Graz - we came, we saw, we ate

It is now just over 3 weeks since we started at the tube-weaning clinic in Graz and we have a happy daughter who is eating up to 3 frankfurters in one sitting! She is also enjoying rye bread, ham, cheese, pasta, paella, fried rice, fish, crisps(bit of a fave), chicken, beef and sausages and today is the first day that I offered her medications and supplements in the form of a drink - she is sipping it slowly but is quite determined that she no longer wants any sort of tube activity. I have actually packed the syringes away in some pocket in the suitcase, along with the feeding tubes - it was a momentous event. Her last weight was taken on Friday, 11.34kg and she will be leaving the clinic having put a little weight on, but more importantly, as a tube-weaned, eating individual.This is the most amazing result possible and we would like to thank the clinic team for their knowledge, guidance and support. But Tony and I would also like to thank Lucia - we are so proud of her drive and her determination to finally be rid of the tube feeding - what an achievement!
We would like to acknowledge the other parents and children that we met at the clinic in Graz, and thank them for their support and wish them the very best in their own journeys.

We have left Graz and Austria now - the clinic were happy to bid us farewell but have made it clear that they can help and advise from afar. We have been encouraged to give Lucia what she wants to eat, when she wants it, for at least a couple of months. Then we can start introducing set mealtimes and explain appropriate eating activity - for now she has three years of eating to catch up on, and it appears that no one and nothing should get in her way. Tony and I will also have a certain amount of adjustment to get used to, and will have to renovate the pantry for starters! Also this intense 3week eating programme has resulted in some tighter waistbands and snugger tops, so we will need to look at a longterm solution for this!

We are currently in East Sussex, UK visiting and eating family out of house and home. This will also be a transition period to see if Lucia can accept eating home-cooked meals, rather than eating out twice a day. On our return to Australia we shall look forward to removing the Mickey button from her body once and for all.