OK - I made it home from the brutal hemi-glossectomy. selective ND. Took my NG out after I demonstrated I could "swallw". Pathology on lymph nodes won't be back until Tuesday when I have incision drains removed. I need some guidance on a couple of things, please: How am I suppposed to swallow antibiotics in capsule form? They stick in my mouth and can't get to my throat to be able to swallaw and taste awful if I try to break them up. When is it appropriate to move from water/juice/broth to say sherbert or milk? If there is a better place on the formu please direct me. 3 days in ICU after 24 hours in recovery. I'm still pretty out of it.

first of all why didn't they give you liquid meds? that's crazy to send you home with capsules! what the heck? call doc get liquid form of meds. and when to move to other foods/drinks? when you can eat or drink them without difficulty I would say. If you can get it down that is great for you, do it.

When you were released the nurse should have gone over details including eating and drinking. From the sound of it you do not have a feeding tube. That would have been helpful with the meds. Yes, call the doc and ask for liquid form medications. Also ask about eating/drinking. Your doc knows you best and should be able to advise you on this. Some people need a swallowing test to see their eating/drinking capabilities. If you try too soon some liquids could go into your lungs (aspirate).

Craig,

Welcome home! Do you have anyone to help you over the next few weeks? If you are "out of it," it can be very difficult to know when to take meds and to know how much you are getting. I, too, am surprised that you were given capsules. Liquid meds are the way to go. Please discuss this with your doctor. My husband had his NG for 6 weeks post surgery and everything went into it--meds, liquid nutrition. Good for you that you are swallowing but if you are having difficulty getting things down, they can always put the NG back in temporarily. It is so important to consume 2500 to 3000 calories every day to promote healing. Good luck with this and take care of yourself.

Anita

ya i thought he said he demonstrated he could swallow already thats why he don't have the feeding tube. scared me for a minute that i jumped the gun bout eating whatever he is able to tolerate. whew.

Thanks All: I think every doc is different. If I couldn't demonstrate the ability to "swallow" then they were going to keep me in the hospital. I was so miserable I willed myself to take a few sips and am glad they let me go home. My wife is here taking good care of me. I figured out a little trick to place the capsule at the back of the non-surgery side of my tongue and wash it down. Originally was going to have NG tube in for 2 weeks but they decided to take out on the 5th day. I was having trouble tolerating the NG (choking). Also, they took the "flap" from under my chin rather than forearm.

I guess you're doing better now I didn't see this before - but you could always crush it and mix it into your drinks - you should not have been given capsules!!!

Before crushing any medication, check with your doc or pharmacist. Time release medications should not be crushed. It will make it so that all the medication is given at once instead of time released.

True and very good advice! I had a duh moment!!!