Swallow test passed, started soft foods diet

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NikiMo
NikiMo Member Posts: 342
Hi all,

Just another update. Jeff is doing really well, walking is getting easier, pain is being managed, and overall his spirits are good. Yesterday he had his swallow test, they said he got an A minus. He has a small gap in his vocal cords from being intubated, this means he can drink thick liquids but not this liquids, and he must tuck his chin when he swallows. They say this will heal over time and thin liquids will be ok in a little while, they are just concerned about him aspirating liquids into his lungs.

Another important milestone, they removed his chest tube today, he was very happy about that. On top of that he got to eat soft foods for dinner, mashed potatoes and apple sauce. He said it was good, and was amazed at how quickly he felt full. I am going to start researching high calories nutritious foods for when we get home. My sister in law does raw foods and is giving me a recipe for chocolate pudding using avacados and cacoa powder. That should be better for him then jello pudding packs :)

Think we are going home tomorrow, big smile :)

Niki
Wife of Jeff T2N1M0
Ivor Lewis 9/6/11
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Comments

  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
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    WOW
    Niki, that is so wonderful to hear! I'm so happy for you and Jeff! He must be so glad to have the chest tube out, I'm sure it was miserable. Cheers to you and a speedy recovery! Thinking of you!
    Chantal
  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
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    Daisylin said:

    WOW
    Niki, that is so wonderful to hear! I'm so happy for you and Jeff! He must be so glad to have the chest tube out, I'm sure it was miserable. Cheers to you and a speedy recovery! Thinking of you!
    Chantal

    Thanks
    Yeah the chest tube was pretty gross and a total pain. I know it was there for a reason, but it was always getting in his way when he would take walks. I think he is very happy to slowly be getting untethered!

    Thanks for the kinds words.

    Niki
  • Joel C
    Joel C Member Posts: 174
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    NikiMo said:

    Thanks
    Yeah the chest tube was pretty gross and a total pain. I know it was there for a reason, but it was always getting in his way when he would take walks. I think he is very happy to slowly be getting untethered!

    Thanks for the kinds words.

    Niki

    Great news Niki!
    Glad to hear Jeff is doing well. Now with the chest tube out I’m sure he’ll be much better off. I know when mine got pulled I could get much better sleep without the pain of the tube in my side.

    Take care,
    Joel
  • jthomas233
    jthomas233 Member Posts: 85
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    NikiMo said:

    Thanks
    Yeah the chest tube was pretty gross and a total pain. I know it was there for a reason, but it was always getting in his way when he would take walks. I think he is very happy to slowly be getting untethered!

    Thanks for the kinds words.

    Niki

    Good news!
    I'm happy you are off the chest tube and that you passed the swallow test! I have my swallow test later this morning. I have given up on speculation. I'm just trying to be the perfect patient. Doc says home by Friday or Saturday if I pass swallow test. I still only have minimal pain at suture sites....(very small only covered with steri strips...) but my HIPS are still killing me...taking liquid percocet for that and they are loosening up a little after each long walk. Haven't been posting much... Just getting through the days...

    Good luck all!

    Jeff
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
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    WONDERFUL NEWS....
    Niki,

    That is just wonderful to read!!
    Great NEWS!! His chest tube OUT and swallowing already! What a fighter and a trouper!

    I am so happy for the both of you, and home tomorrow possibly? THAT is amazing!
    I am truly overjoyed for you and for Jeff. PLEASE send him all my best! ALL OF IT!

    I hope YOU can get some much needed rest as I KNOW all too well the exhaustion of sitting bedside in a hospital, not sleeping in your own bed for nights and worrying! What a HUGE toll this puts on you.

    I am praying or a speedy release home, all good news from here on, and NED to be your best friend for life! I wish for you a return to as much of the new normal as is possibly and I am praying for you BOTH daily. Twice.

    All the love in the world, and congrats on the JUNIOR CLASS! They should make diplomas!

    -Eric
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
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    So glad to hear everyone is
    So glad to hear everyone is progressing nicely. Keep up the good work!
    Cheryl
  • rose20
    rose20 Member Posts: 258
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    such good news!
    Niki, I'm sure you are just overjoyed at the progress Jeff is making.
    I too am praying with the others that this wonderful progress continues.
    God is good!!
  • rose20
    rose20 Member Posts: 258
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    Good news!
    I'm happy you are off the chest tube and that you passed the swallow test! I have my swallow test later this morning. I have given up on speculation. I'm just trying to be the perfect patient. Doc says home by Friday or Saturday if I pass swallow test. I still only have minimal pain at suture sites....(very small only covered with steri strips...) but my HIPS are still killing me...taking liquid percocet for that and they are loosening up a little after each long walk. Haven't been posting much... Just getting through the days...

    Good luck all!

    Jeff

    Jeff (jthomas233
    praying you pass that swallow test with flying colors!!
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
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    Good news!
    I'm happy you are off the chest tube and that you passed the swallow test! I have my swallow test later this morning. I have given up on speculation. I'm just trying to be the perfect patient. Doc says home by Friday or Saturday if I pass swallow test. I still only have minimal pain at suture sites....(very small only covered with steri strips...) but my HIPS are still killing me...taking liquid percocet for that and they are loosening up a little after each long walk. Haven't been posting much... Just getting through the days...

    Good luck all!

    Jeff

    Glad you're doing well
    Jeff T,

    Really pleased to hear that you're doing well! Hope the swallow test has been "a pass" for you. I'm told by Nick that the 1st sip of juice is *wonderful*.

    We're looking at a noon release on either Thursday or Friday.

    Anxious to see your next update. Prayers to all!


