The latest concern that our Speech and Language Therapist had was that she was "pooling", my understanding of this is liquid / food gathering in her throat. They needed to check that her swallow was safe, and so the best way to do this is by using the Videofluoroscopy test. I have to say that for some time I have thought something was up as after feeding she sounds "gurgly" and like as if you opened her mouth you would see a pool of milk gathered at the back of her throat. Apparently, in the trade, this is called "pooling".
The test is a collaboration between Radiology and Speech Therapy, a fast succession of pictures are taken as fluid / food is swallowed. Tiddler had to feed/ eat her milk, water and purees as normal while seated in a special seat. All 3 had Barium in them - to show contrast in the pictures. Tiddler wasnt bothered about the taste of the Barium, apparently its rather inoffensive which was a blessing. The puree in particular turned into what looked like polyfilla! Tiddler managed though and fed obligingly.
The pictures were fascinating, really interesting. Although I was concentrating on feeding her so could really watch as much as I would have liked, you could see a cross section of her face, throat and neck and what looked like black liquid moving down her throat and neck.
The test itself only lasted 5 mins, it took longer to mix her milk and food with the polyfilla! Tiddler was absolutely fine, a non-intrusive test so she was non the wiser. They could see straight away that she wasn't pooling so thats great and means her swallow is safe. This is great and means I am less scared about T having more lumpy food. They could see though that she has a "delayed swallow" - she swallows too late? Don't quite understand this.... the Speech Therapist is calling on Thursday to discuss. They said to be careful after she eats, to not lay her down too quickly in case she hasn't swallowed. With her reflux, we keep her upright anyway so that's fine. Will wait to see what this "late swallow" means.
I am relieved. All systems go on solids again I hope.
It was a bit upsetting in the waiting room as I had waited there 8 months ago when Tiddler was 3 days old. I vividly remember sitting in this horrid, clinical cubby hole and I remember praying over and over again that she would be ok. She had been transported by a Dr from SCBU to radiology in her incubator, a tiny tiny baby- MY tiny tiny baby in a plastic box having one test then the next and the next. That time, at 3 days old she was having a Barium Swallow to check that she didnt have an obstruction in her stomach.
We are a bit too familiar with the hospital, I hate that we know our way round so well, we recognise lots of people and they us, and that poor Tiddler has been tested by nearly every department now, and a couple more than once! Happily however, the tests - the serious ones at least- have all given us a big fat negative, and we are very thankful for that and the fantastic care and resources that they have bestowed upon us.
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