Oh Chip!

Blog Post created by JonesCarpeDiem on May 13, 2017

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They implanted a chip in my esophagus and gave me buttons to push whenever I change activities or have heartburn, belching (I don't belch) or regurgitato-nation.

How is one coming out of anesthesia supposed to remember and follow verbal instructions? Not only that, I am supposed to write down every movement, every time I eat, take medication, or recline on paper charts. So do I need a clipboard for the next 5 days? :-(

It starts beeping if I get more than 3 feet from it.

The coup de gras is I have to spend 2 hours hand delivering it back to the hospital the middle of next week.

Ok I've punched the meal button and written coffee with cream on the chart.

Can I live now?

Through Venting

Outcomes

27 Comments

c2q May 13, 2017 6:49 AM
Actually, sounds pretty cool. So this little chip is gathering info on what is causing your acid leak? You're on the edge of science there, Dr. Dale.
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- JonesCarpeDiem @ c2q on May 13, 2017 7:02 AM
  It's supposed to let go in 5-10 days. I hope they don't expect me to look for it.
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  - c2q @ JonesCarpeDiem on May 13, 2017 7:31 AM
    Gravity is a wonderful thing.
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Mandolinrain May 13, 2017 7:06 AM
I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were going through this. Hugs to you Dale. I hope things work out so they can manage your hear urn more. Is this GERD?

meanwhile how about you throw them for a loop. just put the REPEAT sign at the end of your sentence like in music code, hahahahaha :
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- JonesCarpeDiem @ Mandolinrain on May 13, 2017 7:42 AM
  Yes. Gerd leading to Barrett's Esophagus with high grade dysplasia
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JonesCarpeDiem May 13, 2017 7:42 AM
On a good note, the report says "the esophagus is the best it's ever looked."
How would he know? He's only seen it for 2 1/2 years :-)
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gregp136 May 13, 2017 8:42 AM
One of the reasons I joined this group is that I googled "Good looking Esophagus" and your name, JonesCarpeDiem, came up, with an arrow here. It is a real cutie!
Greg
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- JonesCarpeDiem @ gregp136 on May 13, 2017 9:57 AM
  Gee, thanks for the digestive compliment Greg. :-)
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- YoungAtHeart @ gregp136 on May 13, 2017 11:00 AM
  You two are the best! ROFLMAO!
  I NEEDED that!
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  - JustSharon @ YoungAtHeart on May 13, 2017 1:27 PM
    I agree, I got a good laugh too!
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  - JustSharon @ YoungAtHeart on May 13, 2017 1:32 PM
    Hey Dale, glad to see you in such good humor over this! Not sure I'd feel the same...I suffer GERDS too. Medications still help though. I'm assuming yours was not well controlled by meds??
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elvan May 13, 2017 9:35 AM
Wow, that sounds pretty intense. I am impressed that they have that kind of technology but not thrilled that it keeps you tethered to a beeper. It IS interesting, wonder if they will find anything out that they did not know. Glad that your 2 1/2 year old esophagus looks the best ever, that's really good news. I SO HOPE that this can settle down for you. I know you had a very long day yesterday.

Carry a little notebook with you...eating, taking medication, reclining...yikes, that might need a BIGGER notebook but, then again, you are so inventive, you can probably come up with a little chart and just enter the times next to a fork and spoon, a bottle of pills, and a lounge chair. I can just see you coming up with a design that they will want to use for other patients...be sure to copyright it!

JonesCarpeDiem You have a WONDERFUL day! I think it is ridiculous that you have to drive two hours to RETURN the thing. That is NOT good service....they should send a car for you or for IT.

