Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I haven't been in the mood to type blog posts lately. It has been more fun to sleep and read. And I have been trying to office work done, a little every day. I just can't get enthused about writing just now, but I do want to update once in a while, but it may not be very often.
It's been pretty well accepted that I would have to learn to swallow all over again, and it seemed like now was the time since I was having mucus that I needed to swallow and that wasn't happening either. So, I went to a speech therapist Friday and a dear lady named Edna had me swallow water which I coughed up and she tried thicker liquid which I promptly threw up. I gag so easily. She then gave me various exercises to do which include howling like a coyote, saying "ah" several times. Those two exercises are done which squeezing my hands together, The pressure of the hands somehow gives more "oomph" to the inside, too. I have to say 10 words that start with "g" or "k", blow a party favor, swallow three times with my tongue between my teeth and say, "Please go get me a good magazine." These are for strengthing the tongue and throat muscles. Believe it or not the howling one is the easiest, even though it is pretty funny to be howling around.
Then on Monday I had a modified Barium swallow where I swallowed various thickness of liquids and watch the x-ray as it goes down. Jim watched too, and they set it up so I could see it and evaluate it. The water wants to get into the windpipe, but it comes back up so quickly to be swallowed so there are no worries there and the applesauce went down nicely, too. It hurts a big, so does the water, but not as bad. In fact, it might be a bit early for all this swallowing since my throat is still sore, but I will try to keep plugging on. I'm starting with a little applesauce and water every day.
This afternoon I had therapy in the new outpatient physical therapy room at the hospital. The new area is just corridors and rooms and it is hard to find where things are. I didn't remember where ti was, and I'm not sure I could find it again, but mom says she can. She just gave me some more things to say, some swabs to put in the freezer to stimulate my tongue. I hope I'm not jumping the gun too much, since my throat still hurts. I wish it would get healed up. So, Friday, I have an appointment with the radiation dr. and another session with the therapist. So, things are just going to be marching on for awhile. Next week, I go to Omaha on Tues. They want to get an MRI
It's take a lot longer to get all healed up than a body thinks.
October 31, 2022 -- When I mentioned before that my medications didn't do much for easing the pain in my throat. In fact, I'm not sure it didn't any good at all. If it it did, I hate to think what the pain would have been like without it. Anyway, it was so painful that a couple of weeks after radiation started it was too painful to swallow, which made it too painful to eat and since I wasn't eating I got the PEG tube. So, I quit swallowing altogether and had to learn all over again.
12 comments:
Renee said...
Oh, Shelley, I just had to chuckle thinking of you letting out a coyote's howl every now and then. I just never thought about you needing to learn to swallow again...My! ~ don't we take out bodies functions SO for granted when all it working properly?! Don't expect too much of your body too soon...it has been through the wringer and it needs lots of lots of time to heal. You are doing amazing and don't blog if you don't feel like it...just do the things that make you happy right now...you DESERVE it.
October 31, 2012 at 10:56 PM
The J's said...
Yes, I can just imagine you practicing those howls...hehe! Hope the check-ups go well!!
October 31, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Dorothy K said...
Aargh we wish it would too! Get healed up, I mean. Jim mentioned lately that a doctor said your throat looks like a bomb has gone off in it. I think that gives me the most accurate picture of what it's like to get everything back in working order again. Anyway...I'm so glad you don't have to start with pickled herring or something. Applesauce seems like a nice friendly food at this point! March march march...it's called "soldiering on"! And we applaud your efforts.
Love you, Dodie
November 1, 2012 at 8:48 AM
John and Sandy Linder said...
Healing wishes for you!
November 1, 2012 at 7:04 PM
Darcie said...
I guess I was totally in the dark to realize that you would have to relearn how to swallow, too. Wow, Shelley...what a road. Like the other lady said...all the little things we take for granted, makes me want to be more and more thankful and ALL the little things.
November 1, 2012 at 8:13 PM
gkey said...
Dear Learning,
Keep up the good work! you are a strong fighter, and we are all so proud of you! I am glad you referred to sleeping as your recent fun. Both are good for you I am sure.
Bit by bit you are recovering :-)
November 2, 2012 at 6:22 PM
Anonymous said...
Dear Shelley,
You are such a trooper! When I read about swallowing the thickened water, my stomach lurched before I even read that you threw it up! Ugh! I'm so glad, though, that you "push on" so faithfully and don't have a "give-up" attitude! I'm sure you DID feel funny howling and I'm sure others around you got a kick out of it too! Keep on keeping on in all ways!
Barb K.
November 3, 2012 at 1:28 PM
John and Sandy Linder said...
Just stopping by with a warm Hello~
November 4, 2012 at 8:28 PM
John and Sandy Linder said...
Dropping to see Hello and hoping your are progressing everyday~
November 18, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Ann-alda said...
We are friends from TN whoj have been following Gramma's blog. We have been worried since there has been no post since Oct. 31. Could someone else give us an update on her? We care.
\November 25, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Unknown said...
Ditto! Friends from IL and we care, also!!
November 30, 2012 at 8:44 AM
Anonymous said...
Yes, G'ma. Hope all is well with you and yours!! IL friends
December 4, 2012 at 9:24 AM
