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Posted 7/30/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Oakley, my Barrett's at this point is pre-cancerous.  All I know is that I need to still have endescopies on a regular basis to make sure it's not getting worse.  The disheartening thing is that everything I read says that just because I had the surgery that  doesn't necessarily mean that an improvement in Barrett's will follow.  But I am sure it will help since I won't have acid flowing up into my throat anymore.

I've lived in Seattle for over 15 years but am actually moving to San Diego at the end of August. 

 

Janice, I'm so concerned about you and please keep me posted on what your doctor says - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

I'm joining the back pain club and the pain in my left shoulder has come back with a vengeance.  By the way, I took a temp job for 3 weeks starting today before I move to San Diego at the end of August.  It's a desk job so not physically demanding.  However, I have to say I am TIRED this evening :).  I bet I will sleep well tonight.

 

Scotty, you sure are having some adventures in eating so early after surgery - Taco Bell, Coke?  I'm guessing you're a bit younger than some of us and your system is bouncing back easier.  I am able to eat noodles or pasta as long as they have sauce on them and ground up meat.  I haven't eaten any cooked veggies yet which I feel guilty for so I'm drinking Odwalla Super Food everyday to get my greens :).

 

My doctor said no dry breads or whole cuts of meat for 3 - 4 weeks.  I am craving fried chicken in the worst way but I know I have to resist and it ain't easy because slowly my appetite is coming back.  I don't seem to be losing any more weight but am stabilizing.  As long as I don't gain, I'll be happy.  I was on Atkins before the surgery and lost 20 lbs so at some point I'll go back on that again when I can eat veggies again.

 

Scotty, are you still losing weight?

 

I still get the hiccups everytime I start to eat.  I take just a little sip of the naseua medication that I have and it kills them right away! :).  Much better than suffering through trying to have a somewhat decent meal.

 

As always, its great sharing with you all - such a great group of folks on here.

 

Cheers!

john

 

 

 

Posted 7/30/2008 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
John...sorry to hear that your Barretts is precancerous but like you say, not having acid exposure should help. There are new techniques with Barrett's to destroy the cancer cells. I will try to find the website that spoke about this.

Many people have backpain during recovery and both surgeons I saw said the shoulder pain will go away once the diaphrapm gets over having hissy fits because it was maniuplated during the surgery. For some reason the diaphragm pain is felt in the shoulders...our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made so there's a reason for it.

So, moving from rainy and beautiful Seattle to beautiful and sunny San Diego...nice trade off. Plus you will be new person inside and can eat alot of Mexican food there.

Hang in there everyone going thru recovery....it's all going to be worth it.
Posted 7/31/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
John......man I bet you can't wait to move to San Diego sunny and 70 all the time that will be awesome I'm in the deep south and it's been around 100 degrees the past few days. I'm on day 12 since the surgery and getting better every day at least I think. I have lost 13 pounds since, but my appetite is starting to
Come around so hopefully I won't lose much more. John I think I did rush it a little trying the Coke and taco as I had major cramps the next day. I hope your Barretts will improve now that you've had the surgery.

Janice....I sure hope your swallowing problem improves I feel like I've had something stuck in the back of my throat the past few days and I can't stand it I sure hope it goes away soon.


Later,
Scott
Posted 7/31/2008 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, I wanted to ask a question or two from someone who has been a member a while. Monday was 2 weeks since my surgery. (Lap Nissen)I have done great with everything except I still have heart burn. I am taking nexium and just added prilosec three days ago and seem to be better. I lost weight the first week and half , havent' weighed since. But I want to loose about 50 pounds. The thing is my appettie is good and I can eat anything. I just cant eat as much or i would be really miserable. I eat about half or less as much. Tonight I had fried okra, fried squash, corn bread, peas and corn. I didn't eat too much. (from my garden, by the way) Here is one question, I am thinking since i've had no problem eating anything,lol, and since i'm still having heart burn, could my wrap be too loose? If so is it recommended to redo. When I told my surgeion, after a week that I was having heartburn, he said"well, sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. He said when I come back for 6 weeks we would x ray and make sure everything in tact. I believe its still there but too loose. The only thing is straining the first three day to get my kidneys to act,could have possibly done something?????? I wonder if anyone has had it redone the second time, in case my doctor recommends that. Also, I am really illerant about these forums. How do you know where your answers are, I have posted and don't find an answer sometime. I am a 58 female and i am really frustrated about this heart burn but glad i'm not having problems othewrwise . I would like to keep the weight lose going but eating fried okra and such is not gonna let it happen. lol
Posted 7/31/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)

Yes, I am really looking forward to San Diego.  Thankfully I don't have to do any lifting since movers are doing all the work - YAYE!!!

