We met with someone from Portland Gastroenterology today to discuss Barbara's swallowing issue as well as getting any advice about how she is feeling after eating.
First, since none of the nausea medication she was given during Chemo seems to really help much, there is probably very little they can do to help with this problem. As we had read during my earlier research, it is most likely just her system adjusting to her not having a stomach which can take a year or longer. It seems like most of things she can do are related to diet. We got a few suggestions and the NP we talked to is going to talk to someone else about both this and the swallowing issue to see if he might have some other ideas. We should hear from her in a few days.
On the swallowing problem, it turns out that it has been much better for about 2-3 weeks now (did not really realize this until we talked about it with the NP). Barbara has not had to throw up for about that long although she does feel like food is still getting stuck every now and then. But when this happens, she has been able to get it to clear up without having to throw anything up which is a big improvement. In the discussion today, the NP explained in more detail about what was actually happening and indicated that it will sometimes improve over time but that there were also some medications that could help calm down the muscle spasm to make things work better. As it turns out, one of the medications that they use to help this is also used to lower blood pressure. Barbara started taking her blood pressure medication again about the same time that the problem started getting better, so even though the specific medication she is taking is not the exact one they normally would have prescribed for her for this problem, there is a pretty good chance it is having the same effect and helping with the spasms. The NP also indicated there was another medication they could try if necessary (something Barbara took a long time ago for her nerve problems which also made her sleepy), but we all felt it best to hold off on that since maybe the issue is enough under control to be manageable. If it starts getting worse again, she said to call and they could put in a prescription for her. She also made a few suggestions about what and how to eat that might help (most of which Barbara is already doing, but not all). They will schedule a follow up with one of the doctors in 4 months to see how it is doing. If the problem is gone, we may not go, but if it is still there, we will. Of course, if it gets worse, we can always call to schedule something sooner. We liked the NP we talked to and feel comfortable with what she had to say and the plan going forward. Hopefully the blood pressure medication is really helping and the problem will stay under control.
We still go to Farmington tomorrow for blood work and to have a contrast CT scan. This is her first cancer follow up to check whether the cancer is really gone or not. This will go on for at least 2+ years unless they find something, but hopefully less often as time goes by. We probably won't know anything from this testing until we meet with her new Oncologist next Friday. If anything comes out tomorrow, I will do an update, but otherwise I will fill everyone in after the appointment next week. Hopefully it will basically be good news (meaning nothing is seen and detected). She may also find out about B12 shots next week from the blood work. Tomorrow will also count as a Port flush so that will not be required until around the first of the new year since it is needed once a month.
Wayne
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