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