There was a lot of preparation for the swallowing test. Speech therapist Stacy trained us on exercises to practice several times a day to get David ready. If he would fail the test – we would have to re-apply after 3 months for the next one.
We would talk about how much he had practiced during high school for basketball, baseball and football and how, “practice makes perfect” so, every day we practiced and practiced and practiced some more.
We would talk about how much he had practiced during high school for basketball, baseball and football and how, “practice makes perfect” so, every day we practiced and practiced and practiced some more.
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Swallowing is controlled by the brain, which sends signals to muscles in our throat and esophagus. With neurological problems such as a brain injury, patients may have difficulty initiating and executing a swallow. With Dysphagia, which is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, patients may choke on their food and/or experience aspiration. Aspiration is the medical term for inhaling small particles of food or drops of liquid into the lungs. Aspiration may occur without anyone knowing if the amount of food or liquid is small (Silent Aspiration). The first sign of aspiration may be trouble breathing or signs of pneumonia.
Not only did we hope David could taste food again, we learned that the muscles involved in the process of eating could improve David’s speech ability. Also research concerning nutrition and its relationship to brain function, cognition, learning and social behavior confirmed that nutrition has a direct effect on neurotransmitters which are important in sending messages from the body to the brain.
The swallowing test was a very significant milestone in his rehabilitation. I arrived at the nursing home very early the day of. When I got to David’s room, several CNAs were already getting him ready. Arrangements had been made with transportation and all the paperwork was signed and prepared for the hospital staff. After all the practice, the day had arrived. Excitement was in the air. They wished us luck and off we went to Jackson Memorial Hospital. I prayed that David would not get agitated and instead would remain relaxed and focused on swallowing.
I signed him in at the lobby and waited. It felt like an eternity before they called us to a window and after I explained the reason for our visit, the attendant mentioned that David was not on “the list”. My heart plummeted. The lady said David could not be seen and that we had to leave. I told her I had received a call confirming the appointment and I insistently begged her to check with a supervisor.
As she turned around, I wanted to cry but I had no time so I turned to prayer instead. I didn’t stop praying until the attendant came back to the window. I couldn’t read the decision by looking at her so, as she got set to tell me, I just held my breath ready to accept God’s will. She then proceeded to explain that there must have been a mix up because David was not on their list but that the pathologist was indeed waiting for him upstairs. I was so happy I had not left at the first obstacle but persisted on the task instead. I walked to the elevators as fast as I could as if there existed a possibility that someone would change their minds and turn us back.
I signed him in at the lobby and waited. It felt like an eternity before they called us to a window and after I explained the reason for our visit, the attendant mentioned that David was not on “the list”. My heart plummeted. The lady said David could not be seen and that we had to leave. I told her I had received a call confirming the appointment and I insistently begged her to check with a supervisor.
As she turned around, I wanted to cry but I had no time so I turned to prayer instead. I didn’t stop praying until the attendant came back to the window. I couldn’t read the decision by looking at her so, as she got set to tell me, I just held my breath ready to accept God’s will. She then proceeded to explain that there must have been a mix up because David was not on their list but that the pathologist was indeed waiting for him upstairs. I was so happy I had not left at the first obstacle but persisted on the task instead. I walked to the elevators as fast as I could as if there existed a possibility that someone would change their minds and turn us back.
The hospital’s speech language pathologist (SLP) welcomed us with a smile. She showed us the different textured food prepared for the test, which included yogurt, applesauce, thickened liquids and a few cookies. This would be the first time David would try solids after 4 months. I wondered how he would react. Two assistants sat David in front of an X-ray machine and then escorted me to a hidden room where I could see David through a glass window.
There was a monitor, which would make David’s throat, the pharynx (back of mouth and throat) and the esophagus (a hollow tube of muscle extending from below the tongue to the stomach) visible on X-ray. We would see it live, as it would be occurring.
The SLP began the test by introducing yogurt and as she showed David the spoon, he opened his mouth indicating his brain automatically responded to the action expected. I could see the food on David’s tongue. The radiologist in the small room said, “it was not good”. He had to propel the food to the back so that it would quickly pass through the pharynx and then into the esophagus or swallowing tube.
During my children’s school years sports events, I was their most spirited cheerleader. Now I felt like shouting, “go David you can do this”. The suspense was rising when all of a sudden David pushed the food to the back and down went the yogurt. We were all relieved. Then he tested for the applesauce, the thickened liquids and the cookies. Like a star, he tackled each sample and hit goal bite after bite. They congratulated us and off we went to share the victory.
The SLP began the test by introducing yogurt and as she showed David the spoon, he opened his mouth indicating his brain automatically responded to the action expected. I could see the food on David’s tongue. The radiologist in the small room said, “it was not good”. He had to propel the food to the back so that it would quickly pass through the pharynx and then into the esophagus or swallowing tube.
During my children’s school years sports events, I was their most spirited cheerleader. Now I felt like shouting, “go David you can do this”. The suspense was rising when all of a sudden David pushed the food to the back and down went the yogurt. We were all relieved. Then he tested for the applesauce, the thickened liquids and the cookies. Like a star, he tackled each sample and hit goal bite after bite. They congratulated us and off we went to share the victory.
I kept hugging and cheering David as we waited for the transportation van to pick us up. A whole new world had just opened for him. Back at the nursing home everyone: the nurses, techs, Ms. Martin, Carmen the nutritionist, Mr. John, Idalis and her son Andy, Ruben and others congratulated us as they would hear the news. He would start by eating soft foods, then puree and gradually to solids. As David would manage regular meals, the feeding tube would also be removed.
The order was in for the next day. A soft breakfast for Bed 1 – David Arroyo.
Unbelievable – David would have his own breakfast being served. He would enjoy the fruit of his hard work and efforts.
As I left for the evening, I kissed him good night and whispered as he slept “Well played David, well played”!
Unbelievable – David would have his own breakfast being served. He would enjoy the fruit of his hard work and efforts.
As I left for the evening, I kissed him good night and whispered as he slept “Well played David, well played”!
We are made strong in the Lord. He gives you the strength to stand firm and take what is yours without loosing fate.
(2 Cor 4:16-18; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalm 31:24)
(2 Cor 4:16-18; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalm 31:24)