Sandy

[Guest guest]

Sandy, *sigh* I know.. it just has been a very long winter. I saw a pair of

canadian geese fly over this morning so thats good I guess LOL.

Oh oh... plant bananna peels with your rose bushes!

Shaye

Re: Sandy

Hi Shaye!

Yeah, it is nice to be back outside again. Last night the tree frogs

were even croaking. I told Deb that I planted two rose bushes

yesterday. She replied with some not so nice words!! LOL ;>

Soon, it will be warming up that way too. Sometimes it is so hard to

believe that it is still winter in many places.

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Dear Sandy,

Listen to ...she knows what she is talking about! All the 3

brands of Cochlear implants out there are wonderful. It is a

difficult decision to pick which one to use because as far as I know

there are no unbiased reports that compare the 3 brands at this

time. All I can say is reassure you that nearly everyone is thrilled

to death with the brand of implant they end up choosing. :-) The few

people that have problems with their CI are usually due to a

faulty/defective device. As the implants are man-made, it will not

be a perfect device.

It is sad there is so much incorrect information out there

regarding Cochlear Implants. It took encouragement from my sister-in-

law's father to start researching cochlear implants last year as my

head was filled with some incorrect information.

A woman at my college received one of the first cochlear implants

ever in the mid 1980's. Her device was scary looking..she had big

old frankenstien like bolts sticking out of her head. I never wanted

to have those bolts sticking out of my body! And this woman ended up

having many infections due to her device. All recipients of the very

first cochlear implants have had their original device removed due

to the problems of infections this early design had. I was totally

unaware of the progress that had been made in the technology

regarding the implants! Nor did I know that some insurance companies

are now covering this wonderful surgery. The thought of putting such

a financial burden on my husband by undergoing cochlear implant

surgery and paying for it ourselves was also another reason I

shunned researching the advances of Cochlear Implants.

Welcome to , Sandy!

BunEWabbit

bilateral med-El 4-21-03

soon to be activated on 5-19-03

- - - - - -

> Hi Sandy,

> None of the CI's are bad and shame on the person who said that

to

> you.

>

> Nuked 9/28/00

> Hooked 10/26/00

> I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

[Guest guest]

Thank you Alice! I really appreciate your support :)Sandy

Alice <justagram@...> wrote:I think you're doing great. It won't take

long to understand all

the " lingo " if you keep reading. Nice to have you here.

<smile>

Alice

> I think I'm getting the hang of it:Nuked = getting implanted with

NucleusHooked up = " turned on " , first day of mapping :)Sandy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy- You must be getting excited about your surgery next Wednesday. I was

wondering. Have you made up your mind on what implant you are going to get and

letting your implant team know which implant to order for your surgery? Good

Luck

--

Snoopy

N24C-bilateral

[Guest guest]

snoopy1964@... wrote:Sandy- You must be getting excited about your surgery

next Wednesday. I was

wondering. Have you made up your mind on what implant you are going to get and

letting your implant team know which implant to order for your surgery? Good

Luck

--

Snoopy

N24C-bilateral

[Guest guest]

Yes, I was also surprised about the protein in chicken and turkey. Have you

had many taste changes. I have found that I seem to like fish more then I used

to like it before the MGB. I don't think I am going to be able to attend the

Christmas party or picnic. Right now our company is going though some major

changes. we haul frac sand in the oilfield and this winter and most of this

summer thing were very slow. now it is about to speed up to about 25 oil wells

compared to 6 so we are really going to be busy. we are going to have to buy one

more semi soon and that will be a huge investment for dan and i to make.

everything we have eqt. wise is paid off and we was hoping that we would not

have to

do this so soon. Well, one of these years we will be able to go to one of

these events. Looks like you are doing well on your weight loss. mine has slowed

way down. but i am not yet worried about it. i have lost 78 pound and i think

my body is just taking a break. the only thing that i have not been able to

eat this far is things with heavy cream or whole milk 2% is OK. and i tried a

small piece of strawberry rhubarb pie one day and had to get rid of it before i

would fill better.but i can eat just about anything. well hope this finds you

well. need to get off here and get to work.

