Steve,

My husband’s esophagus was totally closed by scarring post radiation — to the extent that a GI asked him what he was doing at a swallowing test. Other doctors were more sympathetic. John found an interventional radiologist who managed to open up his esophagus using earth magnets. As far as I know, John was and still remains the only patient who has had this procedure done. That was followed by five or six dilations. It got to the point where he was able to eat poached eggs and some very soft food. Unfortunately, six months later, he was dealt a rather cruel blow — he developed silent aspiration which gave him pneumonia and put him in hospital. This was a surprise to us and to the speech and language pathologist who looked after him as John had kept up with his swallowing exercises through the one and a half years before the procedure. His swallowing muscles simply failed. I believe this is important for people who have swallowing difficulties. The swallowing muscles can deteriorate in function and fail. This will lead to further problems. One SLP explained to me that even saliva can seep into the windpipe and, over time, will cause pneumonia. So, it’s a good idea to see an SLP. The swallowing specialists should be attached to the swallowing clinic at the hospitals. They can talk to you about the thickness of the liquids you can ingest, swallowing techniques and keep an eye on your progress. Yo7 might also be able to find one through your GI.


Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards

Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.