Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Rich, Good Luck my friend ! I am Tom from NJ and I am interested in hearing from those who have had an -ectomy. Is life ever somewhat normal again, what about recovery times, missed work, exercise and diet restrictions.How old were you when you had the operation and what has your road to recovery entailed?Thanks again to all,Tom Crossroadsachalasia > This is actually a general posting and specific reply to > though I've made it a general posting (because I'm still > learning how to do this stuff).> > Hi ,> First, thank you for the invitation to join the family. It > feels good. And thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.> I read your posts which you referenced for me, " doing nothing is > not an option. " It was very educational and interesting. > Since reading your posts, I have experimented with drinking > carbonated drinks. While I tolerate it just fine, it doesn't > open up that lower muscle for me. (Shoot! I had gotten excited > to try it) I'm curios how do you KNOW that your esophagus has > cleared? Especially for those of us like you and me that have > the sigmoid esophguses . By the way I learned now that mine is > swollen 15 centimeters in one place. For those who are new and > might be reading this, it's supposed to be 2.5 centimeters, > about the size of a garden hose.> The following is a posting for everyone. I apologize in > advance to new people because I know there have been postings > about the many problems, i.e. surgeries etc that many of have > gone thru and are going thru. I don't want to freak anyone out. > There have been nice reassurances posted that I completely agree > with. If you've recently been diagnosed with achalasia, don't > panic BUT don't do nothing. I think this is true and others can > correct me but I remember my GI telling me 10 years ago that 50% > or achalasia patients have one balloon stretching and never need > another. Myotomies are done laproscopically and I believe also > have a very high success rate. Just know what you are dealing > with. Don't allow your esophagus to become dilated (like mine) > if at all possible. You may not get symptoms (I didn't). Don't > let that stop you from being evaluated yearly or at least every > other year. I went 7 years while my esophagus grew and grew.> Now for the posting: 5 days ago, I was dizzy and thought I > might be coming down with the flu. I slept a few hours, woke up > and vomited a large amount of blood. Laid down again and slept > a few hours. When I woke up, I couldn't sit vertically or stand > for more than 15 seconds without feeling like I would faint and > get sick. I tried moving from one room in my house to another > and threw up more blood. It was very scary. Long story short, I > went via ambulance (first ambulance ride in my life) to > emergency. The diagnosis was acid reflux causing inflammation. > (I've been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks trying to decide what my > next intervention should be.)> The experience has jolted me into realizing I just don't want > to mess around with this sigmoid esophagus anymore. I don't want > anymore stretches. I don't want anymore botox injections. I > don't even want a myotomy unless I can be assured that it will > be a fairly permanent fix. I already have an opinion from Dr. > Chang at U-M that a myotomy will not work for me. I'm going > ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, > and Luketich. Meanwhile, I'm going ahead with plans to have an > –ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it > may be moved up. I'm tired of 20 years of short term solutions > and now it appears it could even be dangerous to wait. I'm > looking forward to the feeling of having food and liquids > actually go down. I'm looking forward to improving the quality > of my life, hopefully getting energy back, and no longer having > to be worrying about regurgitation, how long will that last > botox injection last, etc. etc. I am not looking forward to the > surgery itself (in fact I'm scared to death) but thanks to this > group, I am going in with my eyes wide open and I am ready to > fight my way through whatever obstacles present themselves.> You helped me work through the process with all the shared > personal experiences, information, knowledge, and warm support. > Again, I can't thank you enough for that. And I plan to do > whatever I can for others in that regard in the future.> If anyone thinks I am making a huge mistake please let me > know. Right now I feel at peace. I've explored my options. I > feel like I'm about to walk the plank. " Boldly go where no man > has gone before (star trek) " I know there are what, at least 12 > here, that have taken this -ectomy journey.> Has there ever been any discussion or has it ever actually > happened that this achalasia group have a " family reunion? " You > know, all meet somewhere at a central location in the United > States. We could all stay at some hotel, rent a conference room, > make it into a party-meet & greet-etc.