Jodie

Nov 12 2002

272/ 194

DR R

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, Can you send me some info on Tethered cord syndrome. I am

interested. BARBIE

[Guest guest]

Loretta

unless ive totally got the wrong end of the stick and been missing

out all these years

maybe i should stop thinking so linearly

sandy

> Sandy,

>

> You mean to tell me credit cards aren't magical money!!! You just

burst my

> bubble!

>

> Loretta

>

> -- my story so far

>

>

> To end on a different topic just to prove there's more to me than

> medical problems ill tell you something totally unrelated – im

> off

> to paris at the end of September for a weeks holiday with my wife

> –

> we've managed to farm out the kids - my major concern is that

> she's

> pushing for a hotel in the main fashion / shopping area – I

> don't

> know if this is an American thing , a female thing or maybe its

just

> me but she doesn't seem to think credit cards count as real money

> and using the credit card is like accessing a free gift – what

> can I

> do ? I of course being ish am a misery!

>

> Cheers

>

> sandy

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sandy. I've been mostly offline for a couple days. Glad to meet you. I'm on #30 tomorrow. Hang in there. I've been working full time throughout. It can be done.

De

Faith is the ability to not panic.

-----Original Message-----From: endstork56 [mailto:endstork56@...] Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 6:38 AMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: hello, on this Monday!Hi therethis is my first post - i started treatment about 6 weeks ago so im not that much further ahead on the treatment curve than you - i also have 1b.My short expereince to date is that the first few weeks were seriously bad but after 3 or 4 weeks i noticed an enormouse reduction in side effects - very much as if my body was beginning to get used to it.More importantly the side efects that were really killing me from a work perspective were an inability to concentrate, lack of focus, minor mental confusion with the result that every problem became a huge effort. I recounted this to my specialist who put me on a low dose of antidepressants - in my ignorance i wasnt keen as i didnt want anything that would cloud my mind up any further. The results were dramatic - he told me it would help me concentrate and focus which it certainly has. I have a managent job so it is fairly essential to focus - the result is that my work performance is not materially impacted by the combination therapy - this would be a different story if i had a manual job as physical effort has to be rationed - but i can cope with that - my soccer career is on hold.If i can continue on this trajectory then I will be more than happy.I know its different for everyone but there is a reasonable chance your body will start aclimatising - also ive had to reevaluate what i thought antidepressants are - i thought they were only about dark moods and despair - they also appear to be about focus and concentrationall the best sandy

[Guest guest]

http://deveauxkennels.tk

mailto:gaila@...

Sandy

Neupogen can be used to bring up your white blood count and Procrit can be

used to bring your red blood count up during treatment.Both these drugs are

comonly used in US and Europe if the red or white count gets to low.It is

also comon practice to put the patient on anti depressents during treatment

to help with the sides of treatment.I am Canadian from Nova Scotia and these

drugs are also used here and everyone I know was put on anti depressents

during treatment.They really help with your head space.Treatment can cause

depression and we are sent to a shrink before treatment,then during

treatment we are put on anti depressents.Mention this to your doctors.Also

B12-1000mgs,take two in the morning will help with fatigue.You are a guinea

pig which all of us are until they find a total cure.These are medications

that will help you complete treatment successfully because your red and

white count will stay stable.Have the doctors told you to drink tons of

water to help flush your system of the sides.Water and proper norishment are

the most important thing you can do for yourself.Take care and do not be

afraid to ask your doctors about the drugs I have mentioned,so you can have

successful treatment.I am genotype one.Did treatment in 98-99 for 52wks.Had

it from blood transfusion 30 yrs prior to finding out.I was on interferon at

3 shots a wk and 5 Riboveron tablets a day and later reduced to 3 tablets a

day.I have been undetectable since then.The virus is still in my system but

has not been active for almost 6 years.That is as close as we will get to a

cure.The credit card is an individual thing.Some people just can't hold onto

money no matter what form it takes.Put a limit on the card she has and say

no if you can't afford more.I know lots of men that think credit cards are

great until they have to pay the payments.Take care and talk to your doctors

about the drugs I mentioned.With them you will succeed on completing

treatment.With anti depressents during treatment your wife will succeed at

treatment.

