All, thanks for your thoughts.
@Zoffiel Thanx Marg. Though it's not a side effect. I'm just unlucky to have a totally different disease.
@Sister @LMK74 There are two types of surgeries that treat Achalasia. They also treat it with botox and balloon dilations but reserve these for people too frail for surgery as these treatments don't last. The surgery I will have is a Heller Myotomy with a fundoplication. Basically they will cut the oesophageal muscles and the lower oesphageal sphincter to open it permanently to allow the food through. Because this will mean stomach acid can come back up whenever I bend over or lie down, they will have to wrap the top section of my stomach around my oesophagus (the fundoplication part). This is the standard treatment for my type and grade of Achalasia. If I don't have the surgery the condition advances and when it gets to type four they have to remove the entire oesophagus.
This disease is apparently rare 1 in 100,000. I have already been referred to an online support group, and they have been truly wonderful. And there is lots of information on google. I spent Friday in tears having my own private pity fest party after the third doctor told me I absolutely have to have this surgery and how serious it was. From my medical history it looks like I had Achalasia before my BC was detected, it's only that it has now advanced to a stage where it is can be diagnosed. I was told that the first surgery that will be done laparoscopically doesn't always take and follow up surgeries are often required. I was also told that because this disease also increases the risk of oesophageal cancer by 30 times, I will also have to have regular endoscopies. Why not just add these to my yearly mammograms and ultrasounds. Trying to stay positive. At least it won't kill me, but FFS......
@primek thanks for the link. The thickening on the scans ended up being inflammation. My over extended oesophagus had made everything inflamed. So I am super glad, at least it is not the big C.