-room. Maybe even have some > expert come and give a talk. Or even some of the Board members > (who are experts in their own right) could give talks. But the > emphasis of the event on FUN and support and hanging out > together. We could go to some nice restaurant and try to eat & > drink (humor-not that funny). It would be such a trip. I > haven't met one fellow achalasian and here you'd have a chance > to meet hundreds all at once – maybe even a thousand (since > there are close to two thousand in the group.) > Please send energy and keep me in your prayers and thoughts > on March 24th!> Thanks,> Rich from Michigan.> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hi Rich, Thank you for your post, sharing with all of us your self-analysis and then, the most difficult part of all, making the decision to take the next step forward. Many of our members have agonized over it for months. To me, it doesn't matter if its the only course of action to take; I still consider it to be a courageous decision. For if it was felt that it was the only course of action, it would be easy. We believe that there are always alternatives. You confused me a little with your saying that you are " going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich, " but then in the next sentence you say that you are also " going ahead with plans to have an –ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. " Are you hoping for a last second " reprieve " from any of these exceptional surgeons, but should that not happen you've got the surgery already scheduled? I'd be the last person to fault you for doing that. All of us on the Board wish you the best for a successful surgery and a steady recovery. In answer to your question specifically to me, as to how I know when my esophagus has cleared, permit me a little humor. Its a sensation thing, Rich. There was a person here, named Dave, who used to talk about having a " super power " that I think he lost due to having a balloon dilatation (he may come back to correct me). Anyway, unbeknownst to the general population, I also have that power. I can create an upward pressure from the base of my esophagus that forces food or liquid up and out. I can't always sense it it is there, but I can always regurgitate if there is something there. As I've said before, clearing the esophagus ASAP is one of the most important things a person with achalasia should always do. Right before and right after meals, and just before going to sleep. Call it " maintenance. "  Your point, that it is expecially important for people with a sigmoid esophagus cannot be stressed enough. The people on this Board who have had the -ectomy done are the ones who can give you the most and best advice, before and after the surgery. The rest of us will give you all the moral support you need to help you through. You're going to be fine, and will look back at this decision as one of the best you ever made in order to get your life back. There have been various " meet-ups " in various locales around the country. Funny, how they always seem to revolve around eating! A little irony there. I've had a couple of one on ones, most notably with , who you should turn to for support. ________________________________ From: " rbailhe@... " <rbailhe@...> achalasia Sent: Friday, March 6, 2009 3:55:55 PM Subject: Crossroads This is actually a general posting and specific reply to though I've made it a general posting (because I'm still learning how to do this stuff). Hi , First, thank you for the invitation to join the family. It feels good. And thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I read your posts which you referenced for me, " doing nothing is not an option. " It was very educational and interesting. Since reading your posts, I have experimented with drinking carbonated drinks. While I tolerate it just fine, it doesn't open up that lower muscle for me. (Shoot! I had gotten excited to try it) I'm curios how do you KNOW that your esophagus has cleared? Especially for those of us like you and me that have the sigmoid esophguses . By the way I learned now that mine is swollen 15 centimeters in one place. For those who are new and might be reading this, it's supposed to be 2.5 centimeters, about the size of a garden hose. The following is a posting for everyone. I apologize in advance to new people because I know there have been postings about the many problems, i.e. surgeries etc that many of have gone thru and are going thru. I don't want to freak anyone out. There have been nice reassurances posted that I completely agree with. If you've recently been diagnosed with achalasia, don't panic BUT don't do nothing. I think this is true and others can correct me but I remember my GI telling me 10 years ago that 50% or achalasia patients have one balloon stretching and never need another. Myotomies are done laproscopically and I believe also have a very high success rate. Just know what you are dealing with. Don't allow your esophagus to become dilated (like mine) if at all possible. You may not get symptoms (I didn't). Don't let that stop you from being evaluated yearly or at least every other year. I went 7 years while my esophagus grew