Gail

http://deveauxkennels.tk

mailto:gaila@...

[Guest guest]

Far as I can tell, you're as normal as the rest of us! See how far THAT reference takes you! LOL

De

Faith is the ability to not panic.

-----Original Message-----From: endstork56 [mailto:endstork56@...] Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 4:45 AMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: KathyKathyIts a long time since anyone told me im normal - can i use that as a testimonial ?take caresandy

[Guest guest]

I'm on no anti depressants... noticing that I'm getting very easy

agitated these days. Especially when my son is pushing those

buttons..

thanks for your advise... I will check with my dr. and see what

they think is the right thing to do now.

Your day is almost over there.... so have a great evening.

Cordula

[Guest guest]

Hey, yourself...

Let's see what I find to be happy about:

1.) I actually ate today several small portions of food w/o being

really sick after.

2.) I'm happy for you b/c it's the end of the day already and I

still have to run a meeting. ;(

3.) Germany was beaten by Brasil (yesterday I believe)... not a

really happy about it.

Take care,

Cordula

[Guest guest]

Are English and Scots arch enemies?

De

Faith is the ability to not panic.

-----Original Message-----From: endstork56 [mailto:endstork56@...] Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 11:45 AMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: CordulaHey there how are you feeling today ? - I have three things to be happy about :3. Im not english ;-)take caresandy

[Guest guest]

Getting lonely in chat.........come on you guys....drop

by.

Dick

At 07:37 PM 9/9/04, you wrote:

Cordula..# 1 is a

great start..Keep up the good fight.....Hugs Pat

Re: Sandy

>

> Hey, yourself...

>

> Let's see what I find to be happy about:

> 1.) I actually ate today several small portions of food w/o

being

> really sick after.

> 2.) I'm happy for you b/c it's the end of the day already and I

> still have to run a meeting. ;(

> 3.) Germany was beaten by Brasil (yesterday I believe)... not a

> really happy about it.

>

> Take care,

> Cordula

[Guest guest]

Well sort of historically (remember braveheart) these days we just

get a kick when things go bad for them, we gang up with our celtic

brothers - pretty negative really - just the usual for a small and

glorious country stuck next to a big and dominant country... I jest

some of my best freinds are english - its these daft wee things that

keep us going thru the long dark nights - bitterness is a great

comfort - sorry ill try and be more uplifting in future ;-)

> Are English and Scots arch enemies?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy, just keep talking to me in Scots and I'll be plenty uplifted! We "hate" yankees (northerners) here in the southron states, bless their hearts so I understand the daft wee things!

De

Faith is the ability to not panic.

-----Original Message-----From: endstork56 [mailto:endstork56@...] Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 8:25 AMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: SandyWell sort of historically (remember braveheart) these days we just get a kick when things go bad for them, we gang up with our celtic brothers - pretty negative really - just the usual for a small and glorious country stuck next to a big and dominant country... I jest some of my best freinds are english - its these daft wee things that keep us going thru the long dark nights - bitterness is a great comfort - sorry ill try and be more uplifting in future ;-)

[Guest guest]

Oh, I'm so glad it worked. Don't compliment me though as I'll become

more self confident and arrogant. Six weeks still seems kind of

long, but that is a huge improvement. Congratulations!!!!

> >

> > Dear Biljana and Tania,

> >

> > First Biljana, call them every week at least, waiting for a

> > cancellation. Do not accept this delay. Listen to . You

> are

> > being way too nice. You don't care if the receptionist and the

> > scheduler hate you, you won't see them again. You need to nag,

> > irritate and rock the boat anyway you can. You can't tell me the

> > surgeon hasn't had a cancellation. You are being walked on and

> > pushed aside. You want to be the first person the scheduler

> things

> > of if someone cancels surgery, you want to have little yellow

> > stickies posted all over that schedulers cubicle along with a

note

> > each time you call that they are causing you harm by putting you

> > off. will do it for you... she knows how. Being nice and

> > patient does not get you healthcare. Whew, that was a relief.

