20 Weeks and 2 Days Post-Op

Today I'm feeling very tired. Sam and I got back from Spain at 1:30 Tuesday morning. (It was an amazing trip!) I don't know if it is the jet lag or getting used to taking my meds in this time zone, but I am feeling quite exhausted and have a constant headache. I am trying to stay hydrated, and have cut back on chewing. I am chewing more soft food for now. My jaw is very tense. I think it's due to the rubber-bands I wear at night. I have to remember that I still have a lot of healing going on...I may be nearly 5 months post-op, but with the extensive surgery I had I understand it takes time.

Pain- 4-5/10

Numbness- Bottom lip (with twitching), some chin, most of my gums

Opening (ROM)- about 30-32mm

I think the cold weather is also a factor as to why my face/jaw have been hurting more. The positive is that my bite still feels good as long as I am wearing the bands as I need to (only at night). I do have more energy now, which is awesome; however even I forget that I am not back to 100% which causes me to be more tired. Also getting back into "real life" means more real life stresses...such as applying for jobs...I just need to take everything in strides and keep myself on the right track for staying healthy.

Me & Sam in Spain
Smiling on through tired eyes :)

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 26, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    Cute picture! I'm glad you're still recovering. :) You look great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 26, 2010 at 8:00 PM

    You must have had an amazing trip!

    Although you had a pretty radical surgery five months ago, I'm surprised to read that you score that high on the pain scale. Did your surgeon say to expect that?

    ReplyDelete
  3. marycMarch 26, 2010 at 8:10 PM

    My pain level varies during the day, but I feel a constant pain/pressure in my joints. I have extensive condyle resorption & arthritis that is trying to heal after years of damage. My surgeon says that with time and the medication I am on, my joints will get better. They will never be 100%. I do have better days than today, but I just try and deal with each day as they come. :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1 Year Post-Op!

Image
Day 365 Days Post-op - 11.4.2010 This was the fortune I got the week before my surgery. I decided to keep it as my good luck charm. Before and After Profile Here I am, 1 year post-op and smiling on ! It's hard to believe it has really been a whole year since surgery. In the last couple of weeks I have been getting those same feelings I had last year before surgery (stress, anxiety, fear, etc). PTSD of sorts perhaps? I am so incredibly glad that I do not have to mentally and physically prepare myself for such an intense surgery this year! It was 100% worth it, but as my other post-op jaw buddies know, it is very stressful! Besides recovering from the enormous surgery over the past year, I have also been getting back into teaching! I could not be more happy or excited! :) I am currently a cooperating teaching a local kindergarten classroom. We have the greatest class, and it is great to finally be doing what I love!  My ROM (range of motion) is at 35mm which is in the ...
Read more

Day 40 Post-Op...Hook Pain

Image
Last night (Sunday night) I had an appointment with my Orthodontist (Dr. C) and my NYC Dentist/Periodontist (Dr. Mac). The appointment was from 8:15 to nearly 10PM. It was a good appointment to see them both and hear what they have to say about my surgery (all positive). Dr. Mac worked on stabilizing my teeth a bit. I had some metal on metal contact with the bands in the back. My biggest concern at the moment is the hook. Below is a picture of the screw on the top, I connect the band from the screw to the wire hook (that is in my jaw bone & through my flesh). As stated in my last post, this pain is excruciating, stomach churning, pain. Last night Dr. Mac put a special topical ointment on the area before attaching the band and I could still feel it. The Dr's discussed how to maybe alleviate some of the pain. The solution last night was to put the band under the top wire (shown below) instead of going over it. This did not see to feel any better last night, and today it just made...
Read more

2 Years Post-Op Update

Image
Here I am, 2 years post-op and  smiling on ! Last year at this point I had some PTSD of sorts from the anxiety of my surgery. This year I am celebrating my 2 year anniversary, but I didn't have any anxiety! Yay!   I am still so happy I had the surgery, and my life is forever better for it. I recently saw Dr. Gunson here on the east coast for a visit, and he continues to be pleased with my recovery. In the past year I was finally able to get a classroom of my own! I have 16 amazing Kindergarten students, and I could not love it any more! It is truly my dream job, and I went through at lot to get where I am. I'm not sure of my current ROM (range of motion), but it isn't even a concern for me. I eat apples at least 3 times a week, and I don't usually have to choose foods that are really soft. I do have days where my jaw is more sore because of stress. I am still  working with my physical therapist on neck and shoulder tension related to how my body holds stre...
Read more