Re: Question from Tia & mom

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow, indeed Tia is athletic, I know I would never have managed (or should I say

dare) to do such exercise (I was a disaster at PE/gym -LOL-).

So I never did that type of thing and thus I don't know what the pain is Tia

felt. I do think it would be wise for her to not do that excercise again. It

hurts and that's a bad sign. What's to gain when she goes on with this exercise?

Nothing really, I guess. What's to lose when she goes on with this exercise?

Well, of course we cannot be sure, but if it harms her esophagus/surgery:

there's a whole lot to lose! So personally I think she should stop doing it,

even though the pain just might be normal. You might also have Tia ask her

teacher and/or fellow students whether the pain is normal, whether they feel the

same thing. If that's the case, you know it's normal pain (though I would rather

listen to the kid's experiences in this case than the teacher's...).

Our eldest son is about Tia's age, he's 10,5 years old now. He has faced quite

some issues as well. I have him speak for himself whenever that's possible as

well. They are getting at an age that we aren't always around and thus we aren't

able to speak for them whenever they need someone to speak for them. They should

learn doing that themselves, they should learn dealing with some problems

themselves. We can support them, give them advice etc., but sometimes we just

have to let go a bit... I think the way you handled is very good. You opened the

door for Tia by sending that e-mail to her teacher, the rest is up to her.

Furthermore by sending that e-mail the teacher will take responsibility by

asking Tia to talk to her, if Tia doesn't start the conversation herself.

Love,

Isabella

________________________________

From: Bourm <cbourm@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 4:17:00 AM

Subject: Question from Tia & mom

Hello Everyone,

Tia had an experience today that she asked me to ask everyone about. Today, in

PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up- hold " . She stood on a chair and when

she was able to put her chin over the bar and hold herself in the air, the chair

was removed. Tia is very athletic and things like this are usually no problem.

She said that as she was holding herself up she could " feel her esophagus

stretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really hurt " .

Makes sense to me and Tia loves this class so I don't think she would be trying

to get out of anything. She said she was able to stay up for about 25 seconds

but afterwards she said things really hurt. She appears to be fine now.

Did she tell her teacher, of course not. She asked me to email her teacher so

she doesn't have to do this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for

herself. I told her that I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia

needed to speak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened and

how it affected her.

So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever done an exercise that " hurt " in

some way like this. 2. Could the pain just be normal and nothing to do with her

surgery?

My questions are 1. Am I supporting Tia by having her speak for herself or is 11

too young to expect  her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her behalf because

she is doing homework and I type much faster than her.

2. How concerned with her doing this particular " exercise " in the future should

we be?

Thanks you guys for any suggestions. .

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Hi This is maybe slightly different - I was worried when my daughter was

pregnant and when it

came to give birth we did ask her consultant about concerns of physical exertion

- he said there

was no risk to the surgery by physical exertion or activity.

And she has had two babies with no ill effects on her myotomy. 

don't know if that helps at all.

- mum of Hannah

________________________________

From: Bourm <cbourm@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, 3 December, 2008 3:17:00

Subject: Question from Tia & mom

Hello Everyone,

Tia had an experience today that she asked me to ask everyone about. Today, in

PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up- hold " . She stood on a chair and when

she was able to put her chin over the bar and hold herself in the air, the chair

was removed. Tia is very athletic and things like this are usually no problem.

She said that as she was holding herself up she could " feel her esophagus

stretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really hurt " .

Makes sense to me and Tia loves this class so I don't think she would be trying

to get out of anything. She said she was able to stay up for about 25 seconds

but afterwards she said things really hurt. She appears to be fine now.

Did she tell her teacher, of course not. She asked me to email her teacher so

she doesn't have to do this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for

herself. I told her that I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia

needed to speak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened and

how it affected her.

So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever done an exercise that " hurt " in

some way like this. 2. Could the pain just be normal and nothing to do with her

surgery?

My questions are 1. Am I supporting Tia by having her speak for herself or is 11

too young to expect  her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her behalf because

she is doing homework and I type much faster than her.

2. How concerned with her doing this particular " exercise " in the future should

we be?

Thanks you guys for any suggestions. .

Take care,

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> ... She said that as she was holding herself up she could " feel her esophagus

stretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really hurt " . ...

