Today, Arla had a barium swallow test to verify what types and textures of foods she can safely eat or drink on a regular basis.  The test involves the patient eating and drinking a variety of foods that have been coated or mixed with barium.    During the test, Arla swallowed these various foods and drinks while an x-ray was taken of her mouth and throat showing each swallow.  The barium makes the food or drink clearly visible on the x-ray.  During each type of food or drink swallowed, a speech pathologist watches how the food is moving from the mouth, down the throat, and into the esophagus. 

Although Arla’s swallow is slightly delayed, she was able to correctly swallow all textures except thin liquids.  The thin liquids, while they do go into the esophagus, try to take a trip down the wind pipe.  Arla is able to cough when this slight aspiration happens.  Since Arla is not totally successful with thin liquids, these liquids can be thickened. 

Because of the success of this swallow test, the speech pathologist will begin ordering food for Arla to eat.  This, just like everything else, will be a process.  The hope is that eventually, Arla will be able to eat enough to get all her calories.  Until her oral intake of food can sustain her nutritional needs, she will continue to receive nutrition via her feeding tube.  

Physical therapy is progressing well.  Occupational therapy is going well, too.  Speech therapy is still a lot of trying techniques to see how much Arla is really understanding and communicating.  Arla becomes tired from physical exertion, which is expected as she builds her strength, and we are beginning to understand that she becomes tired equally from mental activity.  Because Arla’s ability to receive information is impaired, simple things like several people talking at once can overload her mind and make her tired.  

If you choose to visit, please make the visits short.  If Harold is with Arla and you wish to talk to him, we encourage you to do so in the large lounge or cafeteria at the facility or take a walk outside.  Lengthy visits and lots of conversation seem to overload Arla’s brain receivers and make her tired.  The brain needs time to be quiet and rest just like the body.   

We also want to thank all of you who have sent cards and posted comments on the blog.  We are just now beginning to read these to Arla.  Keep sending them.  We are reading all of them, but Arla can only comprehend a few at a time.  Every note and well wish will be saved so she can revisit them as she becomes more able.  They are an encouragement to the family and will be to Arla as well.