Since yesterday I have learned a lot about strictures ( blockage ) of the esophagus and the balloon dilation procedure. The dilation usually improves swallowing ability but must be repeated perioically because it tends to grow or fuse back together. There is a surgical bypass procedure but it is very serious and the doctors don't recommend doing it.
My original ENT surgeon who perfomed my biopsy also put in a trachea at the same time, fearing that the tumor did not leave me enough room to breathe. Up to that point I had no difficulty breathing. The next week I had my first appointment with my surgeon at MDAnderson and he immediately told me that I did not need the trachea and we removed it about a week later.
Today the surgeon told me that the complications in my esophagus, caused by the radiation, wouldn't have been a problem but for the trachea!!
Next week I will be meeting a gastroenteroligist who will be the one to perfome the dilation.
I sure hope that this stuff works!!

Danny G.