Today was an extremely difficult day for me.   It was my 2nd day working at the office and I had incredibly painful cramps and felt very depressed.  I tried to focus on my work to take my mind off how badly I felt.  I was in the bathroom almost every hour passing gas, trying to go to the bathroom, choking and gasping for breath, and crying a bit. 

Tonight I'm having a light dinner - some very soft noodles and sauce, my customary herb tea and a shower and then I'm taking a dose of pain meds and naseau med and go to bed nice and early :)

I want you to know that I think of you, my brothers and sisters in this journey, and we WILL MAKE IT even with the bumps along the way such as I had today.

John

Posted 7/31/2008 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Bestfriend,

Welcome to this site and I hope we can help you along your recovery. It's hard to say whether you are still refluxing. The nexium is helping so that could indicate that you are still refluxing somewhat. You are not eating as much as before but you are eating alot compared to some people who are only 2 weeks into recovery. Everything must be chewed to mush and you indicated that you can eat pretty much anything; most people can hardly get down 1/2 cup of liquid-like food at this point. You say you are not having any problems, which is great, and have lost weight which says you aren't eating as much as normal except for the heartburn. Sometimes the healing can mimic heartburn in some people but if the nexium and prilosec are working, that makes me suspicious a little bit. It could also be the placebo effect.

Straining to get your kidneys to work; I don't think that would cause your wrap to be compromised since most docs say you can lift 15 pounds or less during recovery.  I don't think you exerted 15 pounds pressure doing that.  Just follow your docs instruction post surgery and prevent any major pressure being put on the wrap site until full healing.  Remember you are 80% - 90% healed at 8 weeks but full recovery takes one year. 

Your doc is right when he says sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but he was being rather calas with his attitude. Nobody wants to have to have this surgery redone but some people do have to have redos.

You will have to have some tests to be certain that you are still refluxing, i.e., a new bravo test, a barium swallow test, etc. If you doc determines that you are still refluxing, please I urge you, to get a second opinion from a new surgeon. I would not let the same surgeon do a redo if you can help it. He's had his chance. The absolute most important step in having another surgery, is getting the absolute best surgeon who has done many, many of these fundo redo surgeries. Do your homework and find the best before you consider a redo. Look into a university medical center attached to a teaching hospital and you will usually find the best. It's a good starting place.

All the best to you and keep us posted on your progress.  You can repost your response right below this post.

Post Edited (sillylilly) : 7/31/2008 6:27:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/31/2008 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John,
Sorry to hear that you had a bad day at work with the gas bloat. That's pretty miserable I know especially having to be at work and running to the bathroom all the time. There is a product called Digestive Advantage which is supposed to take care of the gas bloat syndrome. You can get it at any drug store. There is one for gas bloat and one for IBS, so make sure you get the one for gas bloat. It's essentially a probiotic and I've tried it and it works pretty good. It takes a week or so before it works totally.

Very wise to let someone else do the lifting. Happy moving!!

Carolyn
Posted 7/31/2008 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Dear everyone!
Hi! and I'm SO glad to be home. Here's the run down on me AND boy, does it sound like I missed a lot while gone.
Excuse me if I digress!:
Monday morning, got up, feeling crummy and while I was in the shower felt incredibly weak and wobbly, so Tom took me to the ER and they found my glucose level was quite low and I was dehydrated; after 2 1/2 liters of fluids I felt a lot better. The ER DR. called Cleveland and they all agreed I couldn't make it until Friday, so yesterday noon Tom and I get the word that they want me there early Wednesday.

So we jumped in the car and drove the 4 hours to Cleveland and Wednesday morning went into Endoscopy. Dr. Rice had to dilate my esophagus; a stricture had formed and it was mostly swollen shut. We went back to see him today and he released me to go home again! With the words,..try to eat!! I'm steadily losing weight, so I'll have to keep an eye on that. but maybe, finally (knock on formica!) I've turned the corner.

Food, for the most part, does not interest me at all! But tonight I ate 3/4 of a small, thin pancake! It was so good!! I can eat pancakes, they don't make me feel queasy, they don't make me want to vomit. I swear, right now, I don't want to touch another fruit flavored yogurt! or something else! But, I can eat a pancake!! whoo hoo!!!

