Since not much has changed in the past few days, I haven't posted. I didn't think that my daily menus would be thrilling reading material.
I went for my three week check up today. Big Doc came in to check on me and said that everything looks perfect. He is very pleased with how things turned out. Unfortunately, Little Doc had her baby early and I haven't been able to see her. The doctor that took over my case is one of the ones that I started with a year ago. He has been so patient with answering all of my questions. They said I am past the window for complications and infection so I am cleared to go back to Rhode Island! They gave me my record and everything. They told me that if we head back this way (for a visit or to move back), to stop on in so they can check things out. (Bonus if we come back at the 3 month or 6 month mark!)
I've been more adventurous with my food choices in the past couple of days. Doing this makes my jaw tired. The doctor likened it to pulling a hamstring and then going to try and run a marathon. I am not chewing, but I am eating solid food. He said that I can open my mouth a little. He also said that I do anything but chew, so I do. I've had turkey this week and cupcakes....oh delicious cupcakes. The only thing that I have to watch out for are foods that scratch. I am trying to "eat" one meal a day. Any more than that my jaw gets really achy in the evenings. I've tried using the straw, but it's pretty uncomfortable and impossible at this point.
On the bright side, I can smile a little bit. The most exciting thing - I have feeling back on most of the right side of my face. My big boys are excited because I can feel it when they kiss me on the cheek! There is a little strip on my chin that is still tingly. The right side is still pretty tingly except for my top lip. It's getting there...it won't be long until I back to normal!
Now the wait begins for the braces to come off....
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Day 17 - Must Have List
I did a LOT of googling to get ready for the surgery. I read so many blogs, they all started to run together. They were all over the board of what you HAD to have for recovery.
Here's what I ended up getting or bringing with me from Rhode Island:
Here's what I ended up getting or bringing with me from Rhode Island:
- Carnation Instant Breakfast - Chocolate
- Jillian Michael's Whey Protein Powder - Vanilla
- Metamucil Powder
- Red Pillowcases
- Bike Bell
- White Board and Marker
- Small Legal Pads
- Markers
- Tissues
- Dental Wax
- Wii games
- Books for the Nook
Here's what I ended up REALLY needing:
- Carnation Instant Breakfast
- White Board and Marker (in the hospital only....my cheap pen ran out)
- Legal Pads and Markers (only about 3 days after I got home. I was talking after that)
- Tissues...LOTS of tissues.....double ply tisues
- Dental Wax
- Metamucil (especially at the beginning....less now)
Things that I didn't need at all:
- Bike bell (I rang it twice. Both times were because my 4 year olds wanted to be helpers.)
- Red Pillowcases (No nasty drool. Maybe I was just lucky!)
- Jillian Michaels Whey Protein (It was DISGUSTING! I took it back to Sam's)
- Wii games (I wasn't holed up in my room like I thought I would be.)
Things I wish I had from the beginning:
- HMR Protein Shakes - I like the vanilla ones.
So, the big "take home" points:
- Get a protein shake that you can eat every single day. You can live off of protein shakes for 6 weeks. You can't live off of them if they make you want to gag. Bonus points if you can add fruit to it.
- Figure out in advance what soups you can eat. I am picky-ish, as I have mentioned. I threw away a lot of soup in the first few days because they were too thick or smelled funny or looked wrong or whatever.
- Find a soup with calories. Cream soups are the best. Chicken broth goes through the tube very easily, but it doesn't stop the hunger. A creamy soup has some substance, which fills you up. (Two of my favorites - Chicken Pot Pie soup from Jason's Deli and Chicken and Dumplings "gravy" from Cracker Barrel.)
- If you don't have children to keep you occupied, you will need something to do. Daytime TV is pretty mind-numbing. A Wii game or a good book will help you pass the time.
- Get good tissues. You will need them.
Finally, the best advice I got from the doctor - Get up and move. The more you move, the better you feel. Take a walk. Go shopping. Get moving. When you are vertical, gravity helps with the swelling.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Day 16
So, I missed a day. There wasn't much to tell yesterday. I am feeling good and eating well. I see no reason to drink every single meal. The doctor said that I couldn't chew, not that I couldn't eat. I try to eat one meal with substance every day. It makes me pretty tired, so I am not getting much more adventerous than that. Tonight, my meal with substance was grilled chicken and applesauce. Now, I love me some homemade ranch dressing. I really would eat homemade ranch dressing with my tube. Because that is pretty disgusting, I use it to help get the solid food down. Tonight, I had my heart set on this chicken and ranch dressing. I cut the chicken SUPER small. (It was smaller than the pieces I cut for my 10 month old baby.) I then ate it just like the BBQ earlier this week. Please don't think that I am downing a pound of chicken. I shared half of a chicken breast with the baby. He probably got more than I did. I ate the applesauce side dish with the syringe, but no tube.
So, you are probably wondering what else I am eating. My meals go something like this:
- Breakfast: Protein Shake with fruit (usually peaches or pineapple) and Chocolate Milk OR Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast with a little peanut butter and half of a banana
- Lunch: Soup of some sort
- Snack: Another protein shake
- Dinner: Soup, applesauce, chocolate milk OR something with substance (like tonight's chicken)
- Snack: PUDDING!
My goal every day is to get enough protein to not be hungry. So far, it's working. I would guess that I am getting about 1000 calories (sometimes more, but not usually less) and close to 80 grams of protein. I am having some serious food cravings. I want a salad so badly!! That will be one of the last things I will be able to eat because it's hard to chew. I can think of 5 different salads that I would LOVE to eat. I guess there are worse things I could be craving! :-)
Tomorrow is going to be a gear recap. I bought a lot of "stuff" in preparation for the surgery. Some of it never got used.
So, you are probably wondering what else I am eating. My meals go something like this:
- Breakfast: Protein Shake with fruit (usually peaches or pineapple) and Chocolate Milk OR Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast with a little peanut butter and half of a banana
- Lunch: Soup of some sort
- Snack: Another protein shake
- Dinner: Soup, applesauce, chocolate milk OR something with substance (like tonight's chicken)
- Snack: PUDDING!
My goal every day is to get enough protein to not be hungry. So far, it's working. I would guess that I am getting about 1000 calories (sometimes more, but not usually less) and close to 80 grams of protein. I am having some serious food cravings. I want a salad so badly!! That will be one of the last things I will be able to eat because it's hard to chew. I can think of 5 different salads that I would LOVE to eat. I guess there are worse things I could be craving! :-)
Tomorrow is going to be a gear recap. I bought a lot of "stuff" in preparation for the surgery. Some of it never got used.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Day 14
Today was a beautiful day in Virginia. It was the kind of day that makes me want to stay here for ever and NEVER go back to winter. It was 70 degrees and it's February. I could get used to recovering in this tropical weather. We took advantage of the day by going to the zoo. The doctor said that the more I walk, the better I will feel. I took that to heart and off we went. Even more exciting....I was able to "eat" some BBQ from Doumar's. Drinking from a straw was mildly easier than yesterday, so I had a chocolate milkshake and a few sips of Limeade too. I ate the (VERY MINCED) BBQ with a fork. I put a little bit as far into my mouth as possible and swallowed. It was so very It gets stuck between the splint and the braces and under the plastic that goes across the roof of my mouth. It was pretty gross, but totally worth it.
Speaking of a nasty mouth, this splint is totally getting in the way of my oral hygiene. I am pretty diligent about keeping my teeth clean. I like to have a clean mouth. The backs of my teeth are getting a little fuzzy. I was able to get the toothbrush in my mouth today to clean the back of my teeth. I forgot to ask the doctor if I can use the waterpik to clean my mouth, but that will certainly be question number 2 next week. Luckily, I am due for a routine cleaning a couple of weeks after the splint comes off.
I am getting easier to understand when I talk. My big boys have taken to asking my to repeat everything that I say. They think it is funny. I am not comfortable enough to make a phone call to someone other than my husband, but I can order for myself when we are out and about. People are very patient, which I appreciate.
All in all, it was almost a "normal" day. I am looking forward to being back to normal. It won't be long now. (If 4 more weeks isn't long.....)
Speaking of a nasty mouth, this splint is totally getting in the way of my oral hygiene. I am pretty diligent about keeping my teeth clean. I like to have a clean mouth. The backs of my teeth are getting a little fuzzy. I was able to get the toothbrush in my mouth today to clean the back of my teeth. I forgot to ask the doctor if I can use the waterpik to clean my mouth, but that will certainly be question number 2 next week. Luckily, I am due for a routine cleaning a couple of weeks after the splint comes off.
I am getting easier to understand when I talk. My big boys have taken to asking my to repeat everything that I say. They think it is funny. I am not comfortable enough to make a phone call to someone other than my husband, but I can order for myself when we are out and about. People are very patient, which I appreciate.
