery,

but since

> it applies to a cancer patient, I can't say how exact its

application is to

> you. I wish you all the best of health in your journey ahead. I

was reading

> this since it may also be my future too.

>

> While you are 14 years younger than me, you have had achalasia 7

years

> longer than I have. Like you, I had the open Heller, but 15

years after you.

> You've been told your E is " droopy, " mine is like a " bucket, "

a " second

> stomach. " I suppose there are many " cutesy " terms for it.

>

> There are a growing number of people who have had the

esophagectomy who read

> this board regularly and will gladly answer all your concerns.

>

> From where I sit, I'm curious as to how your achalasia was

managed over the

> years since you had your myotomy. Generally speaking, how often

did you have

> checkups with your GI doctor? Did you have periodic endoscopies

or barium

> swallows to monitor your condition? Were your symptoms

relatively easy to

> deal with over the years? Did your condition suddenly worsen

this year leading

> to the operation being recommended?

> Did you seek other opinions, and who did you see?

>

> Thanks Mike.

>

>

>

> In a message dated 9/1/2006 1:12:16 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> ltmikespd@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> Hello everyone:

>

> My name is Mike and I'm a 43 year male in Virginia and an

achalasian.

> I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open)

Heller

> Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of

dilation. Everything

> was relatively normal until recently, when I began having more

difficulties.

>

> I had an endoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus

> was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's way

to

> the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the

14th

> of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

>

> I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

procedure

> for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against

> insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications,

> etc.

>

> Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding

my

> experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last 30

> years) I'd be glad to share it.

>

> Thanks in advance

>

> Mike in Va

>

[Guest guest]

HI Mike,

My name is Tamara I am 28 and in the 'ectomy group. I just wanted to

add my 2 cent's worth.I had a myotomy in '95 I was 16 it was an open

myotmy aswell they suck don't they LOL. Anyway I am sorry you are

having to face this. I know your doc's are probaly right in saying

do it now while you can still heal. I have not woken up from

asperation per say but I have woken up coughing stuff up so my doc's

think that is problay what has happened wich in no fun. Anyway like

the others have said look around and email the ones that have

already had thiers removed they are always willing to talk and tell

us what to expect. I am just beging to face mine wich is pretty

scary I will find out more about my ectomy on the 19th then we will

decide more so I am talking lot's and also reading as much as I can.

I wish you the best of luck in your surgery and hope you have a

speedy recovery. Don't be scared to ask lot's of questions we are

all good people here. Let us know how you are doing.

Lot's of love

Tamara in Utah

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Hello everyone:

> >

> > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 year male in Virginia and an

> achalasian.

> > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open)

> Heller

> > Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of

> dilation. Everything

> > was relatively normal until recently, when I began having more

> difficulties.

> >

> > I had an endoscopy and it was determined that my lower

esophagus

> > was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's

way

> to

> > the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the

> 14th

> > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

> >

> > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

> procedure

> > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up

against

> > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process,

complications,

> > etc.

> >

> > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding

> my

> > experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last 30

> > years) I'd be glad to share it.

> >

> > Thanks in advance

> >

> > Mike in Va

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Hi there. You are ahead of me so I can't really answer your questions. But, there is comfort in knowledge that you are not alone. I'm 42 and live in London. My oesophagectomy is scheduled for November so I have a little longer to count down than you. I intentionally went for a longer lead in time as I needed a lot of time to get my head around this. I started to run into problems in February (after 20 years of Achalasia).

Curious as to why you are having the Ivor approach rather than the transhiatal. Is this due to the skill of your surgeon? My surgeon is opting for transhiatal but has warned me that he may also need to do a thoracotomy incision.

Just like you, I am going for now rather than later years.

You are now the 10th person I have listed facing this. So far I have, , , Carol, , , Tamara, , and you and I. There is strength in numbers.

STEVE

esophagectomy

Hello everyone:My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an achalasian. I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open) Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I began having more difficulties. I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus was "droopy" and causing food to "back up" as it worked it's way to the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the 14th of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA. I would really like to talk with someone who has had this procedure for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications, etc. Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my experiences (though my procedure was "ancient" - it did last 30 years) I'd be glad to

share it.Thanks in advanceMike in Va

[Guest guest]

Tamara:

Thanks for the support. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

Keep me posted on yours as well.

Mike

>

> HI Mike,

>

> My name is Tamara I am 28 and in the 'ectomy group. I just wanted

to

> add my 2 cent's worth.I had a myotomy in '95 I was 16 it was an

open

> myotmy aswell they suck don't they LOL. Anyway I am sorry you are

> having to face this. I know your doc's are probaly right in saying

> do it now while you can still heal. I have not woken up from

> asperation per say but I have woken up coughing stuff up so my

doc's

> think that is problay what has happened wich in no fun. Anyway

like

> the others have said look around and email the ones that have

> already had thiers removed they are always willing to talk and

tell

> us what to expect. I am just beging to face mine wich is pretty

> scary I will find out more about my ectomy on the 19th then we

will

> decide more so I am talking lot's and also reading as much as I

can.

> I wish you the best of luck in your surgery and hope you have a

> speedy recovery. Don't be scared to ask lot's of questions we are

> all good people here. Let us know how you are doing.

> Lot's of love

> Tamara in Utah

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hello everyone:

> > >

> > > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 year male in Virginia and an

> > achalasian.

> > > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an

(open)

> > Heller

> > > Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of

> > dilation. Everything

> > > was relatively normal until recently, when I began having

more

> > difficulties.

> > >

> > > I had an endoscopy and it was determined that my lower

> esophagus

> > > was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's

> way

> > to

> > > the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on

the

> > 14th

> > > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

> > >

> > > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

> > procedure

> > > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up

> against

> > > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process,

> complications,

> > > etc.

