Not too much eating today. Ice cream continues to be the favourite - Jason had 2 ice creams before school and one this afternoon after school. He now goes into the cupboard and finds the cones when he wants an ice cream. Great positive sign showing us when he wants something. At school he wouldn't eat anything and only had a little juice which took Jeanette about 20 mins to give him about 20mls. This afternoon I sat with him for a long time with a 20ml syringe and syringed 2mls at a time into his mouth (cows milk). He would accept it and did swallow. We sat for ages and it's great that he is trying. Just wish he would drink more on his own. I don't want to get into the habit of syringing either. I don't want him to have to rely on me to feed him still. The way I felt was if I can syringe a little maybe he will get use to the taste and texture in his mouth and get the swallowing right. I then changed from cows milk to drinking yogurt (vanilla so same color) but as soon as that was in his mouth he wouldn't swallow. It seems like he will swallow thinner liquids but not the thicker liquids. I wonder why? He use to swallow yogurt!
This afternoon he had speech therapy and Louise said he did really well. He did a lot of talking and was very happy and positive during the session. So great to hear!! : )
I did try all sorts of tricks in the book, all sorts of different foods, different textures etc. He held a piece of chocolate and put it to his mouth and pretend ate it but would not actually put it in. He did eat more onion today. While cooking he always helps cook and he just loves onion. Happily put about 5 or 6 small pieces in his mouth and chewed away on that! Strange little man!!
We are concerned about his weight and the fact that it has been over a month now and the amounts he is actually "eating and swallowing" is minimal. I know he is on night feeds but that is to get his weight up and really I think Jason could go all day without eating even if he was getting no milk. He doesn't give into hunger, he has proved that to us. He isn't a child that you can bribe, he doesn't understand the concept of bribery either. Although he is 4 and a half, he is really at the mental capacity of about a 2 year old. He understands certain things and he is by no means stupid but he isn't responding to the wean like we would like him to. Obviously we would like him to start eating now. Just don't know when and if that is actually going to happen? I don't want to give up, I don't want to turn back. I have seen progress in these 32 days and it's been positive progress but the negative is still there. The lack of energy, the weight loss, the way he isn't the same child full of life, energy and happiness. It's hard to watch and see and I just wish and pray that he will eat now. Can't we just turn the corner now?? I am VERY proud of Jason and proud of what he has achieved these past few weeks. This has been very hard on him and he is trying!!
On a positive note I received a call today from Unilever. They have heard about Jason's story and his new found love for ice cream and they called me today! They are going to send us some vouchers in the post to pay for some of Jason's Cornettos. Isn't that fantastic??? I was so excited and actually very overwhelmed how they have opened their hearts to our little man!! Thank you SO much and thanks to Debbie, Seth, Nadia, Colin and anyone else who contacted them I am very touched!!