> >

> > Dear Tania,

> >

> > There is life at the end. Where are you now in your process? It

> > seems like you have made progress but list for yourself, or if it

> > makes you do it list for us the steps you have taken and how far

> you

> > have gotten since you first found us. Make a list of who you

have

> to

> > see and the dates and then you can see the end. You won't get

out

> of

> > this until you get treatment. It is hard to see the end.

> ly,

> > quit making such an effort to cook. Although I could sneak in a

> few

> > bites that stayed rather than ever a full meal.

> >

> > Try to make a progress chart and do the same as I told Biljana

> > above. I'm assuming you are covered now by Medi-Cal? Call and

> leave

> > messages for the doctors that you want quicker appointments.

They

> > want to see you, you are non-boring. Their other patients are

> > boring, run of the mill stuff. Their " people " don't know you are

> > fascinating. Push and shove. Go in their office, eating a

> hamburger

> > and regurg it on their floors. Take action and I think you will

> feel

> > better.

> >

> > You know these doctors can have a patient come in the next day,

> there

> > are openings... if you are miserable, don't take the 2 week or 3

> or 4

> > month delay. Call, call call and email them all the time.

> >

> > Come on all you high school cheerleaders!!!! Go go Ra RA. Use

> your

> > finger and call and irritate, remind, leave your phone number

> every

> > day.

> >

> > All of us are special and they are lucky to get to treat us.

Take

> > that attitude. We are fascinating and a source of learning. All

> > patients should be, but we are not run of the mill gerd or boring

> > things. Fight to get past the schedulers. Leave messages only

for

> > the doctors that you need immediate appointments. Cry on the

> phone

> > if you can. Pursue like your first crush in high school.

> >

> > Do not take this laying down!

> >

> > Sandy

[Guest guest]

And let me add... when you call these guys who are in the top bunches and say I have been diagnosed with achalasia... they all want to see you, right away... they WANT you it is good for their portfolio's, their case studies, and their tenure at the universities... they need the new interesting, not too difficult, challenging, stuff to get their money....

Carolynbiljana302000 <biljana302000@...> wrote:

Thank you Sandy for the wonderful advice. I just needed a bit of a push and some good advice. I took your advice and called my surgeon, left a message, he didnt call me so I called again the next day, left a message and he rang me right back. He says that he will put me on the urgent list and that it should be about 6 weeks (because of the hospital). This is far better than 4-5 months, what I was originally told. Soon I will start calling the hospital.Thank you once againBiljana > > Dear Biljana and Tania,> > First Biljana, call them every week at least, waiting for a > cancellation. Do not accept this delay. Listen to . You are > being way too nice. You don't care if the receptionist and the

> scheduler hate you, you won't see them again. You need to nag, > irritate and rock the boat anyway you can. You can't tell me the > surgeon hasn't had a cancellation. You are being walked on and > pushed aside. You want to be the first person the scheduler things > of if someone cancels surgery, you want to have little yellow > stickies posted all over that schedulers cubicle along with a note > each time you call that they are causing you harm by putting you > off. will do it for you... she knows how. Being nice and > patient does not get you healthcare. Whew, that was a relief.> > Dear Tania,> > There is life at the end. Where are you now in your process? It > seems like you have made progress but list for yourself, or if it > makes you do it list for us the steps you have taken and how far you > have gotten since you first found us. Make a list of who

you have to > see and the dates and then you can see the end. You won't get out of > this until you get treatment. It is hard to see the end. ly, > quit making such an effort to cook. Although I could sneak in a few > bites that stayed rather than ever a full meal.> > Try to make a progress chart and do the same as I told Biljana > above. I'm assuming you are covered now by Medi-Cal? Call and leave > messages for the doctors that you want quicker appointments. They > want to see you, you are non-boring. Their other patients are > boring, run of the mill stuff. Their "people" don't know you are > fascinating. Push and shove. Go in their office, eating a hamburger > and regurg it on their floors. Take action and I think you will feel > better.> > You know these doctors can have a patient come in the next day, there > are openings... if

you are miserable, don't take the 2 week or 3 or 4 > month delay. Call, call call and email them all the time.> > Come on all you high school cheerleaders!!!! Go go Ra RA. Use your > finger and call and irritate, remind, leave your phone number every > day.> > All of us are special and they are lucky to get to treat us. Take > that attitude. We are fascinating and a source of learning. All > patients should be, but we are not run of the mill gerd or boring > things. Fight to get past the schedulers. Leave messages only for > the doctors that you need immediate appointments. Cry on the phone > if you can. Pursue like your first crush in high school.> > Do not take this laying down!> > Sandy

[Guest guest]

Wow are you telling me you went to work with drain tubes? You are

amazing...I am so thrilled for you. Let us know how your progress goes.

