Monday at Sparrow Hospital radiation/x-ray lab for my video test to see if I am swallowing OK and not going to aspirate - 'swallowed food and drink gets to the lungs'.
I was set up sideways to some type of x-ray camera and could watch my testing on a TV monitor in real time. This was really pretty cool. I was giving some type of liquid or food and we could see it and follow it as it entered my mouth and continued as I swallowed down to my esophagus. First - a small amount of liquid barium and we watched. I didn't aspirate. Liquid went down to my stomach as it was supposed to. The technician noticed that I did have trouble swallowing - it took me two swallows to complete this step where normally it is just one. I completed 4 additional tests which were larger amounts of the liquid, small amount of a thicker solution, a larger amount of same solution and finally applesauce mixed with the barium. In all cases I successfully swallowed for all tests. No aspiration. I can begin to start feeding myself orally. I still will need to supplement this diet with my special diet via my tube until I can consume the necessary calories to maintain my weight.
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