Pope on a tube
Pope John Paul II could possibly get a permanent feeding tube. The 84-year-old pope might have a P.E.G. inserted to avoid weight loss. He may be experiencing difficulty with his food textures and the thickness of his liquids combined with his difficulty using the bite chew swallow skills necessary for a "safe swallow".

La Republica, quoted the pope's Vatican physician, Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, as saying doctors are "reasonably calm" about the frail pope's condition.

Head and chin positioning are especially critical for his safe swallow skills. Coordination of air flow with the swallowing of liquids must be timed just right....from my observations of the pontiff as he is seated in the window balcony blessing his flock.... he appears to be struggling with significant fine motor and midline difficulties probably making bolus control very difficult.

The muscle coordination for safe swallow of foods and liquids is challenging....all of us except a very few (like the pope) do not have to think at all....about our mouth muscles.... when we eat that double cheese burger and drink the cola while talking to our friends it is all automatic....count your blessings....

The food texture adjustments go from regular down to mechanical soft to puree to full liquid.....and the liquids go from regular thin to thickened to syrup thick....now both foods and liquids have several more levels ... The liquids are more tricky because they can be aspirated into the lungs easily. When you are at your best you get Steak 'n eggs with coffee and when your are at your end you get syrup thick liquids and then onto the tube if you so choose.

Head position and chin position/adjustments combined with texture adjustments within a therapeutic setting can result with a safe swallow.....sometimes. Somethings are easy and other things are more difficult within the therapeutic setting....but safety comes first.....no reason to take the risk of aspiration....Everyone can participate in the safe eating procedures during the rehabilitation process.

Loved ones include the loving Pope Paul and all his loved ones in your prayers...visualize him enclosed with a White Bubble of unconditional love...the White Light of the Holy Spirit...
- posted by Samuel Bell @ 8:18 PM