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Cool Clear Water

.Drinking a glass of water can take on new meaning when you have ALS. With me for instance, drinking a simple glass of water is risky. The muscles in my throat and mouth have atrophied enough that I risk the water pouring right down into my lungs. For the most part, I avoid it but there is one activity that I cannot seem to avoid water. Brushing my teeth.

I know about thickened water but have you tried that stuff? It not only seems wrong, in my opinion, it tastes and feels wrong. How does one clear thick toothpaste by adding thick water? Not gonna happen. And when they flavor it, how do you get that "just brushed" feeling?

So, once in a while, I risk it. Room temperature water, straight straw, my chin tucked,and placed over a basin. The idea is that I intake water, hold it in my mouth, swish and spit into the basin. That's how it's supposed to work. My body, muscles, get confused and my swallow mechanism kicks in and...Oh no! I start to sputter, cough, and choke. Good Lord! I'm struggling for my breath. It's all very dramatic, especially when I'm gasping like a fish out of water and I'm getting a suction wand shoved down my throat.

I vow not to drink or swish with water but invariably, I am drawn back to cool clear water. Hmmmm, that pattern reminds me of something...The jaywalker. (Shout out if you get it.)

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Location: University of Washington Medical Center, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

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