What on EARTH is that?
Believe me, before my accident, I didn't know all of these medical terms either. But in the past year and a half, I've had to learn them.
So what is dysphagia? It's a medical term that implies someone either has a difficulty swallowing, or they simply cannot swallow.
I have a difficulty swallowing.
When I was first at rehab, I couldn't swallow at all. But they graciously taught me how to swallow again, so I could finally eat again! Now I have graduated to small, soft, bite-sized foods and I have a great feeling this is where I'll be staying. Maybe it's forever. Maybe it's not forever. Time will tell.
Now why on earth am I talking about this now?
The past few days I've had TWO random moments of thinking I'm normal and tried to drink normal. My poor swallow reflux couldn't keep up and I gasped and the fluid spewed out in front of me as I started choking.
I absolutely need to be more careful, I know this! But I have longed to be normal again for so long, that I actually felt like I was. Just for that split second. Until my gasping brought me back to this cruel reality I live in.
Which brings me to my water bottle. I still can't purse my lips. I have to use my hand to squeeze my cheeks in and get my lips closed around so I can get the water out. But it does work for me! It's a great way to control how much fluid I'm getting in at one time and it keeps me in check with my new reality.
I'm sure a normal person wouldn't be squeezing their cheeks in to get a drink...
....that would be weird.
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