Hi Yall...you've all been on my mind the past couple of weeks, I guess I miss yall!!! ...so I had to pop in and say hello!! I hope all has been well with everyone!! Also, I have a question and I couldn't think of a better place to get an answer! I had a barium upper GI a couple of months ago, which led to an EGD...a couple of weeks later, I received a letter in the mail, telling me that I had an appt. in the surgery clinic. I went and had the scope, when I went to my appt. to get the test results, I was told that I have Barrett's Esophagus and the biopsies(sp?) they took during the EGD showed dysplasia is present? I'm scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks(on the 20th)...can someone please explain all of this to me? I'm not at all familiar with Barrett's...do any of our KA family members have Barrett's? has anyone had this surgery? I just don't know what to expect, before and after surgery...I guess I'm a little nervous... I really appreciate any advice. Thanks ...Michelle

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Barrett's-Oesophagus.htm

Thats a fairly concise and easy to read explanation. My understanding is that it is a pre-cancerous condition caused by untreated reflux, but that it doesn't usually progress. Good idea to keep monitoring it with regular endoscopies though. I'm not sure what the surgery is that you are talking about? Would it be some kind of hiatal hernia repair to stop reflux happening and therefore prevent further damage?

Thanks for the link, cemc, it was very easy to read... I was told that my GERD caused it but it was treated, I take 40mg Nexium ...the valve that keeps your stomach contents from coming back up, is completely gone, it's eroded away and there is an area on the left wall of my esophagus that will have to be removed too, then they will rebuild it all, my biopsies showed dysplasia (I'm still not sure what that means, I'm going to ask the Nurse Practitioner on Friday...I don't have all of the details yet, I have a pre-op appt. with the Nurse Practitioner, in the Surgery Clinic on Friday, so I'll find out more then...thanks again for the link!!!

Best of luck Michelle with the surgery!

I am here for you.

Many hugs going your way

Gerri & Makaylah

Hi Michelle!

Sorry to learn of your recent diagnosis. I battle GERD myself. I had a scope and the doctor suspected Barrett's. However, they biopsed some tissue and it turned out be negative. Not sure about a Barrett's surgery. Wishing you the best! Please keep us informed!

Craig

dysplasia is in very simple terms changes in cells that is heading towards pre-cancerous. Not a problem generally if it stays that way, but something to watch. Some types of dysplasia are more important to watch than others.

Thanks Pea!!! ...

Thanks Gerri...big hugs & much love, my sister...

Hi Craig, thanks for sharing your Barrett's experience with me, it set me at ease somewhat... Outside of that, it's so good to see you!!! How have you been?