Food, food, food!!

Rick and I arrived on Friday evening to find a young man in much pain. He got his pain meds and he becomes a different person. He was excited that we had brought him food. He mostly passed his swallowing test this past Wed. and is on a regular diet with "nectar" thick liquids. The food here apparently is not noted for anything other than you don't starve so he immediately was ready to eat something from the "outside". He had had a milkshake and a cheeseburger from the outside that was brought to him by his favorite friend who has also tentatively agreed to be the bed and breakfast/innkeeper, nurse, cook, psychologist, and most of all a great friend to Dustin. She visits 2-3 times per week after working all day and brings much conversation and company.

Well, we started with Rick's famous tuna salad which we had snuck in before he passed his swallowing test and he ate a bunch of that. We then moved onto the 3 layer spice/caramel cake prepared byt the Amish and sent by our favorite friends and neighbors. Boy was that a hit and 2 peices got consumed. He was supposed to be having a 3 day colorie count and what do you say when you bring in a 1000 calorie cake, knowing he nevers eats that much hospital food. They are still trying to figure out whether to cut off the tube feeding. Dustin refused it as he says it makes his stomach hurt and have no appetite. I think it would not be bad to have it going throught the night to keep the protein and calories high to keep that wound healing.

Today I arrived while Rick went to Sanford to look at possible houses for Dustin. I found Dustin feeling great and ready to eat some more. We started in on cole slaw from KFC (my personal favorite), moved onto an apple, a cheeseburger from the Marines, baked beans, and finally homenade chili and then of course the 2 pieces of cake. Hve fun Ms. Dietitian figuring all of that out!!

He was put back on antibiotics and that has really messed up his therapy schedule. They are trying to get 3 different meds in and the timing is almost impossible. He was upset about this not ever wanting to miss any therapy. They should resolve this week as they will be over.

Gottta goo, it is dinner time and will see where we go. By the way, try feeding someone a fresh apple. You never know how much pressure you put on it to bite it until you are feeding someone else. I felt like I was cramming it in his face. How fun the things you learn.

love to all
mary pat