CHECK UP: One up (Peter), one down (Susan)

In an ironic twist, the day the Peter gets to start eating turns out to be the day I stop--at least for a few hours.
 
Either I caught a bug that Amanda had, or my body disagreed with the poor food choices I had today at the hospital and mutinied.  I spent more time in the bathroom than beside Peter, and only heard D'Amico say "no restrictions" on Peter's activities except for swimming (due to the remaining tube). He also offered the "cold turkey" option with the feeding tube, which Peter jumped at.  We are to ignore the tube completely unless eating doesn't work well.  

If all procedes according to plan, Peter sees Scott Balderson next week to take the tube out, then will see an ENT specialist about his wispy voice in two weeks, and has a routine follow-up with Dr. Uronis (medical oncologist) in three weeks.

I WAS present and listening for the swallow study early this morning.  They had a tray of "real food" (their words) tinted a St. Patrick's Day green.  She put a thin tube camera up Peter's nose and far enough down his throat to see his vocal cords.  He was pretty uncomfortable.  I had a blast watching the green goo go down on the monitor, and I sneaked in a picture before I was told not to.  I'll post some pictures later, so check back here sometime tomorrow (will insert them in this post).

I clearly understand now why they waited so long for Peter to eat or drink.  The vocal cords vibrate  together for speech, but also come together to prevent substances from entering the trachea where they'd create havoc. 

Peter's left chord isn't moving properly and so leaves a gap.  She said some people come back in with the cords stuck wide open, and they are not allowed to eat or drink anything.  Peter's body is managing the gap and not letting things go down the wrong pipe.

She also said that the act of eating and drinking rehydrate the chords and often that's all that is needed.  She said that the tickle Peter often feels in his throat could be a good sign, as the nerve has both a mechanical and sensing function, and tickling could indicate that part of that function has returned.

When she heard that Peter was a singer, though, she emphatically recommended the follow up with the ENT.  There are many options out there, and also the possibility he won't need to do anything but eat, drink, and wait.

Peter will have to give you the full D'Amico report that I missed.  Basically everything looked very good.  He came home energized, sent Jessie to the store for lots of food, ate too much too fast, and got a graphic lesson on what not to do.  

Joe came out to cheer with us and help out with what I couldn't do.  Jessie came prepared to stay and take care of both of us, but fortunately I am better (knock on wood) and without having to mess with the feeding tube tonight, the evening seems amazingly simple.  We sent Jessie home as she has been traveling a lot and needs a night in her own house.

The news we haven't reported yet is that we got a new puppy on Easter.  I'll give the full report on that tomorrow.  I am pretty spent from being sick all afternoon.  Thanks again to everyone for all the steady prayers, vibes, help, and good cheer.

SG