((((HUGS))))
Ellen
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- JonesCarpeDiem @ elvan on May 13, 2017 9:40 AM
  Yes, I don't know why I couldn't pack it in a bubble mailer and send it back UPS or Fedex
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  - elvan @ JonesCarpeDiem on May 13, 2017 9:59 AM
    JonesCarpeDiem Maybe you could. It would certainly be a more "civilized" expectation. I think it is a GPS device and they are tracking your movements...do you have a tinfoil hat? I could loan you one.
    :}
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    - JonesCarpeDiem @ elvan on May 13, 2017 10:02 AM
      I just looked for the cost of one and they are $600-$800
      What if I insured it for $800?
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    - JonesCarpeDiem @ elvan on May 13, 2017 11:00 AM
      I have lots of foil, I could certainly make one
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Daniela2016 May 13, 2017 11:16 AM
Be good Dale, it looks as they are treating you with the latest technology, and that shows they care. I am happy you have that team of doctors. As for the ride...oh well, California is beautiful, take it as a nice trip others planned for you
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Daniela2016 May 13, 2017 11:21 AM
And yes, you can create a spreadsheet with all these activities, and just enter the time of the day when it happened.
Ask Bree, that is what we do on Weight Watchers, we write down every thing we eat (and we calculate if it is not on a list to select from), and every time we move, every day, every week, till we reach the goal, or just drop the activity all together! At least you have a short time limit on your journaling !
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Giulia May 13, 2017 12:58 PM
Every movement, eh? Do you need to make note of your bowel movements for it too???? Maybe it's part of a new study and you can get the whole thing covered for free! Starts beeping if you're more than 3' away - sounds like a DUI cuff. Maybe it'll shut up if you write a song for it. Where are these buttons you have to push, in your cheek? Just kidding, of course. Did you even know they were planning to do that before you had it done? Hope so. So many questions. Fortunately it's only 5 days. Fortunately the tube is the best it's ever looked to him. Beep, over and out.
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- Jennifer-Quit @ Giulia on May 13, 2017 1:08 PM
  By "every movement" I assumed he was referring to bowel movements -lol - But I probably totally misunderstood that one. Congratulations JonesCarpeDiem on having a better looking esophagus! Sounds like these procedures are working!
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freeneasy May 13, 2017 1:21 PM
Sounds bad. I would try to sleep a lot and probably only eat cold cereal, yogurt, cottage cheese and stuff that can be nuked. After a few eye surgeries, I was supposed to keep my head down facing the floor and only sit up while eating and going to the bathroom.. but you can keep your head down going to the bathroom too.
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tjanddj May 13, 2017 2:05 PM
Hopefully these next 5 days will past by quickly. To bad you couldn't just use one of those Go Pro cameras to record your every move. I would feel sorry for you for your travel time to just turn in the chip but it makes me feel good to know that I am not alone in having to travel a great distance for a 5 minute appointment that isn't even for me. Thank goodness for air conditioning, music and talk shows.
I am glad your esophagus is looking better!
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chuck-2-20-2011 May 13, 2017 3:30 PM
I guess I've been lucky in that respect. Every since pepcid became an over the counter drug, I haven't had any real episodes of heartburn or anything like that. Perhaps that saved me from permanent damage (I used to have horrible heartburn all the time). Glad it's going well for you! Well, I think it is anyway so long as you keep the device close.

Reminded me of my home sleep test. Had to drive thirty minutes to pick it up and then have it returned by eight the next morning so they could clean it for the next person. How's a person supposed to sleep, (an important part of the sleep test I assume) when you know you have to get up in time to drop the thing off. But in the end it all worked out, as yours will.

Have a great day!!

Chuck
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Christine13 May 13, 2017 4:44 PM
Oh my - what a pain in the neck, literally. I also have to drive two hours to a hospital sometimes 3 times weekly for
about a 15 minute appointment, also not for myself. I hope your five days goes fast!!
So glad your eausophagus is looking better.
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MarilynH May 13, 2017 5:44 PM
Humongous gentle, caring cyber hug for you Dale, I feel for you my friend! JonesCarpeDiem ,sorry that you have to go through this pain in the butt or should I say pain in the neck.
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Strudel May 13, 2017 8:34 PM
Oh my gosh Dale - prayers and hugs!
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Nix May 14, 2017 2:10 AM
Poor you Dale. It sounds rough for you. Sending you hugs and warm wishes to help your patience in the next couple of weeks.
Xx
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Oh Chip!

Outcomes

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