just a note... - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

TropicalFox · 04-02-2003, 09:15 AM

...to let you know how grateful i am for all of your empathetic/encouraging posts and prayers for my recovery.
i still have great difficulty swallowing so i still have to take meds crushed up and diluted in water. makes you wonder why they aren't prescribed in suspension form because everyone will have this difficulty as a result of the surgery. at least in suspension form you don't lose potency.
blood pressure is ok, blood glucose is normal... haven't taken bp med (very low dose) because it's not supposed to be crushed, but i'm taking the diuretic and hubby bought a bp monitor and we check it to make sure i'm ok. i take percocet for pain and have 3 mores days of prednisone to take... i don't see any improvement with it but i'm taking it (crushed of course)...
i've been able to drink a whole can of ensure for dinner last night and breakfast this morning... takes me a few minutes of coughing, hawking, and spitting to get it down but it does get down. i follow it with a couple of sips of a solution of baking soda (not strong at all) in water to help my irritated tummy snce i can't swallow that zantac 75 either and read that i shouldn't crush it.

i slept well last night and feel comfortable when i can stay out of bed walking around the hallway or my room, or sitting here at the computer or in front of my bed in a chair to watch tv... when i get back into bed i feel fine for about an hour and then my butt falls asleep!

hubby bought some rainbow sherbet for me so i think i'll try some for lunch. i'm scared of eating anything that will upset my tummy more since burping irritates my throat and i'm really trying to avoid coughing... so i've lost almost 20 pounds already...
ha! i finally found a diet that works!

hugs

sandra

ps... blessings to our surgery patients... hope they don't go through this!

------------------
" In the middle of every ocean of difficulty is an island of opportunity."
Author Unknown

franjo · 04-02-2003, 09:28 AM

Sandra,

Glad to learn that you're making those important steps toward recovery. My heart goes out to all of you that have the swallowing issues, as all my problems arise from the thoratic on down. Like all the veterans here say, Baby steps, Baby steps.

You'd mentioned baking soda. I just read an article about the benefits of baking soda in alleviating the blues: "That's right: bicarbonate of soda. Mix half a teaspoon in a glass of water, drink it and watch what happens. Your intestinal pH goes from acid to alkaline, protein is broken down and...amino acids are produced for your brain to make into neurotransmitters and...suddenly...YOU'RE HAVING A GREAT DAY!" I've never tried this myself, but will keep the article on hand in case of an 'emergency'!

Take Care, and continue to improve.

~Teri

bdb · 04-02-2003, 10:26 AM

Glad to hear you are at least getting some ensure down. I know how tough that throat thing is after the surgery. Hope that it goes away soon for you.
Wow, 20 pounds? I wish I could do that but without the surgery.
Go easy and take care

lori1851 · 04-02-2003, 11:08 AM

Sandra,
Hope you are feeling better hon!!!! I leave in and hour for pre op appt!!!! Just think you are post op!!!! You lucky girl!!!
Hugs

Lori

BWL · 04-02-2003, 11:49 AM

Hi Sandra,

Great to see you making progress.

ad thank you for the sweet thoughts.

My stomach was pretty messed up by the anesthesia. I had a history of serious stomach issues that I had corrected with lifesyle changes, but the surgery set my stomach back. It's taken me until this past week to get it under control. I was drinking ginger tea too which helped it to mellow out.

Rest well,

Bruce

------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)