Blogging about life in Minnesota, raising our six kids with Down syndrome while battling Breast Cancer.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, "Oh shit! She's up!"

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I'm home

This will be short, cuz I'm *really* groggy and am fighting to keep my eyes open.

First things first. I do NOT have esophageal cancer. YAY!

I do have some other issues going on, all of which can become more serious later on if not dealt with.

I have a hiatial hernia, which is why the constant pressure against my esophagus, and why it's worse when I lay down. It can also cause reflux into the esophagus.

I also have a Schatzki's ring. It was big enough for now that it didn't need to be dilated, but it will have to be watched. This is where my food is getting hung up, and why I feel like I have something stuck in my throat. Because I do.

Schatzki's rings are caused by GERD. Untreated GERD, combined with the other issues, put me at more risk of developing Esophageal cancer later on, so I need to get the GERD treated. Didn't know I had it. I have no heartburn or anything like that. So, I'll be having an overnight PH probe done. YIPPY SKIPPY!

I'm just reading the GI's report now, and it says suspect laryngopharyngeal reflux as well. The treatment for that is the reflux meds I already tried last spring, which did nothing, so I'll have to talk to her about  that.

I will finally say the C word now. Cancer. My biggest fear was esophageal cancer. I'll tell you know, if you have untreated reflux, you need to treat it aggressively! Untreated reflux is the cause of Barrett's esophagus, which leads to adenosarcoma of the lower esophagus. Once it's in your esophagus, by the time you start having symptoms it is very often already in your stomach.

Ok, I'm going to go take a nap now. Nighty night!

9 comments:

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

see? you got your answers. it's a big deal but not the big C. glad to hear good news. enjoy your nap!

Melissa said...

So glad that you got some answers and it wasn't the dreaded C word!

muvie said...

So happy you got good news! I know you were so worried! I have reflux and one pill did not do the trick. I take one in the morning and another before bed. It keeps it under control. I have to get special authorization from my doctor for the insurance company. They require it because I am "over the limit" for the drug.

Hope the drug works for you!

Will keep you in my prayers!
Susan

AZ Chapman said...

Glad it is not cancer hope u take care of what needs to b taken care of

The Land Family said...

so glad that you are OK. My husband has the same thing but meds don't help him either. He doesn't have the hernia though.

He just needs to eat sooner and chew his food thoroughly.

God Bless,
Amy

Tami said...

Glad to hear that what you have going on can be treated! :)

My hubby had untreated GERD, for I don't know how long...he never had symptoms. He was diagnosed with Barrett's early last year. I also have GERD, had the Nissen done 10 years ago, but still have symptoms. I get the endoscopy done about every two years, sometimes they dialate my esphagus...when swallowing becomes difficult. I do have an erosion in the esophageal wall, hasn't healed in 10 years, with or without treatment. Keep up with your treatment :)

Kelley said...

So happy for you!

Milena said...

So relieved to hear it isn't cancer!

eliz said...

Praise God!! (((HUGS)))