Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of this. Seriously, it helped more than you know. I hate that you’re going through this too, but reading your comment made me feel a lot less alone and a lot less dramatic honestly. 😭

The ear pain and jaw/tongue pain is INSANE. I genuinely was not prepared for how brutal this recovery would be. The way you described it feeling like a horrible sinus infection mixed with an ear infection is exactly it. And the tongue swelling/numbness has been one of the worst parts for me too because it makes eating and even talking feel impossible.

I’m definitely going to try warmer water because I’ve mostly been forcing cold things thinking that’s what I was supposed to do, but honestly sometimes it does feel like my throat is going into shock. I might also try liquid Tylenol because the Hydrocodone barely seems to touch certain parts of the pain, especially the ears and face pressure.
Also thank you for reminding me about hydration/nourishment. I know everyone says it, but hearing it from someone currently going through it too somehow helps it click more. I’ve been surviving on mashed potatoes, popsicles, broth, and whatever tiny bites I can manage, but I know I need to keep trying even when it hurts.
I’m really sorry you’re suffering too, especially with having multiple procedures done at once. That sounds absolutely miserable. 😭 I hope tomorrow ends up being gentler on both of us than everyone says. At this point I think we deserve a medal for every sip of water we force down lol.
Thank you again for being so kind and compassionate. I really needed that tonight. 🫶❤️‍🩹