April 1, 2021
Joseph, affectionately known as “JJ”, has a diagnosis called lymphangioma which causes upper airway obstruction. When St. Mary’s Home Care Speech Therapist Melissa Rowe began providing speech/feeding therapy to JJ in March 2020 he was 3 months old. At the time, he was unable to eat anything by mouth and received all his feeds via a gastrostomy tube (g-tube) inserted into his abdomen to deliver nutrition directly to his stomach.
Eventually, JJ was also put on a Passy Muir Speaking Valve (PMSV); another simple medical device that, in addition to voice and speech production, helps improve swallow, secretion management, and the sense of smell and taste. Once JJ was able to tolerate PMSV for full sessions, Melissa slowly introduced pacifier dips into JJ’s formula to provide a little taste and encourage a suck. Soon after, JJ received a Modified Barium Swallow Study and obtained clearance to trial all textures of solids and liquids. JJ immediately enjoyed being able to consume a variety of solids and liquids.
JJ is now completely weaned from his g-tube and receives all feedings by mouth!
St. Mary’s Home Care Speech Therapist Melissa Row and her patient JJ – weaned from his g-tube