and grew. Now for the posting: 5 days ago, I was dizzy and thought I might be coming down with the flu. I slept a few hours, woke up and vomited a large amount of blood. Laid down again and slept a few hours. When I woke up, I couldn't sit vertically or stand for more than 15 seconds without feeling like I would faint and get sick. I tried moving from one room in my house to another and threw up more blood. It was very scary. Long story short, I went via ambulance (first ambulance ride in my life) to emergency. The diagnosis was acid reflux causing inflammation. (I've been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks trying to decide what my next intervention should be.) The experience has jolted me into realizing I just don't want to mess around with this sigmoid esophagus anymore. I don't want anymore stretches. I don't want anymore botox injections. I don't even want a myotomy unless I can be assured that it will be a fairly permanent fix. I already have an opinion from Dr. Chang at U-M that a myotomy will not work for me. I'm going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich. Meanwhile, I'm going ahead with plans to have an –ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. I'm tired of 20 years of short term solutions and now it appears it could even be dangerous to wait. I'm looking forward to the feeling of having food and liquids actually go down. I'm looking forward to improving the quality of my life, hopefully getting energy back, and no longer having to be worrying about regurgitation, how long will that last botox injection last, etc. etc. I am not looking forward to the surgery itself (in fact I'm scared to death) but thanks to this group, I am going in with my eyes wide open and I am ready to fight my way through whatever obstacles present themselves. You helped me work through the process with all the shared personal experiences, information, knowledge, and warm support. Again, I can't thank you enough for that. And I plan to do whatever I can for others in that regard in the future. If anyone thinks I am making a huge mistake please let me know. Right now I feel at peace. I've explored my options. I feel like I'm about to walk the plank. " Boldly go where no man has gone before (star trek) " I know there are what, at least 12 here, that have taken this -ectomy journey. Has there ever been any discussion or has it ever actually happened that this achalasia group have a " family reunion? " You know, all meet somewhere at a central location in the United States. We could all stay at some hotel, rent a conference room, make it into a party-meet & greet- etc.-room. Maybe even have some expert come and give a talk. Or even some of the Board members (who are experts in their own right) could give talks. But the emphasis of the event on FUN and support and hanging out together. We could go to some nice restaurant and try to eat & drink (humor-not that funny). It would be such a trip. I haven't met one fellow achalasian and here you'd have a chance to meet hundreds all at once – maybe even a thousand (since there are close to two thousand in the group.) Please send energy and keep me in your prayers and thoughts on March 24th! Thanks, Rich from Michigan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Hi , Thank you for your words of wisdom, reassurance, and support. I'm not really hoping for a reprieve but I want to make sure I've explored every option that's available. I expect Drs Rice, Patti, & Luketich will reaffirm what I've been told at U-M. Of course, I would take a reprieve if they gave me one I particulary want to know if they could resection the esophagus like that one surgeon was talking to you about. Here's some big factors in my decision. Based on barium esophgrams taken two years apart, my esophagus grew from 10 to 15 centinmeters. Yikes. And that's with two botox injections!! Right now I can barely get Ensure down so it's either another botox, find someone who will do a mytomy or go for the -ectomy. I know that I can't do what you are doing - which by the way I admire and respect you for because I think that also takes a lot of courage. And when I say I can't it's that I truly can't. Carbonation doesn't clear my throat. I can't clear it at will like you do. Well I could but I'd never get anything to my stomach. Food sits in my esohphagus, softens up, and eventually goes down, maybe the next day or the day after that or God knows when. I just sent out my records and history overnight mail. We'll see if I get a response or any new information. Thanks again, Rich > > Hi Rich, > > Thank you for your post, sharing with all of us your self-analysis and then, the most difficult part of all, making the decision to take the next step forward. Many of our members have agonized over it for months. To me, it doesn't matter if its the only course of action to take; I still consider it to be a courageous decision. For if it was felt that it was the only course of action, it would be easy. We believe that there are always alternatives. > > You confused me a little with your saying that you are " going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich, " but then in the next sentence you say that you are also " going ahead with plans to have an †" ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. " > > Are you hoping for a last second " reprieve " from any of these exceptional surgeons, but should that not happen you've got the surgery already scheduled? I'd be the last person to fault you for doing that. > > All of us on the Board wish you the best for a successful surgery and a steady recovery. > > In answer to your question specifically to me, as to how I know when my esophagus has cleared, permit me a little humor. Its a sensation thing, Rich. There was a person here, named Dave, who used to talk about having a " super power " that I think he lost due to having a balloon dilatation (he may come back to correct me). Anyway, unbeknownst to the general population, I also have that power. I can create an upward pressure from the base of my esophagus that forces food or liquid up and out. I can't always sense it it is there, but I can always regurgitate if there is something there. As I've said before, clearing the esophagus ASAP is one of the most important things a person with achalasia should always do. Right before and right after meals, and just before going to sleep. Call it " maintenance. "  > > Your point, that it is expecially important for people with a sigmoid esophagus cannot be stressed enough. > > The people on this Board who have had the -ectomy done are the ones who can give you the most and best advice, before and after the surgery. The rest of us will give you all the moral support you need to help you through. You're going to be fine, and will look back at this decision as one of the best you ever made in order to get your life back. > > There have been various " meet-ups " in various locales around the country. Funny, how they always seem to revolve around eating! A little irony there. I've had a couple of one on ones, most notably with , who you should turn to for support. > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: " rbailhe@... " <rbailhe@...> > achalasia > Sent: Friday, March 6, 2009 3:55:55 PM > Subject: Crossroads > > > This is actually a general posting and specific reply to though I've made it a general posting (because I'm still learning how to do this stuff). > > Hi , > First, thank you for the invitation to join the family. It feels good. And thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. > I read your posts which you referenced for me, " doing nothing is not an option. " It was very educational and interesting. > Since reading your posts, I have experimented with drinking carbonated drinks. While I tolerate it just fine, it doesn't open up that lower muscle for me. (Shoot! I had gotten excited to try it) I'm curios how do you KNOW that your esophagus has cleared? Especially for those of us like you and me that have the sigmoid esophguses . By the way I learned now that mine is swollen 15 centimeters in one place. For those who are new and might be reading this, it's supposed to be 2.5 centimeters, about the size of a garden hose. > The following is a posting for everyone. I apologize in advance to new people because I know there have been postings about the many problems, i.e. surgeries etc that many of have gone thru and are going thru. I don't want to freak anyone out. There have been nice reassurances posted that I completely agree with. If you've recently been diagnosed with achalasia, don't panic BUT don't do nothing. I think this is true and others can correct me but I remember my GI telling me 10 years ago that 50% or achalasia patients have one balloon stretching and never need another. Myotomies are done laproscopically and I believe also have a very high success rate. Just know what you are dealing with. Don't allow your esophagus to become dilated (like mine) if at all possible. You may not get symptoms (I didn't). Don't let that stop you from being evaluated yearly or at least every other year. I went 7 years while my esophagus grew and grew. > Now for the posting: 5 days ago, I was dizzy and thought I might be coming down with the flu. I slept a few hours, woke up and vomited a large amount of blood. Laid down again and slept a few hours. When I woke up, I couldn't sit vertically or stand for more than 15 seconds without feeling like I would faint and get sick. I tried moving from one room in my house to another and threw up more blood. It was very scary. Long story short, I went via ambulance (first ambulance ride in my life) to emergency. The diagnosis was acid reflux causing inflammation. (I've been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks trying to decide what my next intervention should be.) > The experience has jolted me into realizing I just don't want to mess around with this sigmoid esophagus anymore. I don't want anymore stretches. I don't want anymore botox injections. I don't even want a myotomy unless I can be assured that it will be a fairly permanent fix. I already have an opinion from Dr. Chang at U-M that a myotomy will not work for me. I'm