We got in!

Today was Ben's evaluation at the intensive feeding clinic. I have been praying that he would be considered for the inpatient program. I think that is the only way to make any improvements, or advancements. We met with two gastroenterologists, an OT, a nutritionist, behavioral psychology, and a pediatric nurse practitioner. It was quite the team. They reviewed his history, what happened in the last clinic, how meals go for him now, his behavior during meals, and what he currently eats. They asked me to feed him, and were amazed by the array of foods I brought for him. I told them I did not travel all the way here to be unprepared. Some of the things I brought were a cheese stick, animal crackers, an apple, and applesauce. I also had pureed strawberries, yogurt, macaroni noodles, and raisins, but I did not use those. I cut the apple and cheese stick into a few larger sizes, and some teeny tiny pieces. I knew he would not tackle a normal size chunk of food, but I needed to atleast show them that. He ate the tiny pieces of cheese stick, and I mean tiny as in smaller than a pencil eraser. He refused the apple pieces until one of the specialists worked with him, and got him to take a bite. The applesauce brought about lovely behaviors. While applesauce is a puree of sorts, I still have to puree it for him, as the texture is too coarse for his sensitive palate. When he saw that we wanted him to take a bite, he opened the door and ran down the hall as fast as he could. One of them went after him and brought him back. He sat on my lap, and after much discussion took a bite from the spoon I held. He gave a good gag, and hopped off my lap and declared that he was done with the applesauce. The specialists wanted to see him feed himself, so they asked him to feed himself a bite. He grabbed the door, threw it open, and ran swiftly down the hall again. They corraled him, and he refused. One of the ladies suggested he could feed himself one bite, or I would give him two. He pondered his options, and picked up the spoon, and took a quick bite, grimaced, and exited as quickly as he could. I think that little demonstration proved the depth of his problems.

My next problem or hurdle will be to see that the insurance will cover a hospitalization. I know they are not going to want to do that. They will want to put him into the day program, which is good, except the billing is itemized, and my insurance will not cover the behavioral psychology. We do not have good mental health benefits. The hospital agrees that his nutritional status will require nurse supervision since he does not have a feeding tube, and he vomits so frequently. They are also concerned with a balanced diet, since he cannot take formula. There are a few formulas that he is able to have, but they are elemental formulas, and are usually unpalatable, even to normal, healthy eaters. Ben will not drink them, and previously had them pumped in via g-tube. Sadly, and regrettably, he does not have his g-tube anymore.

So, I go back to bended knee to request more help in this situation. I definately need another miracle to get insurance to cover this next feeding adventure. If he does not get that, I don't know how we will ever get him to do anything more than purees. Keep Ben in your prayers!