For the last few weeks I've been living with a problem: I can't swallow properly. It started in late October and has been getting progressively worse. It manifested itself by food sticking in my gullet, or as my mother would say 'going down the wrong way.' At first, it didn't happen all the time so I wasn't too worried. I told myself I was imagining it. In the run up to Christmas, however, it got worse. I effectively could not eat solid food. My GP referred me to the Endoscopy Unit at St Vincent's Hospital and I had the exam this afternoon.
The exam itself was only slightly uncomfortable. The staff in the endoscopy unit were great. Thanks to the anesthetic I didn't feel any pain, at least not at the beginning. However, to properly examine the stomach the consultant needs to introduce air into it. This caused some cramps, not to mention some post-examination belching and breaking of wind.
The initial idea was that, all being well, the problem would be rectified by inserting a balloon into the esophagus and inflating it, thus stretching the esophagus, however, when I heard Professor O'Donoghue ask the nurse for the biopsy tools I had a feeling it wasn't going to be that easy.
The good news was Professor O'Donoghue didn't go "Oh, my God, we're admitting you immediately." But the bad news was that he couldn't rectify the problem there and then. I will have to be admitted for further tests. Apparently, the end of my gullet is highly inflamed, more than would be expected from damage by acid indigestion.
So now I'm waiting for Professor O'Donoghue to arrange a bed and the necessary tests. What happens after that I don't know. The Professor mentioned radiotherapy, drugs even surgery. If that happens, I'll be in hospital for several weeks. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Crumbs. Best of luck with this.
Posted by: Nicholas Whyte | January 05, 2006 at 07:06 AM
This is not the kind of news one wishes for Christmas. Our thoughts are with you . . .
Posted by: Bernie Goldbach | January 05, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Thank you for you thoughts and best wishes.
Posted by: David Stewart | January 05, 2006 at 03:24 PM