Rob and Cara

[Guest guest]

Yes Rob, Dr. Richter is a GI. He's very well known and has published

some papers about A.

For you and Cara both, I understand that the thought of an -ectomy is

truly scary. I know this because I just had one done in Jan of this

year. Funny thing is, you think it's scary thinking about the

possibility - wait until you start telling people you're having your

E removed. Welcome to freak-ville!! Most people just don't even

realize that you can live quite well without your E.

As someone who has had A for over 25 years, had several dilations, 1

heller with fundo and now an ectomy - I feel like I am entitled to

say - IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!

I had some serious complications with my ectomy and stayed in the

hospital for an extra 10 days - the first 2 months post-op were VERY

rough but now that I'm getting beyond all of that - I can tell you

that I would do it all again in a heartbeat! You do not even realize -

because you have learned to manage and it becomes such a part of

your existence - how much your A is affecting your life. I am better

off now, only 3 months post-op than I was before my surgery and it's

only going to keep getting better!! I WILL NEVER HAVE SPASMS AGAIN.

Sorry for the caps but I have to keep reminding myself and every time

I think of it, I want to do a little jig!!

'How did I know it was time?' I had my semi-annual Barium swallow and

scope last summer and while I was having the swallow done, I could

see that my E had sagged below the entrance of my stomach - forming a

pouch. I also had the radiologist measure the width of my E and it

was over 6 cm. which qualifies as mega-esophagus. I then had my scope

done and my local GI told me that my E had started to twist and

get 's' shaped. I was told by both Dr.'s Rice and Luketich that I

could wait a few years but opted to go sooner rather than later. I

didn't want to wait until my swallowing had gotten terrible and I had

started losing weight and I didn't want to risk having my situation

become an 'emergency' - at least 2 member here had that happen. I

have small children so I wanted to plan everything on my terms and I

found a surgeon who does 150 -ectomies a year!

I have to say that in spite of my complications (they were pretty

serious- but rare) I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think you'll

find that of the 12-15 or so of us on this site now - we all say the

same thing.

I am a firm believer that waiting does not help you in the long run.

I don't mean to suggest that you need to go tomorrow but I don't

think you'll win anything by trying to see how long you can last. I

was also told that I COULD have another myo and fundo but it would

not likely last more than 3-5 years and then I'd need an ectomy

anyway so honestly - why bother?

I hope this helps in some way. I'm more than happy to share as much

of my story as you'd like and answer any questions you have.

Good luck in finding your answers and making your decision.

- in NC

achalasia free since Jan. 11th

> >

> > Hey Rob - you mentioned having to find some local docs in the

> Philly

> > area sometime in the future. I haven't been to see him but I

> understand

> > that Dr. Richter is at Temple University and is very highly

> > regarded (used to be at Cleveland Clinic?) there is also a

surgeon

> > there named Dempsey that saw and was impressed

with -

> I

> > have not met him but I did attempt to contact him and never

> received a

> > response so he's not tops on my list.

> > You can also see Dr. Luketich at University of Pitts. Med.

Center.

> He

> > did my esophagectomy in Jan. and while I did have some

> complications,

> > it was a minimally invasive procedure and he does 150 a year. The

> > hospital was very good, good staff, very experienced.

> > I understand not rushing into any kind of surgery if you can

avoid

> it

> > but I will say that I opted to do my sooner rather than wait and

I

> > think there are some advantages to NOT waiting.

> > I'll be happy to provide more info or answer any questions you

may

> have

> > when the time comes.

> >

> > Take Care,

> > - in NC

> > achalasia FREE since Jan 11th!!

> >

>