ME
Judy,
The good news is that you don't have cancer. Polyps are a pain because once you have them, you have to get the colonoscopy more but every three years isn't bad compared to every year. Getting those things out and finding out that your bowels are healthy and that the polyps were non cancerous is a good thing. And the other problem is awful but not the end of the world...your esophagus is in a mess but is not cancerous either and you can treat the chronic heart burn with over the counter, generic, prilosec. I'm surprised that your WLS surgeon didn't put you on prilosec for life...mine did and I never have heart burn.
I know my advice is about as asked for as my opinions but because I deal with my husband's colon issues and his heart burn every single day, I feel like I can offer you some support here: find some over the counter acid reducer and take it...don't take it when you remember or when you get the heart burn; take it every, single, day. It will cost you because you cannot get them free but in the end, it is better for you. if the over counter stuff doesn't stop the heart burn, change your diet...stop eating the greasy foods that are known to cause increased acid production. You have some choices to make and those choices will help you or will hurt you...I hope you become proactive to eat better, take the medicine you need, and let your esophagus heal.
I cannot remember who posted about the cervix issues but I am of the same school: if it is bothering you and your cervix clearly is, and if you aren't using it and unless you are thinking of taking hormones and getting infertility treatment to get your uterus ready for a baby and get some eggs donated and fertilized, have that stuff taken out. The day they did my hysterectomy was the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't have to worry about cervical cancer, uterine cancer, or ovarian cancer....
I, too, hate when my insurance makes me fight for treatment and I have state insurance through my job...but they, like so many other insurance companies, want to save money so they make the doctors pre certify certain procedures...my MS medications are an example...every few months, my doctor has to write letters to get them to pay for the extremely expensive medication...it's a price we all pay because insurance companies aren't regulated the way they should be...
I hope you relax and remember that it's not cancer...it's treatable...and you are in charge of your own health destiny...
Dearest Judy,
Okay deep breath. You do not have cancer at this point in time. That is GOOD news. There is time to explore your options and deal with the insurance, etc. Yes you might have to appeal. But you have time to do these things.
I think, instead, you should concentrate on doing everything you can to keep the condition from worsening. Your diet is paramount in dealing with Barretts. What little bit I read when I googled it indicated that alcohol can really aggravate the tissues involved. So no more "Apple pie"! Do as Jeannie and Eileen suggest and take the prilosec daily. FIGHT for yourself. Cancer is NOT the inevitable outcome!
I know you are scared and worried, but as the Bible says, "who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?" Luke 12:25.
So it's my turn to play Nurse Ratchett, sweet friend. Pull yourself together, research what foods to avoid, and take a proactive stance. You are not a victim and you do not have cancer! Let's keep it that way!
I love you dearly. Praying for you daily.
Vickie
Thank you ALL for answering to my post!!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSS
Now...I DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS!!!!!!!!!!!! I have NEVER HAD ANY!!!!!!!!!! I have not had ANY acid reflux since RNY at all!!! According to this new Dr I must have had this since my RNY surgery!!! Well IF I did...WHY didn't Dr Foote tell me this then?? Why after all these years have I not had ANY problems until I went for blood work and stool sample and was found to have blood in the stool sample??????? So they said I was BLEEDING INTERNALLY...NOW THIS!!!!!!!!!! WTH IS GOING ON???????? I was fine up until I got insurance and now I am sick?????????? As far as my drinking...I have one or two drinks a week IF that. Yippeee...Apple Pie...I wish!!!!! Since Michael moved out no more of that. DAMIT!!!!! As for Coke...maybe one or two a week if that even. WATER is what I have been drinking.
So with that said back to playing my games and hiding in my corner.
HUGSSSSSSSSS