All in all, it was almost a "normal" day. I am looking forward to being back to normal. It won't be long now. (If 4 more weeks isn't long.....)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Day 13 - Two Week Check Up
Wow! I can't believe that it has already been two weeks since the surgery! There are so many days when I feel like I am never going to be back to normal. Today was one of those days.....then I saw a picture of myself at about 5 days past surgery. When I look at that, I realize how far I have come.
Today was my 2 week check up at the hospital. 7 out of 8 surgical residents were out of the clinic today, so I saw someone relatively new. (Relatively because he was on my case LAST YEAR when this whole process started, but he did not actually perform the surgery. The actual surgeon had her baby last week, which is a funny story for another time!) Anyway, he was able to answer all of my questions and said that everything looked good. Big Doc (the O6 select who was the attending for the surgery) was also out of the office for the day, so I got to meet the O6 who used to be the head of the department and actually signed off on the surgery a year ago after a heart to heart with my orthodontist. It was quite a blast from the past at the clinic today. The bit of information that I did learn today is that I lost 200 mL of blood during the surgery. The expected blood loss for an upper jaw surgery alone is 400 mL and I lost half of that. I am obviously a surgery rock star! :)
In other news, today is Mardi Gras, which, forever and ever at my house, means pancakes for dinner. Who I am to let a little thing like a wired jaw keep my from my heritage. Doc said that I could eat anything I want as long as I don't chew. He also gave me the okay to remove the rubber bands keeping my jaws in the correct alignment to eat. Furthermore, he indicated that I could use any means necessary (tongue, roof of mouth, etc) to get food down my throat as long as chewing is not considered "any means necessary." I decided to take him at his word. I cut my pancakes into Joshua (my 10 month old) sized bites. I drenched said bites with syrup and slid it into my mouth with Joshua's baby spoon. I got it to the back of my throat and swallowed. Really, I only tasted the syrup, but that was good enough. I got my pancakes and I didn't compromise my recovery. Double win!
As for the concern about the dizziness, he was baffled. He told me to eat a little more and drink a little more and report back next week. I did do a little driving today and I didn't have as much of the dizzies this afternoon. He suggested a balance issue that will clear itself up in due time. Makes sense seeing that the biggest thing that made me dizzy was the off ramp on the drive home.
Challenges today:
1. I am hard to understand. My brother told me that I sound like I am playing Chubby Bunny (you know, the game where you shove marshmallows into your mouth and try to say "Chubby Bunny") by myself. It is frustrating because I am working so hard to talk and people look to my mom for a translation or ask me to repeat myself. It was hard enough getting it out the first time.
2. Life is tiring! I am worn out at the ends of the days.
Good things about today:
1. I wore my contacts for the second day in a row. The swelling made my eyes fat and the medicine made them dry so contacts just weren't working.
2. I went to visit my Grandma today for the first time since the surgery. She is always glad to see me!
Today was my 2 week check up at the hospital. 7 out of 8 surgical residents were out of the clinic today, so I saw someone relatively new. (Relatively because he was on my case LAST YEAR when this whole process started, but he did not actually perform the surgery. The actual surgeon had her baby last week, which is a funny story for another time!) Anyway, he was able to answer all of my questions and said that everything looked good. Big Doc (the O6 select who was the attending for the surgery) was also out of the office for the day, so I got to meet the O6 who used to be the head of the department and actually signed off on the surgery a year ago after a heart to heart with my orthodontist. It was quite a blast from the past at the clinic today. The bit of information that I did learn today is that I lost 200 mL of blood during the surgery. The expected blood loss for an upper jaw surgery alone is 400 mL and I lost half of that. I am obviously a surgery rock star! :)
In other news, today is Mardi Gras, which, forever and ever at my house, means pancakes for dinner. Who I am to let a little thing like a wired jaw keep my from my heritage. Doc said that I could eat anything I want as long as I don't chew. He also gave me the okay to remove the rubber bands keeping my jaws in the correct alignment to eat. Furthermore, he indicated that I could use any means necessary (tongue, roof of mouth, etc) to get food down my throat as long as chewing is not considered "any means necessary." I decided to take him at his word. I cut my pancakes into Joshua (my 10 month old) sized bites. I drenched said bites with syrup and slid it into my mouth with Joshua's baby spoon. I got it to the back of my throat and swallowed. Really, I only tasted the syrup, but that was good enough. I got my pancakes and I didn't compromise my recovery. Double win!
As for the concern about the dizziness, he was baffled. He told me to eat a little more and drink a little more and report back next week. I did do a little driving today and I didn't have as much of the dizzies this afternoon. He suggested a balance issue that will clear itself up in due time. Makes sense seeing that the biggest thing that made me dizzy was the off ramp on the drive home.
Challenges today:
1. I am hard to understand. My brother told me that I sound like I am playing Chubby Bunny (you know, the game where you shove marshmallows into your mouth and try to say "Chubby Bunny") by myself. It is frustrating because I am working so hard to talk and people look to my mom for a translation or ask me to repeat myself. It was hard enough getting it out the first time.
2. Life is tiring! I am worn out at the ends of the days.
Good things about today:
1. I wore my contacts for the second day in a row. The swelling made my eyes fat and the medicine made them dry so contacts just weren't working.
2. I went to visit my Grandma today for the first time since the surgery. She is always glad to see me!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Day 12
I am worn out! I am feeling better and I get a little big for my britches. We took the boys bowling today. They bowled two games. My mom sat and held the baby (until he got fussy and only wanted mommy) and I stood at the lane and helped the boys bowl. By helped, I mean I directed as best as I could and I made sure that none of their appendages went IN the ball return. Nothing too taxing. I guess it was the standing. Add a trip to the grocery store and a walk for the dog and I am done for the day.
I have mentioned that eating has been a bit of a challenge. What I failed to mention is that I have some serious quirks when it comes to food. I have texture issues...things need to look and smell how they are supposed to taste....nothing can mix. This whole idea of "just blend it up" has been very difficult for me. The doctor told me that I could eat anything I wanted. He's had patients blend up a pizza. The thought of that makes me hyperventilate. There would be too much going on in a syringe full of blended pizza. BUT!!! We went out for lunch today and my mom had some BBQ. We live 10 minutes from the North Carolina state line....we have been known to drive to North Carolina for lunch just to get some "authentic" Carolina BBQ. But, I digress. She had some BBQ and it really smelled amazing. I had some cream of potato soup juice that was delicious, but a girl can get tired of some soup. I decided to get some BBQ (no bread, no slaw, just BBQ)to go. I brought it home, blended it up with a little sauce and some water, and spooned it into the syringe. It was a little thick for the tube, so I cheated a little and put the syringe tip in my mouth. It was a little watery for good BBQ, but MAN WAS IT GOOD!!!
I topped the day off with a Pina Colada. (No rum, but it was good enough that I only missed the rum a little bit.) My Pina Colada treat was my dinner, but I am going to have to ration it. It was my HMR Vanilla Protein Shake, Frozen Pineapple, and Toasted Coconut Ice cream. The ice cream added more calories and fat in 1/2 cup than I think I ate during the entire first week, but MAN WAS IT GOOD!! It was dinner and dessert rolled up in one. No pudding tonight.
The only challenge today is that I miss my husband. We are a military family, so we are used to separation, but usually it is him gone, not me. We have skyped with him just about every day and we talk and text throughout the day, but I really want a hug from him.
All in all - it was a good day! Tomorrow I am headed back to the surgeons for my week 2 check up.
I have mentioned that eating has been a bit of a challenge. What I failed to mention is that I have some serious quirks when it comes to food. I have texture issues...things need to look and smell how they are supposed to taste....nothing can mix. This whole idea of "just blend it up" has been very difficult for me. The doctor told me that I could eat anything I wanted. He's had patients blend up a pizza. The thought of that makes me hyperventilate. There would be too much going on in a syringe full of blended pizza. BUT!!! We went out for lunch today and my mom had some BBQ. We live 10 minutes from the North Carolina state line....we have been known to drive to North Carolina for lunch just to get some "authentic" Carolina BBQ. But, I digress. She had some BBQ and it really smelled amazing. I had some cream of potato soup juice that was delicious, but a girl can get tired of some soup. I decided to get some BBQ (no bread, no slaw, just BBQ)to go. I brought it home, blended it up with a little sauce and some water, and spooned it into the syringe. It was a little thick for the tube, so I cheated a little and put the syringe tip in my mouth. It was a little watery for good BBQ, but MAN WAS IT GOOD!!!
I topped the day off with a Pina Colada. (No rum, but it was good enough that I only missed the rum a little bit.) My Pina Colada treat was my dinner, but I am going to have to ration it. It was my HMR Vanilla Protein Shake, Frozen Pineapple, and Toasted Coconut Ice cream. The ice cream added more calories and fat in 1/2 cup than I think I ate during the entire first week, but MAN WAS IT GOOD!! It was dinner and dessert rolled up in one. No pudding tonight.
The only challenge today is that I miss my husband. We are a military family, so we are used to separation, but usually it is him gone, not me. We have skyped with him just about every day and we talk and text throughout the day, but I really want a hug from him.