    Terry
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
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    Whoopie!
    Wow, Jeff's getting soft foods already! How wonderful! I'm sure the "leak" will resolve itself rather quickly. Jeff's been moving right along - no reason this should be any different.

    Another whoopie for the chest tube coming out! We're anxious for that here :) Tomorrow for us. It is a pain dangling about. Nick hasn't complained of it hurting though. Has Jeff? Jeff T mentioned side pain with the chest pain.

    Fingers crossed that you are on your way home this morning. We're looking at a noon out either tomorrow or Friday.

    Prayers to all!

    Terry
  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
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    TerryV said:

    Whoopie!
    Wow, Jeff's getting soft foods already! How wonderful! I'm sure the "leak" will resolve itself rather quickly. Jeff's been moving right along - no reason this should be any different.

    Another whoopie for the chest tube coming out! We're anxious for that here :) Tomorrow for us. It is a pain dangling about. Nick hasn't complained of it hurting though. Has Jeff? Jeff T mentioned side pain with the chest pain.

    Fingers crossed that you are on your way home this morning. We're looking at a noon out either tomorrow or Friday.

    Prayers to all!

    Terry

    Chest tube
    Hey Terry,

    We are moving right along, sounds like Nick is moving along really well too! Jeff said the tube didn't hurt, it was just annoying. When they removed it he said there was some pain when trying to take deep breaths or yawning, but that resolved itself pretty quickly. We are being discharged today, so happy to go back to Philly we miss our dogs, they are like our kids :)

    Check my other post for the REALLY good news!!!!

    Niki
  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
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    Good news!
    I'm happy you are off the chest tube and that you passed the swallow test! I have my swallow test later this morning. I have given up on speculation. I'm just trying to be the perfect patient. Doc says home by Friday or Saturday if I pass swallow test. I still only have minimal pain at suture sites....(very small only covered with steri strips...) but my HIPS are still killing me...taking liquid percocet for that and they are loosening up a little after each long walk. Haven't been posting much... Just getting through the days...

    Good luck all!

    Jeff

    Good luck with the test
    Hey Jeff,

    Good luck with your swallow test, I am sure you will pass with flying colors. My Jeff said the first taste of something is amazing! Sorry about the hip pain hopefully they keep it under control with meds and that moving more will work it out.

    Your in all of our thoughts,

    Niki
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
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    NikiMo said:

    Chest tube
    Hey Terry,

    We are moving right along, sounds like Nick is moving along really well too! Jeff said the tube didn't hurt, it was just annoying. When they removed it he said there was some pain when trying to take deep breaths or yawning, but that resolved itself pretty quickly. We are being discharged today, so happy to go back to Philly we miss our dogs, they are like our kids :)

    Check my other post for the REALLY good news!!!!

    Niki

    LOL - Us too
    Your comment -> we miss our dogs, they are like our kids :)

    Nick's the same. I have 2 kids, his "steps", and we have the home menagerie - 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bunny, hamsters & fish. Nick can't wait to get home to the dogs and go for a hike at the lake. Under the trees is where he breathes best!

    Enjoy your quick release! I'm so pleased for you both!

    Searching for your other post - haven't found it yet....

    Terry
  • jthomas233
    jthomas233 Member Posts: 85
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    Great job kids!
    I'm glad to hear things are going well for you! I got a low A on my swallow test as well..ng tube coming out Monday...one culture came back positive for pneumonia, so I am doing stronger breathing treatments and taking very long walks. My pathology gets herd Monday...it's been a long week.
  • jthomas233
    jthomas233 Member Posts: 85
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    Great job kids!
    I'm glad to hear things are going well for you! I got a low A on my swallow test as well..ng tube coming out Monday...one culture came back positive for pneumonia, so I am doing stronger breathing treatments and taking very long walks. My pathology gets herd Monday...it's been a long week.
  • jthomas233
    jthomas233 Member Posts: 85
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    Great job kids!
    I'm glad to hear things are going well for you! I got a low A on my swallow test as well..ng tube coming out Monday...one culture came back positive for pneumonia, so I am doing stronger breathing treatments and taking very long walks. My pathology gets herd Monday...it's been a long week.
  • NikiMo
    NikiMo Member Posts: 342
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    Great job kids!
    I'm glad to hear things are going well for you! I got a low A on my swallow test as well..ng tube coming out Monday...one culture came back positive for pneumonia, so I am doing stronger breathing treatments and taking very long walks. My pathology gets herd Monday...it's been a long week.

    Keep moving!
    Hey Jeff,

    Good to hear you passed the swallow test, hope they are giving you some good juices! Keep moving I really do think it helps. Hopefully you will be resting well at home very soon. Keep us posted, were pulling for you!

    Niki
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
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    Great job kids!
    I'm glad to hear things are going well for you! I got a low A on my swallow test as well..ng tube coming out Monday...one culture came back positive for pneumonia, so I am doing stronger breathing treatments and taking very long walks. My pathology gets herd Monday...it's been a long week.

    Thinking of you, JeffT
    Hoping things start to progress quickly for you, Jeff. I'm sure they will once the NG tube comes out. I agree with Niki - walking, lots of walking is key.

    Hoping for an excellent path report and a prompt release.

    Terry
  • froggerjen
    froggerjen Member Posts: 28
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    Smiling
    What great progress Jeff is making.. keep up the good work and hope Jeff is enjoying being home.
    Jen
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
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    AWESOME!! :-)
    Niki:

    Great news! Oh my what a huge milestone to have behind you! I will pray for a beautiful and fantasmic recovery! Be sure to take care of you too!

    Looking forward to getting more good news from you two!

    Judy
    Wife of Don T3N1M0
    rads/chemo thru 2/10/2012
    surgery date tbd