Day 42

RED LETTER DAY!!!

Today has had a great start. Upon arriving at the unit this morning Dr. Morris was there. He wanted to see the area where Nicole's trach was. Off came the bandages. Dr. Morris was very pleased to see how well it was doing. He indicated that the hole was half as big and it was healing great. I leaned over and whispered to him, "That is the power of prayer and the priesthood". He agreed. The nurse put bandages over the area and pressed lightly. Out came words that were not only audible but music to my ears. He ordered a preliminary swallow test.

In comes the speech gal. She is kind and gentle with Nicole. She moves Nicole's bed to a more upright position before putting a small piece of ice in her mouth. You can tell Nicole is loving it. Ice cold feeling in her mouth. She swallows. Down it goes. Sweet! Now for a spoonful of water. They say it is really hard to swallow water because there is no substance. Swallowing again! Wow I am so proud of her. Then the speech gal offers apple sauce. The expression on Nicole's face is priceless. She is so excited. Her eyes light up and she smiles. In her mouth goes a tiny spoonful. You can see her rolling it around in her mouth to enjoy every molecule. Down it goes. Nicole is loving it. When asked how it was she said she wanted the whole cup. Well she didn't get the whole cup but she did get 2 more tiny spoonfuls. I think she thought it was close to heaven.

Monday they will put a small camera in her throat to see how she swallows. Nicole will get to experience applesauce again AND a strawberry shake. Heaven, I tell you Heaven. Of course she will not get the whole cut or the whole strawberry shake but some is better than non.

I called John and put my cell phone on speaker. The nurse pushed on her bandages covering her stoma and she said, "Hi Daddy". John was so excited. Then she said, "I love you, Daddy." john said it was the best "I love you Daddy" in the whole world. I am so glad those 4 little words made John's whole day. It is amazing what just a few words said to someone does for their whole day.

It's kind of like a smile. You know when you are walking down the street or in a store and someone random person smiles at you. You smile back and it changes your whole day. You probably smile at someone first next and it makes their day. I love that.

I hope I can make someones day today. I know Nicole made mine when she told me she loves me.