HE CAN EAT AND DRINK!

OK! This was the day we've been waiting and praying for. This is how it went down. Porter and I both got to sleep in a little. He must have had a decent night because when I woke up I felt like I had been asleep for about 3 months. He didn't need me in the night much so I just slept like a teenager. (People always say, 'slept like a baby' but if they were anything like my babies then they were up crying every 30 minutes - so I like to say, slept like a teenager because they know how to sleep.) We were excited and anxious for Miranda to walk in. We got Porter up and all ready in his wheelchair so when she got here we could get going. She was so enthusiastic when she came into the room and was like, "Today you're going to be eating some food buddy." As confident as she seems, I sure hope she's right. She told me I could come with them to the actual X-ray and watch. yay! We wheeled him down and into a cool machine. We got all suited up in our led outfits and got him all situated in the machine. She turned on the monitor and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was soooooo cool. I could see his whole skeleton and his tongue, trachea, epiglottis, esophagus and all the parts of his neck - including his new hardware. Oh, and his braces. Then she would have him drink or eat something that had this barium stuff in it that shows up on X-ray and we would watch it go in his mouth and down his .....ESOPHAGUS!!!! You heard me - his esophagus, exactly where it should go. The epiglottis is working and closing off his windpipe. She said there still is some swelling, but it's not obstructing his swallowing anymore. 

This is such awesome, amazing, wonderful news. He seemed pretty pleased with himself. We ordered him a gatorade and my friend, Nikki, brought him a Jamba Juice - white gummy with peaches. I'm sure he would have preferred to make it himself, but was so happy to taste something familiar. ANY food or drink would have made him happy. We are so thrilled about this step that will make a lot of things happier and easier. Miranda told him to stick to a soft food diet for a few days and to take 2 sips of water between every bite of food. He has been so diligent about that. 

I decided to let him go to therapy on his own today. I want him to rely on other people and also see that other people can do what I'm doing. I went outside to see Debbie, my sister-in-law and we sat in the sun on a bench and just talked. It felt so good. We tried to get back to the room before Porter got back, but he beat us. He was all nicely tucked in his bed and he said therapy went great. Debbie got a little visit with him and she sat and watched some the craziness that happens here. It's nice to have people come visit because then they can better understand the situation, see Porter and hug us. It was very fun to visit with her. 

I need to start writing down the funnyisms that Porter says and does. It is very entertaining and he makes me laugh. We have a few inside jokes about the nurses and aides, so sometimes when they walk in, I start laughing. We have been watching a little bit of tv which we have never done before together. Porter sometimes gets laughing and then it turns into a coughing fit. Maybe a drama would be a better choice. Another big highlight of the day - he was able to FaceTime his friend, Preston, for about 30 minutes. It did my momma heart good to hear them laughing and saying all their phrases and talking about what's going on. I need to get Porter some sort of device to hold the phone for him because I'm sure he doesn't love me standing over him holding it in his face and being in on the whole conversation. They probably want to talk about things teenagers talk about without the boomer right there. Porter is a good sport about all of it. 

I have enjoyed having people visit and getting caught up on their lives. I have definitely been in a time warp and out of touch with reality. I know they come wanting to talk about everything we have going on, but it feels so good to talk about something else too. I still want to be there for them - everyone has been so there for me. I have felt grateful we choose Salt Lake for this very reason. The support has been tremendous. Paul and the boys have felt so supported as well up in Pocatello this week. People are continuing to find ways to bless our lives. We have help at every turn. Thank you! 

Porter is a different person than he was 2 weeks ago. He is breathing, eating, drinking, speaking and rebuilding strength in his body. I never seize to be amazed at the miracle of our bodies and how they work and heal. I am so grateful for my body. More than ever before. Every part, every muscle and fiber, every system, every nerve and vessel. What a gift. I know God is giving me the strength I need to keep taking care of my sweet boy who can't care for himself right now. I will adjust that idiot pillow of his 372 times a night if that's what he needs. I'm here to stay. I'm here to stay.