 | The big day came and went without a bang... she still has the trach. For now... We started the day with a doctor appointment in Los Angeles. The goal was to determine how the patch in her throat is healing. The doctor numbed Madi's nose and then ran a camera on a cable through it, and down her throat saying "take slow deep breaths". Madison does great, dad too. Every time we watch that mom and dad both unconsciously taking very slow, very deep breaths too without even thinking about it. Looking back... we do that every time. Anyway, the patch looks "very good", surgeries were one month today! |
Another goal today was to have a swallow test performed under x-ray. An assessment would then be made whether the trach can come out. The doctor came in, gave her a bottle of water and asked Madi to take a sip. She did. \\end of swallow test, she passed and didn't need it under x-ray. She is clear to eat soft foods, but the trach cannot come out until we get a handle on the nausea.
Next stop, Woodland Hills to top off her tank (IV fluids) and we ended up having consults, then being able to switch one of the home IV meds to something equally effective, but not prone to prompting nausea.
Next steps: Given the med suspected of promoting nausea and occasional vomiting will no longer be taken, assumption is she'll be infinitely more comfortable, and with only tolerable nausea if any. She hasn't been able to eat or drink for a month, there's a certain level of atrophy with her throat muscles, so it'll be baby steps to tiny bites. Ahead of that, just swallowing saliva. While you're reading for the next 30 seconds close your mouth and make an effort NOT to swallow, but let the saliva just pool. That's what Madi has been dealing with... for a month now. She just spits in to a paper cup like a redneck and chewing tobacco. It is what it is... was! Did you notice a pool in your mouth? We unconsciously swallow every 8 seconds, once every 5 minutes when we're asleep. It is amazing in fact miracles... all of the things our bodies do instinctively. Madi's allowed to swallow now... you too in fact :-)
This picture is Bailey waiting for Madison to wake up.
Next stop, Woodland Hills to top off her tank (IV fluids) and we ended up having consults, then being able to switch one of the home IV meds to something equally effective, but not prone to prompting nausea.
Next steps: Given the med suspected of promoting nausea and occasional vomiting will no longer be taken, assumption is she'll be infinitely more comfortable, and with only tolerable nausea if any. She hasn't been able to eat or drink for a month, there's a certain level of atrophy with her throat muscles, so it'll be baby steps to tiny bites. Ahead of that, just swallowing saliva. While you're reading for the next 30 seconds close your mouth and make an effort NOT to swallow, but let the saliva just pool. That's what Madi has been dealing with... for a month now. She just spits in to a paper cup like a redneck and chewing tobacco. It is what it is... was! Did you notice a pool in your mouth? We unconsciously swallow every 8 seconds, once every 5 minutes when we're asleep. It is amazing in fact miracles... all of the things our bodies do instinctively. Madi's allowed to swallow now... you too in fact :-)
This picture is Bailey waiting for Madison to wake up.