Donna Pinto

December 9, 2003

273\193

5ft 9 1/2

Little Rock

Dr. Hargroder and Dr. Wilshire

[Guest guest]

You follow every rule and direction your doctor gives you. Sometimes we like

to do things our way. You have had alot of things done. Please listen to

the Doctor. Stay in bed as long as he says. I am saying a prayer for you right

now.

Donna Pinto

December 9, 2003

273\193

5ft 9 1/2

Little Rock

Dr. Hargroder and Dr. Wilshire

[Guest guest]

I think Sandy is really a beach bunny, not a boss -- I am eating crow too! As

for being the boss, alas, my kids and hubby would contend I am a control

freak!

Peg

> RE:, I'm embarassed. I'm not the boss. really. I've been

>

> telling my son he is too bossy. And I had to eat crow and apologize

>

> to an annoying termite guy today. How humiliating is that? Darn!!!

>

>

>

> Hi Sandy!

>

>

>

> You KNOW what I mean!! :-) YOU KNOW how to go about getting what you

want.

> If it wasn't for you, especially, and Cindi, Joan, Maggie and a few other, I

> know I'd still be waiting for surgery. You all pushed me, and made me go

> after the system out here. You'll never understand how much its

> appreciated!

>

> I figured you were kinda like the Boss of CA? Maybe not? If you don't want

> to be, Peggy is quite knowledgable, too. Peggy? Would you like the

> position? Apparently Sandy is passing on it.

>

>

>

> Talk to you soon!

>

> in BC

[Guest guest]

But Sandy is a beach bunny!

>

> > As to Kathie and her handsome son, I was going to order a ticket to

> go

> > to Pittsburgh, but on second thought he needs to come here. I'm a

> > sharing person and all our neighborhood needs is a handsome plumber

> to

> > make it complete. We have a handsome trucker that is home a lot, but

> > suspect he drinks a wee bit.

[Guest guest]

