Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Swallow Study...

...wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Prior to this appointment, our Early Intervention Service Coordinator had told me what to expect, therefore I had envisioned Dylan sitting up in a high chair, happy as can be, being offered various foods and drinks all the while being x-rayed (is that even a word?) to see whether or not he was aspirating. What I did not expect, was the x-ray machine to basically pin him down on his back while a nurse impatiently instructed me to "hold his arms down tightly" to keep them from flailing about all while she squirts barium down his throat from a bottle. And then again, same deal, with water. "But he's going to choke on that! This is why we're here...because he chokes on thin liq...". No matter. They had to do it anyway. Sheesh. In the midst of it all, I couldn't help but wonder, 'Why why why am I doing this to him?' Ugh. Poor ol' D.

As it turns out, the results from the study came back just fine. It does not appear that he is aspirating, which is great news. I was able to speak with the speech/language pathologist for a bit after the test and she agreed that most likely Dylan's difficulties with feeding and swallowing are developmental. That sealed the deal for me - no scopes. I canceled the procedure as I simply can't justify it at this time. It just does not seem worth the risk.

What I do need to do, is continue being patient with Dylan and his feedings. I admit that I did have a moment last night where I felt quite sad and defeated with the whole sippy cup debacle. I was sitting across from Dylan and watched him, as I do every single time I offer him the sippy, bite it and then throw it on the floor. You see, I think part of the urgency I feel at this point, is that I am growing tired of nursing. And not only that, but because he thinks the sippy cup is something to bite on, he has transferred that habit to biting me as well.

Ah well.

Onward we go. Doing the best that we can do. Day by day.

12 comments:

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

WOW that's the craziest swallow study I've ever heard of! Sheesh! Kennedy's had several and she was always sitting up for them. I'm sorry it was torture for him :(. I'm glad he's not aspirating though!!! Hopefully his SLP can work with him and he'll outgrow it! Hang in there! :)

Angela said...

Sorry you had a bad experience. :(

Good for you for going with your mommy instinct.

Anonymous said...

Oh Laurie- sorry to hear about that ordeal ! sending you lots of ((hugs)) your way. Dylan will get it. Keep having faith in him. Most importantly he is a happy baby !

~Mara

Unknown said...

Great to hear Dylan didn't aspirate! Great mommy-instincts. That's always the most important. I hope the SLP offered some ideas to try to encourage his feeding development? I'm also surprised he wasn't sitting up. I'd be interested to know where his study was done.

Sasha said...

Ugh..that does not sound fun at all. I have no idea how they are done but that doesn't sound right. At least Dylan got cleared to eat right? I again feel your frustration. I am feeding Wysdom and it is taking him a long time to learn how to take solids...and I haven't even got onto the liquid yet:)

You can vent to me any day about feeding as I feel ya on that one. I am trying to stop pumping milk..it has been a long 8 months for me. Hang in there!!!!!
Keeping you in my thoughts

heidi marie said...

i remember the first time henry had a swallow study done as well. not exactly the most fun thing to do in the world. hang in there! and it's great news that he does aspirate during feeding!

Jill said...

What a beautiful son

Sharon said...

Great news that he's not aspirating. Wish I could offer some advice on the sippy - but you know I'm in the same boat on that one!

Kelli said...

Poor Dylan. Glad to hear he is not aspirating. Poor Mommy, ouch on the biting. Wish I could give you a few hints on the sippy but Lindsey does the EXACT same thing. Makes it hard when we didn't have to think much about it with Brooke. Hang in there kids don't go to school still breastfeeding. :)

Derek, Kenzee and Gage said...

I am so glad to hear that Dylan is not aspirating! That has to be such a good feeling! I'm sorry to hear about the sippy cup situation. I just thought I would throw in my experience with that. Gage also chose to bite sippy cups and also straws that were not really easy to suck from. Gage learned by using the honey bear cup and also just a normal straw out of a cup since they are both easy to get fluid from on the first suck. I really don't know if that helps at all or if you have already tried all that, but I really hope maybe it gives you more ideas to try out! Good luck with all of it!!

Lisa said...

(((hugs)))

Brandie said...

That does sound crazy. Goldie just had a swallow study (I'm pg and couldn't be in the room) and my husband said it wasn't like that. She was sitting up. Hers came back ok, but I still think she's aspirating. The ENT did say it was something she would grow out of with time. I wasn't tired of nursing(yet) but my milk supply is almost gone. I started thickening her drinks and it has made a huge difference. Hope you find what works for you and Dylan. :) I know we've gone through many types of cups, drinks, and feeding positions in the last year!