As eating and drinking became increasingly difficult for Jim Jaffe, White Plains Hospital’s Esophageal Program helped him find answers–and relief.
When retired teacher Jim Jaffe recently celebrated his 79th birthday with his wife, Laura, at their favorite Italian restaurant, the meal felt especially meaningful. Along with enjoying his favorite lemon ricotta cake, Jim was celebrating something even bigger: the ability to eat and drink comfortably again after years of struggling with a rare swallowing disorder.
Jim’s symptoms developed gradually. “When I ate solid food, it started to feel like there was some kind of blockage,” recalls the Katonah resident. At first, he assumed he was eating too quickly or not chewing enough. But the problem persisted, even when drinking beverages. “It was sort of like a drain in the sink, where you know stuff is going down, but not completely,” he says.
After undergoing testing, Jim was diagnosed with achalasia, a rare condition that occurs when damaged nerves in the esophagus make it difficult for food and liquid to move into the stomach. Although he finally had a diagnosis, he was left without a clear path forward.
For years, Jim adapted. He eliminated foods that were difficult to swallow, including nuts and grains, and gradually learned to live with the condition. But over time, his symptoms worsened.
“It became harder to swallow, and I was spitting up food more frequently,” he says. He also developed a chronic cough that interrupted both his days and nights. “Pretty much every day, I was aware of my problem.”
By late 2025, Jim knew he needed help. After finding a specialist in New York City with a six-month wait for appointments, he scheduled a visit. Then Laura discovered a Health Matters article about White Plains Hospital’s Esophageal Program.
Together, they learned about the program’s multidisciplinary approach to treating conditions like achalasia. Encouraged, Jim called and was able to secure an appointment much sooner. In January 2026, he met gastroenterologist Dr. Ahmed Alemam.
“It was a typical achalasia situation, with the longstanding struggle,” Dr. Alemam recalls. “At some point, I think that he kind of lost hope that there was actually anything to do about his situation.”
Before moving forward, Dr. Alemam partnered with colleague Dr. Melissa Magrath to confirm the diagnosis. Through an endoscopy and high-resolution manometry, the team verified that Jim was indeed suffering from achalasia.
After reviewing treatment options, Dr. Alemam recommended Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), a minimally invasive procedure that relaxes the tight muscles of the esophagus, allowing food and liquids to pass more easily.
Jim underwent the procedure in March and spent one night in the hospital for observation. Soon after, he noticed a dramatic difference.
“It was totally different; everything was going down,” he says. His chronic cough disappeared, he began sleeping better, and his energy improved.
What impressed him most was the follow-up care. “He called me at home four times within a week,” Jim says of Dr. Alemam. “He’d ask, ‘How are you feeling? Do you have any questions?’ He was amazing.”
By April, Jim had returned to a normal diet and was once again enjoying the foods he loved.
“I rate the Esophageal Program ten out of ten,” he says. “Everyone from the people who greeted me to the nurses, the anesthesiologist, and the people who run Dr. Alemam’s office–they’re all outstanding.”
After years of struggling to swallow, Jim finally had a birthday where he could truly enjoy the cake. As for his birthday wish? A big one had already come true.
Learn more about White Plains Hospital’s Esophageal program.
This article originally appeared on Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
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