Today Bennett and Mia brought home breadsticks from Olive Garden for Belinda and they got stuck and water wouldn’t get them down. It was the first time she had to force food back up since the POEM procedure. It was mostly water and I didn’t ask but I imagine it’s because she tried so hard to get it down with water. I wasn’t home but she texted me and was really upset.

We knew this would happen and that she’s still learning how eating works now, but it’s a small reminder that POEM isn’t a cure, it’s a treatment, and this is going to be a lifelong thing.