All in all - it was a good day! Tomorrow I am headed back to the surgeons for my week 2 check up.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Day 11 - 2 weeks until we go home
It was a rainy Sunday in Virginia. Luckily, it was a good day to rest. I thought this was going to be a boring post, but as usual, there is never a dull moment in my life. While we were Skyping with Daddy, Jeffrey smacked me in the face. I yelled and dropped him off my lap. He left crying...I was crying....my dad came running.....Russ jumped up of the sofa in Rhode Island. Quite the drama. Never fear, I am fine. He didn't hit me nearly as hard as I thought he did at the time. We kissed and made up and everything is fine.
In other news, I have feeling from my lip and up on the left side of my face! Still a little tingly on the lower left, but it's getting better. The right side is a WHOLE different story. It is still pretty swollen and it feels very tingly from my nose up to my eye socket and down to my chin. It's on the list to discuss with the doctor. Luckily, the crazy sinus pressure is gone. Now it's just swelling pressure. Just a little uncomfortable sometimes, but not enough to need medicine.
I am eating better and I am feeling better. (Coincidence??) I still get very dizzy sometimes, especially in the afternoons. Also on the list to talk to the doctor about. There are some others.
Questions I have for the Doctor at 2 weeks past surgery:
1. How much longer do I have to sleep on my back? (It's uncomfortable and I sleep better on my side)
2. Why am I still so swollen and tingly on the right? Is there anything else I should be doing?
3. Why am I so dizzy in the afternoons? I get dizzy when I have the baby and am looking up at him. I am dizzy when I stand up too fast. I am dizzy when I put my head on the pillows at night.
4. Could I get some new tubing and new syringes so I can eat?
5. I know how to put in elastics. If I pop another one, should I just put a new one in?
6. Am I on track to go home next week?
So, that's where we are. I am spending the evening looking for delicious soup recipes on Pinterest. There is only so much chicken broth a girl can eat. Since I can't find a potato soup that makes me happy, I am exploring other options.
In other news, I have feeling from my lip and up on the left side of my face! Still a little tingly on the lower left, but it's getting better. The right side is a WHOLE different story. It is still pretty swollen and it feels very tingly from my nose up to my eye socket and down to my chin. It's on the list to discuss with the doctor. Luckily, the crazy sinus pressure is gone. Now it's just swelling pressure. Just a little uncomfortable sometimes, but not enough to need medicine.
I am eating better and I am feeling better. (Coincidence??) I still get very dizzy sometimes, especially in the afternoons. Also on the list to talk to the doctor about. There are some others.
Questions I have for the Doctor at 2 weeks past surgery:
1. How much longer do I have to sleep on my back? (It's uncomfortable and I sleep better on my side)
2. Why am I still so swollen and tingly on the right? Is there anything else I should be doing?
3. Why am I so dizzy in the afternoons? I get dizzy when I have the baby and am looking up at him. I am dizzy when I stand up too fast. I am dizzy when I put my head on the pillows at night.
4. Could I get some new tubing and new syringes so I can eat?
5. I know how to put in elastics. If I pop another one, should I just put a new one in?
6. Am I on track to go home next week?
So, that's where we are. I am spending the evening looking for delicious soup recipes on Pinterest. There is only so much chicken broth a girl can eat. Since I can't find a potato soup that makes me happy, I am exploring other options.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Day 10
What a difference 10 hours of sleep makes! I slept until 8:30 this morning. (Not a major accomplishment to most people, but my children get up between 6:30 and 7 every single day, so 8:30 is amazing!) With a good night's sleep, I woke up ready to face the day. Not much new and exciting today otherwise. I did get some wax on the braces to help with the sores. We'll see in the morning if it worked.
Challenges for today:
1) NONE!
Good things about today:
1) Food! (Yep, food!) Here's a list of what I ate today:
*Breakfast: HMR Vanilla Protein Shake with Peaches, Chocolate Milk
*Lunch: Applesauce and Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Juice only
*Snack: HMR Vanilla Protein Shake with Pineapple
*Dinner: Chicken and Rice Soup (blended), Chocolate Milk
*Snack: (GET EXCITED) Vanilla Pudding with Cherry Pie Filling Goo(I layered the pudding and the pie filling goo in the syringe. It really was heaven. I will be stocking up on pudding and pie filling at the store tomorrow!!!)
2) I was able to read a story to the baby. There was lots of drool and spit, but we got through the story.
3) Got the wax in!
Things I learned today:
1) See above note about vanilla pudding
Things are looking up
Challenges for today:
1) NONE!
Good things about today:
1) Food! (Yep, food!) Here's a list of what I ate today:
*Breakfast: HMR Vanilla Protein Shake with Peaches, Chocolate Milk
*Lunch: Applesauce and Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings Juice only
*Snack: HMR Vanilla Protein Shake with Pineapple
*Dinner: Chicken and Rice Soup (blended), Chocolate Milk
*Snack: (GET EXCITED) Vanilla Pudding with Cherry Pie Filling Goo(I layered the pudding and the pie filling goo in the syringe. It really was heaven. I will be stocking up on pudding and pie filling at the store tomorrow!!!)
2) I was able to read a story to the baby. There was lots of drool and spit, but we got through the story.
3) Got the wax in!
Things I learned today:
1) See above note about vanilla pudding
Things are looking up
Friday, February 17, 2012
Day 9 - And the pendulum swings
So, today was a rough day.
Physically, I am feeling okay. I went without any medicine today and I did just fine. No Sudafed and no Motrin. Not a lot of pain today. The only "pain" to speak of is the fact that my mouth is torn up. There was so much swelling in my lips and cheeks that the skin pretty much stuck to the braces. Now that the swelling is down, there are sores in the shape of the braces on the inside of my mouth. Something is rubbing my cheeks in the back, but I can't tell if it's a wire or the brackets. The normal cure for that is dental wax. I can't get the wax into the back of my mouth. I know that a cure for these sores is gargling with salt water, which I HATE MORE THAN ANYTHING, so I will live with the sores. (I did find out that I am genetically cursed to have mouth sores. Explains why I have used dental wax at least once a week since I got the braces put on 23 months ago.)
On the other hand, I have chosen today to be my pity party day. Congratulations! If you are reading this post, you are invited! I don't have any other experience with surgery (yep, jumped right in the deep end with a doozy of a surgery!), so I don't know much about recovery. I am feeling better. I can see that the swelling is down and I stay awake for longer than three hours without taking a nap - see, better! Now I am ready to be back to normal. (Unrealistic expectation, I am well aware of that. But, it's my party and I'll whine if I want to!) I want to be able to eat something. I am tired of soup and protein shakes and applesauce. I am tired of putting everything into a syringe and catheter tube and gagging myself to make sure that the food doesn't get deposited on the OUTSIDE of my teeth. I am tired of being afraid that my children are going to hurt me if they come near me. (Again, unrealistic expectation. I have 3 little boys. They are busy. They moved and bumped and jostled me without thinking when I didn't have double jaw surgery.) I am tired of talking and not being understood. I am tired of being tired but unable to sleep. I just want to be better. I want to go home. (My parents are taking wonderful care of us! We are so thankful to be here and have their support. However, it's not my house or my stuff or where my husband is.) I want to be able to parent my children.
Challenges for today:
1) See above
Good things about today:
1) I got some Disney planning done! I have reservations for 3 meals at Disney and Sea World. I have an itinerary of what we are going to do when! I am so excited about our trip!
2) I am going to have some vanilla pudding for "dessert" tonight. Who would have thought I would be this excited over a box of instant vanilla pudding.
Things I Learned today:
1) I have super bionic preggo-like smell powers. When Russ was still here, I had to get out of bed because of his man stink. It was 6:00 in the morning and he had showered before he went to bed. His scent has never bothered me during a non-gestational time before. Joshua's can of baby puffs smelled bad today. I have never noticed them to have any sort of smell. Which may be why.....
2) Food tastes different. Some things taste different from before the surgery and some things taste different from day to day. Perhaps I am just crazy, but I am going to keep a tongue on this.
So...thus ends the pity party. Thanks for sticking with me! Can't promise it will be sunshine and rainbows from here on out, but hopefully today was the worst of it!
Physically, I am feeling okay. I went without any medicine today and I did just fine. No Sudafed and no Motrin. Not a lot of pain today. The only "pain" to speak of is the fact that my mouth is torn up. There was so much swelling in my lips and cheeks that the skin pretty much stuck to the braces. Now that the swelling is down, there are sores in the shape of the braces on the inside of my mouth. Something is rubbing my cheeks in the back, but I can't tell if it's a wire or the brackets. The normal cure for that is dental wax. I can't get the wax into the back of my mouth. I know that a cure for these sores is gargling with salt water, which I HATE MORE THAN ANYTHING, so I will live with the sores. (I did find out that I am genetically cursed to have mouth sores. Explains why I have used dental wax at least once a week since I got the braces put on 23 months ago.)
