scared

I was diagnosed in June with high grade dysplasia and had a mucosal resection during my first endoscopy with the specialist.  He said he got all the dysplasia but I still have Barrett's.  I've had two endoscopies since then and in each instance they've done a biopsy.  So far so good.  I had surgery to stop the reflux and will continue to be monitored by endoscopies.  They haven't set that schedule yet but it will probably be every three or six months.  

This stuff is really scary but find the best doctor you can and do what he recommends.  You may need surgery to stop the reflux.  I had it two weeks ago and have found the recovery much easier than I thought it would be.  If you have concerns, get a second opinion.  

I had a mucosal resection to remove the dysplasia.  My reflux was due to a large hiatal hernia so three months later I had a Nissen fundoplication and hernia repair.  I've had bleeding from the hernia for several months and the surgery should eliminate that - at least that's the goal.  

Take it one step at a time.  If you have a good GI specialist and surgeon, they will guide you along the way.  If you want to verify what they're saying, get a second opinion.

After removal of the dysplasia, you'll just have Barrett's which many people have and isn't cancerous.  Because the dysplasia is high grade, it should be removed and then you'll probably be monitored by having endoscopies and biopsies on a routine basis.  I expect I'll have one every three months for a couple years and if the dysplasia doesn't recur, they might change it to every six months.  Since I have silent reflux I can't tell when I have it.  The GI specialist was insistent that I have the hernia surgery and Nissen as soon as possible because that should stop the reflux.  You're on the right track.  Try to relax and take it one step at a time.  

The specialist removed it during my first appointment with him.  In April they discovered I was anemic and I needed two transfusion and an iron infusion to get my hemoglobin level up.   In May I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy when the dysplasia was found.  They also found the bleeding was coming from the hiatal hernia.  In June the specialist removed the dysplasia and did a biopsy.  In September another endoscopy and biopsy was done and in November I had surgery.  When I type this it seems like a lot but obviously the doctors had a sense of urgency to get things under control.  

 

You’re beginning the first steps and if your experience is like mine, you’ll have days when you feel overwhelmed.  These are steps we have to take to be well again.  Thank goodness the dysplasia was found!