For one Chicago man, acid reflux is no more

After more than 30 years of teaching high school biology, Rick Boyum has been enjoying life as a retiree, focusing most of his energy as a part-time usher for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and an avid attendee of Chicago Cubs games.

Then, about three years ago, several painful symptoms started to slow him down, so he made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. An exploratory endoscopic procedure revealed that Rick had Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that causes normal cells in his esophagus to be replaced by abnormal cells due to repeated exposure to stomach acid. Perhaps more significantly, Barrett’s esophagus, when left untreated, can later lead to esophageal cancer.

After several years of ablation treatments to destroy the abnormal cells and medication to manage his acid reflux, Rick wondered if he should stay the course. The medications caused uncomfortable side effects, including diarrhea.

“I dreaded the medications because of the serious side effects they were causing. It affected my sleep because I was constantly woken up by bowel movements that were false alarms. Day to day, I was always looking for the closest bathroom,” Rick said. “Eventually, these quality of life issues forced me to look for a way to stop taking the medications.”

So Rick went back to the drawing board and was referred to Dr. Nikolaos Dallas, a surgical oncologist at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, who recommended surgery. The surgery, which was performed in November, is a complex one.

“The cause of the problem is reflux of stomach acid into the lower esophagus, often caused by a hernia, says Dr. Dallas. “To surgical treat the hernia, what we did was re-create a sphincter or control valve to prevent further reflux. This is done in a minimally invasive manner with laparoscopy to accelerate healing and return to normal life.”

Fast forward six months, Rick is right back to ushering attendees at the Symphony Center and cheering on his beloved Cubs, but without all the painful symptoms that were slowing him down.

“What do I have to look forward to after surgery? Freedom,” Rick says. “Freedom from thinking about the acid reflux and the heart burn. Freedom from constantly looking for the bathroom or the urge to go. I stopped the acid reflux medication the day of surgery, and I feel terrific and free.”

Of his experience at Advocate Illinois Masonic, Rick says there is a reason he has gone back to the hospital time after time.

“Advocate Illinois Masonic has been my hospital of choice for any procedures or hospitalizations I have needed. The staff and physicians are uniformly caring and I truly sense a carefulness with their treatment for me,” Rick says. “Dr. Dallas’s sense of humor and clear explanations of what to expect put me quickly at ease. He has always been available for follow-up questions.”

While there are no screening tools for hiatal hernias or chronic reflux, Dr. Dallas strongly encourages patients to talk to their physician about any symptoms associated with chronic reflux and explore surgery as a possible treatment option.