Well over a year

It’s been well over a year since I was first diagnosed. This blog feels as if it’s turning a bit doom and gloom, but then again, that’s 2020. Since my last post, about coronavirus and rare diseases, I have learnt a lot.

I feared getting Covid and what that would mean for my EoE. This definitely distracted me from a much more present danger. My EoE. In June, I ended up back in Forth Valley Hospital’s A&E. I had a food bolus stuck in my oesophagus, near my voicebox. This time was a little different, I was struggling to breathe. So my mum and I headed to the hospital, but this time was different. There was a nurse at the door checking I didn’t have coronavirus symptoms. I was not allowed to bring anyone with me, I sat alone and waited to be seen. Which was, admittedly, quicker than normal. As soon as the doctor arrived I explained to her my condition and what needed to happen. She left to check my medical records and returned and agreed. However, it was 7 pm the gastroenterologist had gone home, I was to wait till the morning.

I was taken up to the day-surgery ward where I spent the night and then had surgery in the morning under general anaesthetic. I woke up groggy and more sore than usual. I was told there had been a small tear whilst performing the endoscope and subsequent dilation. This was disappointing as I had a dilation, not 9 weeks before this one, so, clearly, the scar tissue had just collapsed back in. Furthermore, my oxygen levels dipped whilst in theatre meaning they had to put me onto a ventilator temporarily. This was in addition to the endoscope in my already narrowed oesophagus, which I think contributed to the slight tear.

Initially, my biggest fear was that if it ever came to it, and I needed a ventilator it wouldn’t physically fit down my very narrow (5mm – equivalent to a drinking straw) throat. However, this operation showed me that it can be done which has taken away that fear, so I fear Covid a lot less, in a weird sense.

Whilst I felt physically better, I was definitely upset that the initial dilation had been reduced so quickly because now I have to look at other (scarier) alternatives.

So its been well over a year and it’s hard to say things have improved but for now, I’ve got my health (ish?) and a lot of other people and things to be extremely grateful for so c’est la vie I guess?