- Achalasia
- Interviews
Clifford's interview
How did all start?
Change of voice, difficulty swallowing, nausea/vomiting.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
A few weeks to diagnose Achalasia
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I had the POEM operation to widen the sphincter into the stomach
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Nothing really! I have ZERO appetite and have to live mainly on supplements for the last 3 years.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Getting enough calorie intake on a daily basis.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
No change
What things have you stopped doing?
Stopped nearly everything, mainly due to Stage 3 Emphysema.
What do you think about the future?
Bleak
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Teens up until the 90's.
Was able to do anything DIY etc and also travelling to many countries.
I went swimming regularly and to the gym; sometimes; 4 or 5 times each week.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
All the above
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
A bleak outlook, I have achalasia, emphysema and a dangerous aneurysm that could rupture.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Try to stay calm, be mentally strong and never lose track of your diseases, update regularly to the latest info.
Never lose hope [easier said than done I know]. You are the one that can make your life as happy as it can be. Good luck.
