No more trache tube!

We went to the doctor today.  He stuck a tube up my nose and down my throat to check my skin graft flap and my air way.  Everything looked good to him, so he took out the trache tube.  Ken's eyes got so big, and his mouth dropped open after the doctor took the tube out, because there's a hole left about as big as a quarter, apparently.  I didn't see it, obviously, but I kinda wished I did. The doctor just folded up a piece of gauze and taped it over the hole.  Ken was like, "is that all you're going to do? No stitches?"  Dr. Weeks said the hole would close on its own in 2 days, and I could take the gauze off then.  Ken couldn't believe that kind of hole can close up on its own in 2 days.  We'll see, I guess.  Then he gave me a cup of water and had me take a drink.  The first in weeks.  It tasted so good.  And it didn't come out my nose.  In the mean time, I have to put my hand over the bandage if I want to talk or cough so that no air comes through while it's healing, so I think I'll just try not to talk for the next coupla days.

Tomorrow I go back to see the speech therapist, and they will do a swallow test, giving me different things to drink to make sure that I don't have trouble with the liquid getting into my airway.  And once I pass that test, and can start eating soft foods when I get home.  Scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes, yogurt and pudding.  It's been 3 months.  If the soft foods go okay for a week, then I can get my stomach tube out, and in 2 weeks, I can have regular food.  I'm guardedly excited.  But it sure is nice not having that tube sticking out of my throat, that's for sure.  I can start back on the chemo meds in 4 weeks, and maybe have a little normal living for awhile.  

Thanks for your prayers, and keep them coming!

God is love.