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| Antegrade, double-balloon enteroscopy |
I've been sticking to foods that won't get stuck. And the diarrhea didn't seem unmanageable. And the pain for partial obstructions was absent for a while.
"Maybe I don't need another expensive, time-killing, foggy-head-making, invasive procedure," I thought. "Maybe I'll just cancel it and think about it again if it starts getting worse."
Then it happened again. The old, familiar, partial-obstruction pain as my small bowel tries to work through something that doesn't easily slide through the stricture.
NO FAIR! I didn't splurge on any crunchy, yummy, fresh veggies.
Sigh.
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| Endoscopy camera capsule retrieved from my small intestine in February 2013. Shown here with a quarter for size perspective. |
So I kept the appointment. At noon Tuesday, May 21, I'll be checking in for an out-patient antegrade, double-balloon endoscopy for dilation of strictures.
I know the strictures are still there, because they don't usually self-resolve. And they were holding hostage the endoscopy camera capsule, until the previous enteroscopy to retrieve it. Because the venture in January to both dilate strictures and retrieve the capsule was not successful, the doctor focused the February adventure on simply retrieving the capsule. And here's proof that he did.
He recommended that I return in April (OK, so I procrastinated) for stricture dilation, and then return for repeat dilations as needed. Apparently, he has some patients who get dilated a couple of times a year.
So, I'm wondering if dilation really works, since I'd just have to go back a couple of times a year for a repeat performance. But if I were symptom-free for months at a time, maybe it would be worth it? It's both expensive and somewhat risky. But not as risky as surgery, which is always a possibility if a stricture causes a complete obstruction that could kill me.
Hmmm. I'm thinking I'll see how tomorrow goes. I have a follow-up appointment May 31 with Dr. Radwin, who will perform the procedure. I want to talk with him about it when I'm not loopy on anesthesia. Then maybe I can get a better idea of whether this could be an effective way to control the Crohn's Disease. I'll ask what has become of the strictures he dilated before. Did they spring right back? Are the tissues elastic enough to endure future dilations without me ending up with a perforated bowel?
I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, enjoy some salad, nuts, hot-fudge sundaes and M&Ms or Kit Kat bars for me!
Take care,
Beth :-)