going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich. Meanwhile, I'm going ahead with plans to have an †" ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. I'm tired of 20 years of short term solutions and now it appears it could even be dangerous to wait. I'm looking forward to the feeling of having food and liquids actually go down. I'm looking forward to improving the quality of my life, hopefully getting energy back, and no longer having to be worrying about regurgitation, how long will that last botox injection last, etc. etc. I am > not looking forward to the surgery itself (in fact I'm scared to death) but thanks to this group, I am going in with my eyes wide open and I am ready to fight my way through whatever obstacles present themselves. > You helped me work through the process with all the shared personal experiences, information, knowledge, and warm support. Again, I can't thank you enough for that. And I plan to do whatever I can for others in that regard in the future. > If anyone thinks I am making a huge mistake please let me know. Right now I feel at peace. I've explored my options. I feel like I'm about to walk the plank. " Boldly go where no man has gone before (star trek) " I know there are what, at least 12 here, that have taken this -ectomy journey. > Has there ever been any discussion or has it ever actually happened that this achalasia group have a " family reunion? " You know, all meet somewhere at a central location in the United States. We could all stay at some hotel, rent a conference room, make it into a party-meet & greet- etc.-room. Maybe even have some expert come and give a talk. Or even some of the Board members (who are experts in their own right) could give talks. But the emphasis of the event on FUN and support and hanging out together. We could go to some nice restaurant and try to eat & drink (humor-not that funny). It would be such a trip. I haven't met one fellow achalasian and here you'd have a chance to meet hundreds all at once †" maybe even a thousand (since there are close to two thousand in the group.) > Please send energy and keep me in your prayers and thoughts on March 24th! > Thanks, > Rich from Michigan. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Hi Rich - Just wanted to touch base with you. I will be celebrating - YES, CELEBRATING - the anniversary of my 'ectomy two years ago on March 29th. I had mine done by Dr. Rice in Cleveland - he is definitely one of the best and I highly recommend you see him if possible or at least send your records for his opinion. I haven't been following the posts too closely so I don't know your whole story other than what I read below. I also had a very stretched out, sigmoid esophagus after going for years with very minimal symptoms. I never had anything other than several dilitations, and by the time things got really bad, it was too late and my only real option was the 'ectomy. Scared the hell out of me and it took me a while to get over the fear of it to realize that it was what I needed to do. I also got more than one opinion by two very experienced surgeons (Dr. Rice being my second opinion - and I went with him even though he was further away from home). It was difficult -my husband and I have two young boys and live about 5 1/2 hours from Cleveland, so it took a lot of planning and help from family and friends. It is a very tough surgery, and it will take a while to fully recover. I was fortunate and did not have any real complications - surgery went well and I healed well and have resumed a completely normal life with minimal side effects. I wouldn't even consider them side effects - more like just adjustments I have made. There are others in this group that have had a longer road and have had issues. I honestly think that aside from the physical component to your recovery from the surgery, there is also a very big mental component. That may sound strange, and you may not even be able to recognize that part of it until a year after your surgery - but it's there so don't be afraid to lean on us! Anyway, it's late and I just remembered we lose an hour tonight! Please feel free to email me offline if you want to chat more about it. I will be trying to check the board more regularly also, although we are gearing up for a family vacation shortly so I may not be around all that much for the next few weeks. But really, I'll be happy to give you any information or answer any questions you have (at least based on my experiences)! in NY ---- RICHARD FRIEDMAN <cynmark24@...