Thanks so much for your responses, guys. Actually Mom is already a member here, though she hasn't checked in for a while. She's more of a lookey lou than a talking participant here, and I couldn't say much while she went through treatment because it was so very scary and I didn't want her to read all about my fears and anxiety here. Anyway, Uptown you described her symptoms well. She coughs, chokes from aspirating and sneezes. Also there's the fear of aspirating and getting pneumonia, and the discouragement because a proper swallow just hasn't ever happened yet.
I want to thank everyone on this board. You guys have been extremely supportive and informative without even knowing you were helping us, because we weren't real interactive. I found this place after Mom was diagnosed and I suppose only you guys could possibly understand what it has meant to me. Many times I cried in front of my computer and you guys were my lifeline. Thank you for being here. Thank you for fighting your fight and sharing it with the rest of the world.