REAL FOOD!
On Wednesday, I got the go-ahead to eat ANYTHING I WANT! This is after the total laryngectomy and rebuilt esophagus. I was on PEG tube feedings before going in the hospital, and on continuous feed since then. So, I went from continuous feed right to REAL FOOD!
Food is so delicous. It has been a long time. I have to watch it though - as I am sure my stomach shrunk in the last 6 weeks - and I don't want it to get too big, because I can still stand to lose another 50-60 pounds.
But, the food is REAL GOOD!
Some food takes a little longer to get down, and liquids are actually harder to swallow now. But, today I had fried chicken and a piece of pizza (not all at the same meal). YUMMY!
What is weird, is I cannot choke on my food anymore. But, my mind doesn't realize that yet, so if it feels like the food is not going down right away, I start coughing. Then, I cover my mouth - oops - that doesn't do anything anymore when I cough. After 51 years, it is hard to get used to covering my neck.
Now, I reserve the right to return to the feeding tube if I have radiation (continuous feed if necessary).
But, in the meantime - I'm going to eat, eat, eat (well, small portions anyway)!
In case you didn't realize it, I'm very excited about eating (and not risking my life when I do so). Oh, and jellie bellies are good too! (my husband only gave me 3 of them).
Comments
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I am amazed at your progress
Keep it up!
Pat
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lornal, it is wonderful that
lornal, it is wonderful that you can eat already. i couldn't eat for MONTHS after my lary surgery. and food didn't even have a taste until after a year or more so you are doing fantastic!! yes, getting used to covering your throat instead of your mouth takes some gettng used to. i'm 2 yrs out and still have times when i cover my mouth....lol. food and pills still get stuck in my throat and YES it is great that we don't have to worry about choking any more but i think that's the only good part of being a lary....lol. it is awesome that you are doing so good, keep up the great work!!
God bless you,
dj
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medications
I haven't the guts yet to try medication by mouth. Most are liquids, and I know they taste awlful. I have to take lots of calcium right now because they took out my parathyroid. I'll have blood tests next week, and I am hoping it is on the high side. I love milk, and I hope I can drink enough with so many supplements.
On the downside, I will be on disability for a while longer, and was trying to think of things to do during this time. Several times now, I thought it would be a good time to get my flute out, and practice, practice, practice. Well, that ain't going to happen, now, is it?
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nope, just like i will neverlornal said:medications
I haven't the guts yet to try medication by mouth. Most are liquids, and I know they taste awlful. I have to take lots of calcium right now because they took out my parathyroid. I'll have blood tests next week, and I am hoping it is on the high side. I love milk, and I hope I can drink enough with so many supplements.
On the downside, I will be on disability for a while longer, and was trying to think of things to do during this time. Several times now, I thought it would be a good time to get my flute out, and practice, practice, practice. Well, that ain't going to happen, now, is it?
nope, just like i will never get to snorkel again :0( liquids seem to sit at the back of my throat for awhile before going down. sometimes for 10 or more minutes. i don't even realize its just sitting there until i try to talk and it comes spewing out....yuk. i loved milk before my surgery but can't taste it now. used to love pepsi but now i love coke, go figure. this surgery changes stuff like chemo and rads do. oh well, its our new norm. we'll learn to live with the new norms i'm sure. its really good to see you have such a positive attitude!!
dj
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GREAT TO HEAR YOU CAN EAT !!!
That is great that you can eat already. Go slow and soft at first. Now it will taks some time to learn to cover your neck when you cough instead of your mouth. I took almost two months to get used to it. But just wait until you sneeze, cover your neck and if you have a filter get it out fast. You can plug it up real good. Hiccup is something as well. Your chest moves the same but just no sound, just air sound. LOL
Have a great tomorrow
Bill
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Don't forget to...lornal said:medications
I haven't the guts yet to try medication by mouth. Most are liquids, and I know they taste awlful. I have to take lots of calcium right now because they took out my parathyroid. I'll have blood tests next week, and I am hoping it is on the high side. I love milk, and I hope I can drink enough with so many supplements.
On the downside, I will be on disability for a while longer, and was trying to think of things to do during this time. Several times now, I thought it would be a good time to get my flute out, and practice, practice, practice. Well, that ain't going to happen, now, is it?
Don't forget, put your shoes on BEFORE you eat. We no longer have the sphincter muscle in our neck to keep food down. You bend over to long and you lose what is in your stomach. Darn gravity....
Bill
Lary Oct,2013 and loveing it.
I breath better.0 -
Wow!CivilMatt said:chicken and pizza
Lorna,
One small bite for Lorna, one giant bite for all H&N (mankind).
I am truly happy for you, the bright spots help us all.
Matt
Fantastic news. So happy to hear. Needed a bright spot today. My Mom (88) is back at St Lukes and my white blood count is down to 2.6 so they don't want me to visit for fear of infection. To top it off, I broke a tooth off at gum line this morning. It doesn't hurt so they don't want me to risk having it removed now. It was loose and I was hopeful it would just fall out but instead it broke. Going to get what little hair I have left cut off this morning. Made it to 6th week of chemo and then bam. CT scan next Tuesday will determine if chemo will continue for another session (3tx). Just feeling a bit down this morning so your good news helps. Enjoy food and the normalcy it brings.
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Sorry to hear you are havinghwt said:Wow!
Fantastic news. So happy to hear. Needed a bright spot today. My Mom (88) is back at St Lukes and my white blood count is down to 2.6 so they don't want me to visit for fear of infection. To top it off, I broke a tooth off at gum line this morning. It doesn't hurt so they don't want me to risk having it removed now. It was loose and I was hopeful it would just fall out but instead it broke. Going to get what little hair I have left cut off this morning. Made it to 6th week of chemo and then bam. CT scan next Tuesday will determine if chemo will continue for another session (3tx). Just feeling a bit down this morning so your good news helps. Enjoy food and the normalcy it brings.
Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. If there are only 3 more treatments - that means the end is in site, and healing can start. Hope the tooth continues to be painless, and mom does better.
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