You know Carolyn, I was just thinking I should switch to clear thread, hadn't thought of fishing line. Thank all of you for your warm comments and I agree with the responses about the research papers and looking back to check success w/ surgeries of course goes back to the 90's or even more.On occasion I've emailed our VATS surgeon for referrals and he has never come up with ones in other areas. I wasn't sure if he was arrogant or what. His partners also do esophagus VATS surgeries some, but within his group he is the esophagus guru. I've come to believe, because we don't ever hear of anyone else having VATS myotomy, that he is a unique surgeon that somehow got sidetracked to the esophagus during his education. Perhaps he made the esophagus fit into his thoracic surgery skills, or something piqued his interest and he is truely a loner. Much as perhaps I could be a patch sewing expert if I finesse the best type of invisible thread to sew on patches for all types of organizations. Having had slight experience with invisible thread many years ago, it can be difficult to handle and of course hard to see. But if I become the only one who messed around with invisible thread then I would be unique and who could criticize (this metaphor isn't quite working). Notan made the comment about VATS and then needing to go and do surgery for reflux later. Possible, I know he has had to dilate later, at least one recent patient. He did say that he preferred to do a fundo later if necessary, compared to doing one to everyone at the time of the myotomy. I'm still unclear exactly why the total length of the myotomy matters, for instance, why can't a lap surgeon just cut less into the stomach to prevent a fundo? Maybe some do?To Joe, I'm assuming you are talking about the US govt or a US state not giving you disability. I can't imagine they won't, we'll all email your congressperson or whatever you need, if that helps. Go regurg on top of their desks. ly, before my myotomy because of all the white foam, should I have been inclined to do so, disability was tempting. I really was not capable of not being by some sort of container for more than 20 minutes. Talking on the phone just made more white foam. Please don't apologize for depressing us, many of us are probably on antidepressants anyway. Your situation sounds dreadful and you will be in my thoughts. Hopefully your infection will clear up soon. But really let us email some elected official and explain how you need help.Sandi, sorry you are suffering with throat and flu. Okay here is a metaphor for you.... skip this part if you wish. Way too much information, but last line will tie it all together hopefully.I took a female, mid forties, married w/ 5 and 12 year old sons to my Christmas party. Really, we don't have a babysitter, so my husband reluctantly missed it for the 2nd time and stayed with the kids.She is cute, but she is just a regular soccer-type mom, neither of us give out any aura of looking for a man, IFFFF we were to do so, we would probably try our husbands first. We were dressed in regular black w/ a touch of glitter here and there. I'm successfully overweight after myotomy. Sooooo a guy I work with, WITH his date, I also work with spent the last hour trying to impress my friend and me (myself? grammar wizzes) how special he was, how independently rich, respectful, simple life.... on and on. It was entertaining slightly for 15 minutes but he didn't quit. Had we been younger, single, seeking an easy life we might have been interested. Perhaps the comment I made early about not needing a swimming suit in a pool gave him the idea we were looking for hook-ups. He ignored his date, who eventually was getting irritated, and begged (really begged) us to come with them for an after party drink. He kept inviting us to his house ANYTIME and he would entertain us. We declined and went home. Truthfully we were shocked he was so disrespectful to her and so blatant with us. It was us, the last people in the room to be open to that stuff. Really not fishing for compliments here from anyone who has met me. I've seen the mirrors and my humor wasn't even in top form and my friend was coming down with a cold, so really we were not the best in the room of about 150 people.Truthfully in my friend's and my world noone hits on us for any reason. So we giggled like kids, told our husbands, who yawned, and figured out (especially since he made the comment he loved married women because they don't want to get married), he was really one of those guys who just wanted action from anyone and figured we were easy targets, compared to the young hot women in red strapless dresses that everyone else was drooling over. Kind of like in old dating days when the eager guys would ask the ugliest girl still left at the bar after last call to go home with them. They would because noone else asked them and the cute ones were gone.When he called the next day, uniquely for So Cal he lives only 3 blocks away, and said he wanted to come over and hang out for a while I was then totally shocked. Locked the doors and will have to start parking the car in the garage so he can't tell when I'm home. He asked which number was better to call on and if my husband let me be independent and those other things. He had already quizzed my friend about her husband's control over her life the night before. But he doesn't have her phone number.How does this all hook to achalasia.... well because we are the ugly easy girl left at the bar when the lights come on and many surgeons and doctors want to experiment on us if they are into gastro things. The cute diseases have already been taken home. Taking it even further.... when we come back not cured or with more problems or complications they want to put restraining orders on us for stalking them after the one night stand because they are at the end of their expertise. They just want us to adjust our lives and go away.Sandy in So Cal.... PS.... okay there are a few men like and others where I would bring my friend and jump into the pool, but not this guy. Don't tell though. Pss. or is is pps. To my single friends.... do you want this guy's number? I have a teacher friend that I try to match make with but he isn't right for her. > > >> > > Hi Everyone,> > > > > > I've had achalasia for about 27 years, and, like many of you, have> gone through most of > > > the usual diagnostic tests and treatments. In 1995, I had a> myotomy without a wrap and > > > did quite well with it for the next couple of years.> > > > > > But I'm dealing with a lot of symptoms right now and have recently> gone through two > > > rounds of the full diagnostic exams again (yup, including two> manometry exams)--one set > > > one locally and another at a clinic out of state. The second set> was at the > > > recommendation of my local GI doc, since HE wanted a second opinion.> > > > > > I still meet the clinical guidelines for vigorous achalasia in the> upper half of my esophagus. > > > With the myotomy, my LES is less than half the lower end of the> normal value. I have other > > > motility issues with the lower GI tract.> > > > > > My most difficult symptom at the moment is that I am experiencing> 6-8 episodes of > > > serious regurgitation and vomiting per day--not nearly as> painfully as before the > > > myotomy, but still a problem. I am unable to eat any raw or cooked> fruits and only a tiny > > > amount of cooked vegetables. Dairy is usually out. What I CAN eat> are very high-fat > > > foods--not the sort of thing good for you in the long run.> > > > > > Right now, though, there is a pitched disagreement between my> local and my out-of-state > > > GI docs. One is recommending a partial wrap, the other believes a> wrap will make things > > > worse (because of the vigorous achalasia in the upper half of my> esophagus).> > > > > > Naturally, I'm looking for a tie-breaker? Have any of you had a> wrap well after you had a > > > myotomy? If so, how has it worked for you? > > > > > > Thanks for reading this! You folks know better than anyone else> what this whole business > > > is like!> > >> >> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

