Feeding Time

No Feeding Tube!

Abby is still trying to adjust to her new feeding regime.  At this time, she can no longer swallow straight liquids since they are partially going down her wind pipe into her lungs.  So she is on thickened liquids (the consistency of honey) and soft, regular foods.  The speech pathologist and nutritionist also said that to lessen the effect of the weakened jaw and esophageal muscles, that she should eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than the regular breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Abby likes this idea!

We have been ordering regular meals for Abby from the cafeteria such as soup, hamburgers, tater tots, and cottage cheese.  The trick is to watch her to make sure that she does not take too big of a bite.  If she tries to sneak one in, she usually starts coughing and does not like the effect (talk about your Pavlovian training!).  So she has learned quickly and very well to take small bites and to make sure that she chews them thoroughly and not to rush.  Also with her drinks, after thickening them with some "SimplyThick", we tell her at every drink "Small Sip" so that she does not get too much.   We have found that Abby is picking up on this very well and is progressing greatly in just this short period of time.

Our plan for tomorrow is to meet with the Oncology team again and to sign the consent form to have Abby start the SAHA chemotherapy treatments, learn the proper cleaning and care for her broviak implant, and then take my baby home!!  We are all very excited for that one!  Maegan and I are really looking forward to sleeping in our own bed finally and out of the hospital guest beds/chairs.  But if it meant that my Abby would get better, I would sleep on broken glass or anything else!!  Now, I am going to try and get some sleep!