Wed- Swallow Test

Post 5 (Wed) April 9, 2025

Steven said that Britt's has been unresponsive since yesterday afternoon and all night because his sodium level went up. He nor the nurse could get Britten to respond to them though.

Wed morning the neurologist came in and with his big loud voice he said, "Good morning Britt!" Britt's eyes popped wide open! Britt was slow processing this but nodded his head, yes. Then the doctor loudly said, "how are you?" and Britt slowly said in a deep raspy voice, "I'm fine." Steven and the nurse said that the doctor must have the magic voice!

Britt was able to squeeze the neurologist's hand and respond with a nod appropriately to his commands. Then the ST came in and gave him a few ice chips and he was able to swallow 2 sips of water! He is very weak and still very lethargic. If he can pass the swallow test then they would Not need to put a feeding tube in.
The ST came in again and said he was borderline because he is still so lethargic. The doctor will decide on the feeding tube on how urgent is is for him to eat immediately or if he can wait a little bit longer.

Britt has been doing well without the oxygen and it has been off all morning and his O2 has been steady at 96. Dr. Patel came in and said his chest xray looks ok. There is a little bit of fluid on the right side of his lungs, but he is on antibiotics, no concern.
He said he will not put the NG tube in today in hopes he will can eat later.

Britt just passed the swallow test! He ate 2 bites of pudding! But, when he took a bite of a cracker it made him cough a lot so they said only pudding for today. He will have the barium swallow test tomorrow. This is huge for Britt as we were so worried about brain damage from the seizure.
Miracles and tender mercies are already happening! Later in the afternoon Britt started responded a little better and wasn't as lethargic. He has made so much progress from the state he was in yesterday!

To those that don't understand Britt's brain injury, all the damage was done to the left side of his head which is your language center. He had speech therapy for 3.5 years learning the English vocabulary again along with grammar, reading and being able to write. So our biggest concern after this seizure is if it affected these areas mainly his speech and forming words along with being able to receive and interpret what you are saying.
His brain is responding to understanding what people are saying to him, but he is very slow in responding, and it's just 1 or 2 words. But, It is definitely progress and we are so grateful! We will just have to be patient and play the waiting game.

There has been such an outpour of love and support. It is your support along with the many prayers and our Savior's grace and mercy that carry us through our journey. Our trials are no greater what many of you and others are going through. I have had to make a list of ALL the people we are praying for that are going through such hard things because there are so many and I don't want to miss one of you. May you find peace and comfort as well and your hearts and body's be healed through our Savior's love.

With gratitude for all our friends near and far.
Karla & Steven