best of luck to you spadew. be prepared for the worst. it may not happen, but i didn't stumble onto this sight until after my surgery. not that it would've changed my mind, but good for you for doing your research. it helps knowing that you aren't going crazy and your pain has been felt by others. you will be pushed to the threshold of pain. i have experienced labor and this was FAR worse in every possible way. there is no escape, even the pain meds don't touch the aching and stabbing in your throat and ears. be patient and make sure your caretaker understands you will improve and then get worse over and over. i have spells that hit me like a mac truck and then i'll take a shot of roxicet (liquid oxycodone) and within a few minutes it will subside. other times, i can go for hours without any issues. i would recommend icing your throat with an ice pack-- keep one on hand so you can always have one getting cold and one in use. there will come a time where heat will feel better than ice, but having both an ice pack and heating pad on hand have proved worthwhile. vaporizers are a must for keeping your throat moist during the night. don't run a fan and make sure you're not sleeping under a grate because you will wake up in tears and not know why. set your alarm and take your pain meds along with at least 1/2 glass of water. you'll be thankful you did it.

i haven't been able to eat solid foods since last tuesday. the only thing i'm able to swallow are clear liquids-- broth, pedalite, gatorade, water, etc. but that's just me perhaps. i hope you will have better luck injesting food! i've tried to address some issues i discovered which i hadn't seen in the previous postings. if you have any questions for me, i'd be more than happy to answer them! i have nothing to do but sit on my laptop, watch movies, and go for an occasional stroll to the bathroom! :rolleyes: