A Belgian medical representative spent two terrifying days with a 17 centimeter spoon lodged in her stomach after her dog startled her while she was eating yoghurt. Reymy Amelinckx, 28, from Rumst in northern Belgium, made the split second decision to swallow the utensil whole after it became lodged in her throat, choosing that option over the risk of choking.
The unusual incident occurred when Amelinckx placed the spoon in her mouth to free her hands to reply to a text message while sitting on her couch. Her energetic Hungarian Vizsla dog named Marley suddenly jumped on her lap, causing her to jerk her head back in surprise. Before she could react, the spoon had lodged in her throat, forcing her to make an immediate life or death decision.
Amelinckx attempted to remove the spoon manually but found it impossible as everything happened too quickly. She described feeling the implement sliding down into her stomach smoothly as she made the choice to swallow rather than choke. The woman said she stood up and started to panic immediately after the incident.
When her boyfriend returned home from work later that day, Amelinckx felt too embarrassed to tell him about what had happened and pretended nothing was wrong. She reported feeling no immediate discomfort, which led her to delay seeking medical attention. However, after dinner that evening, she researched online and realized the severity of having a 17 centimeter object in her stomach, prompting her to rush to the accident and emergency department.
Medical staff at the hospital confirmed that the spoon was too large to pass through her digestive system naturally. They scheduled a gastroscopy procedure for two days later, leaving Amelinckx to endure an uncomfortable and frightening wait at home. She described the experience as truly terrifying, stating she felt the spoon moving inside her body, sometimes even between her ribs.
During the two day wait, Amelinckx experienced bloating, nausea, and difficulty eating. She found sleeping particularly challenging because every position reminded her of the spoon in her stomach. The sensation of the foreign object moving inside her body added to her distress during the waiting period.
The removal procedure was performed under local anaesthetic using gastroscopy, a medical technique that involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera through the mouth to examine and treat the upper digestive system. Medical staff had to carefully rotate the spoon in her stomach to extract it, which caused a small gastric haemorrhage during the process.
Amelinckx was instructed not to swallow while doctors pulled the spoon up through her oesophagus. She described the experience as unpleasant but said she felt pure relief when the utensil finally came out. She expressed gratitude that doctors did not need to surgically cut open her stomach to remove the object.
Following the procedure, Amelinckx was allowed to return home a few hours later. She recovered quickly but experienced several aftereffects including a sore throat due to damage to her oesophagus, a few minor gastric bleeding episodes, and stomach sensitivity for several weeks. Medical professionals confirmed she suffered no permanent damage from the incident.
The bizarre accident has earned Amelinckx a lasting reputation as that girl with the spoon among her friends and acquaintances. Despite the traumatic experience, she decided to keep the spoon as a memento of the unusual incident. Her boyfriend has expressed interest in turning it into a work of art, though he has not yet determined exactly what form the piece will take.
Amelinckx has shared several warnings based on her experience, advising others not to eat with cutlery completely in their mouth and to avoid multitasking with animals around. She particularly cautioned against jump scares and laughing with a mouth full of food or utensils. Most importantly, she urged anyone who swallows something that should not be in their body to seek medical attention immediately.
The medical representative emphasized that embarrassment is temporary but internal damage can be permanent, encouraging others not to delay seeking help in similar situations. She noted that while the incident resulted in a bizarre story, it ended happily and has become a legendary anecdote for parties.
Gastroscopy is a routine medical procedure in Belgium and other countries, typically performed under local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia, or sedation depending on the specific case. The examination generally lasts about ten minutes and allows doctors to diagnose various gastrointestinal conditions or remove foreign objects that have been accidentally swallowed.
Medical experts note that accidental ingestion of large objects is uncommon but does occur, particularly with children and in situations involving distractions or sudden movements. The Hungarian Vizsla breed that caused the distraction is known for being energetic and affectionate, often seeking close contact with their owners.
