Toby overcame his initial fears and tears after arriving in radiology for his swallow study and cooperated beautifully. It started with a couple normal x-rays. They were followed by a video study. Toby had to lie on a table, turning this way and that while drinking chalky, white liquid through a straw. I should think this would be a challenge even if you understood what they were doing, but Toby did a great job and they were able to get what they wanted. Afterwards, he saw the ear, nose, and throat doctors who said that the results looked good from their perspective. (The pulmonologists will also be looking at it.) They also decided that his swollen tonsils are not causing problems which would warrant a tonsillectomy. (Yay! No surgery.) Additionally, they stuck a camera up his nose to evaluate the structure, looking for any problems which might be causing his continued mouth breathing. All they found was congestion for which he has been given a referral to an allergist.
Toby's favorite visit of the day was with the physical therapist whose job it was to teach me "percussion and postural drainage" techniques. The pulmonologist wants us to know how to loosen the secretions in his lungs when he has respiratory illnesses to minimize the risk of complications such as pneumonia. I get to be the drummer and Toby gets to be the drum. Toby seemed to find it to be a really enjoyable massage.
And here is Toby with some of his friends at the U of M.
Next week, we are seeing a therapist who will evaluate the limp he has had for several months now. And we will be returning to Ann Arbor for the visit with the allergist.
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