Hi all-thanks everyone for good advice. Mom has been in a rehab facility for 3 1/2 weeks now and her progressive has been great. She wants normally and steadily and is strong for her age. I think ironically that she is given less attention here then at the LTAC and therefore isn't being babied.

There has been no progress on her trach, though. She still has secretions, although not as significant. Her voice is weak/non-existent and she wasn't deemed a candidate for speech therapy. It has been 4 1/2 months since her surgery. We did not seek radiation tx although it is still a viable option.

So my questions are..

1)Should I consider a barium swallow test?
2) Is it her advanced age that's making her N & T so weak?
3) Are her lungs weak? There were spots during her last scan 7 mos ago..should we order another scan?

Thanks for all y'alls advice...they are gospel to me!