> wrote: > Hi Rich, > > Thank you for your post, sharing with all of us your self-analysis and then, the most difficult part of all, making the decision to take the next step forward. Many of our members have agonized over it for months. To me, it doesn't matter if its the only course of action to take; I still consider it to be a courageous decision. For if it was felt that it was the only course of action, it would be easy. We believe that there are always alternatives. > > You confused me a little with your saying that you are " going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich, " but then in the next sentence you say that you are also " going ahead with plans to have an –ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. " > > Are you hoping for a last second " reprieve " from any of these exceptional surgeons, but should that not happen you've got the surgery already scheduled? I'd be the last person to fault you for doing that. > > All of us on the Board wish you the best for a successful surgery and a steady recovery. > > In answer to your question specifically to me, as to how I know when my esophagus has cleared, permit me a little humor. Its a sensation thing, Rich. There was a person here, named Dave, who used to talk about having a " super power " that I think he lost due to having a balloon dilatation (he may come back to correct me). Anyway, unbeknownst to the general population, I also have that power. I can create an upward pressure from the base of my esophagus that forces food or liquid up and out. I can't always sense it it is there, but I can always regurgitate if there is something there. As I've said before, clearing the esophagus ASAP is one of the most important things a person with achalasia should always do. Right before and right after meals, and just before going to sleep. Call it " maintenance. "  > > Your point, that it is expecially important for people with a sigmoid esophagus cannot be stressed enough. > > The people on this Board who have had the -ectomy done are the ones who can give you the most and best advice, before and after the surgery. The rest of us will give you all the moral support you need to help you through. You're going to be fine, and will look back at this decision as one of the best you ever made in order to get your life back. > > There have been various " meet-ups " in various locales around the country. Funny, how they always seem to revolve around eating! A little irony there. I've had a couple of one on ones, most notably with , who you should turn to for support. > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: " rbailhe@... " <rbailhe@...> > achalasia > Sent: Friday, March 6, 2009 3:55:55 PM > Subject: Crossroads > > > This is actually a general posting and specific reply to though I've made it a general posting (because I'm still learning how to do this stuff). > > Hi , > First, thank you for the invitation to join the family. It feels good. And thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. > I read your posts which you referenced for me, " doing nothing is not an option. " It was very educational and interesting. > Since reading your posts, I have experimented with drinking carbonated drinks. While I tolerate it just fine, it doesn't open up that lower muscle for me. (Shoot! I had gotten excited to try it) I'm curios how do you KNOW that your esophagus has cleared? Especially for those of us like you and me that have the sigmoid esophguses . By the way I learned now that mine is swollen 15 centimeters in one place. For those who are new and might be reading this, it's supposed to be 2.5 centimeters, about the size of a garden hose. > The following is a posting for everyone. I apologize in advance to new people because I know there have been postings about the many problems, i.e. surgeries etc that many of have gone thru and are going thru. I don't want to freak anyone out. There have been nice reassurances posted that I completely agree with. If you've recently been diagnosed with achalasia, don't panic BUT don't do nothing. I think this is true and others can correct me but I remember my GI telling me 10 years ago that 50% or achalasia patients have one balloon stretching and never need another. Myotomies are done laproscopically and I believe also have a very high success rate. Just know what you are dealing with. Don't allow your esophagus to become dilated (like mine) if at all possible. You may not get symptoms (I didn't). Don't let that stop you from being evaluated yearly or at least every other year. I went 7 years while my esophagus grew and grew. > Now for the posting: 5 days ago, I was dizzy and thought I might be coming down with the flu. I slept a few hours, woke up and vomited a large amount of blood. Laid down again and slept a few hours. When I woke up, I couldn't sit vertically or stand for more than 15 seconds without feeling like I would faint and get sick. I tried moving from one room in my house to another and threw up more blood. It was very scary. Long story short, I went via ambulance (first ambulance ride in my life) to emergency. The diagnosis was acid reflux causing inflammation. (I've been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks trying to decide what my next intervention should be.) > The experience has jolted me into realizing I just don't want to mess around with this sigmoid esophagus anymore. I don't want anymore stretches. I don't want anymore botox injections. I don't even want a myotomy unless I can be assured that it will be a fairly permanent fix. I already have an opinion from Dr. Chang at U-M that a myotomy will not work for me. I'm going ahead with plans to send my film and records to Drs Rice, Patti, and