-Hi Sandy,

Your story reminds me of a good friend of mine. Somehow she is always

in one of these situations. It just astounds me how often it happens

to her whether her husband is present of not. I think there may be a

message tattooed on her forehead that only some can see.

Hope your " freind " backs off soon, that'a a bit creapy calling your

home.

-- In achalasia , " toomuchclutter " <sandycarroll@c...>

wrote:

>

>

> You know Carolyn, I was just thinking I should switch to clear

thread, hadn't thought of fishing line.

>

> Thank all of you for your warm comments and I agree with the

responses about the research papers and looking back to check success

w/ surgeries of course goes back to the 90's or even more.

>

> On occasion I've emailed our VATS surgeon for referrals and he has

never come up with ones in other areas. I wasn't sure if he was

arrogant or what. His partners also do esophagus VATS surgeries

some, but within his group he is the esophagus guru. I've come to

believe, because we don't ever hear of anyone else having VATS

myotomy, that he is a unique surgeon that somehow got sidetracked to

the esophagus during his education. Perhaps he made the esophagus

fit into his thoracic surgery skills, or something piqued his

interest and he is truely a loner. Much as perhaps I could be a

patch sewing expert if I finesse the best type of invisible thread to

sew on patches for all types of organizations. Having had slight

experience with invisible thread many years ago, it can be difficult

to handle and of course hard to see. But if I become the only one

who messed around with invisible thread then I would be unique and

who could criticize (this metaphor isn't quite working).

>

> Notan made the comment about VATS and then needing to go and do

surgery for reflux later. Possible, I know he has had to dilate

later, at least one recent patient. He did say that he preferred to

do a fundo later if necessary, compared to doing one to everyone at

the time of the myotomy. I'm still unclear exactly why the total

length of the myotomy matters, for instance, why can't a lap surgeon

just cut less into the stomach to prevent a fundo? Maybe some do?

>

> To Joe, I'm assuming you are talking about the US govt or a US

state not giving you disability. I can't imagine they won't, we'll

all email your congressperson or whatever you need, if that helps.

Go regurg on top of their desks. ly, before my myotomy because

of all the white foam, should I have been inclined to do so,

disability was tempting. I really was not capable of not being by

some sort of container for more than 20 minutes. Talking on the

phone just made more white foam. Please don't apologize for

depressing us, many of us are probably on antidepressants anyway.

Your situation sounds dreadful and you will be in my thoughts.

Hopefully your infection will clear up soon. But really let us email

some elected official and explain how you need help.

>

> Sandi, sorry you are suffering with throat and flu.

>

> Okay here is a metaphor for you.... skip this part if you wish.

Way too much information, but last line will tie it all together

hopefully.

>

> I took a female, mid forties, married w/ 5 and 12 year old sons to

my Christmas party. Really, we don't have a babysitter, so my

husband reluctantly missed it for the 2nd time and stayed with the

kids.

>

> She is cute, but she is just a regular soccer-type mom, neither of

us give out any aura of looking for a man, IFFFF we were to do so, we

would probably try our husbands first. We were dressed in regular

black w/ a touch of glitter here and there. I'm successfully

overweight after myotomy. Sooooo a guy I work with, WITH his date, I

also work with spent the last hour trying to impress my friend and me

(myself? grammar wizzes) how special he was, how independently rich,

respectful, simple life.... on and on. It was entertaining slightly

for 15 minutes but he didn't quit. Had we been younger, single,

seeking an easy life we might have been interested. Perhaps the

comment I made early about not needing a swimming suit in a pool gave

him the idea we were looking for hook-ups. He ignored his date, who

eventually was getting irritated, and begged (really begged) us to

come with them for an after party drink. He kept inviting us to his

house ANYTIME and he would entertain us. We declined and went home.

