Swallow study results I got late yesterday...no signs of aspirating or even laryngeal penetration!!
"Apparent reduced oral sensation resulting in loss of liquids out of the lips, under the tongue, and in the buccal cavity between suck-swallow-breathe sequences. Reduced chewing of solids resulted in piece of fruit being swallowed whole, rice being swallowed without chewing, and meat being chewed and pocketed until removed by his mother. No nasopharyngeal reflux or pharyngeal residue noted on any consistency. Severe oral dysphagia and apparent reduced oral sensation resulting in difficulty maintaining a cohesive bolus, reduced chewing skills, and pocketing of food. Pharyngeal phase appears within normal limits with adequate velopharyngeal closure and airway protection."
So there are still definite swallowing "issues" related to dysphagia and not chewing (probably all related to his Apraxia) but he is definitely not aspirating anymore!!
We have come a LONG way since that first awful swallow study at 4 weeks old, when the SLP giving the test stopped the test after only a few minutes because he was aspirating and refluxing so badly. We were admitted to the hospital soon after and thus started our journey. I have that first swallow study and this most recent swallow study in front of me right now (I'm at work, shh don't tell anyone!) and I keep looking from one to the other and back again.
Sometimes it's these little victories that get me through!!!! (although being able to safely eat is hardly a little victory, it's a huge ginormous victory!)
"Apparent reduced oral sensation resulting in loss of liquids out of the lips, under the tongue, and in the buccal cavity between suck-swallow-breathe sequences. Reduced chewing of solids resulted in piece of fruit being swallowed whole, rice being swallowed without chewing, and meat being chewed and pocketed until removed by his mother. No nasopharyngeal reflux or pharyngeal residue noted on any consistency. Severe oral dysphagia and apparent reduced oral sensation resulting in difficulty maintaining a cohesive bolus, reduced chewing skills, and pocketing of food. Pharyngeal phase appears within normal limits with adequate velopharyngeal closure and airway protection."
So there are still definite swallowing "issues" related to dysphagia and not chewing (probably all related to his Apraxia) but he is definitely not aspirating anymore!!
We have come a LONG way since that first awful swallow study at 4 weeks old, when the SLP giving the test stopped the test after only a few minutes because he was aspirating and refluxing so badly. We were admitted to the hospital soon after and thus started our journey. I have that first swallow study and this most recent swallow study in front of me right now (I'm at work, shh don't tell anyone!) and I keep looking from one to the other and back again.
Sometimes it's these little victories that get me through!!!! (although being able to safely eat is hardly a little victory, it's a huge ginormous victory!)
(and still his thickened milk in the bottles), but still aspirates drainage when he has allergies or a cold, so I know we have a long way still.
