X-ray, Road Trip, and Scope #4

The next morning I had to go get the x-ray done for the urologist. I went in the morning and had that done and then started the adventure of trying to get a hold of Dr. Frech to have something done. My family had a road trip planned for several months and we were scheduled to leave the next morning, so I was desperate to have something done to feel some relief. Unfortunately, I learned throughout the day that the phones at Dr. Frech’s office were down. So I emailed his medical assistant to try and get something done and got no response for the rest of the day. I took out my own IV.

The next morning we left for our trip. I spent the entire vacation only drinking ½ a protein shake a day and about 4-8 oz. of water. It was miserable. By the time we had returned from our vacation, I had not eaten for an entire week.

While on vacation, the phones were fixed and Dr. Frech’s assistant was able to contact me. Dr. Frech suggested another scope but was reluctant to do it, because it was a little too soon from my last one. Because of the ER visit and my symptoms, we decided that we should do it again.

I went to IMC the next morning after getting back from vacation. I went through the usual and was taken to the procedure room and met with Dr. Frech. I told him what had happened in the ER and what the Dr. had assumed was happening. He didn't think that it was possible for the connection to shrink enough in a week and half’s time to cause a blockage. We discussed several options but I told him something needed to be done to break this cycle of stretch-feel good-feel bad-stop eating-pass out-ER visit-another stretch. He decides to go ahead and check everything and I am knocked out again.

I wake up in the recovery room. He says that the connection has shrunk to 16mm and he was able to stretch it to 18mm. From now on, he doesn't want to stretch it any bigger than 18mm because he is thinking that stretching it to 20mm was too harsh on my body. He also can’t explain mechanically why I am still having so many issues eating. For the first time since I have seen Dr. Frech he seems hopeless, lost, and frustrated. This worries me. He has always been on my side and has fought very hard for me. He is also not very happy about how much weight I have lost. Since I have not been able to maintain a weight and continually keep losing it, he will decide in 2 weeks at my follow-up appointment if they will put a feeding tube in.  Since my surgery 4 months ago, I have lost 67lbs. I am scheduled to see Dr. Rasmussen the next day. Hopefully, he has an idea of what to do next.