Truthfully we were shocked he was so disrespectful to her and so

blatant with us. It was us, the last people in the room to be open

to that stuff. Really not fishing for compliments here from anyone

who has met me. I've seen the mirrors and my humor wasn't even in

top form and my friend was coming down with a cold, so really we were

not the best in the room of about 150 people.

>

> Truthfully in my friend's and my world noone hits on us for any

reason. So we giggled like kids, told our husbands, who yawned, and

figured out (especially since he made the comment he loved married

women because they don't want to get married), he was really one of

those guys who just wanted action from anyone and figured we were

easy targets, compared to the young hot women in red strapless

dresses that everyone else was drooling over. Kind of like in old

dating days when the eager guys would ask the ugliest girl still left

at the bar after last call to go home with them. They would because

noone else asked them and the cute ones were gone.

>

> When he called the next day, uniquely for So Cal he lives only 3

blocks away, and said he wanted to come over and hang out for a while

I was then totally shocked. Locked the doors and will have to start

parking the car in the garage so he can't tell when I'm home. He

asked which number was better to call on and if my husband let me be

independent and those other things. He had already quizzed my friend

about her husband's control over her life the night before. But he

doesn't have her phone number.

>

> How does this all hook to achalasia.... well because we are the

ugly easy girl left at the bar when the lights come on and many

surgeons and doctors want to experiment on us if they are into gastro

things. The cute diseases have already been taken home. Taking it

even further.... when we come back not cured or with more problems or

complications they want to put restraining orders on us for stalking

them after the one night stand because they are at the end of their

expertise. They just want us to adjust our lives and go away.

>

> Sandy in So Cal....

>

> PS.... okay there are a few men like and others where I

would bring my friend and jump into the pool, but not this guy.

Don't tell though.

>

> Pss. or is is pps. To my single friends.... do you want this guy's

number? I have a teacher friend that I try to match make with but he

isn't right for her.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > >

> > > > I've had achalasia for about 27 years, and, like many of you,

have

> > gone through most of

> > > > the usual diagnostic tests and treatments. In 1995, I had a

> > myotomy without a wrap and

> > > > did quite well with it for the next couple of years.

> > > >

> > > > But I'm dealing with a lot of symptoms right now and have

recently

> > gone through two

> > > > rounds of the full diagnostic exams again (yup, including two

> > manometry exams)--one set

> > > > one locally and another at a clinic out of state. The second

set

> > was at the

> > > > recommendation of my local GI doc, since HE wanted a second

opinion.

> > > >

> > > > I still meet the clinical guidelines for vigorous achalasia

in the

> > upper half of my esophagus.

> > > > With the myotomy, my LES is less than half the lower end of

the

> > normal value. I have other

> > > > motility issues with the lower GI tract.

> > > >

> > > > My most difficult symptom at the moment is that I am

experiencing

> > 6-8 episodes of

> > > > serious regurgitation and vomiting per day--not nearly as

> > painfully as before the

> > > > myotomy, but still a problem. I am unable to eat any raw or

cooked

> > fruits and only a tiny

> > > > amount of cooked vegetables. Dairy is usually out. What I CAN

eat

> > are very high-fat

> > > > foods--not the sort of thing good for you in the long run.

> > > >

> > > > Right now, though, there is a pitched disagreement between my

> > local and my out-of-state

> > > > GI docs. One is recommending a partial wrap, the other

believes a

> > wrap will make things

> > > > worse (because of the vigorous achalasia in the upper half of

my

> > esophagus).

> > > >

> > > > Naturally, I'm looking for a tie-breaker? Have any of you had

a

> > wrap well after you had a

> > > > myotomy? If so, how has it worked for you?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for reading this! You folks know better than anyone

else

> > what this whole business

> > > > is like!

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >