One month!

Not much to update but can't believe surgery was a month ago today!  10 more days until next oral surgery appt.....

Saturday photos

Here are the photos from today... I see major improvement over the past week and lots of people at work have been commenting on how much the swelling has gone down.  For the past week, I've had lots of popping and crackling in my left ear.  I finally called the surgeon's office yesterday and the PA said that it isn't likely related to the surgery. I was surprised because I assumed the swelling/irritation had aggravated my Eustachian tube and that was causing the popping.  She recommended Sudafed so I am now taking that.  Seems to be helping.  I am fighting a cold so that may be a part of it, too.  I have also had popping in my right jaw even with movements as small as swallowing (can't be much movement when your jaw is banded shut!).  That seems to be going away-- much to my relief.  PA said that typically goes away with some jaw exercises and when the jaw joint gets lubricated again (I guess from use/movement?).  My final issue of the week is sore teeth on the lower jaw. I am attributing that to the pressure caused by having my teeth closed 23+ hours a day.  I hope/assume that will be gone once I am open again or once the orthodontist starts moving my teeth into a more final position.  My final question for the PA was about when I get these bands off.  She said typically 6-8 weeks.  I see the Oral Surgeon at 5 3/4 weeks so I may be disappointed at that appt... might have more time banded shut.  But, we will see.  Many of his patients are on liquid for 6 weeks and I only had 3 weeks so maybe there is hope for getting these bands off on the earlier side!!!   Either way, I am almost a month post-op and that is really exciting!

2 more weeks?

Not much really to report... today is my last day of shortened days at work so I am back on a normal routine next Monday.  I feel ready, but I am sure I will be exhausted by the end of the week (especially with Halloween activities).  My next visit with the Oral Surgeon is on November 8th which is two weeks from today.  I am hoping that we decrease the use of the bands at that visit.  I cannot wait to get these dang bands off my teeth!!!!  Eating has improved significantly since those first bites of pancakes.  I am eating mac n cheese, muffins, bananas, brownies and enchiladas.  Not the healthiest diet but hopefully I can cook some things this weekend that will be a little healthier.  I've lost 6 1/2 pounds as of now so I need the calories....

First bite!

I had a few bites of pancake this morning. Felt fine, but weird. Hardest part is opening wide enough to get the bite in :-)

Day 20!

2 days until chewing!!

Well, the chewing is so close that I can almost TASTE it!  I can't wait to get some increased variety in my diet.  This past week I started to have some stomach issues, which I now think were due to high acid foods.  That was on Wednesday/Thursday so on Friday I changed how I was eating.  I switched over to smashing up soft foods and just swallowing, instead of relying on protein shakes and soups.  I even ate a hamburger on Friday night.  It isn't the easiest way to eat but it is much more satisfying!  On Tuesday we are going out to one of our favorite local places (Michael's Trattoria) and I am going to indulge in lobster ravioli. So very exciting!

Other than that, recovery is going well.  I have a minor click in my right jaw and some increased pressure in my left ear that makes it feel like it needs to pop constantly.  I am sure both of these will go away as my body continues to heal... still lots of swelling to go down and the muscles need to adjust once I start chewing.

One last thing.... It think the stitches are dissolving.  I hadn't been able to get up the nerve to look at them but I finally looked today and I only saw two.  Not sure if there are more (farther up that I couldn't see?) but if there are only two left then things are really healing.  The two I saw were on the inside of my upper lip.

Talking through closed teeth all day is very exhausting, especially when I am in noisy environments.  By the time Kenan goes to bed each night, I am usually completely DONE with the day and ready for bed.

That's the excitement from my world!!  I will post eating pictures on Tuesday!

Day 16, I think...

It isn't easy doing selfies!!  These aren't great pictures but it is the best I can do.... the swelling continues to decrease.  Some coworkers think they even noticed a difference between Tuesday and Wednesday.... I am pleased with the decrease in swelling.  I think my face was extra puffy over the weekend and that seems to be gone.  The bruises are almost gone.  No pain from the stitches that I experienced a few days ago... I still haven't gotten the nerve to look at them but the inside of my lip looks much better (but I would only look so far!).  I think my countdown should change from days post-op to days until soft-chew food!!!  I think I have 5 days left of liquid only. I already dreaming of chewing food again!!!  I feel for those people who can't eat for 6-8 weeks post-op.  I am lucky to only have 3 weeks of liquid!!!!   Amazingly, I have been able to maintain my weight, so that is great news in terms of healing.  Work is going well and I am able to make it through 1/2 days but I definitely feel tired at the end of my 4 hours.

Back to work!

I returned to work today... good to be back and see everyone!   Everything went smoothly... no real update other than the fact that I am more tired than I expected.  I have been home about 40 minutes and really need to get up and motivate myself to get something to eat (I mean, drink!).  I need to save my energy for tomorrow :-)

Day 13!

Day 13 photos. I woke up to some extra swelling under my right eye but I think it was just from sleeping on my right side. Already declining. My face is puffy and that will probably take months to go away.  Back to work tomorrow :-)

Day 11

Not much to report today.... the only differences are that the swelling continues to improve and that I am starting to regain feeling in my upper lip.  I am happy to get the feeling, but it also means that I am more aware of how badly shredded the inside of my upper lip is with the stitches.  It hasn't caused much pain but occasionally I get a zing that reminds me of the stitches.  I think it is still a week or two before those dissolve but hopefully the pain will stay mild.

Guess that's it :-)

Day 10!

Day 10!!  Today is my last official day of medical leave... Monday is a holiday so I go back to work on Tuesday.  My first week back will be 50% time each day and then the following week I will work 75% time as I regain my strength.  I am hoping that as I get on to more solid foods (not for another 11 days- boo!) then I will have more energy.  Brian is traveling next week so I am thankful that I am still on a reduced schedule since I will be doing all of the parenting and cooking next week.  I am thankful for a tremendously supportive work environment and I look forward to being back to 100%!

As you can see, the swelling and bruising continue to decrease nicely.  Not much really to report.  I am completely tired of protein shakes and pureed soups.  Last night, I did something I didn't think I would be able to do and I pureed a real meal.  I bought a nice prepared Shepherd's Pie and tossed it in the blender with some broth.  I stood over the warmed mug of mush and cried.... it looked like liquid dog food and didn't smell much better.  I managed to choke it down and fortunately it wasn't as bad as it smelled/looked.  But, for now, I think I will stick to the soups.... I am going to go meet Brian at work and maybe head out for lunch.  I have no idea what I will eat, if anything.  

As you can see in the last picture, I can SMILE!!!  Still looks a little funny b/c my lip is stiff and swollen but it is nice to be able to smile again!

Day 8!

Here are the Day 8 pictures... Can't believe I came home from the hospital a week ago!  So much has improved since then!  As you can see, most of the swelling is in my upper lip.  It is still fairly stiff and hard to move around, but that is improving.  The bruising is in my upper lip and on my jaw line.  I am just so thankful that this process has gone as smoothly as it has.  We've really not had any set-backs, so that is great.  The oral surgeon had told me pre-op that he would loosen the bands at one week.  Yes, he did loosen them, but not to the extent I was imagining!  I guess I was a little disappointed by that.  Tomorrow, I will make a minor configuration change to how they are put on and maybe that will open me up a little bit???  Otherwise, I'm stuck with talking through my teeth until early November.  That's great for a Speech Pathologist, huh???  I am going to try to get out of the house some today.... I have to take Kenan for a quick appointment and also go to his parent/teacher conferences.  Other than that, just need to get MORE chicken broth-- the substance we use to liquify everything that goes in my mouth.  Amazing how much we go through!!!!  I don't think it will work on liquifying Halloween candy :-(  Guess I will miss most of that fun this year (but my waistline is happy about that!)

Thanks to all of you for reading this and caring about my recovery!  I am so thankful for the cards, emails, texts and messages that I get each day.  They are a real boost to me!!!

Follow up appt

Had my first follow up appointment today. He took the rubber bands off and I was able to open my jaw. Felt totally weird and was short lived... Banded again (which I knew was the case) but I can take them off to drink my meals and brush my teeth. Also, can change the configuration later this week to make them slightly (?) looser. I see him again November 8th. 

Day 6 and bruises!

Mom left this morning so I am on my own. Woke up early but feeling good and ready for the day. Just got back from taking K to the bus stop... Maybe time for a rest!  I think my big move for the day is that I am going to move off the sofa at night and into the guest room. Can't believe the first week is almost behind me!!!!!  So exciting to see the improvements!  The bruises are turning different colors now and the swelling is waaaay down.  I don't think the bruises are a good representation of what they did to my face during surgery!  My smile is coming back.... but I learned the hard way yesterday that laughing is not a good idea.  Mom brought a childhood video for us to watch and there was one clip that really got us going.... I had to go outside to calm myself down and not laugh-- that hurt a TON!

Day 5

Not much to update.... we went to Celebrate Wallingford yesterday for a short time and that was too much.  I was pretty scared to be in any type of crowd so I was very happy to get out of there after about 45 minutes.  Also, with my lack of appetite, my energy levels are low so I didn't have enough in my tank to do that.  Learned a lesson and stayed home all day today :-)  I still try to get out for short walks each day in the neighborhood, just to be outside!  No pictures today but I will try to get some tomorrow.