On the other hand, I have chosen today to be my pity party day. Congratulations! If you are reading this post, you are invited! I don't have any other experience with surgery (yep, jumped right in the deep end with a doozy of a surgery!), so I don't know much about recovery. I am feeling better. I can see that the swelling is down and I stay awake for longer than three hours without taking a nap - see, better! Now I am ready to be back to normal. (Unrealistic expectation, I am well aware of that. But, it's my party and I'll whine if I want to!) I want to be able to eat something. I am tired of soup and protein shakes and applesauce. I am tired of putting everything into a syringe and catheter tube and gagging myself to make sure that the food doesn't get deposited on the OUTSIDE of my teeth. I am tired of being afraid that my children are going to hurt me if they come near me. (Again, unrealistic expectation. I have 3 little boys. They are busy. They moved and bumped and jostled me without thinking when I didn't have double jaw surgery.) I am tired of talking and not being understood. I am tired of being tired but unable to sleep. I just want to be better. I want to go home. (My parents are taking wonderful care of us! We are so thankful to be here and have their support. However, it's not my house or my stuff or where my husband is.) I want to be able to parent my children.
Challenges for today:
1) See above
Good things about today:
1) I got some Disney planning done! I have reservations for 3 meals at Disney and Sea World. I have an itinerary of what we are going to do when! I am so excited about our trip!
2) I am going to have some vanilla pudding for "dessert" tonight. Who would have thought I would be this excited over a box of instant vanilla pudding.
Things I Learned today:
1) I have super bionic preggo-like smell powers. When Russ was still here, I had to get out of bed because of his man stink. It was 6:00 in the morning and he had showered before he went to bed. His scent has never bothered me during a non-gestational time before. Joshua's can of baby puffs smelled bad today. I have never noticed them to have any sort of smell. Which may be why.....
2) Food tastes different. Some things taste different from before the surgery and some things taste different from day to day. Perhaps I am just crazy, but I am going to keep a tongue on this.
So...thus ends the pity party. Thanks for sticking with me! Can't promise it will be sunshine and rainbows from here on out, but hopefully today was the worst of it!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Day 8 - Wow! You are braver than me
Why does the idea of double surgery strike fear into the hearts of every single person I talk to? Oh yeah, because it struck fear in MY heart when I first heard about it. Whenever someone finds out about the surgery, the FIRST thing they mention is the pain. Either people are very misinformed or I am doing something wrong. I think the biggest myth about double jaw surgery is that it is painful. I have not been in pain. I have been uncomfortable. I have been swollen. I have been sore. The worst pain I have felt in the last 8 days was surgery day when they tried to have me eat for the first time. It felt like the worst case of strep throat that I have ever had. Other than that - not a lot of pain to speak of. I have mentioned before that it really just feels like a bad sinus infection.
On that note, my swelling is down with the exception of my right cheek. It is pretty swollen still. It feels like it would feel better if I could blow my nose, but all of the yuck comes out of the other side.
The one big frustration I have right now is eating. Eating might be the hardest thing about the recovery. I gave up on the Jillian Michaels Whey Protein Powder because it was disgusting. I couldn't find anything to add to take away the yuck taste. So, I took it back and went to get a meal replacement shake from a doctor in town. I have had the shakes before and I know that I can make them taste good. In fact - they aren't that bad on their own. Besides the protein powder situation, I am also struggling with the syringe and tube feedings. The doctors were not very informative about eating after the surgery. They basically said that I could whatever I want as long as I blend it. In the hospital, I used a thin yellow tube because I couldn't get the red one they gave me through my teeth. The doctors tried to cut the end off the red tube, but that kept getting caught in my cheeks, so I am left with yellow. Now I am a little more adventurous with my eating, but the tubes seem way too thin. I will have to make do until next week, when I go back to the doctor. We are going to have to fix this little problem so I stop spraying food all over myself, the kids, and the house.
The one thing I have noticed is that my energy is up. I went with the baby to Little Gym this morning. (My mom went too just in case....) Since he is little, it's a parent/child class. I was able to do everything but run during circle time. I also stayed out of the way when 10 little ones had hula hoops and again when they had the balls. I could see someone not looking and something hit me in the face. We did some shopping after lunch and then came home for the afternoon. That wears me out! On the bright side - I am sleeping better at night. On the down side - I am yawning during the day. Yawning hurts.
Challenges for today:
1. Parenting. While this is, in fact, a challenge EVERY DAY, it is more so when I can't really talk to them and if they don't comply, there is very little I can do. I have to defer to my parents more than I would like.
2. Eating. See above
3. Sinus pressure
Good things today:
1. I am able to smile a little more today, so the baby is smiling back at me.
Things I learned today:
1. People really pay attention to themselves. I am sitting in the middle of a restaurant, feeding myself soup with a syringe and a tube and nobody is outwardly staring.
On that note, my swelling is down with the exception of my right cheek. It is pretty swollen still. It feels like it would feel better if I could blow my nose, but all of the yuck comes out of the other side.
The one big frustration I have right now is eating. Eating might be the hardest thing about the recovery. I gave up on the Jillian Michaels Whey Protein Powder because it was disgusting. I couldn't find anything to add to take away the yuck taste. So, I took it back and went to get a meal replacement shake from a doctor in town. I have had the shakes before and I know that I can make them taste good. In fact - they aren't that bad on their own. Besides the protein powder situation, I am also struggling with the syringe and tube feedings. The doctors were not very informative about eating after the surgery. They basically said that I could whatever I want as long as I blend it. In the hospital, I used a thin yellow tube because I couldn't get the red one they gave me through my teeth. The doctors tried to cut the end off the red tube, but that kept getting caught in my cheeks, so I am left with yellow. Now I am a little more adventurous with my eating, but the tubes seem way too thin. I will have to make do until next week, when I go back to the doctor. We are going to have to fix this little problem so I stop spraying food all over myself, the kids, and the house.
The one thing I have noticed is that my energy is up. I went with the baby to Little Gym this morning. (My mom went too just in case....) Since he is little, it's a parent/child class. I was able to do everything but run during circle time. I also stayed out of the way when 10 little ones had hula hoops and again when they had the balls. I could see someone not looking and something hit me in the face. We did some shopping after lunch and then came home for the afternoon. That wears me out! On the bright side - I am sleeping better at night. On the down side - I am yawning during the day. Yawning hurts.
Challenges for today:
1. Parenting. While this is, in fact, a challenge EVERY DAY, it is more so when I can't really talk to them and if they don't comply, there is very little I can do. I have to defer to my parents more than I would like.
2. Eating. See above
3. Sinus pressure
Good things today:
1. I am able to smile a little more today, so the baby is smiling back at me.
Things I learned today:
1. People really pay attention to themselves. I am sitting in the middle of a restaurant, feeding myself soup with a syringe and a tube and nobody is outwardly staring.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Day 7 - Medicine
The surgery was a week ago today. So much has changed since I woke up (or didn't) in recovery last week. My pain is pretty much gone. What I feel now is more like sinus pressure and a tingle sometimes in my chin. There is also sometimes pain in my jaw joint, but no more than when I was having the TMJ issues that started this whole thing.
I am finishing my antibiotics and am still taking Sudafed and Motrin. This is a HUGE reduction from what I started on. Here's a list, just in case you are interested:
Motrin - 40mL every 8 hours
Sudafed - 10mL every 6 hours
Amoxicillian (NOT the yummy pink kind, the nasty white kind) - 10mL twice a day
Hydrocodone - 15mL every 4 hours
Zofran - 1 dissolvable tablet as needed
Affrin - 2/3 puffs in the nose 2-3 times a day for 3 days, then wait a week and use again
Nasal Saline Spray - as needed
Bacitracin - for the stitches
Hydrocortisone cream - for dry lips
Peri Guard Mouthwash - use twice a day for 3 days
I use my spit bucket (cleaned and dried, of course) to keep all of my medicine in one place. I wrote out a list of what needed to be taken and how ofter, with a place to write the time so I didn't get anything mixed up. Also in the bucket - chapstick, medicine cups, extra syringe and tube.
I am finishing my antibiotics and am still taking Sudafed and Motrin. This is a HUGE reduction from what I started on. Here's a list, just in case you are interested:
Motrin - 40mL every 8 hours
Sudafed - 10mL every 6 hours
Amoxicillian (NOT the yummy pink kind, the nasty white kind) - 10mL twice a day
Hydrocodone - 15mL every 4 hours
Zofran - 1 dissolvable tablet as needed
Affrin - 2/3 puffs in the nose 2-3 times a day for 3 days, then wait a week and use again
Nasal Saline Spray - as needed
Bacitracin - for the stitches
Hydrocortisone cream - for dry lips
Peri Guard Mouthwash - use twice a day for 3 days
I use my spit bucket (cleaned and dried, of course) to keep all of my medicine in one place. I wrote out a list of what needed to be taken and how ofter, with a place to write the time so I didn't get anything mixed up. Also in the bucket - chapstick, medicine cups, extra syringe and tube.
