The dilation procedure went well today. They did not have to go in through the the stomach so no worries there. This time they were able to open my esophagus to 10 MM. That is approximately 0.40 inches. 10 MM is short of the final goal of 15 MM or more it is a definite improvement and going in the right direction. While 10 MM is only a 25% improvement in diameter is a 56% improvement in area. 8 MM was a circle with an area of approximately 50 MM. 10 MM is circle with an area of approximately 78 MM. On the other hand 15 MM is a circle with an area of approximately 176 MM.
For the first day they want me to consume liquids only. My throat is sore from the procedure but drinking is easier and feels more normal than it did before this dilation. That gives me hope that I may be able to start to some small solids in the next few days.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Whats On Tap This Week
Dilation #2 is scheduled for Tuesday this week. So far the first one seems to be keeping open. It may have shrunk a bit but I am still able to drink liquids better than I was before. We were on vacation last week and I was actually able to order a kids size soft serve ice cream in a cup and eat it. (A ice cream cone at this point would have been a definite problem.)
For this go around I am hoping that they are able to open it up enough so that I can start to try small solids. Things like soft fruits and such. One thing the first procedure did highlight is my dry mouth condition. Now that I am able to swallow liquids better what little saliva I have doesn't just hang around. I plan to start looking into some of the treatment options available in the next few weeks. I am generating some saliva but not enough to eat any type of dry food with. I tried a junior mint candy the other day and while I was able to swallow it in small amounts OK it was a challenge because there wasn't any saliva to help it go down. How important saliva is to eating and oral hygiene is one thing that this whole process has made me aware of.
One plus to being able to swallow liquids better is that I have given Ensure another try. The new improved flavors are definitely better than before. Still not what I would reach for as a preferred drink but they are now drinkable. What this means is that I can start to substitute those in for some of my regular feedings. This lets me have some portable nutrition and be away from my feeding supplies for longer periods. Last week we were on vacation up in the Thousand Islands area and it was a big help being able to drink Ensure while out and about.
I am hoping that after the next dilation procedure I will be able to start to get more of my nutrition from regular foods. I will probably post my next update at the end of this week after my throat has recovered from the procedure.
For this go around I am hoping that they are able to open it up enough so that I can start to try small solids. Things like soft fruits and such. One thing the first procedure did highlight is my dry mouth condition. Now that I am able to swallow liquids better what little saliva I have doesn't just hang around. I plan to start looking into some of the treatment options available in the next few weeks. I am generating some saliva but not enough to eat any type of dry food with. I tried a junior mint candy the other day and while I was able to swallow it in small amounts OK it was a challenge because there wasn't any saliva to help it go down. How important saliva is to eating and oral hygiene is one thing that this whole process has made me aware of.
One plus to being able to swallow liquids better is that I have given Ensure another try. The new improved flavors are definitely better than before. Still not what I would reach for as a preferred drink but they are now drinkable. What this means is that I can start to substitute those in for some of my regular feedings. This lets me have some portable nutrition and be away from my feeding supplies for longer periods. Last week we were on vacation up in the Thousand Islands area and it was a big help being able to drink Ensure while out and about.
I am hoping that after the next dilation procedure I will be able to start to get more of my nutrition from regular foods. I will probably post my next update at the end of this week after my throat has recovered from the procedure.
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