Question: My mother who is 78 years of age is currently on a ventilator and having a difficult time being weened off of it. My mom has CLL and was being treated rather successfully for Lung Cancer which was in her left lung. Unfortunately the CLL and Alimta that was being used to treat her lung cancer lowered her immunoglobulin levels and caused her a pneumonia to develop in her right lung that was so severe that she was in the Intensive Care Unit of our local hospital for nearly 6 weeks. I was hopefully that after two Bronchs, the origin of the pneumonia would be discovered and there would be a specific treatment protocol for her recovery but this was not the case. She has been on a ventilator for two months. Had a trache about 6 weeks ago and is not managing to be weened from the ventilator. I have been told her tidal volume is low and that her chances of being weened are not good. Bottom line is that she would very much like to return to home--she has lived with me for the last several years and I want to honor her request. I am able to take leave time from work and be with her as much as I need to be. Although, I am certainly open to get as much help for her care as I can afford. To make a long story longer, although rare maybe, I have been told that some people manage to eat and drink while on a vent. I know that my mom can hold her sat for a good while and I have every reason to believe that she can effectively swallow. The speech teacher at the hospital we were at and at the last sub acute care facility would not even consider doing a swallow test until my mother was weened or on the verge of being weened. My question, why can't the speech pathologist just shut up and give it a try? I just really want my mom to be able to eat and/or drink something if in fact she is destined to be on a vent for the rest of her days.