Come what may, the future is bright. It probably involves many years of productive living, but whatever it involves, the future is bright.
I am scheduled for a procedure at UCLA on June 19 – an endoscopy with dilation plus a few extras. More on that in a moment.
I had an interesting and amusing observation from my pulmonologist . There are so many specialists monitoring so many things and she is watching a small, but growing cyst on my lung. So, she look at my CT scans and came back with a look of wonder, amazement, and curiosity.
"That is the most distended esophagus I have ever seen. Can I show that to a friend who would be really interested?"
"Sure, anything that would educate or entertain."
"I have been practicing since 1991 and that is the worst esophagus I have ever seen."
I felt a little honored in a bizarre way that only people who share my sense of humor would understand.
That doctor did and we both sort of chuckled – respectfully.
Since fasting does not clean out my esophagus, the doctor at UCLA will have to intubate me to prevent aspiration of material into by trachea. Then he can examine the esophagus yet again, maybe find out what a particular lump is there that showed up on the CT, and dilate the opening to my pouch that is virtually shut down.
That way, I can continue to take in some liquids and may some thicker items by mouth. At the moment, it is closing more every day and everything is building up in the esophagus.
But I do like to eat and I am extremely careful … but now I cannot be careful enough. Even liquid is being stored for a while.
Again, I love food. I even like to chew it and spit it out. This whole condition is so ironic. I am a food guy, a food writer as a hobby, and a collector of exotic food experiences.
There is almost constant pain. It was coming from the spot around the "lump/diverticula/petrusion/pocket" or whatever it is (over a year consistent) to the whole chest – increasing in severity.
Also, it is sort of weird to have the sensation that you need to vomit, but due to lack of peristalis, not to be able to. I did yesterday, but it had to be pretty severe and there was still a lot of old material left in the esophagus — still there now.
The G- Tube works ok, but there seems to be a motility issue from my perspective. The thing is, I cannot lead an active life and be constantly feeding through the tube to get enough nutrients and fluids.
So … we are going to try this.
I am assured that I can live with this condition for many years into old age … But it almost sounds like a job :)
The heart is beating strong with a pacemaker — no recent tachycardia events thanks to magnesium, potassium, and beta blockers.
No new DVTs.
No recent seizures thanks to Keppra – but my neurologist still wants me in regularly — maybe because she wants me to help her write a book about a different subject.
I have to watch my blood sugar for drops. That is often a challenge, but manageable.
OK — Is that all?
Brain – spots, stable cyst, old ischemic veins — under control – CHECK
Lungs – Another CT in October – — under control – CHECK
Apnea – — under control – CHECK
Sugar – — under control – CHECK
G- Tube remnant stomach – — under control – CHECK
Blood pressure – actually a little low – — under control – CHECK
Normal old guy problems mike cholesterol – GREAT!
GOUT – Gone for 8 years!!!!!!!
Neck, Back, Spine – Actually deteriorating, but I am still walking and standing – — under control – CHECK
Teeth – Fixed!
Eyes – Ready for a new set of glasses I think.
Attitude – Needs constant adjustment.
Disposition – Ask my wife!
Kidneys – — under control – CHECK
Thyroid – — under control – CHECK
Spirit – in God's hands
Skin – Itches … but whose doesn't!
Heart – other than elongated and tortuous aorta (which sounds far worse than it is), sick sinus syndrome, and arrhythmia with occasional tachycardia events — Actually very good – — under control – CHECK
Ability to make endless lists – STRONG! — under control – CHECK
Mental Acuity – I can still count back by 7s and remember the three words. — under control – CHECK
Esophagus – The most complicated anyone has ever seen – Ready to be under control – CHECK
"And that's the news from Lake Wobegon where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."
The future is bright — the near future and the far future … and the best is yet to come!
Pastor Tom's Community 
Leave a comment