Challenges for today:
Nothing new
Good things today:
Nothing new
Things I learned:
Nothing new
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Day 6
What a week! If the next 5 weeks pass as quickly as this one did, then I will be back to normal in no time!
Went to the doctor for the first week check up. They were very pleased with my progress so far. They were NOT pleased that the corpsman gave me too much Sudafed in the hospital. They also told me that they took a cyst out of my sinus cavity. Nothing serious, but I had no idea! Little blessing from having the surgery.
Made an extended public debut today - went from the doctor to lunch with the kids (Baked Potato soup at Jason's Deli - a little thick. I could only eat a little of it.) Then I watched them at Young Chef's Academy. After that, I was ready for a nap. Woke up for dinner (Twice Baked Potato - thinned out with milk - and applesauce. Totally Yummy!!). Took the dog for a little walk and now I am ready for bed again. I am not a fan of eating in public. That might be a little much. It doesn't help that I look like I have been choked - the bruises on my neck and chin are pretty nasty.
In other news, I am totally off the narcotics. They made me crazy last night - like I was paralyzed in my bed. Getting by on Sudafed and kiddie Motrin. Pain not as bad today. I did have a rubber band snap (after the doctor's appointment, of course), so I will be calling the clinic tomorrow to see what they say about it. I am feeling a little pain (but, it is time for the pain meds) and some clicking.
Challenges today -
1. Laughing HURTS!! I was trying to drink my fiber at dinner and put too much pressure in the syringe. The tube popped off, spraying the water all over the wall AND my 4 year old. His face was HILARIOUS. Don't need to laugh again anytime soon.
Good things about today -
1. It's Valentine's Day. What's not good about that??
2. I ate dinner for a long time today! (Granted, I didn't even get through 1/2 of a potato, but I ate more than I have all week!)
3. I got to take a walk. My daddy went with me and we got to have a nice, long talk. We don't get to do that enough.
Things I learned today -
1. People really do keep to themselves. Not too much staring when I was out and about.
Here's to 5 more weeks of getting better!!
Went to the doctor for the first week check up. They were very pleased with my progress so far. They were NOT pleased that the corpsman gave me too much Sudafed in the hospital. They also told me that they took a cyst out of my sinus cavity. Nothing serious, but I had no idea! Little blessing from having the surgery.
Made an extended public debut today - went from the doctor to lunch with the kids (Baked Potato soup at Jason's Deli - a little thick. I could only eat a little of it.) Then I watched them at Young Chef's Academy. After that, I was ready for a nap. Woke up for dinner (Twice Baked Potato - thinned out with milk - and applesauce. Totally Yummy!!). Took the dog for a little walk and now I am ready for bed again. I am not a fan of eating in public. That might be a little much. It doesn't help that I look like I have been choked - the bruises on my neck and chin are pretty nasty.
In other news, I am totally off the narcotics. They made me crazy last night - like I was paralyzed in my bed. Getting by on Sudafed and kiddie Motrin. Pain not as bad today. I did have a rubber band snap (after the doctor's appointment, of course), so I will be calling the clinic tomorrow to see what they say about it. I am feeling a little pain (but, it is time for the pain meds) and some clicking.
Challenges today -
1. Laughing HURTS!! I was trying to drink my fiber at dinner and put too much pressure in the syringe. The tube popped off, spraying the water all over the wall AND my 4 year old. His face was HILARIOUS. Don't need to laugh again anytime soon.
Good things about today -
1. It's Valentine's Day. What's not good about that??
2. I ate dinner for a long time today! (Granted, I didn't even get through 1/2 of a potato, but I ate more than I have all week!)
3. I got to take a walk. My daddy went with me and we got to have a nice, long talk. We don't get to do that enough.
Things I learned today -
1. People really do keep to themselves. Not too much staring when I was out and about.
Here's to 5 more weeks of getting better!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Day 5 - Things are Still Looking Up
It's been five days since the surgery. The highlight of the day was that I took my narcotics at 7:30 this morning and then again at 8:30 tonight so I can sleep! Yay! It hurts, but not in a shooting pain that makes me want to cry sort of way. It is a really achy, sinus infection hurting the teeth sort of way. I also got out of the house! I am showing some bruises on my chin and neck. There is an obvious fingerprint on my neck. It's not black and blue, a little more yellowish. Not bad enough to scare little children - that or people were just polite enough not to stare.
I tried not to go into this surgery and recovery with too many expectations. So far, things are going better than I thought they would. Tomorrow is the first follow up appointment with the surgeon. Looking forward to seeing what she has to say!
Challenges for today:
1. A Chick-fil-a milkshake, while delicious, is very cold on the back of my throat. Not going to be able to do that too often!
2. Taking the pain meds makes me tired. Not taking the pain meds makes me dizzy. The room did a lot of spinning today. Also had to go back to the nausea medicine after my car ride.
Good things:
1. I got to ride in the car to pick up the boys from school. It's hard to go from full time parent to pretty much hands off.
2. I snuggled the baby today. He even played with me a little. I just can't smile at him. Not even a little. Mouth won't do it.
3. My lips pretty much have feeling. One of the side effects of the surgery is losing feeling in parts of the face permanently. I was so afraid that I would never feel a kiss from my husband or children again. My cheeks and chin are still numb, but I can feel the baby's sweet, soft cheeks when I give him a kiss.
4. I didn't write a single thing today. If I needed to communicate, I said it. Talking makes me tired, but I can be an active member of society if I can talk. Not going to try the phone just yet. It's getting better, but I still need a translater.
Things I learned today.
1. Yawning hurts. (Did I mention that yesterday?) Goal for tomorrow - do whatever I have to do to keep myself from yawning.
2. Not all potato soups are created equal. Mom got me some that is smooth, but it had too much garlic. We will try again tomorrow.
3. My sense of smell is very heightened. I can smell lots of things and lots of smells bother me. It will be interesting to see if this keeps up.
4. I cannot brush my teeth because I can't swish the water around to rinse. Going to have to see what the doctor has to say about that.
Every day is better. Just because I am feeling better, I have to remember that I am still healing. There is no shame in taking a nap (or two) every day! The sooner I heal, the sooner I can be more helpful.
I tried not to go into this surgery and recovery with too many expectations. So far, things are going better than I thought they would. Tomorrow is the first follow up appointment with the surgeon. Looking forward to seeing what she has to say!
Challenges for today:
1. A Chick-fil-a milkshake, while delicious, is very cold on the back of my throat. Not going to be able to do that too often!
2. Taking the pain meds makes me tired. Not taking the pain meds makes me dizzy. The room did a lot of spinning today. Also had to go back to the nausea medicine after my car ride.
Good things:
1. I got to ride in the car to pick up the boys from school. It's hard to go from full time parent to pretty much hands off.
2. I snuggled the baby today. He even played with me a little. I just can't smile at him. Not even a little. Mouth won't do it.
3. My lips pretty much have feeling. One of the side effects of the surgery is losing feeling in parts of the face permanently. I was so afraid that I would never feel a kiss from my husband or children again. My cheeks and chin are still numb, but I can feel the baby's sweet, soft cheeks when I give him a kiss.
4. I didn't write a single thing today. If I needed to communicate, I said it. Talking makes me tired, but I can be an active member of society if I can talk. Not going to try the phone just yet. It's getting better, but I still need a translater.
Things I learned today.
1. Yawning hurts. (Did I mention that yesterday?) Goal for tomorrow - do whatever I have to do to keep myself from yawning.
2. Not all potato soups are created equal. Mom got me some that is smooth, but it had too much garlic. We will try again tomorrow.
3. My sense of smell is very heightened. I can smell lots of things and lots of smells bother me. It will be interesting to see if this keeps up.
4. I cannot brush my teeth because I can't swish the water around to rinse. Going to have to see what the doctor has to say about that.
Every day is better. Just because I am feeling better, I have to remember that I am still healing. There is no shame in taking a nap (or two) every day! The sooner I heal, the sooner I can be more helpful.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Day 4 - On the mend
I feel the need to start this post with a disclaimer: I love my husband. He is the love of my life....the father of my children....my other half. However, no matter how wonderful he is, nobody ever takes better care of you than your own momma. I put Russ on the plane today and I miss him terribly. I miss his love and support, but my momma just knows what I need. Thanks for letting us invade your house, Mom! Everyone is sick and I can't talk and mom and dad are taking care of us all!
Now back to our regularly scheduled update:
I have a chin today!!! I have never been this excited to see a double chin in my life! A double chin means the swelling is going down. Don't get me wrong, my face is still pretty round, but it's much better! I was only happy with one of my 3 "meals" today. I had a chocolate covered cherry protein shake for breakfast and it was delicious! I may be repeating it tomorrow. (For the record - I had beef broth and applesauce for lunch and tried an orange creamsicle protein shake for dinner and it just didn't work.) Tomorrow is Baked Potato Soup day at Panera, so I may be making my official public debut to get some. My debut will be short - I will have to bring it home to blend it so I can eat it.
