When Sally and her husband Rick prepared to go out for dinner one recent Saturday night, they could not have known they would end up in the emergency department. Half way through dinner, Sally realized she was unable to swallow. She tried everything she could to clear her throat, drinking water, trying to cough, but nothing worked. Though she was able to breathe, Sally was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and began drooling since then she was unable to swallow her saliva. She could feel that food was stuck in her throat but failed at her attempts to get it out.

Rick brought her right away to the Emergency Department at Valley West Community Hospital. By the time they arrived, Sally was extremely unhappy, and feeling desperate to remove the food and swallow again.

Dr. Orest Rywak examined Sally and gave her some medicine. After the second dose, Sally sat up and said, “I feel better,” and spat up the piece of food—a large piece of shrimp.  

Sally and her husband were very happy when they left for home.

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