Apparently this sort of thing happens in 1% on the post-op population (leave it to me!!) I don't have to go back for 8 weeks when they re-run the battery of tests..barium swallow, manometry and I hope not...a bravo.

John! I amazed you're back to work! and what is this about moving..how did I miss that? Please fill me in. Re-reading the posts, I see where you said you were going. I hope you enjoy the move and you should certainly enjoy the weather!! Carolyn, hit the nail on the head with the movers!

Carolyn, you are such a wealth of information, you always have something for us to try. If gas bloat continues to be a problem, I'll try some of the Digestive Advantage stuff :)

Are you feeling better now Scott? I hope so! (Drinking coke and eating Taco Bell!!!!)

Oh, one more thing..I went to my chiropractor and she worked on my shoulders, and since then..no shoulder pain!!!

Well, that kind of brings me up to date! Missed you all!
Janice

Post Edited (LdyJane) : 7/31/2008 5:47:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/2/2008 5:24 AM (GMT 0)

Janice, you're really been through the ringer, my dear.  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.  Here I am complaining about gas and you've been through all of this.  Well I'm glad you went and got some things taken care of.  I'm sorry you have to have all thoses tests again.  You know we care about you and are all rooting for you!!!!

Carolyn, I'm going to try the Digestive Advantage - you are a godsend Carolyn.  I know you'll be here in a few weeks and I hope it would be ok if I visited you in the hospital here just to say hi.

I am going away this weekend for a little getaway so we'll see how I do with travel.  I'm taking Monday off which means I'll get to sleep in AGAIN for a few days.  It's tough getting up early again to get into an office at 8:30 esp. when I was used to sleeping in until 10 or 11 :).

Well, my job is only a 4 week short term position until we move the end of August.  We're having a relaxing drive down the coast and then I'll have more time off work to relax and get settled before having to be off and running looking for a job in SD.

This board is my lifeline and I continue to be thankful for all of you and the support and caring we can give each other :).

John

Posted 8/4/2008 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Dear John, (yes, that is a pun)

I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in wanting to visit me in hospital but I've thought about it and while I know it's totally innocent and sweet on your part, I think my husband might be a little uncomfortable with that idea. I'm sure you can understand without me going into details but sometimes things can be misconstrued even when innocent. I definately covet your prayers and well wishes though and will keep in touch during recovery.

I sure wish you a wonderful trip down the coast and can smell the fresh salty air as I write. All the quaint little towns you will visit and you should be eating pretty good by then. All the best in your new job hunting.
Posted 8/5/2008 12:47 AM (GMT 0)

 Hello.....

 John and carolynn....

 I feel bad for both of you....John , because you might very well have been just trying to be nice and go say hi to carolynn in the hospital and that's nice but it is kind of soon, we all just met you....so I understand what Carolynn is saying that it might be uncomfortable.

And Carolynn I feel bad that the only way you could let John know your feelings is to put them on here for all to see....Gosh it kind of embarrassed me even.

I wish you both the best of luck with your gerd and hope your prayers come my too....byebye 

Posted 8/5/2008 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Oakley, I was hoping that I said it in a way that it wouldn't be too embarassing.  I sure hope John isn't.  I definately know that it was a very sweet jesture on Johns part so I hope being a sweet and caring guy doesn't embarrass him.  I'm very touched that he even wanted to do that.  I guess that's enough said. 

Posted 8/5/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning All,

Guess it is afternoon.......dah. I love reading this thread as it makes me feel warm and fuzzy and if I ever need surgery I will feel secure in knowiing you are all here.

Have a great Tuesday.

Blessings to all
Kitt

Posted 8/6/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
No worries at all Carolyn :)!!!

 

Well, this was an interesting weekend for me.  I went on a weekend getaway to Vancouver, B.C.  I was surprised at how well I did at a dinner out at a nice restaurant with friends.

 

Only once did I sort of choke up and, of course, my friends starting panicking and telling me to drink water.  Of course, I just had to focus on my breathing and relax and it was over in a few minutes.  I explained to them afterwards that while this is happening I can't speak or drink water or anything and told them if it happened again during the meal to just continue to chat and enjoy the dinner.  Of course, I'm still having hiccups every time I eat anything but again, I focus and relax and they go away in a minute or two.

 

I am still having odd pains in my back and sneezing still hurts - ouch :)

However, overall I feel blessed and thankful that I feel like I'm doing so well after exactly 3 weeks after surgery to the date tomorrow.

