Had my barium swallow test today

Laralyn
Laralyn Member Posts: 532
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Mmm, tasty barium (not)!

I got super sick from the narcotics during treatment, and was unable to eat much even via tube. While I was in the hospital the first time, I had a swallow test that was incomplete, but showed that I had a little aspiration with thin liquids. At that point, my radiation oncologist (the primary doctor for my treatment) told me no food or drink by mouth to make sure I didn't get pneumonia from aspirating food.

I was cleared for a small amount of water and pureed foods a couple weeks ago but the speech pathologist was reluctant to do more without doing a full barium swallow test to be safe. So I had the full test today...

...and I was cleared to eat most foods and drink more than water! It was great news, and a big step forward toward hopefully getting rid of the PEG tube at some point. It's going to be slow going--most food burns my throat, and my stomach shrank a lot--but I'm still excited to be one step further on the road of healing.

Thanks to everyone here for your ongoing support! It has really helped me through the roughest spots on this journey.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    time to eat
    Hi Laralyn

    I am sure sorry you got so sick, but glad the swallow test moved you back to the world of eating. It is just like you left it except some thing is wrong with the food, it tastes funny. Well anyway, next step is to pop your PEG (mine really made a pop sound).

    Glad you are doing ok, here is hoping you don’t get sick.

    Best,

    Matt
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Congrats on moving down the road.....
    One step closer to eating your nutrition rather than tubing it....every step we take forward is GOOD news!

    I'm starting to wonder when any of us on our bus will be able to get rid of the tubes...LOL...I mean I never even needed mine, till I was a month out of rads...and am just now going back to drinking my VHC (in the last 3 days)...

    p
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #4
    Barium
    I went through 3 of those awful tests. Hated em. But I got to admit, they were a huge motivating factor in pushing me to sip and nibble, then to eventually work hard on swallowing. Anything to keep from going through that process of mixing that white chalky junk with applesauce and Graham Crackers, and trying to force it down. Yuck-oh !

    Larry
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #5
    CajunEagle said:

    Barium
    I went through 3 of those awful tests. Hated em. But I got to admit, they were a huge motivating factor in pushing me to sip and nibble, then to eventually work hard on swallowing. Anything to keep from going through that process of mixing that white chalky junk with applesauce and Graham Crackers, and trying to force it down. Yuck-oh !

    Larry

    Congrates Laralyn, one step
    Congrates Laralyn, one step closer to recovery. I am happy for you. Most food is burning my throat too. Tyring diffent things everyday. One good food to try is water melon, it is not tasty but something juicy and soft that we could practice eating.

    Sam
  • bjw1955
    bjw1955 Member Posts: 67
    #6
    good for you

    Laralyn, Good for you. I passed my barium ewallow test back in May and just got my feeding tube out 2 weeks ago. My dr made me wait about 2 months before she would let me eat, drink and see how i would do and not get choked. I'm doing great it justs takes me longer to eat, I just take my time, take small bites and pop is good to drink when I'm eating, it clears my throat out better then water, but I always have water with . me because my mounth is always dry. Good luck, great news bjw1955
  • bjw1955
    bjw1955 Member Posts: 67
    #7
    good for you

    Laralyn, Good for you. I passed my barium ewallow test back in May and just got my feeding tube out 2 weeks ago. My dr made me wait about 2 months before she would let me eat, drink and see how i would do and not get choked. I'm doing great it justs takes me longer to eat, I just take my time, take small bites and pop is good to drink when I'm eating, it clears my throat out better then water, but I always have water with . me because my mounth is always dry. Good luck, great news bjw1955
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #8
    bjw1955 said:

    good for you

    Laralyn, Good for you. I passed my barium ewallow test back in May and just got my feeding tube out 2 weeks ago. My dr made me wait about 2 months before she would let me eat, drink and see how i would do and not get choked. I'm doing great it justs takes me longer to eat, I just take my time, take small bites and pop is good to drink when I'm eating, it clears my throat out better then water, but I always have water with . me because my mounth is always dry. Good luck, great news bjw1955

    Hi Laralyn ....
    Good for you!! Glad to hear you are moving on down the road to recovery!!

    I think I will consider myself fortunate I never had that test :)

    Best,

    Tim
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #9
    Food, Glorious Food
    That song just jumped in my head. In print, I've got perfect pitch.

    Congrats on the swallow test.
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #10
    Pam M said:

    Food, Glorious Food
    That song just jumped in my head. In print, I've got perfect pitch.

    Congrats on the swallow test.

    Glad to hear
    One step closer to normal :-)

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