Carol
I know how you feel. I got mine out last year at 28 years old, and was out of work for 2 weeks! You need to drink tons of water, and really, just tough it out and cough it out so you will feel better! I can guarantee it does get better, the pain will soon go away. You need to eat too! I got sick of ice cream as well, and what seemed to help me alot was soup. Good ole moms soup always does the trick :-). It is ok to eat now, just eat soft foods if it hurts. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.