Tests, Tests, and More Tests

With all of the medical tests Ernie has had, we were certain the doctors had seen every thing there was to see.  Evidently not.  Today they preformed a "cine esophagram" to test his swallowing function.  The doctors want a baseline pre-radiation and also want to evaluate his need for a feeding tube during radiation.  This tube is inserted in the stomach or intestines to insure patients can get adequate nutrition if it is too painful to swallow food. 

Some hospitals, including Forsyth Cancer Center, put feeding tubes only if needed.  Johns Hopkins prefers that all tongue cancer patients get a feeding tube prior to the start of radiation.  They don't want patients to get too weak from not eating and then undergo the surgery.  Because of Ernie's schleroderma, the doctors are evaluating the possibility of taking a "wait and see" approach with his feeding tube.  Schleroderma patients typically produce a lot of scar tissue in response to injury, which can create its own set of problems. 

We do not have a verdict yet.  He has to do one more test--this one lasts 6 hours--next week before they will make a determination and also identify the preferred location should a tube be necessary. 

We also learned today that he has to start swallowing exercises to help build and maintain his swallowing function.  We are trying to imagine what swallowing exercises might entail.  We are both doing an excellent job of swallowing the wonderful restaurant food and we are hoping he will get credit for that.