Of chewing gum and the esophagus

I am an avid gum chewer. I buy chewing gum packs in large quantities. Recently, I've taken to buying the smaller chewing gum squares, not the usual stick gums. But whatever it is, I chew gum after dinner (it freshens my breath), I chew gum in class (it helps me stay awake!), when I study (my thoughts flow like my saliva!). I even chew gum when I'm singing.

Yeah I know. Most people would say: "You shouldn't chew gum while singing". And I guess I shouldn't. But it wasn't till today that the why became apparent.

I was at Mustard Seed practice (and I'm playing guitar for the first time tomorrow - so prayers are appreciated). Anyway, we were playing a song, I was singing, and yes chewing gum at the same time. And then someone said something funny. And I tried to respond, while singing, and happened to laugh at the same time.

In that instant, the same reflex kicked in that my parents had tried to instigate in me way back in the day when I could not, would not, swallow a pill. My throat opened, and that piece of artifically flavored sugarless gum went sliding down my esophagus.

*Gasp*

"Uh oh. What's wrong with Josh?"

*Silence*

"I think I just swallowed my gum".

It's not the best feeling I tell you. So now, it'll either be stuck in my tummy for seven years, sprout into a gum tree, or make my poop gummy. We'll see. I'll keep you posted. Oh dear.