Challenges today:
1. Yawning hurts. I can only yawn by lifting my palate, which was cut into three pieces. I am sure you see the problem.
2. The pain has moved to my teeth. It feels like a terrible sinus infection, but it can't be a sinus infection because I am taking antibiotics.
3. Blowing my nose is the best and worst thing that I have to do every day!
4. It's hard to get sweet potato thin enough to fit through the syringe.
5. I can't smile at the baby, so the baby won't smile back at me. It makes me sad.
6. Russ had to leave us today.
Things to be happy about:
1. I can talk. I get tired right before the pain meds are due, but most of my communication is with talking. Cavemen talking, but talking just the same.
2. The Nook reads to the boys. They sit on my lap and the Nook does all of the reading. I still get storytime with them!
3. I spend most of the day downstairs as part of the family. I was worried that I would be shipped upstairs and left alone all day, but that's not happening.
Things I learned today:
1. I am getting more than enough water. I am also getting more than enough exercise walking to and from the bathroom 100 times a day. It's like being pregnant.
2. My pain meds make me dizzy and tired. I want something to take the edge off, but it doesn't need to be a narcotic. We'll see what Doc says on Tuesday. Until then, the narcotic will just have to do.
3. I need to take a nap for about 30 - 60 minutes after I take my pain meds. It helps.
4. It's time to go grocery shopping. We thought we planned for the after surgery meals, but we failed to take into account that I would have some serious food cravings. (See mention of Baked Potato Soup.)
5. I can smell something and feel like I ate it. Mom and dad had popcorn after dinner. I took a big whiff and felt like I was eating it. May be good for self-control once I get the use of my jaws back!
Now back to our regularly scheduled update:
I have a chin today!!! I have never been this excited to see a double chin in my life! A double chin means the swelling is going down. Don't get me wrong, my face is still pretty round, but it's much better! I was only happy with one of my 3 "meals" today. I had a chocolate covered cherry protein shake for breakfast and it was delicious! I may be repeating it tomorrow. (For the record - I had beef broth and applesauce for lunch and tried an orange creamsicle protein shake for dinner and it just didn't work.) Tomorrow is Baked Potato Soup day at Panera, so I may be making my official public debut to get some. My debut will be short - I will have to bring it home to blend it so I can eat it.
Challenges today:
1. Yawning hurts. I can only yawn by lifting my palate, which was cut into three pieces. I am sure you see the problem.
2. The pain has moved to my teeth. It feels like a terrible sinus infection, but it can't be a sinus infection because I am taking antibiotics.
3. Blowing my nose is the best and worst thing that I have to do every day!
4. It's hard to get sweet potato thin enough to fit through the syringe.
5. I can't smile at the baby, so the baby won't smile back at me. It makes me sad.
6. Russ had to leave us today.
Things to be happy about:
1. I can talk. I get tired right before the pain meds are due, but most of my communication is with talking. Cavemen talking, but talking just the same.
2. The Nook reads to the boys. They sit on my lap and the Nook does all of the reading. I still get storytime with them!
3. I spend most of the day downstairs as part of the family. I was worried that I would be shipped upstairs and left alone all day, but that's not happening.
Things I learned today:
1. I am getting more than enough water. I am also getting more than enough exercise walking to and from the bathroom 100 times a day. It's like being pregnant.
2. My pain meds make me dizzy and tired. I want something to take the edge off, but it doesn't need to be a narcotic. We'll see what Doc says on Tuesday. Until then, the narcotic will just have to do.
3. I need to take a nap for about 30 - 60 minutes after I take my pain meds. It helps.
4. It's time to go grocery shopping. We thought we planned for the after surgery meals, but we failed to take into account that I would have some serious food cravings. (See mention of Baked Potato Soup.)
5. I can smell something and feel like I ate it. Mom and dad had popcorn after dinner. I took a big whiff and felt like I was eating it. May be good for self-control once I get the use of my jaws back!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Day 3 - Hopefully the Worst is passing
Today the swelling was supposed to be the worst. I think they were right. Big Doc (the attending) said that YESTERDAY would be the worst and today would be better. Little Doc (the actual surgeon) said that it would be worst today. She wins. I actually had lips and a couple of chins last night. Not so much today. My dad said that I look like one of the Klumps. Thanks Dad! Overall, it was a yucky day. I woke up too early because my back hurt and Russ was in my cold air. I have just felt bad all day. I think I went too long overnight without pain meds. I am trying to go a little longer than every 4 hours, but I can tell when it's time. Even the ice hurt today, so I tried a little heat. That felt pretty good. The highlight of the day was my shower. It was nice to get clean!!
Challenges of the day:
1. Feeling yucky after feeling a little better yesterday.
2. Starting to feel hungry. The family had pizza and tacos to eat today. I have a peanut butter and banana smoothie. Not nearly as delicious.
3. Boys are starting to get tired of being gentle and careful. The cold, wet weather didn't help and they were very bouncy today.
4. My lips are starting to fall off. Chapstick didn't help.
5. There is some nastiness in my nose. Thank goodness for Sudafed and tissues!!
Good things about today:
1. I got an okay nap this afternoon. I didn't even mean to.
2. The heating pad felt good. I wrapped it around my face and then wrapped the jaw bra around that to hold it up.
3. My shower! It was marvelous.
4. I was able to talk a little bit more. My brother could understand me on the phone. I was able to give the boys some verbal directions instead of just clapping to get their attention.
Things I learned today:
1. I didn't really need my bell. I got it in case I was upstairs and needed something. I haven't really been upstairs. The recliner downstairs is much more comfortable.
2. Thinking is hard and reading makes me tired. I am taking some online classes and I posted jibberish to get my posts in on time. Hopefully they make some sort of sense.
3. Recovering is hard work. I need the boys to go back to school so I can just rest in the mornings.
4. I am craving some baked potato soup. With some extra melty cheese that I can suck through my syringe. I will have it tomorrow!!
Challenges of the day:
1. Feeling yucky after feeling a little better yesterday.
2. Starting to feel hungry. The family had pizza and tacos to eat today. I have a peanut butter and banana smoothie. Not nearly as delicious.
3. Boys are starting to get tired of being gentle and careful. The cold, wet weather didn't help and they were very bouncy today.
4. My lips are starting to fall off. Chapstick didn't help.
5. There is some nastiness in my nose. Thank goodness for Sudafed and tissues!!
Good things about today:
1. I got an okay nap this afternoon. I didn't even mean to.
2. The heating pad felt good. I wrapped it around my face and then wrapped the jaw bra around that to hold it up.
3. My shower! It was marvelous.
4. I was able to talk a little bit more. My brother could understand me on the phone. I was able to give the boys some verbal directions instead of just clapping to get their attention.
Things I learned today:
1. I didn't really need my bell. I got it in case I was upstairs and needed something. I haven't really been upstairs. The recliner downstairs is much more comfortable.
2. Thinking is hard and reading makes me tired. I am taking some online classes and I posted jibberish to get my posts in on time. Hopefully they make some sort of sense.
3. Recovering is hard work. I need the boys to go back to school so I can just rest in the mornings.
4. I am craving some baked potato soup. With some extra melty cheese that I can suck through my syringe. I will have it tomorrow!!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Post Op - Day 2
I am feeling better today! I had a rough night sleeping. I was up every 3-4 hours for medicine and because I was so uncomfortable sleeping sitting up. When I heard the boys get up at 7, I made my way downstairs too start my day too. I am still not very hungry, so I am having to force myself to eat. It took me through breakfast and lunch to finish my protein shake today. I am keeping up with my water intake, I just don't have any interest in eating. I also started my fiber today to help get things going. My favorite meal of the day was dinner. I wanted to eat something "real" so I had some low-sodium chicken broth (don't need to add any sodium to the swelling) and some applesauce. I got to eat like a human!
Challenges of the day:
1. The clear plastic tubes for the syringes are not as flexible as the yellow ones. They rub my little cheeks.
2. I tried to catch up on the professional development classes that I am taking. That was work. It made me tired to try and read and think and post. We'll try that again tomorrow.
3. Talking. Doc said that I had to talk, so I am trying. It makes my jaws tired and tight. I might try talking a little less tomorrow.
4. Gunky throat. I am taking Sudafed for congestion, but there is still junk in my throat. Even if I can get it loose, I can't get it out.
Good things of the day:
1. I watched Newsies. It was awesome!
2. I was able to sit on the floor and play with the baby a little bit. It wore me out, but it was nice to be a little normal.
3. The swelling is going down a bit. I can see smile creases and my lips don't hurt from the swelling.
4. The big boys are trying so hard to read the notes that I write. They might be readers by the end of this adventure!
Things I learned today:
1. If I get up, I put on chapstick. The doctor warned that my lips could get dry and flaky and that will hurt, so I am trying to avoid it.
