Thought I would post some new info today.
I've been pretty busy, going to hospital four times since last Thursday, and the scarring in my esophagus caused by my radiation is pretty bad according to my doctors. So hear is what happened.
Thursday - went to the radiation department where I had another video swallow exam. I passed. I am able to swallow without aspiration. That is a good start. The technician noted that it looked as though there may be some obstruction further down my throat but she wasn't qualified or able to see anything further than the swallow test.
We attended graduation ceremonies from grade school for Zachory Zymslowski in the afternoon and Mikayla graduated from middle school - ceremonies in the evening which we did not attend. We had gone to Mikayla's band concert on Tuesday and were impressed with the performance. NOTE: Carols daughters are disappointed that they won't be seeing Jackson! Mikayla and Zachary went to Texas with there uncle Curt to spend a week with their cousins. Zachary shot a wild boar. His prize from his uncle was he could keep the .22 rifle if he shot a boar. So he has a new trophy.
Friday - off to Sparrow Hospital again. This time to the Endoscopy Unit. I was having an EGD - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat. I am given anesthesia for this procedure and require someone to drive me home and am pretty limited in activity for the remainder of the day. The doctor told me if it might be restricted he would dilate my esophagus to open it up more. After the procedure he advised me and my driver, Angel, that my esophagus was so restricted that he was unable to even get a wire past the restriction. The other problem I have for this test is that I am unable to open my mouth wide enough to enable an adult 'bite block' - they used a pediatric model instead. This will limit the size of the tube to use to dilate my esophagus in the future. So we left and I was becoming discouraged. The remainder of the day besides being drugged up I experienced a severe sore throat.
Saturday & Sunday - Carol went with Sherrie to Ionia where they were going to help Rachelle paint her new place which she closed on Friday. A lot of work and girl talk ahead. I think Lindsey was in on this also. I spent time prepping the deck so that I can re-stain. Problems on Saturday with the plumbing. Couldn't get the back sill spigget to stop leaking. It was dripping from the handle when I would turn it on. Sunday I ran hoses from around the house to the deck so I could power wash and clean preparing to stain.
Monday - off to Sparrow again for an esophagram. This was similar to the swallow test except now they were taking a movie as I drank my barium. Carol said that by the time we were through at the hospital I will have been in every department. I said - oh, I'm going to have a baby. The doctor said this test went well and he would enhance the photos and send them on to Endoscopy. We ran a few errands and when we got home, Dr. Butlers office - Endoscopy - called and scheduled another EGD for Wednesday (today). Later in the day I got the first coat of stain on the deck.
Tuesday - took a day off for some golf. Played with the Lansing GM Salaried Retirees group and then a social luncheon. Uncle Dan was going to play with Bob Farlin, Mel Welhusen and myself. Only Dan had an accident Monday, missing the last step on a ladder and crashing down on to his knee. I think he will be all right - but a lot of pain and was advised to keep weight off of it. Probably left the hospital with an immobilizer on his knee. He was seeing an orthopedist today to see if he had any more damage. It was a great day for an outing and we had a good time even though I only could stare at all the others as they ate their lunch. A lot of Dan's friends were hoping to see him and were sad and disappointed that he couldn't be there and wished him well. I thought I was going to have a pretty good score but ran into a little trouble and finished with 47 as did Bob and Mel.
Wednesday - Early start today as we needed to be at Endoscopy for my 7:00am appointment. They had discarded my history information from Friday so I had to fill all the forms out all over again. Upsetting! Then off to get prepped for my exam and anesthesia. Now my test only takes 15 to 20 minutes but I am in prep, surgery and recovery for about 2 and 1/2 hours. Dr. Butler told me about the esophagram results and explained what the procedure was while we waited for the anesthesiologist. The restriction was closed to about 3 mm and was about 3 inches long. He would be using a fluoroscope for the procedure so he could see in my body as he guided the wire down towards my stomach through my mouth. The bad news is that the esophagus is very fragile and it becomes brittle after radiation. If he would happen to puncture I would be in for some serious surgery and who knows what all I would be in for. (His words) He showed me the tubes he would use to dilate me - 5 mm and 7 mm, and if it was going well a 9 mm tube would be used. Off I go to la-la land. I missed the doctor in recovery but he talked with Carol. Success. He dilated with all three and said he could have gone to the next size but decided not to push. I should be able to start eating now - nothing bigger than 9 mm obviously. So that was great news. I will be going through this procedure every week for 2 to 3 months to get my esophagus back to normal. In the meantime, I have to see an ENT specialist to see about some therapy to again be able to open my mouth normally, if possible.
So I am feeling pretty good about the day. Things are back on track. Only a mild sore throat today. My cancer is clear.
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