Luketich. Meanwhile, I'm going ahead with plans to have an –ectomy at U-M. It's scheduled right now for March 24th and it may be moved up. I'm tired of 20 years of short term solutions and now it appears it could even be dangerous to wait. I'm looking forward to the feeling of having food and liquids actually go down. I'm looking forward to improving the quality of my life, hopefully getting energy back, and no longer having to be worrying about regurgitation, how long will that last botox injection last, etc. etc. I am > not looking forward to the surgery itself (in fact I'm scared to death) but thanks to this group, I am going in with my eyes wide open and I am ready to fight my way through whatever obstacles present themselves. > You helped me work through the process with all the shared personal experiences, information, knowledge, and warm support. Again, I can't thank you enough for that. And I plan to do whatever I can for others in that regard in the future. > If anyone thinks I am making a huge mistake please let me know. Right now I feel at peace. I've explored my options. I feel like I'm about to walk the plank. " Boldly go where no man has gone before (star trek) " I know there are what, at least 12 here, that have taken this -ectomy journey. > Has there ever been any discussion or has it ever actually happened that this achalasia group have a " family reunion? " You know, all meet somewhere at a central location in the United States. We could all stay at some hotel, rent a conference room, make it into a party-meet & greet- etc.-room. Maybe even have some expert come and give a talk. Or even some of the Board members (who are experts in their own right) could give talks. But the emphasis of the event on FUN and support and hanging out together. We could go to some nice restaurant and try to eat & drink (humor-not that funny). It would be such a trip. I haven't met one fellow achalasian and here you'd have a chance to meet hundreds all at once – maybe even a thousand (since there are close to two thousand in the group.) > Please send energy and keep me in your prayers and thoughts on March 24th! > Thanks, > Rich from Michigan. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I’m at the crossroads again. Whether to leave this job next month. Honestly, I don’t like the environment here. People are too noisy and so bossy. I’ve experience many jobs now. Five summer jobs and three real jobs. The best job I have was the one working in a multinational company doing the engineering and design of American and Japanese vehicles That was so cool; I thought that I could not ask for more. But until a certain Latin American guy became my senior manager He is good at first but maybe just doesn’t know his real role He always monitored what we did. and even question why we are not fully utilizing our working hours. Is it our fault, if really we can work one hour of the eight hour design work? And this habits of monitoring all our hours in the office Leads me to think that it’s time for me to find another work But I really love that job, the workmates, except that crabby boss luckily, someone hired me abroad with a nicer package and made me think that it’s time to let go. so I let go of it and didn’t properly bid adieu Then was now in a job doing engineering and construction of a port for oil ang gas In a desert place but I’m loving the job I love the people, the different nationality. I love my job and say thanks to heaven I feel so blessed Then months went by a certain British joined the company and implement another management style that was ok for me and try to adjust in the new strategy Then another guy from a war freak country also joined He wanted to be the main boss and our work became a chaos As everyone wants to be the boss I was fed up and stressed because of these new comers. I didn't know of whom to get the order. Then homesickness hit me that time. but I love that company, the work and the salary. But I said to myself maybe it’s time for me to resign and be relaxed in the homecountry for a while. So happy that I was finally at home sigh, there is no place like home. But there’s such thing as reverse culture shock. I get bored to my own culture and wonder why all the people look the same and cannot relax of course if one doesn’t have a steady income Huh, got depress at home So I decided to work again abroad. But I was here in the world so boring Where you cannot talk to a lady The office is also boring and the office is pestered by people from a war freak country This people can be good friends but not a good officemates who just wants to seat down and pass their work. I am so relax to the work here but the office is too noisy. they’re always calling other people to do their job. So now I’m planning to end my contract but I’m not ready to stay home for long wish I can transfer to a country, a work environment maybe not utopia or perfect but somewhat suited for me. An workplace with ladies, A workplace with positive people and positive atmosphere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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