Re: Re: newbie, just saying hi

[Guest guest]

I have had achalasia for 30 years, and it is the primary reason why I was not

accepted into the United States Space Program. Without any motility in my

esophagus, I rely 100% on the gravitational field in which I reside.  Just as a

waterfall washes everything down the precipice, driven by gravity, so does

various forms of liquid for the food I eat. Without gravity, and without

liquids, I would not be here to talk about this (so eloquently). Still I was an

end stage achalasia patient when I had my HM over 20 years ago, which the

surgeon said was his first failure (first admitted failure at any rate).

 

As I've said to you before, , I understand and feel for you the

depression that often goes with this.  Please understand that a return to

" semi-normal " eating is often a process that takes time. When you read about

others who have the HM and eat again right away, I understand how that can be a

bummer for those not achieving that type of result. 

 

You will be fine again. Just stay on top of this, stay in touch with the

surgeon, monitor your progress to see what works and what doesn't work, and

eventually you will be eating better, sociallizing, and traveling again.  Often

times with a dilatation, since the esophagus has received such an " insult " it

takes time to recover (could be a swelling that has to go down).  Have you come

to any conclusion as to which drink works best for you?

 

 

PS:  How have you been doing with the 4:30am spasms lately?

________________________________

From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 5:05 PM

Subject: Re: newbie, just saying hi

 

I am waiting to see my surgeon in 12 days as a follow up to the dilation. The

way I see it he will suggest 1 of 3 things.

1 put up with it and do nothing

2 a second dilation

3 surgery again!

I am beginning to wonder whether some of us will ever lead normal lives again.

Makes me think that for those of us who have failed HM's, they fail because

nothing can be done for us.

This will come across as very negative, but how many times can I take 1 step

forward, only to take 2 more steps backward?

Wondering if those of you who have had A for 10 or 20 years have any motility

left. Mine went after being diagnosed only 6 months ago. I thought that seemed

quick, and am wondering it that's why nothing seems to work!

> > >

> > > Hello all, my name is , I live in Ireland and I was diagnosed with

achalasia Sept 2011, after difficulty swallowing for only 3 months. But then my

les completely shut and I needed an emergency HM, fundoplication and a hernia

repair, as the surgeon was there!! Since then I've had 4 dilatations, and am due

a 5th in May, as the achalasia recurred.

> > > Ive also been suffering with esophageal spasms, though this seems to be

improving.

> > > I look forward to reading your posts and having people who understand the

condition to talk to!!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

On 3/15/2012 3:15 PM, RICHARD FRIEDMAN wrote:

>

> I have had achalasia for 30 years, and it is the primary reason why I

> was not accepted into the United States Space Program. ...

>

Hi, . It looks like you are making a tongue in cheek point here,

but it is hard to tell without a voice to go with it. Either way, you

are right, as you have pointed out before, life goes on, sometimes even

taking us to great things we didn't plan on and would have missed with

our original plans. Space or no space program you have had an adventure.

Why look back more life is ahead.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hi Notan,

 

Yes, you are correct in both statements you made. What did or did not take place

in the past, is in the past. There is plenty of life to look forward to.

Regardless of past difficulties, I consider myself among the fortunate that this

disease (disorder) could have been a lot worse and that I manage to do pretty

well, all things considered.

 

You were correct about the " tongue in cheek " reference I made to my being turned

down for the space program. I sometimes forget that without a " voice " or an

emoticon to express an emotion (attempted humor in this case), what one says can

be misconstrued as serious, when one was only kidding. So, I humbly apologize

for not putting some kind of " disclaimer " at the end of the post saying I was

just kidding about the space program.   Truth be told, there was a tiny

element of truth there, in that there was a time I was very interested in Sir

Branson's Virgin Galactic commercial space flight programs (as a

passenger), now under development, but between achalasia and a change in my

priorities, I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. Life on the

surface is challenging and rewarding enough to keep me busy on a full time

basis.

 

________________________________

From: notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...>

achalasia

Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 12:04 PM

Subject: Re: Re: newbie, just saying hi

 

On 3/15/2012 3:15 PM, RICHARD FRIEDMAN wrote:

>

> I have had achalasia for 30 years, and it is the primary reason why I

> was not accepted into the United States Space Program. ...

>

Hi, . It looks like you are making a tongue in cheek point here,

but it is hard to tell without a voice to go with it. Either way, you

are right, as you have pointed out before, life goes on, sometimes even

taking us to great things we didn't plan on and would have missed with

our original plans. Space or no space program you have had an adventure.

Why look back more life is ahead.

notan

[Guest guest]

,

 

Remember dialtions build up scar tissue so I would be asking if there isn't

something else that can be done that causing further damage.

________________________________

From: Lally <jennifer.m.lally@...>

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:47 PM

Subject: Re: newbie, just saying hi

 

Hi ,

I suppose it is a lot in a short time, but surgeon doesn't want to repeat the

surgery and wants to try and treat it this way.

How are you doing?

> >

> > Hello all, my name is , I live in Ireland and I was diagnosed with

achalasia Sept 2011, after difficulty swallowing for only 3 months. But then my

les completely shut and I needed an emergency HM, fundoplication and a hernia

repair, as the surgeon was there!! Since then I've had 4 dilatations, and am due

a 5th in May, as the achalasia recurred.

> > Ive also been suffering with esophageal spasms, though this seems to be

improving.

> > I look forward to reading your posts and having people who understand the

condition to talk to!!

> >

>