Today we go to OT. Next week we see the speech therapist for the second time as is true for the physical therapist.

On Tuesday of this wek the speech therapist gave me as caregiver a homework assignment. I am to keep track of what Cheryl eats and whether she has a coughing fit while eating whatever it is.

Yesterday I wrote: She had scrambled eggs and bacon with toast and orange juice for breakfast. I aways put water on the table near her just in case. She did not cough (or hack) while eating any of this. Earlier when I gave her the morning meds she coughed a bit while sipping water through the container with a straw. This often happens but less so when I get her to sip a little water before she takes her meds.

She coughed not at all again until our late afternoon grill out on the patio. Again when she was sipping a little water.

I have to admit that I have paid little attention to how Cheryl eats. She eats more slowly than I do. I am a wolfer. She is not. She drinks very little liquid while eating.

Thinking back, her mother drank very little at supper time when we had her over. Her mother had a swallowing problem as she aged, often her throat worked bacwards for her. (She would become embarrassed and refuse any kind of help. I would take her home.) I wonder if Cheryl worries about this problem her mother had. I wonder if Cheryl worries that she might develope the same problem.

On this morning we had Pillsbury refrigerator rolls. These are a favorite of hers so I try to make sure we have some hanging around in the refigerator. She always has orange juice but this morning I also gave her some applesauce. She has been requesting this more when she takes her pills. After eating the applesauce and two and most of a third roll she complained of “nausea”. I do not know what she is actually feeling. She has not vomited since I went to visit my sister two years ago in California. (Then she was extremely constipated.)

She coughed for a bit and I gave her a chewable Tums smoothie with which she sipped a little water. All was well afterwards.

It is remarkable how little water she uses to take her meds. I encourage her to drink more water. It is remarkable how repetative it all is. It being daily life.

Carpe Diem.