I had another follow up visit with my doctor and I'm down five more pounds. (I can hear the Hallelujiah Chorus singing in the background). He had to remove more fluid. A little less than last time. He assures me there is nothing to worry about. He says there will be less next time and soon there will be none.

Ok, Doc. I believe ya. I'm not feeling any discomfort, so I'll see ya in two more weeks!

He told me now that I am eating regular food, he would like to see me lose between 8 and 10 pounds a month. I would like to shoot for more!! But he says slow is good. Slow is good...my new mantra.

My clothes are looser and I have on a blazer I haven't worn in over a year. That's exciting! I can't wait until I find myself foraging for smaller clothes in the attic. Yeah...I have them...it will be like shopping for FREE stuff!

I had my first experience with 'sliding.' I have had moments when I knew that bite was too big, or I had one too many bites. That feels a little weird and there is a small amount of pressure, but it passes rather quickly. But this was different!

I was having a Peanut Butter (small amount) on those nice 100 calorie round breads. They are not pita pockets, but they are more like rolls, but not exactly. Anyway...digressing again. I took a bite. I thought I chewed it thoroughly. I swallowed and OOPS...it stuck in my esophogus like GLUE! OMG, it felt terrible. I thought I was being squeezed by a boa constrictor. I could feel my esophogus constricting, spasming. But still, this small piece of food just seemed stuck. Then it felt like it was sliding back up. I got up to go to the bathroom. I got my foot stuck. I was definitely panicking like I couldn't breathe. I fell like a ton of bricks. I spit out phlegm...there really is nothing else I could call it. I felt the tears running down my cheeks as I picked myself up.

My boyfriend came running...what can I do...what can I do?? But I had a mouthful of phlegm and could not respond. He didn't understand. I pushed him aside and stumbled into the bathroom and I let that out of my mouth.

This may be a lot of information...but really it was a learning experience I wanted to share.

AFTER this was all over...I remembered my doctor telling me just the other day at my visit....If you experience sliding, remember not to panick. It will feel like you can't breathe but you can. It is not your windpipe that is clogged. The food will be in your esophogus. Well all that came rushing back to me AFTER I panicked, fell, pushed and stumbled.

Don't be afraid. Just learn. I learned two things from this....Don't panick and DON'T EAT PEANUT BUTTER!

-mary-willing-to-give-up-the-peanut-butter-forever!