Can't stretch my esophagus, something in way, can't swallow

My husband had radical right side disection on his throat. It will be two years in November 2008. We have been blessed with repeated good news on pet scans. He was immediately able to swallow, but had some difficulties. His voice was very weak. In April 2008, this oncologist performed a surgery to restore his vocal chord. His voice returned. Two weeks later, he began having serious swallowing issues, along with fever. I suspected he was aspirating immediately. The doctors have been slow to admit anything and are sure that the vocal chord surgery has nothing to do with his problems. Now they have pet scan and CT scan results that show pieces of food in his lungs (low grade aspiration they say)2. He is now having to try to sleep sitting up, complains of difficulty breathing, can't keep food down, belching all the time. The doctors did an endoscopy to review his throat and report his esophagus and stomach for ok. They tried to stretch his esophagus yesterday but can't because something is pressing on it from the outside--they know not what. In the meanwhile, no food, great distress and difficulty breathing. I am concerned he will die waiting as the hospital only performs one activity per day. It is weekend now and we must wait for them to fit him in. They don't think the mass next to his esophagus is cancer because of numerous petscans (last one just a week ago) showing no cancer, but they can't be certain. Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? Does anyone know of the best medical treatmetn for post throat cancer difficulties? What might be the mass outside his esophagus blocking the ability to swallow. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

On 8/16/2008 surprised wrote:

My husband had radical right side disection on his throat. It will be two years in November 2008. We have been blessed with repeated good news on pet scans. He was immediately able to swallow, but had some difficulties. His voice was very weak. In April 2008, this oncologist performed a surgery to restore his vocal chord. His voice returned. Two weeks later, he began having serious swallowing issues, along with fever. I suspected he was aspirating immediately. The doctors have been slow to admit anything and are sure that the vocal chord surgery has nothing to do with his problems. Now they have pet scan and CT scan results that show pieces of food in his lungs (low grade aspiration they say)2. He is now having to try to sleep sitting up, complains of difficulty breathing, can't keep food down, belching all the time. The doctors did an endoscopy to review his throat and report his esophagus and stomach for ok. They tried to stretch his esophagus yesterday but can't because something is pressing on it from the outside--they know not what. In the meanwhile, no food, great distress and difficulty breathing. I am concerned he will die waiting as the hospital only performs one activity per day. It is weekend now and we must wait for them to fit him in. They don't think the mass next to his esophagus is cancer because of numerous petscans (last one just a week ago) showing no cancer, but they can't be certain. Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? Does anyone know of the best medical treatmetn for post throat cancer difficulties? What might be the mass outside his esophagus blocking the ability to swallow. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Hi, Try going to a Lymphatic (Lymphedema Center) as the Lymphpatic System is directly tied to swelling and fibrosity in healing.

EEB/EMB 

 

Sure hope they got him fixed up. Something about that doesn't sound right. If they did a CT and endoscope they had an idea.  If they are sure it is not from surgery they have to know something. A problem with vocal chord or larnyx can and will interfear with the opening and closing of the valve and let food and liquid into the lungs. I lost a lot of parts to questionable surgical procedures and really hate to hear such things.  If they do not have an absolute answer and solution by now please do your self a favor and seek help elsewhere.

Since there is food in the lungs and he cannot swallow they should have put in a feeding tube or kept him in the hospital.

I am scheduled to see a Swallowing therapist. I had a modified radical neck dissection on 6/30/08.  I have had range of motion issues and swallowing issues. I was directed by my radiation oncologist for therapy on both as well as treating the lymphadima i am experiancing.  I would have to agree with the others and seek a second opinion in your husbands case.   Best of luck!!

 

Gregg