Of course, it is remarkably painful, as well. It stings to swallow, and it is incredibly difficult to chew lest I bite my tongue again . . . you know, because it's swollen on that side a little bit. Just enough to get in my way. Just enough to affect my eating habits.
Oh, and, of course, my somewhat-swollen tongue is interfering with my ability to speak. I know, I know. Yay for the rest of civilization! I can't speak clearly! However, I make my living via public speaking of sorts in a grade seven classroom. The results have been comical.
Today, for example, I keep trying to spit out the words "evacuation" and "excavation." Go ahead. Say them out loud. Notice how your tongue naturally tilts back when you get to the letter c in both words. My injured tongue won't do that. I cannot form the words with any semblance of coherence.
By the fourth class of the day and after I attempt to eat some lunch (unsuccessfully), my tongue expires in its effectiveness. I try the words, and try again, and try a third time. Finally, I stick my tongue out a little and make a giant raspberry sound. Yup, that's as good as it will get today. "Whatever," I say a bit awkwardly. "You know what I mean."
I don't know how tomorrow will go, but I might rearrange my lesson plans to do a little less speaking. What will truly help, though, is if I have restful sleep tonight and do not wake up after maiming myself overnight. I'm just saying . . . as best as my tongue will allow.
