Swallow Study Number ?????????

Cohen had another swallow study yesterday. I have lost count now of how many we have had? 5 or 6 maybe?

Any who, this study was supposed to be back on January 5th. That was when Cohen was in the hospital with pneumonia, so we rescheduled and went yesterday.

IT WAS GREAT! He swallowed applesauce like a champ! He now can start eating baby food EVERYDAY! All he wants! Also, our awesome speech pathologist said she would begin puffs, yogurt melts, etc. We are SO thrilled by this news! I went to the store last night and bought all kinds of "dissolveable" foods. I am going to make baby food today.

Of course, with the good news came a small disappointment. He still aspirated the liquids. He is still not protecting his airway. Which likely means he is still aspirating his saliva that in turn still causes the gurgly sounds and pooled secretions in his throat. But hey, you cant win them all! We will take the victories that we do get!
We were told that we are past the stage that he will ever take a bottle. Who needs a stinking bottle anyway!

Along with all this he will start with a feeding therapist this month. In some ways I dread adding another therapist, but I hope that it will be worth while. I have heard alot of mixed reviews on this subject.

After the swallow study, we went to the G tube clinic and they put a new button in. So far, so good in this. I never, ever, thought I would say I like Cohen having a G tube. I am truly eating my words by saying I am thankful for it.

Finally, we had a 10:30 appointment with our ENT. At 12:30, we were still in the waiting room fighting off runny nosed toddlers wanting to touch Cohen. It was not my favorite 2 hours. Those of you that know me know how much I love to wait. I have a small problem with patience sometimes=)

If any doctor is worth waiting 2 hours for, this one is. The original plan was to run a scope down his nose and look at the vocal cords and palette movement. However, Dr. W thought Cohen sounded too congested and gurgly to attempt it. He felt like he sounded fairly "sick". He also thought he may have the start of our first ear infection.

Everyone constantly thinks Cohen sounds "sick", but this is the normal for him. Dr. W did make a small comment about him just managing the pain of this since he was born. I felt a little stung by this, and it breaks my heart to think he could be in constant pain. I personally don't think this is the case. He is such a happy, content baby. I have just tried to put this out of my mind.

Another thing that was mentioned yesterday was having his adenoids removed to help open his airway and give him some respiratory help. Could be done at the same time as his feet surgery later in the spring. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I guess we will just see how things are when the time comes.

All things considered, we had a great day of doctors appointments. One of the best we have had and I am so grateful for that.

Thank you to all of you still following Cohen's progress and continuing to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Its hard for me to imagine he is almost 14 months old!

We love you all!

PS-----Cohen is SO close to crawling. I am hoping to try and post a video. He also has become quite the little dancer. Put on some music and watch out!!!!!!!