Written September 30, 2010 7:51 pm

Anita had a very good and busy day today.  She was dressed and up in her wheelchair for over six hours during the day.  She started her day with a session of Occupational Therapy (OT) during which she had her vision tested with good results, and practiced her handwriting.  She then had a vent weaning session during which she remained off the ventilator for over three and a half hours.  During the vent weaning session, a Montgomery Valve was installed which allowed Anita to talk.  A medical conference with the lead physician and Case Manager took place during the weaning period.  A Speech Therapy (ST) session took place after lunch during which Anita drank some water and ate some chocolate pudding, the first food ingested orally in weeks!!!  Anita quite enjoyed the chocolate pudding, and is looking  forward to a Coke, which is on the agenda for tomorrow.  A Physical Therapy session followed in the gym.  She then returned to her room and watched some afternoon soaps.  In the event she received visits from her second cousin and her brother, who is visiting for a few days.  She was quite tired by evening's end and finished the evening with a viewing of an episode of The Office.

I remember being able to speak again.  And I vividly recall the chocolate pudding.  Wow.  The simple things we take for granted.  Being mute is so isolating. Folks tried to include me in conversations.  I nodded or mouthed words (extremely frustrating) in return. Now the Montgomery Valve allowed my wishes to be heard.  My voice was weak, but I could talk! I spoke to John, my roommate, the docs, the nurses, the therapists, the cleaning crew, other patients.  Anybody who would listen.  It was exhausting.   I was able to verbalize away during the day, but at bedtime, the valve was removed. Usually I was so tired I didn't mind.   I had all night to think of more things to chat about the next day.

My Speech Therapist clearly heard my choice of pudding flavors (chocolate). I wasn't hungry at all, but being a true "chocoholic", I thought the sweet treat might stimulate my appetite.  It didn't.  I seemed to have no spit and I couldn't find my swallow muscles. The therapist scooped a half spoon of pudding and brought it to my mouth.  I had a hard time manipulating the custard in my mouth. When I finally pushed it to the back of my mouth, it felt like I was swallowing a bolus of 10 saltine crackers.  Who knew pudding could be so painful.  I was told I did well, but further tests needed to be done before I am allowed to eat solid food.  I wasn't hungry anyway and eating sure seemed like a lot of work.  So, I continued to receive my meals via the feeding tube.  Now...for just a little while.