Things that help

These are some of the things that are getting me through this - in no particular order. Except for the Percocet, water, and ice packs on my throat - those are really the three most helpful things in managing the constant unrelenting pain.


Percocet. Keep a dose log. You will be Shucked up, exhausted, not thinking clearly, and you will need to write down when you take a dose. You do not want to mess this up.

Also very important: taking your pain meds on time. Set the stove timer or an alarm clock to go off when your next dose is due. Stay ahead of the pain. Don't let your meds wear off.



Water. This keeps the pain at bay in equal measure with the Percocet. Ice cold water is very soothing for the throat and helps to facilitate swallowing. I am drinking at least 24 ounces per hour.






Ice packs. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Keeps the swelling under control. Numbs the pain.

Right now, this is my happy face.








Shave ice. It's a margarita maker - found it on Amazon. Instead of tequila, you can add non-dairy protein shakes to the ice and make a protein slurpee. It's the only food you'll have - enough protein and calories to keep you going mixed with enough ice so you can swallow it. Things that are too thick/milky are just intolerable. They stick to the wounds. They make you want to clear your throat or cough.
Do not do those things.
Just don't.

Plain shave ice is good, too.





Otter Pops (the PNW answer to the Popsicle).
Slurping them from the tube is too difficult - I can't use straws either. So the key is to break them up into pieces and eat them with a spoon. They are different colors but my taste buds are numb (tongue swollen) right now so they all taste the same. Mostly they are cold and not too rough on the wounds.




Jello.
Do not eat the skin. It is too rough.
You can see the protein shakes in this pic also - Muscle Milk from Costco. So far I like this mixed with banana Ensure and ice in the margarita maker.






Humidifier. All day, every day.








Other blogs. These are two of them - I'll add a blog roll later but for now have a look at My Big Fat Tonsillectomy and Tonsils No More.


Well wishes.
Very nice and much appreciated!!!
Thanks very much, everyone!








Emails. Very short phone calls are okay... longer calls not so much, because it hurts to talk for very long.








My wife (and ghostwriter). She's all right.