2. I came across a blog from a military wife named Sasha. She is a wonderful resource. She sent me recipes and a video of how she massaged her cheeks to make the swelling go down. She is setting up a website to help people going through this. Her website isn't up yet, but when it is, you should check it out: www.jawrecoveryplaybook.com
3. I need to rest a little more. I tried to stay awake so I will be able to sleep at night. I find myself falling asleep in the chair. Tomorrow I will try and take a nap.
Pain: 3 (Very sore and achy, but not painful.)
Swelling: 5 (One doctor said day 2 is the worst and another said day 3 is the worst. We will see tomorrow.)
Challenges of the day:
1. The clear plastic tubes for the syringes are not as flexible as the yellow ones. They rub my little cheeks.
2. I tried to catch up on the professional development classes that I am taking. That was work. It made me tired to try and read and think and post. We'll try that again tomorrow.
3. Talking. Doc said that I had to talk, so I am trying. It makes my jaws tired and tight. I might try talking a little less tomorrow.
4. Gunky throat. I am taking Sudafed for congestion, but there is still junk in my throat. Even if I can get it loose, I can't get it out.
Good things of the day:
1. I watched Newsies. It was awesome!
2. I was able to sit on the floor and play with the baby a little bit. It wore me out, but it was nice to be a little normal.
3. The swelling is going down a bit. I can see smile creases and my lips don't hurt from the swelling.
4. The big boys are trying so hard to read the notes that I write. They might be readers by the end of this adventure!
Things I learned today:
1. If I get up, I put on chapstick. The doctor warned that my lips could get dry and flaky and that will hurt, so I am trying to avoid it.
2. I came across a blog from a military wife named Sasha. She is a wonderful resource. She sent me recipes and a video of how she massaged her cheeks to make the swelling go down. She is setting up a website to help people going through this. Her website isn't up yet, but when it is, you should check it out: www.jawrecoveryplaybook.com
3. I need to rest a little more. I tried to stay awake so I will be able to sleep at night. I find myself falling asleep in the chair. Tomorrow I will try and take a nap.
Pain: 3 (Very sore and achy, but not painful.)
Swelling: 5 (One doctor said day 2 is the worst and another said day 3 is the worst. We will see tomorrow.)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Day 1 - Post Op
February 9
My day started with a 5am visit from one of the doctors on the oral surgery team. Then another visit from a different doctor from the team at 5:30. At 6, the WHOLE team came to visit. They poked and prodded in my mouth and told me that I could go home today. So the rest of the morning was spent getting ready to go.
The doctor was very excited about the procedure. She said it took a little over 3 hours and she didn't have to do any other procedures like she had anticipated. She was almost giddy that I was feeling pain. (Odd, I know.) But that means that she did not damage my nerves during the surgery. If I will be able to kiss my husband and my children and be able to feel it, I will take a few days of pain!
Challenges today:
1. Breakfast. My hospital meal consisted of orange juice, coffee, skim milk, and cream of wheat. The red tube that the surgeons wanted me to use wouldn't fit through my teeth. The yellow tube that I like to use is too thin for cream of wheat. Orange juice on an empty stomach is just asking to puke. I don't drink coffee or white milk. So, breakfast was water. I wasn't hungry anyway, but it would have been nice to try and eat.
2. Swelling. It hurts and it is ugly. My lips look like botox gone terribly wrong. Doc said I would have Angelina Jolie lips. She forgot to mention that they would be on a chipmunk face. Imagine Princess Fiona cheeks with Angelina Jolie lips. My face is so fat that it is pushing out of my beloved jaw bra. Luckily, my parents prepped the boys so they didn't run screaming when I walked in the door.
3. Medicine. I have 9 different medicines that are taken at 9 different times for different number of days. I came home and made a chart to help me remember what needs to be taken and when. So far, so good. I use my water syringe for my medicine, making sure that I clean the syringe and tube out between doses. These medicines are yucky. And, amoxicillian is supposed to be pink and yummy. Mine is white and nasty and that makes me sad.
4. Talking hurts. Big Doc (the attending, not the resident who did the surgery) said that I have to try and talk. I can get a few words out and people can sort of understand me. I love my white board, but I wore the pen out. Now I am on to paper and pen to "talk".
5. I itch. My nose itches. A lot. I scratch it, but it is a little numb. So, it still itches.
Good things from today:
1. I got to go home.
2. My boys were glad to see me. They have decided that their job is to respond to the bell. I came home to try and take a nap, but one of the boys sat right outside the door waiting for the bell to ring. When I rang it, they both came running to help me carry things downstairs. They were so sweet today and I missed them so much. The baby, however, doesn't know what to think!
3. I can kiss my husband.
4. I was able to eat 2 meals today. Lunch at the hospital was tomato soup (which I paid for with indigestion all afternoon) and apple juice. They also sent jello and ice cream (thanks guys!). For dinner, I had a sample protein shake from the health store and some water. Tomorrow I am going to start tracking nutritional values a little closer.
Overall, I feel like I got hit by a freight train. All I want to do is sleep, but I don't want to sleep all day and stay up all night. I also can't get comfortable sitting up. I am glad to be home.
Pain today: 7
Swelling: 7-8
My day started with a 5am visit from one of the doctors on the oral surgery team. Then another visit from a different doctor from the team at 5:30. At 6, the WHOLE team came to visit. They poked and prodded in my mouth and told me that I could go home today. So the rest of the morning was spent getting ready to go.
The doctor was very excited about the procedure. She said it took a little over 3 hours and she didn't have to do any other procedures like she had anticipated. She was almost giddy that I was feeling pain. (Odd, I know.) But that means that she did not damage my nerves during the surgery. If I will be able to kiss my husband and my children and be able to feel it, I will take a few days of pain!
Challenges today:
1. Breakfast. My hospital meal consisted of orange juice, coffee, skim milk, and cream of wheat. The red tube that the surgeons wanted me to use wouldn't fit through my teeth. The yellow tube that I like to use is too thin for cream of wheat. Orange juice on an empty stomach is just asking to puke. I don't drink coffee or white milk. So, breakfast was water. I wasn't hungry anyway, but it would have been nice to try and eat.
2. Swelling. It hurts and it is ugly. My lips look like botox gone terribly wrong. Doc said I would have Angelina Jolie lips. She forgot to mention that they would be on a chipmunk face. Imagine Princess Fiona cheeks with Angelina Jolie lips. My face is so fat that it is pushing out of my beloved jaw bra. Luckily, my parents prepped the boys so they didn't run screaming when I walked in the door.
3. Medicine. I have 9 different medicines that are taken at 9 different times for different number of days. I came home and made a chart to help me remember what needs to be taken and when. So far, so good. I use my water syringe for my medicine, making sure that I clean the syringe and tube out between doses. These medicines are yucky. And, amoxicillian is supposed to be pink and yummy. Mine is white and nasty and that makes me sad.
4. Talking hurts. Big Doc (the attending, not the resident who did the surgery) said that I have to try and talk. I can get a few words out and people can sort of understand me. I love my white board, but I wore the pen out. Now I am on to paper and pen to "talk".
5. I itch. My nose itches. A lot. I scratch it, but it is a little numb. So, it still itches.
Good things from today:
1. I got to go home.
2. My boys were glad to see me. They have decided that their job is to respond to the bell. I came home to try and take a nap, but one of the boys sat right outside the door waiting for the bell to ring. When I rang it, they both came running to help me carry things downstairs. They were so sweet today and I missed them so much. The baby, however, doesn't know what to think!
3. I can kiss my husband.
4. I was able to eat 2 meals today. Lunch at the hospital was tomato soup (which I paid for with indigestion all afternoon) and apple juice. They also sent jello and ice cream (thanks guys!). For dinner, I had a sample protein shake from the health store and some water. Tomorrow I am going to start tracking nutritional values a little closer.
Overall, I feel like I got hit by a freight train. All I want to do is sleep, but I don't want to sleep all day and stay up all night. I also can't get comfortable sitting up. I am glad to be home.
Pain today: 7
Swelling: 7-8
Surgery Day
Febraury 8
We headed to the hospital to start processing at 5:30. By 6:30, I was in the preop area and ready to go. Because the surgery was on my jaws, my anesthesia was a little different. I had to have the breathing tube down my nose instead of my throat. I remember getting my IV meds and wheeling into the OR. I don't remember much more than that. It took me almost 2 hours to wake up after the procedure. I remember just being tired. I wanted my eyes to stay closed. I wish I had just stayed a sleep. When I did finally wake up, I felt HORRIBLE! My throat hurt like strep, I still had a suction tube in my nose, and I was dripping blood everywhere. When my husband was able to come back, the doctor came in to check and update him on how everything went. I was pretty out of it for that conversation. The oral surgery interns and first year interns came to get me to take some x-rays at about 6:30pm. That was SO hard. I had to stand still for 3 xrays. They let me sit down between 2 and 3. They told me that I would be happy that I did them in the evening so I didn't have to do them at 5am.
