Tests tests

The intent was to post before today...sadly things didn't work out that way.  Life has been complicated.  No more so than everyone else's out there.  Just complicated.  Roger feels less bad than previous days.  Still not good...but less bad nonetheless. 

He had a couple tests today as part of determining if the doctor should do an endoscopic dialation...stretch his esophagus/stomach junction.  We thought the test would be a barium swallow....drinking two cups of nasty chalk like crap (his words).  He said they did a different test first, essentially drinking something like alka seltzer.  Two tablets of something fizzy in a small glass.  The radiologist and nurse both said repeatedly "now whatever you do....DON'T BURP.  DON'T BURP".  Hmmmmm.  So, Roger being the good patient dropped the tablet powder into his mouth (per their instructions) and quickly drank down water like drinking a shot.  He described it like an explosion of gas going down...and of course the immediate, urgent, impossible to surpress need to BURP.  Meanwhile the radiologist and nurse are both basically cheering "drink drink BUT DON'T BURP".  Punch line?  Yep, he burped.  There was no problem - just that the test couldn't be done.  The radiologist determined that when they took out the majority of Roger's esophagus they removed/damaged the nerves/muscle which cause the esophagus/stomach to move food downward.  So, if the muscle/nerves are damaged or not functioning....no way to also keep gas down.  Burps away.  Plan two was the barium swallow which worked well enough.  Not as well as the bubbly stuff, but an option nonetheless.

Test results:  looks like they are going to do the dialation next Friday.  At that time they will also scope Roger's stomach.  Doctor thinks there is a chance Roger might have stomach ulcers which could cause some of the pain and discomfort he has been feeling.  So, a little more hospital time for the Wethingtons next week. 

Roger seems to be eating more.  Of course, NOTHING good.  The latest craving?  ohdeargod.... thin, breaded, frozen pork-type tenderloin-fritter-kinda things that you...what do you do?  YES, you FRY them.  I had to search the frozen food section over and over before I found this lonely, sad box of processed pork "fritters".  gross gross gross.  Having said that, Roger did managed to eat two of the nasty things.  Then, followed them up with Doritos, and then followed those up with Little Debbie Nutty Peanut Butter Bars.  So, I will calmly turn myself over to the nutrition police when they come calling.  I cannot believe I actually supported this saturated fat fest!!!!!!  Alas, calories are calories at this stage. 

Hope your world is a little more nutricious. love, a & r