Food!

Erik passed his test!  The swallow study test!  He is one happy camper!  It was so fascinating to watch. They were using radioactive barium so I wasn't able to be in the same room...but I got to see everything happen on a computer screen and see him through a window and hear what they said.  I took pictures of what I saw.  Facinating seeing the xray of the inside of his mouth and throat.  I was able to see the titanium template that they put in for his jar to secure the bone graft to.  I took a video of the video I saw on the screen of watching him do the study and watching the liquid go down his throat as he swallowed.  They gave him water (with barium) first and he did good and told him he was allowed to drink clear liquids. Then they gave him something thicker... chocolate pudding (with barium) and it was a little tricky because the feeding tube is still down his throat, but he was able to swallow and not choke on it.    They gave him the go ahead with soft foods! Pudding, soup, pureed stuff and applesauce & milkshakes.  They asked him what he wanted to get first.  He said, "a big cup of ice water".  The gals replied, "Really?"  And he said... Yep! So he got his big cup of ice water when we got back to the room.  Food Service came in shortly after brought in a Dysphagia 3 menu (soft foods).  He was so excited.  He ordered some Tomato Basil soup, a chocolate shake, and pureed mac and cheese.  The soup and milkshake were awesome!  The mac and cheese was a little too thick and solid... not quite ready for that yet.  Oh, the look on Erik's face was priceless!  He was savoring every moment.  They keep the feeding tube in until tomorrow, just to make sure all continues to go well.  They want to keep an eye on him another day or so.  So maybe we get to go back home to Cedar tomorrow?  Or maybe Sunday.  For about 5 days, though, then we're back up for another surgery to remove a little more cancer.  But not as extensive as the previous surgery! No trachea or feeding tube next time.