Update to Tuesday 5/11/2010
May 11th, 2010 Posted in Daily News PostAs promised, here’s the update from today’s doctor visit.
OT went tremendously well. Beth couldn’t keep up with Chloe as she was on the go from the moment she entered the door. She climbed the ladder to the slide (with help), tried the rock wall, was on the swing and in the cocoon hammock and finished by painting shaving cream pictures on the mirror.
Next we were off to see Steve about the swallow test. This is a test that is done with a constant x-ray of her mouth, neck and throat. It shows the mechanics of swallowing. They tried with pudding, juice and then a paste pudding. All three showed marked improvement of the tongue. She was able to push the food to the back of her throat and then was able to trigger the start of a swallow. This is so much more than she was able to do last test. However, it does mean we have more work ahead of us before she can eat. The test never produced a full swallow and we had to suction the material out.
Chloe came home completely bummed out, even though this IS progress and Steve said, once again, he has no doubt she will eat again. When we got home Dana put her in the tub to help calm her. Then we hooked her up to the feeds and went about the job of cheering her up. Colin and I were pretty successful with blowing up gloves and driving Ivey crazy. Then we put the gloves over our heads and that really set Ivey off. Chloe couldn’t hold it back.
Even though it was a short period of laughter by her it was a start. With all the movement she did today I believe her night will go well. We came home with homework to help her attain her goal. Now it’s just a matter of getting her to be a little more patient.
Be well,
Ron
22 Responses to “Update to Tuesday 5/11/2010”
By dana watts on May 11, 2010
Please Envision a perfectly relaxed esophagus, allowing food to pass through. Right now, it is this muscle(I cant recall the REAL name of it) which is locked into a contraction allowing nothing to pass, so food dumps into the airway. Its asleep still….not for long. WAKE UP!!!!
Chloe…don’t forget….dream about eating and swallowing dessert pizza*yes she told me this morning..dessert pizza.. Its not so far off now.
Please see all your nursing staff as team players, cheering you on. Ready, Set…heal!
mama
By Aunt Sandy on May 11, 2010
TOTALLY AWESOME PICTURE!
By Larry Sherman on May 11, 2010
This IS real progress – and you can count me amazed. This kind of recovery in such a short time suggests that there is still plenty of plasticity and that pushing – hard – is working. Keep up the fight!
By Lyne Collin (Montreal, QC, Canada) on May 12, 2010
What a wonderful picture of loving siblings…The bond they share shines through very brightly !!!
Mama…you are LUCKY to have BEAUTIFUL children…Inside AND out !!!
Love & Hugs to all of you, Lyne XOXOXO
By Karen Preston on May 12, 2010
Great photo Colin and Chloe! I’m also very happy to hear of the great progress Chloe is making with the swallowing. Congrats Chloe!
By dana watts on May 12, 2010
Joni Kabana is the professional photographer who took and sent us this fantastic photo of colin/chloe. Joni is here in Portland when she’s not in places like Ethiopia capturing compassion there as well…..
By Patty Weightman on May 13, 2010
Great news, keep it up Team Chloe! And this photo is amazing! Dana, you’ve got adorable kids!!!
By Barbara on May 13, 2010
The picture is amazing and I just know that Chloe is healing perfectly right now! Yes, PATIENCE is one of those virtues we all have an opportunity to work on. The anticipation of eating is worth the work needed so that when Chloe does finally eat, she will be in pure ecstasy!!! Love and HUGS! Barb
By Sarah Koch on May 14, 2010
What a combo: Great news (you’re getting there, Chloe; all the hard work is paying off) and that picture of two beautiful people.
It’s mighty good to hear, too, that you-all had such a good time.
Thank you for sharing all this.
Best, always,
Sarah K.
By Wendy Isaac on May 16, 2010
I just returned from vacation and opened the website to this beautiful picture!! Wow Chloe and Colin you “Shine”.
Chloe will eat again soon and will enjoy all the wonderful foods she loves. I can just see it….. we will need to have a whole new kind of fundraiser…. raising funds so you pay for all the yummy foods Chloe will want to eat!! 🙂
Blessings and Hugs.