After waiting a few months, we made a follow up appointment to discuss what we have observed.
Phoebe is still making the harsh gulping sounds when she swallows, but it isn't just food any more. She makes this sound when anything is going down her throat. Food, liquid and even saliva. When it comes to eating, Phoebe uses a drink 95% of the time to help the food go down. The few times that she does not use a drink, you can actually see her swallow slowly and the discomfort from the food descending.
Because of this, the GI doctor ordered an esophagram. An esophagram is when you drink a barium drink while images are being taken of the drink going down the throat, through the esophagus, into the stomach and down into the intestines.
My main concern was the amount of radiation Phoebe would be subjected to. Other doctors of hers have refused to do CT scans because of the radiation, and I just wanted to make sure that her two lead doctors were ok with this test first.
After a conference between the doctors and myself, they gave the go ahead for the test.
So today we went to the hospital to have the test done. She was scheduled for 11 am, and was not pleased with that at all. Since it was a test that required fasting, she was not allowed to eat or drink for 6 hours prior. And with waking up at 7:30, she was really hungry and thirsty by the time we arrived at the hospital.
Phoebe did not like the barium drink at all. As soon as she took one sip she spit it out and started to cry. But with some encouragement and coaching for me, she toughed it out like a champ for the whole hour.
Now, we just have to wait for the results.