Kelli here --- no need to panic, mom just doesn't have computer access tonight.
She usually uses my computer at the hospital and I forgot to take it in to her this afternoon and she didn't want any company at the hospital tonight after a very busy day.

MOM'S NOSE TUBE IS OUT!  What a feeling... she hated that thing!  I walked in on her this morning smiling.  This was the first time i'd seen her nose in 2 weeks (not covered by an enormous bandage holding the tube in place).  They also removed one of the chest tubes today and started her on JELLO!   Mom use to hate JELLO - but today it was delicious and she ate an entire lunch snack container! The road is going to be long.  Swallowing is challenging and takes deliberate effort.  Because mom's vocal cord was damaged in the surgery there is a higher risk of food going down the wrong pipe into the lungs - so she has to be very careful.  Tomorrow she will have a formal swallowing assessment to make sure things are going the right direction.  Today her voice was much better too - not sure if that's a product of the nose tube removal or overall improvement of that vocal cord nerve ... either way, we'll take it!

Mom's surgeon is very conservative.  Every time one of the other physicians or residents gives mom news, her surgeon comes in, lays down the iron fist and delays things.  He's moving VERY slow with mom and being exceptionally cautious.  As frustrating as it is I think in the long run it is the best way to be.  Tomorrow they will repeat a chest xray to make sure the lungs are tolerating the removal of the chest tube and introduction of food.  If the xray is clear they may take the other chest tube out too.They will also remove the remaining staples from her belly and back (woo hoo!).  It sounds like she will be in hospital for at least another week while they watch her closely as her diet advances.  It is not uncommon to have difficulties swallowing, nausea, vomiting, reflux, diarrhea - her system will have to establish a new normal and it could take up to a year before that happens.

Mom remains positive and I am so proud of her (have I mentioned that?).  This has been a heck of a surgery to endure with the high hope of a cure.

She will be back blogging tomorrow!
Goodnight