Chewing is no longer overrated!

Last night I went to the Hard Rock Casino with my parents. They had a food voucher for the Rock N Raw upstairs, the sushi bar my Dad and I love. He obviously couldn't eat sushi, which was hard for him. He's been commenting on food a lot when he sees it on billboards, commercials, etc. Makes us sad. I ordered a sushi roll I didn't think he would like and he got Wonton soup to eat the broth, which was a task itself since there were green onions in it. It hurt me sitting there watching my Dad strain his Wonton soup as I ate my Beautiful Girl roll. I've never appreciated food so much and the privelege to be able to eat it, much less have it.

Fortunately, this all changes after today's appointment. My Dad is no longer on a liquid diet. Hooray! Dr. Barthel installed three stints into his esophagus to help food get by the tumor. They were only going to install one but three were needed to make it work. It's amazing they are able to do this! He still can't eat meat, but as long as the food is smaller than a dime he can have it! I think we'll be enjoying a salmon dinner with mashed potatoes soon! The liquid diet was hard on my mom. She doesn't really like to cook for just two people so I've been missing our family meals. She did cook chicken noodle soup the other night. I've been sick so it was great for me and the broth was great for my Dad. Now there can be more of a sense of normalcy with my Dad being able to eat and not just drink. Thank God.

Tomorrow he goes his for a follow-up on his mediport and there are more testing appointments next week. After all of these, the radiation and chemo should begin... Finally.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for I know You are with me.." Pslam 23