Warning: It is not advisable to think too much Football while eating Milkfish.

Posted: 4 November 2011

Philippines U23 lost their first match against Vietnam U23 in SEA Games group stage. We had the first shot, courtesy of Manny Ott who-almost-did-not-make-it-to-the-game, that was outside the box. That goal reminded me of his fellow German Stephan Schröck’s goal against Kuwait.For a reminder, both are Filipinos. It’s just that their fathers are Germans and they play for a German club.

With the loss, I couldn’t help but remain silent with my mind drifting outside our house and beyond. I wasn’t blaming anyone nor was I thinking of “IFs” for the match that we lost. I was still thinking of Football though, just not the match.

I was probably too preoccupied with Football that I didn’t check if the milkfish’s bone/spine was totally removed before putting it into my mouth. In short, I got a spine stuck in my throat. I was trying to locate it but I couldn’t. It felt like somewhere in my left throat but it was elusive.

I tried to cough it out to no avail. I ate a banana but only in vain. My body even induced vomiting so the banana and everything I ate, or most of them, just went down the drain. My Tita’s mother even recommended having a cat to touch my neck. I was like, I haven’t heard of such thing. And how could a cat remove the spine stuck in my throat? What’s surprising was, I was the only person surprised by it. It seems like they all know this ‘cat ability’ and seems to believe too.

My faith in God refused to follow such superstition though I appreciate the concern, especially our helper’s.

I wonder what happened but it seemed like the bangus-spine was gone though I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s still in my throat.

Morning came and it didn’t let its presence known. I thought it was really gone until I finished my breakfast. There it was again. I went to the bathroom to attempt removing it.

Only this morning did I find its location. I figured it out by comparing my tonsils. On my left tonsil was something rough while my right tonsil was so smooth. With my attempts, and with God’s help, I was able to remove it. Finally, after 10 hours of getting stuck in my left tonsil.

Here’s what it looks.

That bent marks the part that was palpable while the other half was imbedded in my tonsil. Crazy.