Don't know anything abt. asbestos but the swallowing problem is where my husband and yours share commom ground. Mine has had the dilation of esophagus but the real problem is using the tongue to push the food where it needs to be to swallow. Although he eats very little by mouth, he has found that mushy food such as banana is more difficult than a firmer type such as apple. Puddings, mashed potatoes, and the like are SO difficult/impossible. He eats soups easily and you can get quite creative w/ those (try homemade split pea, cream of spinach, chicken based ones made w/ dark meat for moistness--to vary things are give nutrition).