 

Janice, how are you doing?  Glad to see so many people posting on here and sharing -it's so great! 

 

Cheers to all of us :)

 

JOHN

Posted 8/6/2008 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey John (glad you are back),

Wow, adventures in eating after a Nissen. Warning your friends is a good idea, what if one of them jumped up and zealously started giving you the Heimlich manuever, that would not be a good thing for the wrap. Even drinking water doesn't work, it just sits there on top of the food clogging things up more. It must be great, though, to not have heartburn after a meal. You are doing great 3 weeks out.

I'm getting a little nervous...I'm two weeks away from surgery. It's a waste of time to worry so I'm busying myself with projects that take my mind off of it. My cat is sick and I love him so much, so he's my main concern right now. Trying to get him well before I leave for a week. He's got an upper respiratory infection and sneezing alot.

Happy trails,
Carolyn
Posted 8/6/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)

Carolyn

You have nothing to worry about.  I had the surgery 2 days after John and I'm getting better every day and so glad I had the surgery.  I no longer have any acid reflux and I'm off the nexium.  I'm not even 3 weeks yet and I have already started eating solid foods.  The only major side effect you'll deal with for a little while is the extra gas and some stomach pain for the first couple of weeks.  I'm still having some pain in my stomach, I found out the doctor had to bring my stomach down during the surgery it was to high and I had very little esophagus (sounds kind of weird but it's the way I was born).  Anyway I hope your surgery goes well!!

John.........Hang in there brother it's only a matter of time and we'll be back to normal.  I can't wait to eat a steak :-) :-)   

Scott scool

Posted 8/6/2008 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carolyn. I remember posting the same words..two weeks out and nervous! I'm glad I'm past this first three weeks; it has been tough, but then again, I am odd! The severe esophageal swelling occurs in approx. 1% of the post-op people...lucky me!

My abdominal pain is retreating; I still take liquid motrin once a day..sometimes twice, depending on how I feel. Unlike Scott, I don't have stomach pain and the gas is diminishing. I have been able to burp since the day after my surgery, and that has been a god-send.

I'm eating soft foods, but my instructions are to do so for 2 months; my research has shown that every institution has a different set of instructions. My sore spot now is that I would like to start working out again! I went from 5 days a week cardio training and 1 day strength to no days! I've been given the okay to walk, but no strength training, of any sort for at least 6 months. We have a summer home on the Straits of Mackinac, and I've finally been given the okay to go there; so we're heading up in a couple of days.

I used to drink ice water like breathing air; I was never without!; now I'm limited to the amount of water (to much at dinner distends your stomach) and it's usually room temperature. Ice water tends to make my esophagus constrict, but that may be the result of the swelling and subsequent dilation.

I hope your cat feels better; mine have been staying pretty close to Mom..I think they know when you're healing.

We'll be here for you Carolyn!
Hugs,
Janice
Posted 8/6/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John, welcome back! Happy 3 week anniversary to us :)

I'm better!, thanks. I'm able to eat more and that is wonderful! I'm starting to get really restless at home; I'm not used to the inactivity; I'd like to be doing something, but nothing is allowed right now...wait, wait, wait...I've learning to master patience!

Because the reflux caused lung damage, this lay-off from exercising, the pushing around of the ribs and other stuff and two anesthesia's have left me a little breathless, so I'm walking a little more each day. I'm heading back to my trainers soon and will start rebuilding!

I think I've learned to alter my sneeze patterns so that it doesn't hurt much at all (what a relief!) and I'm not having much shoulder pain or abdominal pain at all...all in all, progress!!

I'm glad you had a good trip (choking incident notwithstanding!)!
Hugs,
Janice
Posted 8/7/2008 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
John, Scott, LadyJane

I just love all of you for caring so much. I know I can get through this with all of you pulling for me. I'm ecstatic that you all are doing so well with recovery. Patience is the key, I'm hearing.

I know the inactivity will kill me also.... hang in there guys and gals. You are so appreciated.

Hugs,
Carolyn
Posted 8/8/2008 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
 hi again,,,does anyone find that they can still not eat some of the things that bothered them

before the surgery or do you avoid them now still ?? I cannot eat icecream and it does not affect me right away...sometimes it's the next day. Do you think acid reflux and lactose intolerance go hand in hand sometimes ?? thanks for your input...have a good evening

Anne

Posted 8/8/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Anne, I can't say that I've been able to try anything that bothers me yet. I'm not having any type of reflux or heartburn on what little I can eat. I would imagine that if you were lactose intolerant prior to surgery, you probably still are...but that's just my opinion.

