Alfalfa hay is the smell of my childhood. It makes me incredibly nostalgic.

I’m so excited to see Kate Lister on here! Listen to her podcast. She’s just the best. https://access.historyhit.com/betwixt-the-sheets

I had the same surgery and it was very successful. Can’t believe it but it’s almost been 14 years ago. I got really lucky in that I still have peristalsis in the top two thirds of my esophagus so I can eat whatever I want 99% of the time. Still have to eat slow and I get terribly painful muscle spasms a few times a year.

I had the same thoughts about space after my diagnosis! I even worry about back injuries or anything that would leave me flat on my back in bed since swallowing would become difficult. Just SUPER grateful for laparoscopic surgery so I didn’t have to go through the old open chest version.

Be well and swallow smoothly!

Hello fellow achalasian! I remember my first barium swallow test. They called in the radiologist since things were so abnormal. He looked at my images and just said “…huh”. Good times.

FYI- Jason Kander dropped out of politics to seek help for his PTSD. He now works to house homeless vets and help Afghans fleeing the Taliban. He’s pretty badass IMO. https://martincitytelegraph.com/2024/02/18/whatever-happened-to-jason-kander-hes-been-operating-daring-rescues-overseas/