So nothing spectacular today...but I was able to brush my teeth, with a real toothbrush! Well, ok it's a Dr. Seuss toddler's toothbrush but so what! It works! Things feel good, I'm getting more feeling back into my upper lip which is sweet! It's a pins and needles feeling but I can feel it! The swelling is slowly going down. If you draw a straight line from right under your eyes down to your chin that's where most of the swelling is still concentrated...and some still in my lips.
I still can't tell exactly what my face will look like because of the swelling...and I don't want to make any judgements yet but, I can't help but sneek looks and think "wow, I have a chin! how cool!!" So I'm pleased so far!
That's about it...me and Chris are having a "24" tv series marathon today and being lazy. I still have to remind myself to drink more. I've never been good at drinking enough water or anything during the day. But I know it will just help me get better. I can sort of drink from a cup but it's a bit messy so I'm still sticking with the zip n' squeeze. It's just much easier!
I see the oral surgeon on Friday so hopefully I'll get good news and maybe get cleared for semi-solid foods. (I'm crossing my fingers Erin!!)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
First Public Debut
So me and Chris went out to CVS today out in PUBLIC!! I couldn't tell if anyone looked at me funny, I was trying not to make eye contact!! But it felt good to be out except for all the tourist traffic! I even blowdried my hair for the occasion...ok not all the way but at least part of it. I feel fine minus the swelling. Just a little bit off-balance because my ears feel clogged like having a head cold.
Another milestone too...I finally got to semi brush my teeth! Ok so I can't quite brush them with a toothbrush but I used one of those little pipe cleaner looking things. Proxabrush I think they are called. I got to all the teeth I could between the elastics, splint and braces...oh my! But even just the little bit I got to, felt so good! Then I rinsed with diluted Peroxyl since I can finally close my lips...most of the way, I still drool some out when swishing! What a sight huh!
I had another thought too as we were driving today. So, in a 1,000 years from now some archeologist might dig up my bones and see all these little metal screws and plates! What will they think?! I guess they'll find alot of people with metal parts. Just a random thought...they happen alot to me. Chris has gotten used to the 'out of nowhere' things that come out of my mouth!
Well gotta go see what I can blenderize for dinner. Oh yeah only one more penicillin pill to take!! Thank god...those things taste nasty when crushed! yuk!!
Another milestone too...I finally got to semi brush my teeth! Ok so I can't quite brush them with a toothbrush but I used one of those little pipe cleaner looking things. Proxabrush I think they are called. I got to all the teeth I could between the elastics, splint and braces...oh my! But even just the little bit I got to, felt so good! Then I rinsed with diluted Peroxyl since I can finally close my lips...most of the way, I still drool some out when swishing! What a sight huh!
I had another thought too as we were driving today. So, in a 1,000 years from now some archeologist might dig up my bones and see all these little metal screws and plates! What will they think?! I guess they'll find alot of people with metal parts. Just a random thought...they happen alot to me. Chris has gotten used to the 'out of nowhere' things that come out of my mouth!
Well gotta go see what I can blenderize for dinner. Oh yeah only one more penicillin pill to take!! Thank god...those things taste nasty when crushed! yuk!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
bored, bored, bored
Home still. I'm getting pretty stir crazy which makes me think of what else...food! I did make a nice strawberry ice-cream and banana milkshake today. Yum, that was good. Chris went to help one of our friends move his family into base housing. So I've been on my own for a good chunk of the afternoon, but within cell phone reach of him if i need him.
We had a good laugh yesterday coming home from the doctor's appointment. We live on base so you have to stop and go through the security gate everytime you enter the base. Well, the guard gave me a wierd look as we went through. After he let us pass I turned to my husband and said "I wonder if they think you beat me or something?!" We both laughed and he said when we returned from the hospital the guard hesitated and gave him a look like 'should I be worried?'. I should wear a sign or something!
Well, it's time to go drink some dinner...