I think that all of these little quirks are linked together somehow, but that knowledge is way beyond me!!!

Janice
Posted 8/8/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
hi Janice..thanks for the reply !

 I am actually not able to have the surgery sad

 My GI doc performed the test to see how well how swallow ....and I can't swallow great now so he said that it would be unwise for me to have the surgery and chance not being able to swallow at all....this info really made sense to me as well as scared the daylights out of me, so no surgery for me. Most of the time I am ok, but once in while the acid reflux is so bad that I think I am having a heart attack.....I feel sorry for those who go thru this feeling. It really truly is scary and it hurts !!! As you all know !!

 I mostly need to lose about 15 pounds and then I think I will feel really good. It is amazing how a few extra pounds on the middle can make my reflux worse....!!!! Does that happen to you all ???

 I quit smoking in march of 07 so I knew I would gain weight, and I don't beat myself up about it, but it seems to be true that over 40 it gets harder and harder to lose the pounds !!! LOL

 Any ideas on weight loss out there  ??? lol

 I suppose I need to give up my snacking and second helpings !!!

 The crazy thing is that I am not overweight anywhere else but my tummy...and on some days it seems less than others !! But the scales dont lie !!! OR DO THEY ???? LOL

 take care,,,Anne

Posted 8/9/2008 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

hello everyone, i love tracking our progress together - what a great team we are!

janice, i hear about being restless, but DON'T push yourself.  as you know, i've been back to work now for almost 2 weeks and let me tell you that by mid afternoon i start fading fast.  i like having something to do but, at the same time, i know i probably should have waited at least 1 week longer to start back to work.  and i hear you about the water, i always keep a large sipper glass filled with ice water at work.  i do now but with only 1 cube of ice and it melts fast and i drink it cool but not cold and i can't drink nearly as much as i used to. 

is everyone still having hiccups when eating or is it just me?  if i eat anything solid at all, no matter how well i chew, i have quite a bout of hiccups for several minutes.  again, i've learned to just relax and they stop, but then i feel quite tired and i've lost most of my appetite. 

i'm also still having gas esp. in the evenings but not quite as much thankfully as the first two weeks. sneezing is just strange now, sometimes it sort of backs up on itself and then other times i explode.

am i the only one still taking meds at night?  i take a small dosage of pain meds and nausea meds just at night because nights are still a bit challenging.

scotty, you must be younger than mid 40's because you are recovering so wonderfully! steak - wow, i'd take a filet mignon medium with whiskey peppercorn sauce please :)

oakley, if you can keep the reflux under control with your diet and medication then i think that's manageable for the rest of your life.  the surgery isn't for everyone for sure.  if i would have known that the recovery process would be what it is, i would have opted out of the surgery.  but i'm glad i had it now.

carolyn, you are going to be fine.  i have my follow up appointment with dr. louie next thursday.  i'm a bit overdue but he is hard to see since he only has a few days a week that he sees patients.  such must be the life of a surgeon.  swedish is a great hospital overall and they really do care.  you are in excellent hands! sorry to hear about your kitty, i have two of them are they are my dears.  i hope yours is getting better.

well, it's almost time for my favorite dessert, i take low carb sugar free ice cream (don't laugh, it's really good) and blend with fresh blueberries - heaven in a spoon!!!! :) :) :)

healing hugs to all of you my friends!

john

/

Posted 8/9/2008 6:50 AM (GMT 0)

 hi everyone !

 John..my new favorite treat is yogurt..plain blended with a little shot of orange juice and a banana, a peach and then I stick the glass in the freezer for just a bit to chill and delicious !!

 Where is everyone from ...???

I am from the Great faces, Great places state of South Dakota !

 We are just wrapping another bike week in Sturgis. A couple hundred thousand bikers come to tour the Black Hills and the Badlands of my state. Loud, but fun and they are the nicest visitors...generally.

Have a great weekend  !! Anne

Posted 8/9/2008 2:02 PM (GMT 0)

oakley

Good Morning, and I am Kitt..........I am from MN and I ride my own Harley........I have also treated more then one road rash in my career in ER nursing......Biker rox.  devil

I have not had surgery but I could not resist posting when I saw Sturgis mentioned. 

Ride free..........

Kitt

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