CAUTION FOOD SWALLOWING RULES ARE NOT JUST FOR KIDS!!!

[csjoy1]

 

Yesterday we were at a friends home for her mom-in law's B-day Barbecu party, she's 89. Anyway we were all enjoying ourselves and  my girlfriends spouse barbecued ribs, chicken and tri-tip steak.  I placed a piece of tri-tip  into my mouth which actually was a little larger than I should have chanced, as I started to chew it sligthly I recall thinking "this is quite big piece", however I looked at my can of soda and  I figured that if it wouldn't immediately go down on the first or second try, I would include one big slurp of soda and down it goes like all other times, you know?  Very Foolish as it turned out...

 

So after a couple of attempts to swallow the extra big piece of tri-tip which I barely chewed, I then lifted the can of soda and tilted my head back to take a big slurp.  However, as I attempted to swallow the liquid which I believed would help to push the meat down my throat,  instead the liquid wouldn't go down, as I squeezed my throat mussels the meat  wouldn't budge, and out my mouth the soda came....I got up immediately, trying to cough as best I could, and at the same time swallowing extra hard hoping my throat mussels would be able to squeeze the big chunk of meat downward as I  went towards the kitchen sink.  I thought I would try to make myself throw up, But to no avail.   I look at the crowd standing by me and behind me, pointing my figure to my throat, gesturing, I have something stuck and it won't go down, plus I noticed that air wasn't passing thru either.  Then two of my girl friends attempted the hy-mic (spelling?) maneuver,  but to no avail the meat wasn't budging.   I continued attempting to try and  cough it up, but instead a horrible cough sound  came out as I continued to squeeze and cough in hopes to get at least air to pass through, but all these things weren't helping either.  Then finally, Andy, a taller than I and muscular family member, grabs me just above my waist and with his  first attempt he begins to press underneath my lungs, but nothing happens....now I realize that my  air  is lessoning by the second and I have had no air breath from nose or throat, which some panic starts to rise inside of me, and I am now thinking, "OMG...not like this, please?"  Andy attempts the Hy-mic (spelling?)  once again this time with greater force, which manages to move the meat in my throat somewhat but not enough as I try to cough it up,but it also fails and air is now my main concern.   He immediately makes a final attemp,  this third time much stronger, as he presses a bit higher and against the bottom of  my ribs as he does, he states "l can hear and feel your ribs cracking are you OK?" I give no thought to his words, and that is when the chunk of meat immediately comes up my throat and  immediately flows down my throat followed with my squeezing as hard as I can to secure that the meat was going down and not back up, at that moment I felt immediate relief as I gasped for air and cough clearly for the first time, my body limps over the sink, and my first words were...."Thank God, Thank you Andy".   It turns out my right side of my Ribs are badly bruise, however, at least I'm here today in order to write this. 

 

I was so exhausted and shaken from fright, at what could have happened if Andy had not succeeded.  I WRITE THIS AS A NEW REMINDER TO MYSELF AND TO ALL TO KNOW TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT FOODS, GRAPES, MEATS, CANDY, ETC., ISN'T MEANT JUST FOR KIDS, BUT FOR GROWN UPS OF ANY AGE.  ONE CAN NEVER KNOW...AND WE SHOULD NOT BE OVER CONFIDENT WITH OUR THROAT MUSSELS OR TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED.   SO PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING.. CUT THINGS DOWN TO BITE SIZE AND CHEW WELL BEFORE SWALLOWING.....IT MAY JUST SAVE ANOTHER'S LIFE.  ..COPY IT PLEASE AND PASS IT ON.   
 csjoy

[ColtsFan1912]

Mar. 8, 2010 at 6:51 PM

oh man. ..that had to be TERRIFYING. Chocking is my biggest fear. . .I'm SO terrified of it.

[tracey4friend]

Mar. 8, 2010 at 7:13 PM

I WOULD OF FREAKED. I AM GLAD YOU ARE OK AND HERE TO WRITE ABOUT THIS. THANKS TO ANDY. THIS SHOULD BE THE #1 POST IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

[isleysmom]

Mar. 8, 2010 at 7:20 PM

That's so scary!! I'm glad you are okay. I hope lots of moms read this and are reminded to never be too careful!

[csjoy1]

Mar. 8, 2010 at 7:52 PM

You are all so right...from now on little bites, not talking with food in my mouth and not being in such a hurry...Please pass it on, thanks, csjoy1

(Original Poster)

[Ewadun]

Mar. 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM

OMG, thank God you've lived to tell another tale! I'm so glad that you're still here with us. And, thank you for reminding me to chew my food carefully. There have been many times when I too bit off a huge piece and didn't chew it well.

[csjoy1]

Mar. 9, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Dear Ewadun:  Thank you, and yes, I was very fortuniate, of course we never realize how serious this can be until you either witness it first hand, or experience it, which is why I posted it, if it helps I'm grateful I was able to write it too...

csjoy

(Original Poster)