Guest guest Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hello all, Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. He gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the latest research on treating the symptoms. He said " no surprise, your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia " . He showed me a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal esophagram looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me clips of surgery's he has done. So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. Here's the down side... Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in June 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, but this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is minimal. I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the 12th and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on friday morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards. Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a wonderful trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in August... I hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health comes first before vacation. I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement in symptoms. in Michigan Scared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 I am glad to be here for anyone that need a friend or support. in Suffolk In a message dated 6/6/2006 3:26:54 PM GMT Standard Time, mandyw1011@... writes: Thank you , for always being reassuring during difficult times! in Michigan> > > That is good to hear that you have a date for surgery. Everything will work > out just fine and I am sure you will be able to have your vacation. Keep us > posted.> > > in Suffolk> > > In a message dated 6/5/2006 11:49:00 PM GMT Standard Time, > mandyw1011@... writes:> > Hello all,> > Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. He > gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the > latest research on treating the symptoms. He said "no surprise, > your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia". He showed me > a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal esophagram > looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me clips > of surgery's he has done.> > So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. > Here's the down side...> > Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in June > 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy > (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, but > this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is minimal.> > I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to > arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the > esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the 12th > and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on friday > morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards.> > Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open > myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital.> > So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down > there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a wonderful > trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in August... I > hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health comes > first before vacation. > > I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some > improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different > everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement in > symptoms.> > in Michigan> Scared> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Hi , Hi , , recover then have fun, sounds like a best plan! It would be nice to go on vacation and not have to worry about chest pain! The website is excellent! I will be usuing the diet ideas for sure post myotomy! Well done guys! Congratulations on your marriage!!! All the best to you! You're right , the reality of the myotomy is setting in! It's not as common procedure as some surgeries are, so it is definitly scary. Your maxilla surgery had to be rough, did they wire your jaw closed for a while? I thought of you and during my talk with Dr Rice because he mentioned about DES and said that he has seen only " 3 " actually cases. I believe you mentioned that before. Dr Rice also said he does an average of 2 Heller's a week and a total of about 300 total in his career! AND about 300 surgeries a year on the esophagus alone. Tell that I've been walking by candlelight through my house and keeping all windows shut.... eww I hate it when they stick to the screen! The worst part is walking to the car because you have to bat them away from your head! It's actully not too bad yet, maybe it will be a mild season Thank you all for your continuing support!!! in Michigan > > > > Hello all, > > > > Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. He > > gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the > > latest research on treating the symptoms. He said " no surprise, > > your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia " . He showed me > > a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal esophagram > > looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me clips > > of surgery's he has done. > > > > So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. > > Here's the down side... > > > > Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in June > > 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy > > (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, but > > this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is minimal. > > > > I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to > > arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the > > esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the 12th > > and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on friday > > morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards. > > > > Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open > > myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. > > > > So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down > > there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a wonderful > > trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in August... I > > hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health comes > > first before vacation. > > > > I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some > > improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different > > everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement in > > symptoms. > > > > in Michigan > > Scared > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Thank you , for always being reassuring during difficult times! in Michigan > > > That is good to hear that you have a date for surgery. Everything will work > out just fine and I am sure you will be able to have your vacation. Keep us > posted. > > > in Suffolk > > > In a message dated 6/5/2006 11:49:00 PM GMT Standard Time, > mandyw1011@... writes: > > Hello all, > > Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. He > gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the > latest research on treating the symptoms. He said " no surprise, > your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia " . He showed me > a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal esophagram > looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me clips > of surgery's he has done. > > So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. > Here's the down side... > > Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in June > 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy > (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, but > this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is minimal. > > I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to > arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the > esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the 12th > and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on friday > morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards. > > Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open > myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. > > So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down > there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a wonderful > trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in August... I > hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health comes > first before vacation. > > I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some > improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different > everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement in > symptoms. > > in Michigan > Scared > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 , Fortunately, I didn't have my jaw wired shut after my surgery. They used titanium plates and screws (still in there) to hold the parts of the maxilla together. It wasn't too painful, either, because my whole palate (most of the maxilla, actually) was numb for months afterward. In some regards, I guess it could be similar to how one feels after a myotomy. It was tough to swallow, but for a different reason (being numb), and I was on mushy foods for 6 weeks. It still took a few weeks or so to get my energy back, which will probably be how you feel in the beginning after your surgery. That's something that Dr. Rice mentioned DES! I don't know how recent his other cases were, but maybe seeing reminded him of it. I hate to tell you, but the fish fly season doesn't usually peak until close to July 4th . It sounds like you have the survival techniques down, though LOL. Good luck with that! > > > > > > Hello all, > > > > > > Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. > He > > > gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the > > > latest research on treating the symptoms. He said " no surprise, > > > your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia " . He showed > me > > > a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal > esophagram > > > looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me > clips > > > of surgery's he has done. > > > > > > So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. > > > Here's the down side... > > > > > > Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in > June > > > 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy > > > (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, > but > > > this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is > minimal. > > > > > > I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to > > > arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the > > > esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the > 12th > > > and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on > friday > > > morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards. > > > > > > Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open > > > myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. > > > > > > So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down > > > there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a > wonderful > > > trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in > August... I > > > hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health > comes > > > first before vacation. > > > > > > I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some > > > improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different > > > everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement > in > > > symptoms. > > > > > > in Michigan > > > Scared > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Hi , My follow-up with Dr. Rice is July 10. I'll be there that day! Maybe he'll introduce me to you. -Aileen > > Hello all, > > Had a long talk with Dr Rice. Very nice and informed doctor. He > gave me the breakdown of all he knows about the disease and the > latest research on treating the symptoms. He said " no surprise, > your test result's confirm classic primary achalasia " . He showed me > a powerpoint presentation on achalasia... what a normal esophagram > looks like compaired to what ours look like. He even showed me clips > of surgery's he has done. > > So, I will be doing a Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication. > Here's the down side... > > Because I had my gallbladder out in Nov 2005 and a dilation in June > 2005, the odds of coverting from a laparoscopic to a laparotomy > (open) increase to 5% (usually 2% chance). I don't know why, but > this really brought my hopes down even though the jump is minimal. > > I tentitivly have the surgery scheduled July 12. He told me to > arrive monday the 10th when he will do a EGD to clean out the > esophagus, admit me on tuesday the 11th, surgery wednesday the 12th > and discharge me to a hotel thursday the 13th, and see me on friday > morning when I will be able to go home to MI afterwards. > > Of course this all changes if my procedure converts to a open > myotomy... then he said a minimum of 5 days in the hospital. > > So July 12th it is, as long as my mom is able to take me down > there. Just really scared about the whole thing. I had a wonderful > trip planned with my boyfriend to Boston the 2nd week in August... I > hope this won't put a damper on that. But of course, health comes > first before vacation. > > I REALLY REALLY hope after all this I can have some > improvement...even if it is slight. He emphasized how different > everyone's outcomes are and there is NO gaurentee of improvement in > symptoms. > > in Michigan > Scared > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Well, you've insulted all Cleveland area residents. How about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the very famous science center, the wonderful ethnic West 25th St. market, the fabulous Lake Erie shore line right downtown. When are people going to get over this stereotype about Cleveland?????? Chuck ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Thanks ! Chuck ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 honey, welcome home. I'm so glad to hear you found a doctor that's willing to help. It's so rare we find ANYONE that's really willing help. By the way, I know this is going to sound terrible of me, but I didn't know there were sites to be seen in Cleveland other than the stadium. What else did you see? Did Mom enjoy the trip? Take care and be well. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Sorry I didn't have a chance to answer earlier. There are a lot of neat things to do and see in Cleveland...and we had a wonderful time. First and foremost, the people are the nicest I've met...really wonderful people. We visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Little Italy (FANTASTIC food there), The Christmas Story House...got to see the outside of Severance Hall and several famous museums including the science center..I just didn't have the energy to go inside them. Of course we had to see Lake Erie...one down, four to go. We did take a day trip to the Amish country towards Pennsylvannia and ate lunch at Yoders. I somehow missed the W 25th street market. Darn it. Is it mainly food? I think we ate our way through Cleveland and points east. So when in Cleveland or any town really, what you don't find online...look in the front of the phone book and you'll find a ton of stuff to do! So tell me Chuck..do you live in Cleveland? Do you go to the Cleveland Clinic? Hope you're all having a pain free day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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