Vacuuming

No, not vacuuming the floors or rugs, but vacuuming out Dennis' throat. Yes, there is such a machine and we do have one.

I suppose this is another way of saying that Dennis is having more and more difficulty swallowing every day.

Which also could be another way of saying that I am grateful that he has a feeding tube.

Dennis fought the feeding tube for a while, but he began to drop weight at a high rate, and finally agreed. At first it was a gravity feed or a bolus feeding. He wanted bolus feedings (carer holding a tube of food for 30 minutes while it dripped in) during the day, and then only sporadically. Then he began to complain of acid reflux. He went through all the medications that his part D medicare would allow, but no luck. So we tried feeding at night with Dennis' head slight raised. Still stomach problems.

Eventually the gastric tube was changed to a J/G tube and this required a feeding pump. The acid reflux disappeared. And, except for the clogging, the explosions of a tube full of water or sticky food, and the pump not working in the UK, it has improved his life immensely.

So, if you or someone you know, are having difficultly swallowing, there are options. They aren't pretty, they aren't easy, they aren't very often fun. But if there is a will to live, these inconveniences my be worth it for you, too.

And there goes the vacuum, once again.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis