Discharged

Cue fireworks. We are out of here.


10:00 pm

Long day. Jennifer's doing well, but still in a lot of pain.

Tomorrow will be better.

We go in for the swallow tests. If successfull, she will get that feeding tube out of her and then be able to take food orally.

The swallow test will utilize barium to test whether there are any leaks in the free flap (reconstructed part of the mouth). They will also test her ability to swallow foods of different consistencies - liquid, applesauce, pudding, etc. the process of moving the food through the mouth, to the pharynx, to the esophagus. Can she do it? And, how long does it take to go three each step of the process? If it takes too long for the food to move through the pharynx, then she can gag on the food and may not be ready to advance to the stage of taking food orally.

Wish us luck. Keep us in your prayers. I appreciate everybody's support, whether it's prayer, babysitting, help around the house, work, cleaning wounds (yes....I do that now -- I'm the caregiver).

Special thanks to the nurses/staff at MD Anderson. The doctors got the cancer (we hope), but the nurses helped us survive....a lot of care and a lot of education. All of them had great attitudes which helped ours. I don't want to take anything away from the doctors..everybody fulfilled their role pretty well....now if the billing department cares for us, they'll waive all fees. Is that too much to ask?



O Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you Jennifer. Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing praise to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.