April 26, 2004
Dr. Brown referred me to my Gastroenterologist, Dr. Chobanian, for an EGD (stomach scope) with dilation.
The procedure took about an hour total, with Dr. Chobanian telling me the esophagus looked great and the nissen wrap looking really good. Dr. Chobanian said that Dr. Brown did an excellent job on my surgery and he was correct when he said the esophagus may have needed stretching. Dr. Chobanian used the balloon to stretch the weakened area of the esophagus where the nissen wrap was put in. Dr. Chobanian said the area definitely needed dilated.
I came home the same day and I was once again able to swallow. I had a Big Mac on the way home and man did it ever taste good and it didn't hang up in my esophagus! At this point in time, I am finally cured!
May 4, 2004
This was the follow-up appointment with Dr. Brown since the EGD on April 26th. In the days leading up to this appointment, I am noticing that food and drinks are once again hanging up in my esophagus and I am becomming more and more nauseous with increased abdominal pain, taking more Phenergan and Percocet (mainly Phenergan) than I have ever taken.
Dr. Brown told me the esophagus definitely needed stretching according to Dr. Chobanian.
Dr. Brown is now afraid the esophagus "snapped back" to the original size it was BEFORE April's EGD. In addition, Dr. Brown told me he wasn't sure why I was feeling nauseous everytime after I eat.
Dr. Brown offered several suggestions saying I could have a diaphragmatic adhesion to a more accurate suggestion of a looped intestine. Dr. Brown told me whenever someone has surgery consistant with the one I had on March 9th, it's not uncommon that the intestines may sometimes loop. Either way, if the pain continues and the nausea continues, I will have to have more surgery.
Dr. Brown prescribed me Phenergan 25mg and Reglan 10mg. He is hoping this medication therapy will prevent any possible surgeries that I may have to have.
I will be going back to Dr. Brown in 3 weeks (May 27th) for another follow-up. If things are still like they are, I will have to have an upper GI series AND a small bowel series to see if there are possible blockages.
I am taking the Reglan and have just finished my first 8-hour shift at work since March 6th and I feel wonderful! I am hoping to start riding my bike and working out again after June 1st.
Well, thats about it for this update. Again, I sincerely thank each and every one who have offered words of encouragement, get well wishes, phone calls, IMs and emails. You guys truly are the best! And whats more, once everything is over, I will be just as active AND good looking as I was before all this LOL. Have a nice day everyone. I love you all!
George