couple days ago, i received a nondescript envelope from palo alto medical. the dr. who performed my last scope had written a two paragraph note stating that there was no significant change in the barrett’s cells. he did mention to me, while i was in recovery, that the swelling, inflamation and ulcers were substantially better than they were during the last scope, a couple months prior. good news (that wasn’t reflected in this letter).
i initially mentioned this to a couple people at work and the response was universally confusing. people seemed to hear “it’s all better” instead of what i actually said. i adjusted and when i told anyone else about it, i said “the swellings improved and the pre/early cancerous cells aren’t any worse.” that avoided the awkward situation of having to explain to people that i wasn’t “all better.”
today, i called dr. sharma at the mayo clinic. dr. overholt at the thompson center suggested that i contact him, as he’s geographically closer to me. very helpful coordinators told me that the entire gastroenterology department was at a convention until the 30th and would hear back around that time.