>

Maybe it was scar tissue being stretched. It could also be unrelated and

just a coincidence.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hi & Tia,

I am also pretty active, and it has caused me a fair amount of grief over the

years. Long before I had my esophagectomy, I was told not to lift over 10 lbs

for any length of time. I was also told to always wear loose clothing and never

do sit-ups. I can remember dozens of times where I would silently say, " I

should have listened to my Doctor " . Lifting top-soil in a wheelbarrow for my

garden, weedeating the lawn, carrying groceries, lifting children etc. I could

get so inflamed inside that nothing would go down for at least 48 hours. I have

learned that it's not so important to have " perfect " abs. Lifting and straining

definately affected me. Now, after my esophagectomy, I am very careful. I

would strongly recommend that Tia does not do chin-ups or weight-lifting. My

Doctor has " allowed " me to run, walk . . . just no lifting. I even had to buy a

choke collar so my dog wouldn't pull to hard on me. It's all worth it if you

want to live a long, healthy life.

Good Luck Tia,

Thunder Bay, Ontario

achalasia@...: cbourm@...: Tue, 2 Dec 2008

19:17:00 -0800Subject: Question from Tia & mom

Hello Everyone,Tia had an experience today that she asked me to ask everyone

about. Today, in PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up- hold " . She stood on a

chair and when she was able to put her chin over the bar and hold herself in the

air, the chair was removed. Tia is very athletic and things like this are

usually no problem. She said that as she was holding herself up she could " feel

her esophagus stretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really hurt " . Makes

sense to me and Tia loves this class so I don't think she would be trying to get

out of anything. She said she was able to stay up for about 25 seconds but

afterwards she said things really hurt. She appears to be fine now. Did she tell

her teacher, of course not. She asked me to email her teacher so she doesn't

have to do this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for herself. I told

her that I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia needed to speak

to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened and how it affected

her. So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever done an exercise that " hurt "

in some way like this. 2. Could the pain just be normal and nothing to do with

her surgery? My questions are 1. Am I supporting Tia by having her speak for

herself or is 11 too young to expect her to do so? I'm only emailing this on

her behalf because she is doing homework and I type much faster than her. 2. How

concerned with her doing this particular " exercise " in the future should we

be?Thanks you guys for any suggestions.. Take care,[Non-text portions of

this message have been removed]

_________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

If you don't mind, just what was so great about getting an

esophagectomy if your life is was restricted before, and is even MORE

restricted now?

and what were YOUR conditions that mandated an esophagectomy?

Granted, we all know that achalasia has symptoms that prevent us from

having normal GI function.

But if I can't lift more than 10 lbs or even walk my dog, a f@#$#^

esophagus would be better than no esophagus.

>

>

> Hi & Tia,

>

> I am also pretty active, and it has caused me a fair amount of grief

over the years. Long before I had my esophagectomy, I was told not to

lift over 10 lbs for any length of time. I was also told to always

wear loose clothing and never do sit-ups. I can remember dozens of

times where I would silently say, " I should have listened to my

Doctor " . Lifting top-soil in a wheelbarrow for my garden, weedeating

the lawn, carrying groceries, lifting children etc. I could get so

inflamed inside that nothing would go down for at least 48 hours. I

have learned that it's not so important to have " perfect " abs.

Lifting and straining definately affected me. Now, after my

esophagectomy, I am very careful. I would strongly recommend that Tia

does not do chin-ups or weight-lifting. My Doctor has " allowed " me to

run, walk . . . just no lifting. I even had to buy a choke collar so

my dog wouldn't pull to hard on me. It's all worth it if you want to

live a long, healthy life.

>

> Good Luck Tia,

>

>

> Thunder Bay, Ontario

>

>

>

> achalasia@...: cbourm@...: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 19:17:00

-0800Subject: Question from Tia & mom

>

>

>

> Hello Everyone,Tia had an experience today that she asked me to ask

everyone about. Today, in PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up-

hold " . She stood on a chair and when she was able to put her chin over

the bar and hold herself in the air, the chair was removed. Tia is

very athletic and things like this are usually no problem. She said

that as she was holding herself up she could " feel her esophagus

stretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really hurt " . Makes

sense to me and Tia loves this class so I don't think she would be

trying to get out of anything. She said she was able to stay up for

about 25 seconds but afterwards she said things really hurt. She

appears to be fine now. Did she tell her teacher, of course not. She

asked me to email her teacher so she doesn't have to do this

" exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for herself. I told her

that I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia needed to

speak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened and

how it affected her. So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever done

an exercise that " hurt " in some way like this. 2. Could the pain just

be normal and nothing to do with her surgery? My questions are 1. Am I

supporting Tia by having her speak for herself or is 11 too young to

expect her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her behalf because she

is doing homework and I type much faster than her. 2. How concerned

with her doing this particular " exercise " in the future should we

be?Thanks you guys for any suggestions.. Take care,[Non-text

portions of this message have been removed]

>

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Steve,

My life is fantastic now! I can eat anything I want, and I'm happy and healthy.