I spent most of the evening in the ICU Step Down unit with a wonderful LTJG nurse. He was patient and gentle and kind. If I needed something, he went to get it immediately. After the Xrays, the team decided that I could be moved to a regular room for the night. My husband moved up there with me and my parents came up to visit. They all left at 9 or so.
First impressions -
1. Feeding myself was harder than I thought it would be. The jaw are wired shut all the way around. I thought I would slide the feeding syringe through my front teeth. WRONG! I have to slide it down my gumline and through my back molars to get it into my mouth.
2. The jaws are wired tightly. It hurts.
3. I always forget how hard it is to pee after a catheter. The nurse told me at 5:3opm that I had to pee by 6 or I would get another catheter. I spent that entire half hour trying to pee. Thank goodness it was a success!!
4. I feel like I have been hit by a truck. Then the truck backed up and ran me over a few more times.
5. I am having a love affair with the jaw bra and the ice packs!!
Pain overall today: 6
Swelling: 6
We headed to the hospital to start processing at 5:30. By 6:30, I was in the preop area and ready to go. Because the surgery was on my jaws, my anesthesia was a little different. I had to have the breathing tube down my nose instead of my throat. I remember getting my IV meds and wheeling into the OR. I don't remember much more than that. It took me almost 2 hours to wake up after the procedure. I remember just being tired. I wanted my eyes to stay closed. I wish I had just stayed a sleep. When I did finally wake up, I felt HORRIBLE! My throat hurt like strep, I still had a suction tube in my nose, and I was dripping blood everywhere. When my husband was able to come back, the doctor came in to check and update him on how everything went. I was pretty out of it for that conversation. The oral surgery interns and first year interns came to get me to take some x-rays at about 6:30pm. That was SO hard. I had to stand still for 3 xrays. They let me sit down between 2 and 3. They told me that I would be happy that I did them in the evening so I didn't have to do them at 5am.
I spent most of the evening in the ICU Step Down unit with a wonderful LTJG nurse. He was patient and gentle and kind. If I needed something, he went to get it immediately. After the Xrays, the team decided that I could be moved to a regular room for the night. My husband moved up there with me and my parents came up to visit. They all left at 9 or so.
First impressions -
1. Feeding myself was harder than I thought it would be. The jaw are wired shut all the way around. I thought I would slide the feeding syringe through my front teeth. WRONG! I have to slide it down my gumline and through my back molars to get it into my mouth.
2. The jaws are wired tightly. It hurts.
3. I always forget how hard it is to pee after a catheter. The nurse told me at 5:3opm that I had to pee by 6 or I would get another catheter. I spent that entire half hour trying to pee. Thank goodness it was a success!!
4. I feel like I have been hit by a truck. Then the truck backed up and ran me over a few more times.
5. I am having a love affair with the jaw bra and the ice packs!!
Pain overall today: 6
Swelling: 6
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Road to the Surgery
Wow! It's Surgery Eve. It is hard to believe that after 2 years, it is really happening. So, how did we get here? I have complained about jaw pain for YEARS! It would lock up when I was in high school and hurt. The dentist told me to get my wisdom teeth taken out and it would stop hurting. I got the wisdom teeth taken out when I was 22. The locking and pain didn't stop. The dentist recommended braces and I pretty much ignored her. I was 22 - no way I was getting braces. Fast forward to the year I turned 30. (I was still 29, for the record.) I had found a husband and had my first round of kids. (Twins, of course, becase we nevery do things the easy way!) The dentist recommended the braces again and I went for a consult at the orthodontist. He recommended a treatment plan that included the surgery. I said okay and the braces went on the week before Easter (March 30) in 2010. The following year, the orthodontist sent me to the oral surgeon for a consult. We are a military family, so I was sent to the military treatment facility. I am 7 months pregnant and am scheduled to move 8 months after the initial visit. The surgery team said that I didn't really need the surgery - that it was purely cosmetic. After 2 appointments and over 8 hours at the hospital, my pregnant hormones couldn't take in any more. The orthodontist got involved and the chief of the department called to say that I would be a candidate for the surgery. Of course, I was pregnant and moving, so he suggested I wait until the fall of 2011 (after the baby and the move) and have the surgery in Rhode Island, our next duty station.
So, we moved. I researched for days to find the perfect orthodonist who would use the hardware in my mouth and keep us on track to get these stupid braces off on time. I got to my first appointment and the doctor was not pleased with my original treament plan and wouldn't take my case. Found another guy. (As a side note....I LOVE the second guy! He's fantastic!!) Got an appointment with the oral surgeon and we started making plans. Well, the Navy laughs at you when you make plans. Tricare denied the surgery in the civilian sector in Rhode Island. (The fact that the procedure would be performed by a NAVY DOCTOR was beside the point. Because it would be done in a civilian hospital, it was denied.) It left me with two options: appeal or go to a Military Treatment Facility. After much deliberation (and tears), the circus travelled to Virginia for the procedure to be done at an MTF. The husband is here for a week. The kids and I will be here for 3. If the doctor releases me after 3 weeks of recovery, I will head back north and finish with the oral surgeon up there. We are staying with my parents and it has been an adventure already!
I think I am ready. We went shopping for all of the last minute things today and I prepped the big boys that Mommy has to go to the hospital and won't be home until Thursday. They are ready for me not to talk to them and and they are ready for the big band-aid. Tomorrow the husband and I will get up at an UNGODLY hour and make the trek to the hospital for the surgery.
Stay tuned for the recovery process!
So, we moved. I researched for days to find the perfect orthodonist who would use the hardware in my mouth and keep us on track to get these stupid braces off on time. I got to my first appointment and the doctor was not pleased with my original treament plan and wouldn't take my case. Found another guy. (As a side note....I LOVE the second guy! He's fantastic!!) Got an appointment with the oral surgeon and we started making plans. Well, the Navy laughs at you when you make plans. Tricare denied the surgery in the civilian sector in Rhode Island. (The fact that the procedure would be performed by a NAVY DOCTOR was beside the point. Because it would be done in a civilian hospital, it was denied.) It left me with two options: appeal or go to a Military Treatment Facility. After much deliberation (and tears), the circus travelled to Virginia for the procedure to be done at an MTF. The husband is here for a week. The kids and I will be here for 3. If the doctor releases me after 3 weeks of recovery, I will head back north and finish with the oral surgeon up there. We are staying with my parents and it has been an adventure already!
I think I am ready. We went shopping for all of the last minute things today and I prepped the big boys that Mommy has to go to the hospital and won't be home until Thursday. They are ready for me not to talk to them and and they are ready for the big band-aid. Tomorrow the husband and I will get up at an UNGODLY hour and make the trek to the hospital for the surgery.
Stay tuned for the recovery process!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
T-minus 7 Days - The Pre Op
February is finally here! I went today for my pre op appointment at the Naval Hospital. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I figured I would spend most of the daylight hours on this gorgeous 70 degree February day cooped up in the hospital. Luckily, I was wrong. I made it through the tunnel traffic, the gate, and the lack of parking spots and got to the clinic for my appointment. I waited less than 5 minutes before I was called back. After a check of my vitals (yep, my heart is still beating and I don't have a fever), the doctor came in to go over my pre op package. She reviewed the procedure - moving my upper jaw forward and up after cutting it into three pieces, and then moving my lower jaw forward to line up with the upper. She also went over the risks - nerve damage, tooth damage, additional procedures. This was all a review of the last appointment. She did have me sign an informed consent form, which had some interesting tidbits that I had not thought of. There was also some new information, which is pretty much just gross and I will spare you until it is actually happening. I got to try on my splints, which the doctor was VERY proud of! Luckily, they fit.
Things I learned today:
1. I will be carrying wire cutters on me at all times for 6 weeks after the surgery.
2. I will only be in the hospital for one night. From the doctor: "Sick people stay in the hospital. Surgery patients go home."
3. She may damage my teeth, which would then lead to a root canal, which won't hurt because I won't be able to feel anything.
4. I am getting old.
After my meeting with the doctor, I headed down to get some blood drawn. She wanted to know how much blood I have, so she knows how much I can lose during surgery. Not sure how I feel about that. I was done at the hospital and back home exactly 2 hours after my appointment time. Not bad considering I live 30 minutes away from the hospital!
Things I learned today:
1. I will be carrying wire cutters on me at all times for 6 weeks after the surgery.
2. I will only be in the hospital for one night. From the doctor: "Sick people stay in the hospital. Surgery patients go home."
3. She may damage my teeth, which would then lead to a root canal, which won't hurt because I won't be able to feel anything.
4. I am getting old.
After my meeting with the doctor, I headed down to get some blood drawn. She wanted to know how much blood I have, so she knows how much I can lose during surgery. Not sure how I feel about that. I was done at the hospital and back home exactly 2 hours after my appointment time. Not bad considering I live 30 minutes away from the hospital!
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