Friday, May 22

For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong.
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew

Another funny story for ya all today: When Dr. Hourani (spelling) walked into Deano's room today and saw me standing there; he (the Dr. not Deano) looked at me and said oh, oh. Me, my mom and Sylvia all though it was pretty funny (maybe you had to be there).

The speech therapist was there today and I got an explanation on what it means to fail the "Swallow Test". What they do is orally give Deano (or the patient) colored ice chips (blue in our case) and then they open the plugged trach and the color that is in the trach indicates whether or not Deano was swallowing and since he failed that means no swallowing and they were draining blue liquid from the trach for an hour. Today what they did to try and activate those glands to cause swallowing is place lemon flavored swabs in his mouth (Shit I was salivating and swallowing - then again maybe that's why he isn't). So the key words to work the swallow muscle (you will never guess so I wont keep you in suspense) "Coca Cola". How is that for advertising.

So the thing is the breathing muscle and the swallowing muscle are two separate issues and the trach could in essence be removed even though Dean cannot swallow. The importance of swallowing right now is so he can start eating (you know cheeseburgers and sushi and stuff like that) and they can remove the feeding tube from his stomach.

It is official because Dr. Hourani said so: Dean is no longer in a coma. (See how far we have come since April 3 and you ain't seen noth'n yet). The Doc (so I wont always have to put "spelling) seems to think that Deano will be communicating verbally soon and he said that to. When the Doc was in today Dean opened his mouth nice and wide. Now we just need to figure out what needs to come out.

Dean still appears to be either very uncomfortable (and who wouldn't be) or in pain (which causes discomfort). Still trying to figure out because his no.'s look good (within range for oxygenation and beats per minute) and no fever or infection.

When the doc asked Deano what hurt it seemed like he indicated the placement of the feeding tube (so that is a possibility). I will keep trying to figure out.

Be safe all you holiday travelers.............................


For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love,
I can make it