I've had two open myotomies that were unsuccessful. I had a terrible time

struggling to eat for the past 16 years. I had my esophagectomy on October 1st,

2007 when I was 42 years old. I don't regret it for a minute! Yes, I needed

the first year to recover, but to be able to eat is wonderful. I guess you

would have had to walk in my shoes for a few years to truly understand. The

reason I have to watch my lifting is because everything is wide open now and all

my food and drink relies on gravity. I would never say my life is more

restricted now. Also, two years ago I was too weak to walk my dog at all.

There were days I was too ill to drive.

I'm curious what stage you are currently at with your Achalasia. Have you had

treatment?

Have a good night,

.

achalasia@...: stevenakamichi@...: Thu, 4 Dec 2008

04:57:25 +0000Subject: Re: Question from Tia & mom

If you don't mind, just what was so great about getting anesophagectomy if your

life is was restricted before, and is even MORErestricted now?and what were YOUR

conditions that mandated an esophagectomy?Granted, we all know that achalasia

has symptoms that prevent us fromhaving normal GI function. But if I can't lift

more than 10 lbs or even walk my dog, a f@#$#^esophagus would be better than no

esophagus.>> > Hi & Tia, > > I am also pretty active, and it has caused me a

fair amount of griefover the years. Long before I had my esophagectomy, I was

told not tolift over 10 lbs for any length of time. I was also told to

alwayswear loose clothing and never do sit-ups. I can remember dozens oftimes

where I would silently say, " I should have listened to myDoctor " . Lifting

top-soil in a wheelbarrow for my garden, weedeatingthe lawn, carrying groceries,

lifting children etc. I could get soinflamed inside that nothing would go down

for at least 48 hours. Ihave learned that it's not so important to have

" perfect " abs. Lifting and straining definately affected me. Now, after

myesophagectomy, I am very careful. I would strongly recommend that Tiadoes not

do chin-ups or weight-lifting. My Doctor has " allowed " me torun, walk . . . just

no lifting. I even had to buy a choke collar somy dog wouldn't pull to hard on

me. It's all worth it if you want tolive a long, healthy life.> > Good Luck

Tia,> > > Thunder Bay, Ontario> > > > achalasia@...:

cbourm@...: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 19:17:00-0800Subject: Question from Tia

& mom> > > > Hello Everyone,Tia had an experience today that she asked me to

askeveryone about. Today, in PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up-hold " . She

stood on a chair and when she was able to put her chin overthe bar and hold

herself in the air, the chair was removed. Tia isvery athletic and things like

this are usually no problem. She saidthat as she was holding herself up she

could " feel her esophagusstretching and pulling and the spot of surgery really

hurt " . Makessense to me and Tia loves this class so I don't think she would

betrying to get out of anything. She said she was able to stay up forabout 25

seconds but afterwards she said things really hurt. Sheappears to be fine now.

Did she tell her teacher, of course not. Sheasked me to email her teacher so she

doesn't have to do this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for herself.

I told herthat I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia needed

tospeak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened andhow it

affected her. So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever donean exercise that

" hurt " in some way like this. 2. Could the pain justbe normal and nothing to do

with her surgery? My questions are 1. Am Isupporting Tia by having her speak for

herself or is 11 too young toexpect her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her

behalf because sheis doing homework and I type much faster than her. 2. How

concernedwith her doing this particular " exercise " in the future should

webe?Thanks you guys for any suggestions.. Take care,[Non-textportions of

this message have been removed] > > > > > >

__________________________________________________________> > > > [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed]>

_________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

of course i have had many treatments. ALL of them: dilatations, botox

injections, myotomies, a fundoplication, calcium channel blocker

med's, among others.

and there are a few med's that do help, some of which are not very

popular, given our current medical system's OPIOID-PHOBIA created by

our government's climate of FEAR and INTIMIDATION inflicted on doctors.

>> > Hi & Tia, > > I am also

pretty active, and it has caused me a fair amount of griefover the

years. Long before I had my esophagectomy, I was told not tolift over

10 lbs for any length of time. I was also told to alwayswear loose

clothing and never do sit-ups. I can remember dozens oftimes where I

would silently say, " I should have listened to myDoctor " . Lifting

top-soil in a wheelbarrow for my garden, weedeatingthe lawn, carrying

groceries, lifting children etc. I could get soinflamed inside that

nothing would go down for at least 48 hours. Ihave learned that it's

not so important to have " perfect " abs. Lifting and straining

definately affected me. Now, after myesophagectomy, I am very careful.

I would strongly recommend that Tiadoes not do chin-ups or

weight-lifting. My Doctor has " allowed " me torun, walk . . . just no

lifting. I even had to buy a choke collar somy dog wouldn't pull to

hard on me. It's all worth it if you want tolive a long, healthy

life.> > Good Luck Tia,> > > Thunder Bay, Ontario> > > >

achalasia@: cbourm@: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 19:17:00-0800Subject:

Question from Tia & mom> > > > Hello Everyone,Tia had an

experience today that she asked me to askeveryone about. Today, in

PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up-hold " . She stood on a chair

and when she was able to put her chin overthe bar and hold herself in

the air, the chair was removed. Tia isvery athletic and things like

this are usually no problem. She saidthat as she was holding herself

up she could " feel her esophagusstretching and pulling and the spot of

surgery really hurt " . Makessense to me and Tia loves this class so I

don't think she would betrying to get out of anything. She said she

was able to stay up forabout 25 seconds but afterwards she said things

really hurt. Sheappears to be fine now. Did she tell her teacher, of

course not. Sheasked me to email her teacher so she doesn't have to do

this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for herself. I told

herthat I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia needed

tospeak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened

andhow it affected her. So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever

donean exercise that " hurt " in some way like this. 2. Could the pain

justbe normal and nothing to do with her surgery? My questions are 1.

Am Isupporting Tia by having her speak for herself or is 11 too young

toexpect her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her behalf because

sheis doing homework and I type much faster than her. 2. How

concernedwith her doing this particular " exercise " in the future

should webe?Thanks you guys for any suggestions.. Take

care,[Non-textportions of this message have been removed] > > > >

> > __________________________________________________________> > > >

[Guest guest]

I am with you ! I had my esophagectomy last February and have

just now returned to work full time. I feel great. My job is very

demanding (mentally) and I am handling it well. I have never felt

better in my life even with the long days I have. I had one dilation

in October and may have to have one more.

However, I do not regret making this decision at all. Dr. Rice at TCC

told me I had end-stage achalasia. My esophagus was bleeding and I

could not eat anything except ice cream and sometimes that came up! I

was in and out of the hospital constantly. It got so bad that I was

working less than part time. I had to do something as once you drop

below 20 hours a week, you lose your benefits. An achalasan cannot be

without medical benefits.

The esophagectomy was not an easy surgery by any means, and I was in

TCC for 8 weeks. I got an infection while in the hospital and got

another MRSA infection around my stoma after I got out. It was rough

going for a while, but I continue to improve each and every day.

InVa

>> > Hi & Tia, > > I am also

pretty active, and it has caused me a fair amount of griefover the

years. Long before I had my esophagectomy, I was told not tolift over

10 lbs for any length of time. I was also told to alwayswear loose

clothing and never do sit-ups. I can remember dozens oftimes where I

would silently say, " I should have listened to myDoctor " . Lifting

top-soil in a wheelbarrow for my garden, weedeatingthe lawn, carrying

groceries, lifting children etc. I could get soinflamed inside that

nothing would go down for at least 48 hours. Ihave learned that it's

not so important to have " perfect " abs. Lifting and straining

definately affected me. Now, after myesophagectomy, I am very careful.

I would strongly recommend that Tiadoes not do chin-ups or

weight-lifting. My Doctor has " allowed " me torun, walk . . . just no

lifting. I even had to buy a choke collar somy dog wouldn't pull to

hard on me. It's all worth it if you want tolive a long, healthy

life.> > Good Luck Tia,> > > Thunder Bay, Ontario> > > >

achalasia@: cbourm@: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 19:17:00-0800Subject:

Question from Tia & mom> > > > Hello Everyone,Tia had an

experience today that she asked me to askeveryone about. Today, in

PE/Gym class she had to do the " chin up-hold " . She stood on a chair

and when she was able to put her chin overthe bar and hold herself in

the air, the chair was removed. Tia isvery athletic and things like

this are usually no problem. She saidthat as she was holding herself

up she could " feel her esophagusstretching and pulling and the spot of

surgery really hurt " . Makessense to me and Tia loves this class so I

don't think she would betrying to get out of anything. She said she

was able to stay up forabout 25 seconds but afterwards she said things

really hurt. Sheappears to be fine now. Did she tell her teacher, of

course not. Sheasked me to email her teacher so she doesn't have to do

this " exercise " again. I really want Tia to speak for herself. I told

herthat I would write to her teacher and let her know that Tia needed

tospeak to her. But, that she would need to explain what happened

andhow it affected her. So... Tia's questions are 1. Has anyone ever

donean exercise that " hurt " in some way like this. 2. Could the pain

justbe normal and nothing to do with her surgery? My questions are 1.

Am Isupporting Tia by having her speak for herself or is 11 too young

toexpect her to do so? I'm only emailing this on her behalf because

sheis doing homework and I type much faster than her. 2. How

concernedwith her doing this particular " exercise " in the future

should webe?Thanks you guys for any suggestions.. Take

care,[Non-textportions of this message have been removed] > > > >

> > __________________________________________________________> > > >