Barium swallow today

[Guest guest]

I had a phone call yesterday asking me to attend for my barium

swallow this afternoon, and although I know I probably should have

given myself more time to recover from the events of last week I

just wanted to get it over and done with to be honest! Anyway, I

have never had one done before, but my Mum has had plenty due to her

Crohns so I knew exactly how unpleasant it was going to be. In

fairness the staff were great and the test itself wasn't too bad,

although some of the positions I needed to get into were a little

awkward for the joints.

The worst part was definitely swallowing the actual barium mixture

though. Not particularly for the taste as it was pretty bland and

chalky, but the texture really did for me. You see I am almost

phobic about milk and cream, and the consistency of this barium was

like that of seriously soured milk - so having to hold this mixture

in my mouth, swallow it done and even suck through a straw was just

stomach churning. It's a wonder the x-rays don't show my poor

stomach doing cartwheels! Needless to say I am very glad that it is

over now...although it is going to take time to get the feeling of

the barium in my mouth and gullet to leave me. I won't get the

results for a while yet, but will let you know when I get them.

It was rather strange being back in the hospital for the first time

since my collapse last week as everywhere I went people who had seen

me were rushing over to see how I was doing and tell me how glad

they were to see me looking so much better than last time. It was

really nice to have so many people care, but also rather scary to

have had so many people worried about me. I guess I hadn't realised

I looked as poorly as I felt! I am doing okay, only having had a

couple of dizzy spells and one short run of SVT. Hopefully my tests

will come through soon and we can finally find the cause, I just

hope and pray that it isn't as serious as we fear.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your support, encouragement and

friendship - I appreciate it more than you will ever know. Thinking

of you all and wishing you warm, sunny and happy days where ever you

are in the world.

Love and hugs....Jo

xxx

P.S. Hope I'm not being cheeky, but could you please spare a prayer

for a good friend of mine who is having very risky surgery to remove

tumours from his throat tomorrow. Thank you so much.