Chocolate Milk...finally!

Today was a big day for Ruby. For the first time in her little life, she enjoyed a cold glass of chocolate milk. Since she was an infant, a swallowing disorder limited her to thickened milk and water. Today, we celebrate. After several swallow studies, consultations with specialists, many mysterious illnesses, we finally received the evidence of God answering our prayers as well as the prayers of all those who love Ruby. The fact that her weight and height are off the charts has been evidence for a long time that God was protecting her from the consequences of a disorder that typically leaves children malnourished and chronic victims of pneumonia. Our speech pathologist, Judi Mikami, (lovely lady if you are in the market for a speech pathologist) has said for the past year that Ruby didn't fit the physical profile for a child with this issue.

Today we took her for her six month swallow study. The swallow study involves lacing her food and drink with barium then x-raying her eating and drinking. Today, for the first time, there was no aspiration into her lungs. Judi observed that the liquid is still escaping into her airway, but for some unknown reason, the completion of her swallowing pushes the liquid back out, preventing the liquid from entering her lungs. Judi said this was likely her little body compensating to protect her lungs. Andy and I know differently. We know that God is answering our very specifc prayers that her lungs would be protected.

So, all of you who have joined us in praying about this, I encourage you to drink a celebratory toast of chocolate milk for Ruby and for God's favor for her. She certainly enjoyed her own mug full!