So we have been living on a "blessing" high the past month or so. God has blessed us with a new job, a great house, a new church, a neat therapy group for Claire.... we have just been amazed at the wonderful things God is doing for us. And we are so very thankful for his blessings he has bestowed upon our family. But we are also very well aware that God has not often given us the easiest of routes to follow, sometimes his blessings are hidden in nature. So Russ and I have kind of been waiting for that so called "other shoe" to drop.
And now it has.....
We took Claire yesterday for a swallow function study. This was asked for by both her pediatrician and her pulmonologist. We have been trying to figure out why she is congested often and why she got pneumonia this summer. This tests how well she swallows different consistencies of food and water. Well come to find out....she is aspirating every time she drinks and she does not give us any warning that she has done this... no coughing, no gagging, etc. We tried up to the thickest consistency that you can drink from a cup (honey consistency) and she still aspirated a little. Plus we learned that she does not chew really well, just mashes with her tongue, so she is a 100% choking risk if she were to swallow large portions of food. So with all of that being said, they recommend....
a pureed diet for food, and a feeding tube for liquids.
Not really sure what all that entails, but we go see the doctor on Monday and will probably be admitted to the hospital that afternoon for the feeding tube procedure.
And all along I thought we had been doing so well getting Claire to be more "normal" when she eats. We had worked hard on getting her to eat table food, and now I feel like this is a huge set back. I know it is what is best for her. Obviously, only by the grace of God have we escaped not having more pneumonia issues or even choking. But I am still disappointed.
So I will let you know more after Monday when we learn all about a feeding tube and what kind of adjustments that will bring to our life.
3 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about Claire. It must be so worrisome for your family. I hope the procedure goes well. I'll be praying for you.
This is Shayla in case you didn't know who Jaynpay was. ;)
Just know the Lewis family is praying for you Mandy and for little Claire too. We miss y'all here in Nocona. I know your faith is strong, and we both know how faithful our God can be. We love you all.
Post a Comment