This is just a quick post to say that we did pass the clamping test. They take a large plastic syringe and try to pull anything they can up through the tube just to see how much comes up. They've always gotten something back in the past, even when we've passed the test, so I'm not sure what the threshold is. But this time they got absolutely nothing.
They had previously told Karen even though she couldn't have any food or water by mouth, lozenges were ok. So I brought in some Ricola - the original and the honey herb - but I also snuck a Lemonhead into the bag since Karen really likes those. She worked on that during the second half of the clamping trial. If something is going to get your digestion going it's one of those. I credit the Lemonhead with the overwhelmingness of our success.
Karen's now allowed to have clear liquids. So she's had water, tea, broth, some strange but delicious off brand jello, cranberry juice, and Italian ice. She hasn't even had a hint of nausea, which she's typically gotten in the past just as a hint that we need to slow down. Hopefully we start soft foods tomorrow morning. No one has given us a time frame, but in our past experience they will keep us until she has another bowel movement. Assuming she's empty now that means the new food is working it's way through just fine. We hope to be heading home by at least Sunday.
