Evauation for a Gastric Tube

We saw a surgeon earlier in the week so AaronMatthew could be evaluated for a G Tube.

That is a Gastric Tube that would be surgically placed in his stomach so he could get nutrients.

The surgeon wanted to do a swallow study, which we did on Thursday. The results of that were good. He does not aspirate when he sucks a bottle. His tongue is just a little bit bigger than the average person. He has some difficulty coordinating a suck and swallow. And he has an aversion to sucking on a bottle because he hasn't been fed with a bottle much. Also, the thought is because he has had a Nasal Gastric Tube for so long, that it could be uncomfortable for him to swallow. He is most likely getting reflux from it as well.

The Occupational Therapist was at the study. She is hopeful that we can get him to suck a bottle and take his feeds. She believes he will benefit from a longer nipple. I have continuing appointments set up with Occupational Therapy.

Monday we have another study, this time on his stomach to make sure everything is in it's place and working correctly.

We also have a Special Educational teacher and another Occupational Therapist coming out from the school district once a week for 3 years for Early Childhood Intervention.