Hi Everybody!

"Hi Dr. Nick!"

(simpson's quote)

Here's the 411, the ammo, the hash, lowdown, hot poop, what's what, the inside story...about my jaw

Let's start at the beginning:

Well, to be totally honest, the surgery was a bit traumatic for me.  The prep wasn't too bad.  I tried to make everything light-hearted by cracking lame jokes to the doctors and nurses. 

They had me hooked up to an EKG monitor, put a tube in my nose that hooked me up to an oxygen tank and finally an IV for the moment when they'd put me under.

I sat there in the cold, sterile room for a good 45 minutes before it all began, which wasn't too bad, because I sat there playing with my EKG monitor.  You know to see how I could change the little waves on the screen, ie. flexing muscles, breathing slowly, etc. 

 

During this time, I contemplated whether I wanted to try to remain aware during surgery.  I knew they would give me an anesthetic that would render me unconscious for the entire procedure, but I also knew that if I really wanted to, I could remain alert, for the most part. 

The idea of being totally knocked out and not in control of my body, made me scared.  

So although, I dreamed of pink fluffy clouds and fuchsia stilt walkers, I remained alert of most conversation and all of the yanking and pulling they had to do.   

I am beginning to forget details, but a week after the surgery, I could recount a lot of what happened during that traumatic experience in the clinic.  

In the end, I was so grateful for what the oral surgeons had done (i say surgeonS because there were 3 of them altogether.  One operating, one assisting, one stabilizing my jaw, aka holding it)

that I woke up at 5am the night after my surgery and wrote thank you letters to both Doctors.

I think I embarrassed them when I gave it to them...Oh well.

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One month later

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I am doing very well!  I am not in pain.  Occasionally I feel some aching in my jaw, but I'm guessing that's just due to the healing process.  

To keep the holes in my jaw nice and clean, I have to irrigate my hole AND my tube after every meal.  Kind of gross/cool to see what comes out!

My next appointment is set for April 15th.  They'll probably do some xrays then to see how my jawbone is doing.

Every now and then I get a little anxious for really chewy/crunchy foods, but I am reminded by family members that I ought to be careful.  They're smart to tell me so.

Thank you again for praying for me and encouraging me when I've been sad about this whole situation.   I express gratitude to my Heavenly Father for you and pray for you also.

Photos will be shared of THE TUBE, but that will be posted later and with GREAT WARNING, for anyone who is REALLY squeemish.