Tricia was given a swallow test today (there's a more technical term for it, but whatever...), which was not pleasant for her. I try to imagine having a long black tube that poses as an endoscopic camera shoved UP my nose and DOWN my throat, and I once again, and more loudly than ever, declare that my wife is tough stuff. Because of her ability to bear the test for about 5 minutes, she is now allowed to eat pureed food...things like apple sauce.
I'm trying to figure out how to puree chicken wings...
Here's a pic of her blue/green teeth made green/blue by the blue/green ice, milk and pudding she had to swallow for the test:
She tells me that green/blue pudding tastes very similar to regular pudding...imagine that...
Nate
She tells me that green/blue pudding tastes very similar to regular pudding...imagine that...
73 comments:
Tricia, you really ARE out of this world...your true colors are coming through! HeeHee!
FOOD!!! both your girls are eating Nate...how wonderful!!!!
WOOOOHOOOO
PRAISE GOD!
still praying!
Go Tricia! you are really an inspiration :) Food Food glorious food!!! whatever food it is :o) I´m so glad for you Praise God!!!!
I only know you by your blog but I´m praying really hard for your family, big big hugs, Lu
I thought, "I'll check back just 1 more time before I head off to bed"...What and answer to prayer! Yeeeehawww! Way to go Tricia! I find it simply amazing that God seems to be taking Gwyneth and Tricia down similar paths (w/ infection, food tolerance, etc). Yet another way to bond Mom and Daughter. Praying for all 3 of you! Blessings!
My daughter had to have something like that. A barium swallow they called it. She had her esophogus replaced and they needed to see how damaged the old one was. She HATED it. It tasted like grap they said...Yeah right.
Love the pics! Green is Tricia's color!
With Love,
William's Mom
Yipppeeee! I bet THIS hospital food tastes awesome. Love the blue/green teeth. :)
Love the green teeth :) YAY FOR FOOD!!!!!
Tricia, I'm sure even blue-green pudding tastes great at this point. I told Nate that my father-in-law is also on a vent. He has been eating too for the last two weeks. He hadn't had food since last August. He was thrilled! I think coffee was his most favorite thing though. Praise the Lord for real, in your mouth food. Keep up the good work! We're still praying for you.
Yay for food! You are one tough cookie. Mmm cookies. They might be kind of funny pureed.. icecream instead? (Tricia- make them give you lots of icecream!)
Your baby girl is looking beautiful too by the way :)
It's not easy being (blue) green! Tricia, maybe you could get some nifty teal highlights put in your hair to match ;)
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Yay! You got to eat! I hope it tastes better than anything you've ever had! Keep at it mama! I can't wait to hear the report when you get to hold your precious little bundle!!
Bless you! Praying for you!
Yay! Way to go Tricia! One more step up the ladder. >:0)
I'm continually amazed at that beautiful smile and the sparkle in those big brown eyes, even after gagging on a garden hose! Had a few chances to check in while away from home for two weeks, and am so thankful for all the progress made during that time. Prayed for you from MI to MS to Key West, waved and prayed from western NC as we drove through and stayed in Mt. Airy for one night and took beautiful I-77 back through the mountains, and back to MI. Will continue praying through very snowy weather up here!
Wow - what wonderful news!!!
YAY for food! She is tough stuff! I always felt like apologizing to my patients (I'm a nurse) when they had to go for a swallow test. Despite the blue/green teeth, your smile is beautiful tricia! Actually, the blue green teeth look fab on you :)
Okay, I thought of 1 PRESSING question...upon close examination of the blue/green teeth photo, I HAVE to know...Tricia, how do your eyebrows look so good? I mean you've been in the hospital for while now, do you dare let Nate wax/pluck them, do you hire a professional to come in, what? If it were me, they'd be attacking my face by now. Anyway, just curious if you'd be willing to share your secret ;). I promise, I'll keep it just between us (and the other 2 bazillion ppl that read).
You go Tricia!!!!
You guys are so great to watch... It always brings a smile to my face.
uhhhhh, nice teeth??? (giggle) On a serious note, I can't explain what I see in you when Nathan posts pictures of you except genuine-ness (is that a word?!?) and an inner peace. I'm thanking God right now for bringing me to this blog to "meet" you, Nathan, and sweet Gwyneth. I am truly blessed to be walking along with you on this road God has you on. Thanks for sharing!!!
~ becky b
Still cute as the dickens. Green teeth and all. Good to see your smiling face before I tuck my old lady self into bed. You're a treasure.
"I'm trying to figure out how to puree chicken wings..."
I think that is So sweet :) I swear, all 3 of you do so well because of the love thats there. Lots of hugs Sarah
If you have the patience to pick the meat off the bones, you can totally puree chicken wings. If Tricia likes the spicy ones, I would use ranch or blue cheese dressing for thinning it out when you puree. You can puree pretty much anything, just use a complementary flavored thinner. (ie; german chocolate cake, chocolate milk. Baked Chicken, gravy....) The dietician should be able to help you come up with some yummy stuff. Good Luck and Yay for eating again!
