...and, a major step forward!

I went to Stanford Hospital last Thursday for a procedure to help me swallow more effectively. I had an endoscopy with a balloon that was inflated to widen the passage between my esophagus and my stomach. I only needed it widened about 4-5 millimeters or about 33%. Evidently, some scar tissue had grown in following surgery and closed the passage a bit. I was having trouble swallowing certain things...like food! I was a little apprehensive about the procedure because I didn't want the passage to be open too wide. Given that gravity is the only force that now keeps food in my stomach, I didn't want a wide opening that would let the food come back up to my esophagus(or beyond, God forbid) if did something like stand on my head for a minute. I'm not likely to do that, but go with the hypothetical for minute. It wouldn't be pretty.

I was sedated with Demerol. That's my favorite. I feel wonderful for two days after. I was even happier when I had lunch immediately after the procedure and was able to eat things that I hadn't been able to eat in months. I continued to eat even more over the weekend. Wow! I might be able to gain some weight back in the coming weeks.

After lunch, I went shopping for a new camera. I accidentally left my camera in an overhead compartment following a recent trip. I bought a new Cannon SLR that is just magnificent.

I also played 18 holes of golf on a beautiful 'Indian Summer' fall Saturday. My game improved a little.

Today, we toured Big Sur for the day. We managed to be at Garapatta Beach for sunset and we were rewarded with a combination of pink sunset and a sand bar that was smooth as glass to mirror the sky.

I'm back to work tomorrow and loving that, too. Life is really good! It makes me want to stand on my head!