The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
My husband had his Upper Endoscopy yesterday. Along with A "Handfull of Ulcers" in his stomach, he has Barretts Esophagus. Something that COULD lead to cancer of the esophagus. They gave him Prilosec (sp) They want to do another endoscopy in 2 months to see if it is healing, but my husband said he isn't going to do that one. Anyone ever heard of Barretts or had experience with it?
Hi Tired, I'm glad that your husband did seek medical care and has received a diagnosis. With this the medical profession can begin treatment and attempt to arrest the disease. My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer over 30 years ago so that I checked the Internet to see if there was anything new on the subject. I found that:
"The cells of Barrett's esophagus, after biopsy, are classified into four general categories: nondysplastic, low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and frank carcinoma. High-grade dysplasia and early stages of adenocarcinoma can be treated by endoscopic resection and new endoscopic therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, whereas advanced stages (submucosal) are generally advised to undergo surgical treatment. Nondysplastic and low-grade patients are generally advised to undergo annual observation with endoscopy, with radiofrequency ablation as a therapeutic option. In high-grade dysplasia, the risk of developing cancer might be at 10% per patient-year or greater.[1]"
I pray that your hubby follows up on this and I hope you increase your meetings and the use of Al-Anon principles.. Prayers and positive thoughts on the way
my husband has BE. He's had it for years. He takes prilosec/prevacid daily and it is not a big deal for him. He just had an endoscopy and was told to have one in 3 years.
I personally have many OTHER things going on that I need to worry about his BE is the least of my worries.
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-- ladybug
We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
Thank you Hotrod! Very useful information. I have good support from my church and family. I have been through Alanon since I was a teen, and feel pretty good about that mentally. But I thought getting on this board again would be good. To talk to like minded people going through the same things. Church people and friends are awesome, but they are missing that one part of the understanding. (dealing with an alcoholic) Thank you for your responces!