We had a good laugh yesterday coming home from the doctor's appointment. We live on base so you have to stop and go through the security gate everytime you enter the base. Well, the guard gave me a wierd look as we went through. After he let us pass I turned to my husband and said "I wonder if they think you beat me or something?!" We both laughed and he said when we returned from the hospital the guard hesitated and gave him a look like 'should I be worried?'. I should wear a sign or something!
Well, it's time to go drink some dinner...
Friday, July 27, 2007
First Dr Visit with pics! what a day!
Post-Op 1 week!
My first post-op OS visit was today. I was a little hesitant...i know i've been babying my face but I'm sure Dr B wasn't gonna as much as I did! But, things went well. I got there and right away they wisked me into one of the exam rooms. They took a panaramic x-ray then Dr B took a look around. I can't really feel my upper lip and bottom of the nose 100% yet, so someone moving it around felt SO strange! He asked me to bite down and i told him how i wasn't really sure where to bite down! So, with some help i found it and he added...3 elastics (yes the triangle form!) from my top brackets to my bottom ones to keep my jaw in line. One is right in the middle of my two front teeth then one a couple of teeth to the left and right of it. They are not so bad. I can still open my mouth fine but there's just more stuff in the way when I try to drink through my straw! At first my muscles felt really tense when he did it, but i guess they are just not used to being in that spot. I have to give them time to get used to it...but it already feels better than it did at first.
He said everything looks fine and the swelling went down alot! He said my lips really got a beating during surgery. I have a small mouth so he had to do alot of stretching. He said he did a similar surgery on Wednesday and it took 2 hours shorter just because she had a bigger mouth!!! I said "sorry"!
It was nice to be out and about. We actually stopped by one of my husband's co-workers that was moving into base housing. I just wanted to drive by to see where they were gonna be but to our surprise they were there. Chris asked if i wanted to stop or just wave. But, i felt fine and i know they already knew what i went through so i wouldn't have any scary looks! My first encounter with outsiders! Being outside gave me a burst of normalcy and confidence that i won't be locked away in my tower forever!
Oh to those who were curious...my splint covers the roof of my mouth, the back of my teeth and wraps around the bottom of my top teeth enough to lock them in place. I wish just the back of my teeth were just covered like some of you!!! It really is like putting a huge piece of taffy on the roof of your mouth and teeth!!
Well, that's about it for now. Chris just went out to go grocery shopping...he getting me some ice-cream! yum!!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I need a tic-tac...or twelve
Ahhh, a real night's sleep. Last night i actually slept for almost 7 hours straight! I still have funky dreams...like the one where i had a wad of Laffy Taffy stuck to the roof of my mouth and i couldn't get it all out no matter how much i pulled out!!! (For those who haven't had the first hand experience--that's what having the splint in is like...a big piece of taffy shoved on the roof of your mouth and against your teeth!!)
I can sort of make my lips touch today but it's definitely a strain! But an improvment. I'm not sure where to bite though. Because my nose is stuffed up most of the time, i'm a mouth breather during the day! But my OS said my bite is where my bottom teeth feel like they 'click' into the splint. I think I found it but it feelt wierd when I do it! I guess that's cuz I don't really know what a 'real' bite is supposed to feel like. But I'm still swollen so I'm not going to pass judgement just yet as to what it feels like. I know my muscles need to get used to the idea of a new bite just as much as i do! But I trust Dr B and he said everything fit together just the way they were supposed to in the operating room. I'll just have to be patient.
Tomorrow I have my first post-op appointment with Dr Bravman. I feel so bad that my breath stinks! I'm sure they are used it but, yikes. I tried to swoosh (more like put it in my mouth and roll my head around a bit) with some Peroxyl diluted with water yesterday. It was nice and minty but i couldn't really get it around the top of my mouth where it needs it the most!! But I'll give it another college try before we go tomorrow afternoon. At least they'll know I tried not to be stinky!