• Sleeping through the night but usually wake one time for medicine and in some discomfort.  
• Biggest issue seems to be nasal congestion, which makes breathing difficult.  
• Eating is a challenge but I am trudging through that.  We are at the point that I need to force calories (something I've never experienced in my life!!!).  I ate an entire milkshake today, so that was good.  Brian is making a soup for dinner tonight that we will blenderize and I will drink.  
• Mom leaves in the morning :-(  She's been a tremendous help in so many ways
• I can't lift anything over 5 pounds for 4-6 weeks so no housework for me :-)  Sorry, Brian!
• Some doctors suggested that I would be able to go back to work after one week-- NO WAY!  Wow, can't imagine being back at work this week!  I should be fine by next week but I need more recovery time.
• I go to see Dr. Steinbacher on Tuesday for a follow-up.  We anticipate him loosening my bands.  I continue on a "blenderized" diet until October 21st or so but at least I will be able to get food in a little more easily and hopefully BRUSH MY TEETH!!!  I can't wait!

Day 4

Here are the latest photos... My right side isn't nearly as bruised as the left.  My lip is evening out and the swelling is starting to decrease. Each day has some challenges but we are focusing on the small improvements. Hoping to get out of the house for a short time today but I'm not sure where I want to go!  I have a follow up with oral surgeon on Tuesday and I anticipate a slight loosening of the bands that are holding my jaw shut. Can't wait to brush my teeth again... But not sure when I can open that wide!  

Day 3 update

Today has been a much better day than yesterday.... each day I am noticing small improvements and feeling a little stronger.  For the first few days, breathing was an issue and that really peaked yesterday.   Kinda hard to breathe with your mouth banded shut and your nose stuffed up!  I was able to stay calm through that and Brian and my mom were able to find ways to get me breathing more easily again.  Today, the congestion has really declined so that is a huge improvement!  You can only use the nasal spray for 3 days so I am pretty much done with that.

I am thankful for all those that have stopped by or sent cards and flowers.  Hearing from people is a great boost for me!  We may try to get out some this weekend.   I'll try to post a picture or two this weekend.

x ray

Might be hard to see but this is my new face!  On my upper jaw, there are four titanium plates and screws holding my jaw in place.  From what I have been told, my jaw will be weakest at 10 days post-op.  I am scheduled for a follow up next Tuesday at 1:30 pm, during which I anticipate that my bands will be loosened.  I just had my first ice cream- thinned significantly with milk but it was amazing!!!!!

Lunch!

Creamy potato soup via syringe

Day 2

I slept pretty well last night. Up at 2 am with a bad headache (that has been one of my biggest issues since surgery). Took some good meds and was able to sleep until 5:45. Feeling well rested so that helps. I get to eat "real" food today... Meaning not clear liquids!  Protein shake and espresso to start the day :-). Makes me happy. Kenan did well bit was a little shocked to see me like this. Very hard to not be able to talk to him!  Swelling should peak in next 24 hours. Ready to see that decrease!  This is emotionally challenging but physically not too horrible. Movies and rest on tap for today!

Home

First of all, thank you to everyone for your kind words and supportive comments.  The surgery went very well and I am healing up nicely.  My face might be a little more swollen than it was in the picture this morning.  The swelling should peak tomorrow and then start declining.  I will post something tomorrow.

The surgery started about 7:30 am and I think I was done just after 11.  Took me a couple of hours to wake up (a little longer than normal).  They took me to a room on the pediatric floor (?) and then moved me to the 15th floor of the Oncology hospital.  I had my own room and it was very clean and quiet.  The night went okay but with all of the nurse checks and machine beeps I didn't get much sleep.  The oxygen machine went off all night long- I am fairly certain something was wrong with it b/c my levels fluctuated very quickly.  This morning, I was seen by Dr. Steinbacher's team and then by one of his PA's.  I also had a jaw x-ray (Brian may scan this for me so I can post it) and was seen by a SLP (feeding specialist).  After a little bit of a wait I was discharged around noon.  Now, I am home and resting.  Kenan should be home from school in a couple of hours and I am excited to see him.

Guess that's it for now.  I am well stocked with supplies (on a clear liquid diet all day today).  Can't wait to have soup or something yummy tomorrow!!!!

Looking rough

Long night but doing well. Should go home today. Will update more when not hooked up to machines 

Out of surgery

Surgery started about 7:30 and Brian and mom met with doctor about 10:45. Doctor said all went well.

Did top jaw and removed three wisdom teeth. Brian just visiting.