Cunningham-Ramos AML & Stroke after TBI Journey

Image source: https://www.healthline.com/health/barium-swallow

Kim has been tested nearly daily by the hospital’s speech therapists to assess his ability to swallow safely and not aspirate food into his lungs, which could cause pneumonia. Unfortunately, he was either too tired to follow directions when they came, of would cough a bit too much.

Yesterday afternoon they decided to perform a Barium Swallow test, in which they gave him a radioactive drink in different consistencies and saw thru an x-ray machine how he was swallowing. I was behind glass doors, looking at him and at a computer screen that showed his digestive track. And he passed the test!

For me, it was like watching your child in a very important competition. If he had not passed the test, the next step was going to be to insert a feeding tube in his stomach as the nose feeding tube he currently has is a temporary solution.

Now that he can eat a modified diet ( no chewing yet), he can be transferred to an acute stroke rehabilitation facility. I’m praying for that to happen very soon. 🙏