I can sort of make my lips touch today but it's definitely a strain! But an improvment. I'm not sure where to bite though. Because my nose is stuffed up most of the time, i'm a mouth breather during the day! But my OS said my bite is where my bottom teeth feel like they 'click' into the splint. I think I found it but it feelt wierd when I do it! I guess that's cuz I don't really know what a 'real' bite is supposed to feel like. But I'm still swollen so I'm not going to pass judgement just yet as to what it feels like. I know my muscles need to get used to the idea of a new bite just as much as i do! But I trust Dr B and he said everything fit together just the way they were supposed to in the operating room. I'll just have to be patient.
Tomorrow I have my first post-op appointment with Dr Bravman. I feel so bad that my breath stinks! I'm sure they are used it but, yikes. I tried to swoosh (more like put it in my mouth and roll my head around a bit) with some Peroxyl diluted with water yesterday. It was nice and minty but i couldn't really get it around the top of my mouth where it needs it the most!! But I'll give it another college try before we go tomorrow afternoon. At least they'll know I tried not to be stinky!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Post-Op Pic
Ok, ok here they are the post-op pics (ta-dah!) I still can't quite close my mouth all the way so my profile isn't quite right yet...
Side shot--notice the lovely bruising and tape residue on my face! nice!
The drool bib!!! Never leave the couch without it!
Looks...familiar...hmmm......
Drowning in Drool
Post Op Day 5
I feel good today. Got a bath and actually washed my hair--what a grease trap that was! I've been able to sleep better at night, although i just wish i could sleep normal and not propped up on the couch. But, the reclining couch is better than nothing! My lips are getting closer but not able to get them to touch quite yet. Fish face is still in full effect, which makes me drool ALOT! Everytime i look down or sit up a long spittle of drool starts to flow. I always have a washcloth on my chest or in my hand to catch the water slides!
I can't get the sticky residue off my face from my chin being taped up! We tried baby oil, then rubbing alcohol, even nail polish remover--nothing is taking this off! I tried the old standby of soap and water with a washcloth which loosened some of it but i can't scrub too hard--i'm too sensitive in spots still. Any suggestions on getting this goop off would be much appreciated!
I think that the mornings and right before bed is the hardest times of the day. That's when I feel the pressure and muscle aches the most. So I've been able to get away with taking my pain meds less then before. I do get times where I just get frustrated with eating, drinking, or just not feeling totally comfortable. Then i get snipy and my poor husband gets the brunt of it. But i know he understands i'm just frustrated and it has nothing to do with anyone else.
well, my husband is conked out on the couch next to me with one of our cats, Jasmine, sleeping on his lap. how cute! i'll let them sleep a while longer...till i have to wake him up to help me!
I feel good today. Got a bath and actually washed my hair--what a grease trap that was! I've been able to sleep better at night, although i just wish i could sleep normal and not propped up on the couch. But, the reclining couch is better than nothing! My lips are getting closer but not able to get them to touch quite yet. Fish face is still in full effect, which makes me drool ALOT! Everytime i look down or sit up a long spittle of drool starts to flow. I always have a washcloth on my chest or in my hand to catch the water slides!
I can't get the sticky residue off my face from my chin being taped up! We tried baby oil, then rubbing alcohol, even nail polish remover--nothing is taking this off! I tried the old standby of soap and water with a washcloth which loosened some of it but i can't scrub too hard--i'm too sensitive in spots still. Any suggestions on getting this goop off would be much appreciated!
I think that the mornings and right before bed is the hardest times of the day. That's when I feel the pressure and muscle aches the most. So I've been able to get away with taking my pain meds less then before. I do get times where I just get frustrated with eating, drinking, or just not feeling totally comfortable. Then i get snipy and my poor husband gets the brunt of it. But i know he understands i'm just frustrated and it has nothing to do with anyone else.
well, my husband is conked out on the couch next to me with one of our cats, Jasmine, sleeping on his lap. how cute! i'll let them sleep a while longer...till i have to wake him up to help me!
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