Tricia and Nate, I am a 20 year old college student at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia. I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled upon your blog but I am absolutely taken away at your unfaltering faith and the love you show for our God. I am sure you have heard this a million times before but THANK YOU! You give me hope!
You are so beautiful Tricia, i look forward to reading yours and Gwyneth's updates everyday. Keep strong. xoxo
Sandra from Canada
Tricia: You ARE tough stuff and you are such a blessing to many through this blog narrated by your lovely husband, Nate. I hope you enjoy your first tastes and you can eat more soon! Yay!
Blessings and praying!
Shari
All right!!! real food will be coming soon!! Congratulations! :)
Does this mean you get to have a glass of water too? I am SO excited for you to get some food! GO TRICIA! GO GWYNETH! I pray you will both be eating that hospital out "of house and home" very very soon.
i had that done one time. they didnt go down my throat but they did go into my sinus cavity. i can tell you it didnt feel good. i cant believe how well she is taking all of this. i know she probably has her moments but please tell her i am proud of both of you and gwinneth for doing this. i believe that this is what God wanted for you because he knew you guys could handle it.
Yeah I am so happy for you. I feel your "sleeping" pain this morning as I only got a few winks and I just don't know how you do it.
Have a blessed day eating lots of pudding. Nate you go at the chicken. You can do it.
I'm thinking anything Tricia can eat will be a good thing if she can handle it. Thank the Lord both girls are progressing!
Yea! Your girls are doing so awesome. You tell them that they are loved by so many people and are getting prayers every second of the day. I am sure they already know that. Happy eating and I am sure you can do the chicken wing thing too. LOL
Love in God! MRK
yay for food!! and yay for tricia!
Even with blue teeth you are beautiful...I have to admit I am kind of jealous. For the time I spent in the hospital (just delivering babies) I pretty much looked like I was hit by a mack truck most of the time. You have a natural beauty that really seems to match your inner beauty and strength. I continue to pray for your strength and healing. Blessings to you today! Yeah Applesauce!
YES!!!! Sooooo exciting! :-)
Angela in central Ohio
Oh, very nice look. :)
both of you girls are looking great!
love that photo, it will be fun to look back at that photo in the futuer and giggle at the blue/green teeth!!
I'm so glad Tricia gets to eat :)
Also so glad both your girls are doing so well!!
after working in a nursing home for years i tell you there is nothing that cannot be pureed, chicken kiev, roast beef, you name it! go for it! nothing like soup a la wings.
after working in a nursing home for years i tell you there is nothing that cannot be pureed, chicken kiev, roast beef, you name it! go for it! nothing like soup a la wings.
Way to Go Tricia!! You are a very beautiful strong woman!! Oh, and I think blue/green is totally your color! hahaa.
Keep us posted Nate. We are praying harder everyday for your girls!!
Goodness, Gwyneth is about to put that little sissy pug to shame :-) She is getting so big, and she is so beautiful! How wonderful that Tricia can eat now! You are all three so blessed :-) We are still sending our prayers!
YEAH REAL FOOD! If Tricia likes food anywhere near how much I like food, I can understand the great smile on her face! Tricia, you're amazing! You are carrying your cross well. . . .and you have a beautiful smile!
Tricia, way to go, the green looks great with the blush of your cheeks! Your picture is beautiful. Now for Gwyneth, she is amazingly beautiful and looks down right plump! God bless you all! And Nathan, I hope we can all be there when this story is nearly complete and you & Tricia tell and show Gwyneth "her & mommy's" special story! Love you, Steve & Judi
This is my first comment but I read your blog as often as I can and pray for you all every time I sit at my computer. I just wanted to let you know how you've touched my life (in Mechanicsville, VA) and the lives of so many (my sister in Connecticut who's also been praying for you all sent me the link to your blog). I love seeing Tricia with a green smile! Beautiful! God bless you.
Nate, I praise God for everyday your girls get stronger and healthier. You and your family are shining examples of the Lord showing off to the world. He's letting all who see that what is happening in your lives is God's awesome power and love at work. My prayers are with you and your family everyday even if I don't get a chance to comment. Please know that you are all missed and loved very much. Your brother in Christ, Tommy
Hooray for FOOD!! I am also VERY amazed and in awe that you kept that nasty tube in your nose for a whole five minutes. You ROCK girl. Congrats on getting to eat applesauce, pudding, etc...Keep up the good work girl. I think Nate could put boneless chicken wings in a food processor and make them pureed for you (I think my grandma did that with roast when I first got my braces). Not completely sure though.
I love reading your love story...I am hoping to send some people your direction to read it as well. Keep up the good work and the good fight. We are praying for you here in TX.
Elizabeth
How awesome! My kiddos would love the effects of the blue/green pudding!
Your Gwyneth gets more beautiful each week - what a special family you all are.
Oh, I'm sure that food tasted wonderful, even if it was the most bland thing ever! LOL
I hope and pray that both the girls continue to gain strength and remain healthy. What a story of faith and God this has been from the start!
