I’ve been having more issues with swallowing, and my speaking is basically gone. So strange that I can think of what I want to say but cannot say it. I must stop eating certain foods. Anything that breaks up while chewing can cause a problem.

On Tuesday, we went to Columbia for a blood and skin biopsy. The people there were great, and it was an easy procedure. Then Dr. Andrews met with us … I am telling you all doctors should be like her. She spent a good hour going over things I should consider. First, because I am still laughing (Neudextra has not really helped), she suggested taking a third pill each day. I started that on April 2nd. She then discussed that I consider having a feeding tube. Her feelings are that it will make it much easier to keep my weight up. What? Keep my weight up? I want to get rid of the big belly I now have due to this medical issue (muscle issue).  What I need to keep in mind is that if my breathing gets very difficult, there will be no way that the hospital can insert a feeding tube. The procedure is outpatient, but recovery will take 7-10 days. Since we will be participating in The Philadelphia Show at the end of April, I told her we will discuss it further in May. I also have another EMG test in May to see my muscle strength; I need that done first.

On Wednesday, things were good. There were not too many issues with eating, etc. That afternoon, Amy & I had a Zoom call with Debra Zeitlin from Bridging Voice. Debra was so nice, and she set me up with ElevenLabs (Generative Voice AI — Generate lifelike spoken audio with AI tools).

Thursday has been a reasonable day (a little coughing and choking, but not too bad) … started at 5:45 am with the drugs and working out. Amy & I got to the gallery around 10:30, and I was hard at work.

On Friday I started my day at 5:15 am (was hoping to leave in time to make the upper roadway of the 59th street bridge … made it by 4 minutes!). Looking forward to the weekend since I do not have to take the Radicava, so I get to sleep a little later!

Had to add one thing that showed in the afternoon My Boogie Board – http://www.myboogieboard.com. Allows you to write and then you push the button on top and it erases all the text!

Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend.