Tami,

My husband's esophagus is also closed because of a complete stricture caused by radiation. Go to the topic in "After Treatment Issues" called "Dilation of the Esophagus". There may be a procedure to help open the esophagus without doing a total esophageal ressection. My husband also had a failed dilation. We are looking at a new procedure where they go up through the PEG tube and puncture the stricture and then dilate. You will see postings under the "Dilation of the Esophagus" site. This might be worth checking into before trying the total ressection.

Joni