Midnight Ride

 Well. Another midnight ride to a hospital to reinsert the feed tube. After an apparently fitful evening the night before last, he yanked it out. Again, nothing drastic. But, until he passes the swallow test, the g tube stays in place to assure as much nutrition as possible. It is a lifeline.

This week, Jim has eaten a cracker, sherbert, and drank two bottles of water with a straw under supervision of the speech therapist. She has complete control of the situation, making sure he is not going to choke or aspirate into the lungs. That's bad. No shock either, that he wants to talk even with food in his mouth. "Eat the food, breathe the air", would be common out of his mouth before all of this, when he would choke or somehow forget to swallow. What he had to say...ahem...was more important apparently. Ahem.

So, the swallow test is today. Yay! A tiny camera... On a tiny tube... Takes a nasal and throat journey to witness the actions of the throat and tongue. Because Jim had a tracheotomy, the test is necessary to assure no damage is hiding, and that the brain is working as it should to tell these parts what to do. We expect all to be good. The ST expects he will start some kind of diet today, and the swallow test will determine the texture of the food. So, I have a list of preferred and no-way foods for the kitchen. Kind of like President George Bush and broccoli. No way.

Let's hear it for a lunch tray!

Yes. He is getting impatient. Yes There is agitation. Yes. He is definitely getting stronger. Yes. His trach is gone and the hole is completely scabbed over and healing beautifully. Yes. He is talking. What he talks about is another story. No. The conversation does not always make sense. No. You don't know if it's going to be eighteen year old Jim, or repair tech Jim, or engineer Jim. He's a time traveler. Yes. He can become overwhelmed very easily with too much stimulation. That includes people and conversation. Whether it's him or you talking. Yes. He is getting better every day. Yes. You should be proud of him. The recovery he has made in seven and a half weeks is worth talking about. 

So, the next midnight ride I am hoping for, is the one when we go out on purpose...during a meteor shower... and lay on the hood of the car... with snacks....to catch falling stars.