Late radiation damage

Every day I am confronted with the consequences of cancer. For everyone who thinks it's gone now, everything is back to normal: no unfortunately not. Maybe it's a new normal. One in which I am aware of my mortality. Where I know that nothing in life is self-evident. But also in which I notice the consequences of surgery and radiation every day.

Sensitivity in my neck, a thyroid gland that is not working properly, not being able to make all movements with my head because of a physical limitation due to the surgery.

A few weeks ago I noticed that I regularly have the feeling that my medication is getting stuck in my esophagus. From the moment I noticed that, I started paying attention and also thinking about whether I suffer from more often. That indeed turns out to be the case. For some time now I have had increasing problems with swallowing food. Especially harder or drier food. But I also notice more and more that there seems to be something in my esophagus.

One of the possible long-term effects of the radiation is the formation of scar tissue in my esophagus. This is also the first thing I think of when noticing this feeling. Enough to get a referral for a gastroscopy. Yesterday I had an intake interview with a nurse specialist from the Gastroenterology and Hepatology department. The doctor also finds it plausible that scar tissue has formed. To determine the actual cause of my complaints, they will perform a gastroscopy in which they will examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is also possible that there is another cause, for example a malignant tumor in my esophagus. I don't expect this, but it does give an extra bit of stress. Because radiation can also cause cancer.

If it turns out to be scar tissue, they can stretch the esophagus. They do this by inflating a balloon at the site of the scar tissue. It is not yet certain whether they will do this during the gastroscopy or whether a separate appointment must be made for this. That depends, among other things, on the time that the treatment takes.

I am afraid of the gastroscopy. I've had two bronchoscopies. I thought it was a terrible examination. The first time with only a local anesthetic and the second time with a sedative. Fortunately, I can get the sedative this time again.

Two more weeks until the endoscopy and hopefully I can swallow normally again soon.



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