Great News for Tricia, Food. Another big step on the road to recovery. And "pureed chicken wings", you are a crack up Nate. What a lesson in patience I am learning as I read about the little things I tend to take for granted each day. And Tricia, you are amazing Girl, just amazing and such an example of trust in the Lord. Praying for continued healing and growth for Gwyneth and for the Lord to meet your every need.
It is such a privilege to pray for all three of you.
Love, Laurie in Ca.
Yeah! Food!! So glad both girls are now able to eat! Wonderful progress!
It looks like you have alien glow shooting out of your mouth, or maybe nuclear power, like you swallowed uranium tee hee
Gweneth is blessed to have you both as parents, and such a cool extended family. Adopt me! I am 48, so it might not be as fun as it sounds.
Wow! Tricia is amazing! I'm so glad she's moving back to solid, though soft, foods! Chicken wings, eh? How about the blender? ;-D
My friend gave birth to twins in August 2007 at 23 weeks gestation. Baby Logan passed away in September, but his sister Olivia is home and thriving. I see the same progress in Gwyneth that Olivia made while in the NICU. These girls are amazing aren't they? Just wanted to send encouragement your way. Try not to let the "bad" guys get you down. There are way more of us good guys out here.
Love the green teeth and the pictures of Gwyneth. I think this is the first week she looks noticeably bigger! Go Gwyneth!
Kerry (watching from Wichita, Kansas)
This might just be your 'look' for Trunk or Treat '08! Congrats!
I think it's so cool how both girls are going through similar experiences at the same time - it's like Tricia's still carrying her!
I will never tire of peeking in to your lives and praying!
By the way, forgot to mention...
I used a baby food grinder for all of my children made by "Happy Baby" and I know Babies R Us sells them - it's great and very portable! My babies ate anything we served at each meal and are great eaters to this day (they fight for the last of the broccoli)! We only bought jar food for when we were out and about. This will also be great for Gwyneth! Sorry for the advice, but I just had to - I'm a mom!
Well, that's about the cutest picture I've ever seen -- except for all the pictures of Gwyneth, of course. :)
Nathan, you are so right about how amazing your wife is! Tricia, way to swallow, and way to take a beautiful, silly picture so we all can see how you're growing stronger and healthier! Keep trusting, praying, rejoicing... we're keeping at it here, too, for you both and precious, growing (yay!) Gwyneth.
lots of love,
Larissa
Tricia, I'm glad you'll be getting a taste of food!! When I had jaw surgery, I learned to puree everything--Hostess ho-ho's, and even steak! (a lot of adding water, blending and straining!) Good luck with the wings, Nate! :)
Beautiful teeth! :)
I'm so happy to hear that both girls are finally eating now. Another answer to prayer!
Tricia you are even beautiful with blue-green teeth!!!!!
lots and lots of love being sent your way along with tons of prayers!!!
Love, Kristy
simply awesome! God's strength and peace are so evident in you Tricia. I know we don't know each other, but you make me proud. The faith of your family reminds me how great it is to be a follower of Christ. Keep charging forward!!!!
I have to schedule a barium swallow test ... Sounds like what you had.
I'll be borrowing some of your courage and determination when I go, with your permission : )
You rock, Tricia.
As always, praying for you guys.
Hope you got my email from several days ago.
With our love and prayers,
John, Nancy, Daniel, and Paul
Hello Nate..
I was just wondering what kind of camera you own. You can just reply to my blog if you like.
Thanks!
When I was little we used to be aloud a tiny bit of food colour in our rice pudding as a treat. We loved this. My favourite was the exact colour of Tricia's teeth... brought back great memories.
(Have been following your blog for a bit. And am praying for you and your beautiful girls.)
Amy.
I just learned about the swallow test in nursing school. :)
Glad Tricia gets to eat now!
I called them the 'food police' because they told me if I could eat or not and what I could eat or not, after not eating for so long all I wanted to do was eat everything!!! but like Tricia I was only aloud certain stuff and I also had to tuck my chin and do other stuff because my muscles were so weak from having a tube down them.
The stuff they make you eat for the tests are nasty!!! I didn't have the green/blue pudding but I had to drink some nasty 'chalk' milk, amazing I kept it down!
Congrats on being able to start eating again!
Yum-O! Too bad it's Valentine's Day and not St. Patrick's Day--she'd be all set!
Looking fab with these blue-green teeth, Tricia! I'm so glad you're getting some nutrition into your stomach, even pureed! :-) Glad to hear you are doing well. By the way, what is your favorite food?
Marissa :-)
She is even cute with blue/green teeth!! No wonder you love her!! *giggle*!!
What wondeful news! Food always makes a person feel better! I got behind a few posts, but the news is all wonderful! Hoping and wishing Tricia can be placed on the list ASAP.
Tricia, again you are my hero. As I watch your strength and faith in this trial, I pray that the Lord would give me the same kind of faith. I pray that you and your wee girl will soon be able to snuggle. I pray that the Lord continues to give you strength and gets you on that list ASAP. I can't wait for the day Nate posts that you are on the list and they have a donor. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us, your story has impacted me beyond words. You are so beautiful.
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