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PM.<br />
I will post again when I get home.<br />
Posted by David Shuster at 10:42AM (-08:00)<br />
Post Esophagoscopy Uppdate<br />
Friday, January 13, 2012<br />
It was done. I am somewhat improved but still have epigastric pain. Dr. Lewis will see me<br />
in 2 weeks. In the meantime, meat (except for ground meat) is off the table. I did burp<br />
tonight, for the first time in weeks.<br />
I have been able to down pudding and Boost Plus, which would have been impossible<br />
this morning.<br />
I will post a full description of the experience in a few days.<br />
Posted by David Shuster at 09:36PM (-08:00)<br />
Esophageal Dilatation: <strong>My</strong> Experience<br />
Monday, January 16, 2012<br />
On Friday, the 13th of January, my breakfast got stuck in my esophagus. Nothing would<br />
go down, and nothing would come back up. I had severe pain in my chest, and<br />
hypersecretions. <strong>My</strong> nose ran, my eyes watered, and my mouth filled <strong>with</strong> saliva. I was<br />
coughing and sneezing, and eventually, some food appeared in my mouth. After about 45<br />
minutes, the symptoms abated. I had scheduled my esophagoscopy for 3:00 PM, but Dr.<br />
Lewis was able to get me in for 1:00 PM. By that time, the symptoms were gone.<br />
I arrived at noon as requested. I was taken to a cubicle and changed into a gown. It was<br />
cold (or I was cold). They started an IV (2 tries). <strong>My</strong> veins were tiny because of the cold. I<br />
asked the nurse to use a heating pad on my hand to allow the veins to expand, but they<br />
had none available. I am left <strong>with</strong> hematomas at both sites, left hand and anticubital area.<br />
Dr. Lewis arrived shortly after 1:00 PM and they took me to the room. We talked and then<br />
the sedation was given <strong>with</strong> me lying on my left side. After that, I remember nothing.<br />
It was like Joan Rivers said about giving birth. "Put me out <strong>with</strong> the first pain and wake<br />
me up when the hairdresser comes".<br />
Dr. Lewis was surprised that he didn't find it as narrow as he expected. He didn't see<br />
signs of tumor infiltrating my esophagus. I have not yet had a chance to discuss the<br />
findings in detail. I will have an appointment <strong>with</strong> him in 2 weeks and may need the<br />
procedure repeated. I guess they don't want to stretch the area too much at a time for<br />
fear of perforation. I am to take 2 teaspoons of Lidocaine Viscous before meals, 20 mg of<br />
Prilosec twice daily, and to eat meat only if cut into tiny pieces.<br />
So, what is the result? That's hard to say. I still have some esophageal spasm <strong>with</strong><br />
eating, but no repeat of the Friday episode. Epigastric pain has diminished. I have a sore<br />
throat, either from the procedure or I am getting a cold. I am eating mostly yogurt,<br />
pudding, soup and other predominantly soft foods <strong>with</strong> little solid food. I have lost 3<br />
pounds since last week. I didn't get much sleep last night, but I feel somewhat better this<br />
morning.<br />
The plan is to carry on <strong>with</strong> my usual activities for now.<br />
Posted by David Shuster at 10:01AM (-08:00)<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
109
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