Well, good news!!! Dr. Alsop did the EGD this morning, and found no big surprises. WHEW!!! We're both so relieved, we've been asleep since we got home!!!
He agreed with Dr. Beck that Al's esophagus has some stricture, and used a couple of tools to dilate the esophagus a bit. (Isn't that what they used to have to do for Uncle Lorran???) We're to call him on Monday and let him know if that helped him some, and if so, he feels that confirms the stricture as being the problem. Also, if need be, they can use ALL the tools to dilate his esophagus fully.
I didn't ask any smart questions, so I've started a list to ask on Monday when I call.
Al's resting pretty comfortably -- like he normall does following conscious sedation -- though he feels a little nauseous. Thanks for reminding me, Vicki, that they've been poking around on that 'gag me' zone.
He was surprised to find that his stomach wasn't empty, even though Al hadn't eaten anything for 12 hours, so he put him on a drug called Reglan to assist emptying his stomach. Said he saw no evidence whatsoever of acid refux or damage to the esophagus.
So we're good to go til the next update!!! Al's next CT scan is scheduled mid-January; I promise I'll send out a new update.
xoxoxo
Sharon
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Update on Al #43
Well, I guess I've been a little remiss in updates, since my last one was in June!!!
Al had another CT scan in September, and it came back clear as a bell again. Other than various aches and pains -- which tend to all get attributed to side effects from radiation -- he's been doing well.
He mentioned about a month ago that his throat was kind of sore, and we just figured it was a seasonal allergy or something. Then a couple of weeks ago, I took him to supper and he ordered steak, and I realized he seemed to be working to swallow it. THAT's when he tells me he's been having problems swallowing for about 3 weeks.
So you can bet we beat it to Dr. Beck's (oncologist) door first thing last Monday morning!!! He examined Al and discussed him with his internist, and they agreed on a barium swallow, expecting to find a stricture of his esophagus, which is evidently pretty easily resolved with an outpatient procedure. Well, the barium swallow showed all clear, so tomorrow morning they're doing an EGD which is a scope down his throat, esophagus, and into his stomach to look for scar tissue, masses, whatever.
Needless to say, we're both on pins and needles. I hesitated to share anything until we 'know' something, but thought a heads up would be the best bet. We're off to bed shortly to get up early to the outpatient section of the hospital. I'm actually looking forward to an update on the staff members' lives -- we saw them so regularly for several months, and now it's been a while. How nuts am I???
I'll update you as soon as I know anything definite. Keep us in your hearts.
xoxoxo
Sharon
Al had another CT scan in September, and it came back clear as a bell again. Other than various aches and pains -- which tend to all get attributed to side effects from radiation -- he's been doing well.
He mentioned about a month ago that his throat was kind of sore, and we just figured it was a seasonal allergy or something. Then a couple of weeks ago, I took him to supper and he ordered steak, and I realized he seemed to be working to swallow it. THAT's when he tells me he's been having problems swallowing for about 3 weeks.
So you can bet we beat it to Dr. Beck's (oncologist) door first thing last Monday morning!!! He examined Al and discussed him with his internist, and they agreed on a barium swallow, expecting to find a stricture of his esophagus, which is evidently pretty easily resolved with an outpatient procedure. Well, the barium swallow showed all clear, so tomorrow morning they're doing an EGD which is a scope down his throat, esophagus, and into his stomach to look for scar tissue, masses, whatever.
Needless to say, we're both on pins and needles. I hesitated to share anything until we 'know' something, but thought a heads up would be the best bet. We're off to bed shortly to get up early to the outpatient section of the hospital. I'm actually looking forward to an update on the staff members' lives -- we saw them so regularly for several months, and now it's been a while. How nuts am I???
I'll update you as soon as I know anything definite. Keep us in your hearts.
xoxoxo
Sharon
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