Post Op: The second week

I have returned from my second week appointment! Even though I'm ahead of schedule, as far as healing,  I still have some way to go. Around my jaw line and up my cheeks still have areas of swelling and waves of pain (mild-moderate). I havent had any pain meds in a few days. I will take it as needed.

Everything is healing quick. Stitches will start removing themselves soon. 2 of the 6 bands were removed and the muscles have stopped fighting so much (they are getting used to their new homes). Feeling is coming back on the left side of my face but the right still feels puffy and odd. My bottom lip feels like a pair of wax lips. The tingling has not gotten any better. Patches and waves of heat, throbbing and tinging…like if you rubbed a hot pepper on your skin

No crazy cyborg head scan this time, only a photo from my mother-in-law of me getting some stitches removed. I wish I had slightly less feeling.

Sinuses are returning to normal but I still have some irritation. I never thought I would miss blowing my nose so much in my life.  Still can not move my face too much, Ill have to (create and then) start smile therapy. About 3 more weeks and I will be able to begin exercise again. I am only allowed to walk for now…Hope my non-face muscles arent being eaten by my body.  I was hoping I could return to swimming laps but I can not submerge my head either. womp womp.

My Mother-in-law then took me out for a little relaxation. I needed a pedicure….and I never wanted to leave the massage chair.

Successful reintroduction into human behavior 

Weird blended food of the day: Mac and Cheese blended with milk…tastes good but you have to eat it quick before it turns into wallpaper paste.

P.S. its taken me almost 3 days to organize my bathroom…haha sooooo cleaning takes a little more energy than I currently have.

Post Op: The first week

I have made it one week! My face is still super swollen and puffy in awkward places. I still can not emote.

I actually am happy?

I went to the surgeon for my 1st check-up. Dr. Olsson was surprised by how much feeling has come back. He said "I split your face in half, you shouldnt have feeling yet"! They removed the bands, it was painful…because I have had a rapid reassembly of my nerves. I was asked to open my mouth and close it a number of times…that actually didnt hurt at all. I am worried that if I continue getting feeling back at a quick rate I will have a very hard time when they remove the splint from the roof of my mouth.

Here is what I look like now…under the skin (jarrett said I look like im mostly made of bike chains):

They replaced some of the bands, much lighter so now my jaw can move around a bit….which they dont want actually happening, haha. So now I have fear spasms in my jaw. They release the jaw a bit so that it has a chance to relax after being bound tight for a week. I just have to retrain my muscles and start getting my lips to move. I was also given enough wax to make a candle…

 Anyway, everything is looking to be in a good place, my teeth do not look like they will have any root damage. I expressed the sadness at not being able to blow my nose and I was gifted a very expensive antibiotic. My right sinuses are swollen and I am at risk of getting a sinus infection which could turn worse / prevent the bone from filling back in. Another disgusting flavor med…It also made me super nauseous. So the latter part of the day was less pleasant but Im on an upswing.

After an outing to Wholefoods to get more liquid food supplies (two more weeks before operation: chew) I knocked out. Just too much partying for one day.

I also got a new delivery from my friends Andrew and Jaime!

hmmm…very mysterious given they live in Texas

Another highlight, my favorite food today is Maple yogurt by Wallaby…liquid pancakes! Okay, time to cuddle up with the littlest nurse and take a nap.

Post op: feeling swell

 Feeling so swell…Still a pumpkin head and told it still could inflate some more. My night in ICU was okay, other than getting checked in on every hour and having my blood drawn at three am. The largest complaint I have had is the congestion, and swelling in my arms, fingers and legs. My body tried to turn into a balloon and float out the window. I was told if i could get up more and sit in a chair I could get some of the wires unplugged.

Looking rather square

The nurses all complimented my blue hair, telling me it made me look happy. Thats good, since I cant smile. My surgeon came to visit at 6am and told me everything went very well. I did not loose a lot of blood and I only had one little issue. My left bottom jaw bone started to splinter like an old piece of wood. He had to use a larger plate to connect everything. Just have to make sure the roots of my teeth were not damaged. I would hate to have a root canal after all this jazz. Thats what can happen when you no longer have teenage bones.

I was told I could go home after they did a 3d scan of my skull. Everyone told me they were supprised by how good i was looking for having such extreme surgery. I got a lot of visitors and basically had to take it easy before I was comfortable enough to get in a car to be transported.

Even tho other people having this surgery suggested a list of goodies to bring, I really hardly used any of it. The hospital was on top of everything. My night nurse Tim and day nurse Christy were so stinking nice. Christie even lives on my block so i threatened to call in a house call ;)

Finally got unhooked and headed home about 7pm. Jarrett had constructed an air matteress nest for me in the living room. so cozy. I was greated at home by some presents from friends and a huge number of messages and fb comments. Also this wonderful welcome home banner:

I zonked out with this as my view and slept 5 hours straight before needing my pain medication.

The Surgery: The Making of Pumpkin-head

I am still groggy and having trouble with focus, even tho the surgery was 3 days ago. The medication I am on takes quite a bit out of me. So I will write a few back-log posts about the last few days.

Point of no return:

Having surgery on your skull is terrifying. I was so nervous, I almost thought about running away. I got a ton of IV's… and then that meant i wasnt going anywhere. I got in at 6am into the pre-op room and it was about an hour of prep before they were ready to wheel me out to the OR. They gave me a sedative on the route to the OR and I was already out before I got into the room. 

Then… a bunch of surgery happened. It took exactly 4 hours. It took another 3 hours for me to come too enough for family to come stare at me. That I guess, was the scariest part because it took a while for me to start breathing properly without the tube. 

The league of mothers

Jarrett being stoic 

Only one person could come in to visit at one time so jarrett had my mom jump the line and go first. I dont remember anyone coming to visit, i just remember being moved to the ICU and how it was uncomfortable to be on the move. Once in my private room I did a lot of this:

Demolition Day

T - 10hrs until the dismantling of my skull!

I was so nervous when I woke up I could puke. The morning started rough, trying to get my head in the game. The waiting for the hospital to call between 2 and 5 to tell me when and where to show up was possibly the worst part. Got my giant latte and went for a 5 mile walk, running errands…calmed my brain or wore me out.

For a year now I have read other blogs from people going through similar surgery. I tried to put a kit together based on what others have found useful.

List of goodies for this adventure, hospital edition:

• Subtle large neck tee 
• Breathe right strips
• Eye mask that resembles a tiny strapless bra
• Baby tooth brush
• Cool touch tissues
• Face wash wipes for sensitive skin
• Epic chapstick
• Terry Prachett Novel
• Surgeon's info card
• Phone Charger
• A book of pre-written answers and questions for pointing to while groaning
• Hand held mirror - so I know where my facial features are
• All the PJs
• A healthy fight or flight reflex

My final pre-surgery meal has also been ingested… chicago stuffed spinach pizza.

Anyway you slice it, I have to show up at 6am (so its almost like I am hoping a flight to SDCC, right?). Now I just have to remember I cant eat or drink water any more. If I get any sleep I will be very surprised…