Okay World, I guess you are wondering what has been going on with me this week. I have to say that it has not been pretty. All the fried food, red meat, milk shakes and beer have caught up with me and now I have chronic acid reflux.

I saw my Primary Care Provider at the local TMC and I was referred to the General Surgery at 121 Community Army Hospital in Seoul. I Barium studied was done and it was discovered that my acid reflux had gotten worse with possible acid damage to my throat and stomach.

Dr. Parker, the specialist that I am seeing at 121 put in a request for a mammary study, which measure that rate at which my esophagus swallow food or drink that I intake, and a PH balance study, which records the acid that is refluxed from my stomach.
 

I had to go to a Korean Hospital to have these studies done because they do not conduct the test at the Army Community Hospital in Seoul. It is pretty small.

On 3 June, I traveled to Samsung University Hospital to have the studies done. I have to say that the Hospital looked more like a shopping mall than a Hospital. They sent a Tricare Rep with me to answer any questions, which was comforting.
The mammary test took about 30 minutes. They inserted a tube up my nose and down my throat and had me swallow small amounts of water. I was able to see the swallows measured on the screen, and yes the test was uncomfortable.
The second test was the PH balance test in which they had to insert a probe up my nose and down my throat. The probe had to stay in for about 24 hours. Needless to say, I received stares from people when I showed up to formation. I did not want to stay in my room so I actually went to the movies tube and all, and watch Terminator Salvation. After seeing the ending, I should have stayed at home. Please do not believe all the hype about that movie.

Anyhow, I returned the next day to have the probe taken out. I then proceeded to go to McDonalds and get a large vanilla milkshake to sooth my throat. Although I could eat with the probe in, it was wonderful being able to swallow and not have a tube scratching against the back of your throat. Well that is all that I have for now, until next time this is SPC (P) Mobley signing OUT.