High-grade dysplasia on report: Scared to death

Posted by harleyrider @harleyrider, Dec 12, 2022

I have had Barrets for like 15 years and was getting screenings every 3 years...on my last screening in 2019 I had high grade dysplasia and was never contacted by the doctor letting me know...I contacted them and they said if anything showed up they would have called. So I just had another endo and found this out...terrified it is cancer by now. Should get results in 3-4 more days and the waiting is just horrific as I can hardly sleep and think the worst...I am so mad at the doctor!!!

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@harleyrider, so many emotions from scared to angry and back again, I'm sure. This must be very upsetting. Fellow members like @nanny23 @dandl48 @bookelly @lisapullen know what it is like to wait for test results, especially when living for an extended period of time with Barrett's esophagus. One is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, even if it never does.

I know this is much easier for me to say than to actually do, but keep in mind that the best thing that you can do for yourself during these next 3 or 4 days is to focus on your health. Banish those stress emotions of fear and anger. They're not helpful. Do whatever you need to do to bring calm, focus and good sleep. Maybe get outdoors and move. Good for the soul and good for sleep promotion.

What would you tell a friend to do if they were in this situation?

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Colleen had great suggestions. My suggestion would be to keep busy while waiting for your answer. It's tough to do but it helps to keep the time moving. As someone once said, Only a very small percentage of things that you worry about comes true.

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@colleenyoung

@harleyrider, so many emotions from scared to angry and back again, I'm sure. This must be very upsetting. Fellow members like @nanny23 @dandl48 @bookelly @lisapullen know what it is like to wait for test results, especially when living for an extended period of time with Barrett's esophagus. One is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, even if it never does.

I know this is much easier for me to say than to actually do, but keep in mind that the best thing that you can do for yourself during these next 3 or 4 days is to focus on your health. Banish those stress emotions of fear and anger. They're not helpful. Do whatever you need to do to bring calm, focus and good sleep. Maybe get outdoors and move. Good for the soul and good for sleep promotion.

What would you tell a friend to do if they were in this situation?

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Thanks appreciate the thoughts and ideas that I already try to participate in...to make matters worse I have struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life...I think a genetic factor as several in my family struggle.

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I had Barret's esophagus for 15 years also, last December had endo, high grade dysplasia was also found, biopsy was sent to Mayo to confirm diagnosis, not cancer. my doctor sent me to a specialist in St Cloud that does Esophageal Ablation, I was told 2 to 3 treatments, starting in February, I had my 4th on October 18, 2022. doctor is quite sure this time my Barret's is gone, will find out January 25,2023.

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@mark53

I had Barret's esophagus for 15 years also, last December had endo, high grade dysplasia was also found, biopsy was sent to Mayo to confirm diagnosis, not cancer. my doctor sent me to a specialist in St Cloud that does Esophageal Ablation, I was told 2 to 3 treatments, starting in February, I had my 4th on October 18, 2022. doctor is quite sure this time my Barret's is gone, will find out January 25,2023.

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I go to St. Cloud to have my esophagus dilated about every 3 - 4 months. This is after I had esophagectomy surgery @ Mayo in 2020 (and all the things involving that). Good luck.

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