> > >

> > > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me

regarding

> > my

> > > experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last

30

> > > years) I'd be glad to share it.

> > >

> > > Thanks in advance

> > >

> > > Mike in Va

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Steve:

Thanks for writing. My surgeon discussed both methods and stated

that the trans was a " last option " that he would only consider if he

had to go fairly high up on the E. That's fine with me. While I'm

really not looking forward to having my chest opened up, I really

don't want them cutting me in the neck. Not that I,m vain about

scars (I've had an 8 " from the HM for 30 years) but there's just too

much to go wrong going through the neck in my opinion.

I've read quite a bit on this procedure in the last two weeks and I

haven't really seen anything about there being much difference in

the two approaches. You mentioned the skill of my surgeon - is there

more of an issue with one method versus the other? Like I said, my

biggest concern with the neck approach is too many things to go

wrong (vocal cords, major veins, etc).

I'm sure that all in all there probably isn't any difference. It's

just a " mental " thing on my part. My surgeon says he's already

performed about 60 of these just this year alone (almost all on

cancer patients). He is the Chief of General Thoracic Surgery as

well as an Assoicate Professor of Surgery at the University of

Virginia and is Director of the Lung Transplant Program, so it seems

he knows his way around in there. He doesn't seem to have much of a

personality, but as long as he's technically sound that's the bottom

line.

I hope that yours goes well. I'll be home 7-10 days (hopefully)

after my procedure on the 14th. As soon as I feel up to it, I'll let

everyone know how it went. I'd still like to talk with an A person

who has had this done before I go under the knife.

Talk to you again soon.

Mike

>

> Mike,

>

> Hi there. You are ahead of me so I can't really answer your

questions. But, there is comfort in knowledge that you are not

alone. I'm 42 and live in London. My oesophagectomy is scheduled

for November so I have a little longer to count down than you. I

intentionally went for a longer lead in time as I needed a lot of

time to get my head around this. I started to run into problems in

February (after 20 years of Achalasia).

>

> Curious as to why you are having the Ivor approach rather

than the transhiatal. Is this due to the skill of your surgeon? My

surgeon is opting for transhiatal but has warned me that he may also

need to do a thoracotomy incision.

>

> Just like you, I am going for now rather than later years.

>

> You are now the 10th person I have listed facing this. So far I

have, , , Carol, , , Tamara, , and

you and I. There is strength in numbers.

>

> STEVE

>

>

> esophagectomy

>

> Hello everyone:

>

> My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an

achalasian.

> I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open)

> Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years

of

> dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I

> began having more difficulties.

>

> I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus

> was " droopy " and causing food to " back up " as it worked it's way

to

> the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the

14th

> of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA.

>

> I would really like to talk with someone who has had this

procedure

> for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against

> insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications,

> etc.

>

> Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my

> experiences (though my procedure was " ancient " - it did last 30

> years) I'd be glad to share it.

>

> Thanks in advance

>

> Mike in Va

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Please do let us all know how you get on after surgery. There are 9 of us that have a very close interest and I am sure 100's of others who are keen to hear.

I don't think the type of procedure is really that important either. Even with a neck incision the surgeon would not cut anything he could not clearly see, if he was unsure he would open the chest, so I am not too worried about a neck incision. I am pleased you have found an experienced surgeon, very important.

I have read so much about it I feel I could practically perform the procedure on myself!

Take Care

STEVE

esophagectomy> > Hello everyone:> > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an achalasian. > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open) > Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of > dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I > began having more difficulties. > > I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus > was "droopy" and causing food to "back up" as it worked it's way to > the stomach. I have

been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the 14th > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA. > > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this procedure > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications, > etc. > > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my > experiences (though my procedure was "ancient" - it did last 30 > years) I'd be glad to share it.> > Thanks in advance> > Mike in Va>

[Guest guest]

Dear Steve, I am only on September 3rd with catching up so bear with me if things have changed since then, but I felt I wanted to remark on your good attitude that you are showing with regard to your impending decision. You seem to be getting more and more positive and decided and accepting about it and I think that feeling like this is going to be a tremendous help to you. I wish you the best of luck for whatever you definitely decide and want you to know that you have loads of support from many people in this Group. We will be rooting for you throughout. I hope I get to meet you sometime. It is good to be around upbeat and strong people. Lots of love from Ann in Northern England XX Steve Lennox <lennoxsteve@...> wrote: Mike, Please do let us all know how you get on after surgery. There are 9 of us that have a very close interest and I am sure 100's of others who are keen to hear. I don't think the type of procedure is really that important either. Even with a neck incision the surgeon would not cut anything he could not clearly see, if he was unsure he would open the chest, so I am not too worried about a neck incision. I am pleased you have found an experienced surgeon, very important. I have read so much about it I feel I could practically perform the procedure on myself!

Take Care STEVE esophagectomy> > Hello everyone:> > My name is Mike and I'm a 43 yoa male in Virginia and an achalasian. > I started having major troubles when I was 12 and had an (open) > Heller Myotomy when I was 13 in 1976. This was after 1 1/2 years of > dilation. Everything was relatively normal until recently, when I > began having more difficulties. > > I had an edoscopy and it was determined that my lower esophagus > was "droopy" and causing food to "back up" as it worked it's way to > the stomach. I have been scheduled for an esophagectomy on the 14th > of Sept (Ivor- method) at UVA. > > I would really like to talk with someone who has had this procedure > for the exact same reasons to get an idea of what I'm up against > insofar as the experience, pain, healing process, complications, > etc.

> > Likewise, if anyone out there want's any info from me regarding my > experiences (though my procedure was "ancient" - it did last 30 > years) I'd be glad to share it.> > Thanks in advance> > Mike in Va>

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