I'm Back {Month Two}

For the first time in YEARS, I feel like ME again! I didn't even realize how different I had become, until I started feeling so much better. Pain really takes the life out of you. Now, I wake up in the morning ready for the day. I don't feel groggy and grumpy. I'm not tired all of the time, and I don't feel anxious anymore. I am back to my old HAPPY-GO-LUCKY self. I feel like a huge pressure has been lifted off of me. This has been the Greatest Gift of All.

PROGRESS
Pain- My overall pain has been a Level 1. For the most part, I only have quick, sharp pains (Levels 5), when I am doing my Therabite and Jiggle exercises. This is also when I hear the cracking or cellophane noises in my ears. I am still on the number three hole on my Therabite. Once, while I was talking with my splint out, my left joint popped and hurt pretty badly. However, when these things happen, the pain comes and goes quickly.

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Stamina- I do have to be honest, after a few hours of hanging out with friends, and trying very hard to speak clearly enough to be understood, I get exhausted and feel some pain. I try not to overdo it, because speaking and smiling a lot, with my splint banded in place, makes my masseter muscles fatigued and very sore (Level 4-5). But, resting and applying the heating pad always help. No discomfort is constant, and I am still headache free!

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Stomach Incision- The incision has healed very well. I continue to put Mederma on it, and massage the scar tissue daily. It has flattened out a lot, and the hard tissue underneath the skin is now only about one inch in height by three inches long. I still haven't been able to wear a pair of jeans or regular pants, but I am making progress, as I am now able to lie flat on my stomach. But, to be totally honest with you, I'm loving the comfort of the Legging Lifestyle ;).

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Ears- As for inner ear pain, I've had very little. Like the other pains I have, it is always fleeting and usually only happens when I am speaking with my splint out. I can now place the sides of my head on a pillow. I always sleep on my back, to keep the pressure off of my ears/jaw, however, if I'm on the sofa, it is not painful for me to lean my head on a pillow. The top parts of my ears are still sensitive to the touch, and they do hurt if they get cold. I also have to be careful when I'm blow drying my hair, but my ears are healing very well. Physically, no one can even believe I've had surgery, and my sideburns are growing out. 

TIP- Bundle up! I am lucky that this has been one of warmest winters on record, as the cold really makes my ears, facial muscles, and joints get sensitive. When you're out in cold weather, try not to linger too long, and be sure to wear a scarf, hat/ear band, and gloves. These items will make a big difference in how you feel. I suggest fleece for items touching your ears, because it is softer, stretchier, washable, and doesn't itch. Make sure your ear/head items are not too tight. You don't want to defeat the purpose. And by the way, there is no need to look frumpy when you bundle. Mix things up with your Scarf Style...

TIP- Once you've gotten cold, it's important to apply Moist Heat! Using my heating pad helps to relieve my facial pain. Taking hot baths also helps. Due to my lack of good circulation, my hands and feet are always cold (even in the summer). Dr. Piper explained that the blood flow and circulation in the hands and head/jaw joints are related. Thus, it is important for me to always wear gloves (even inside when needed), and stay as warm as possible.

Monday, Feb. 13th 

Dr. Piper Phone Appointment

The morning of the appointment, I faxed in my Progress Report. During our call, Dr. Piper asked how everything was going, if I was still fitting into my splint properly, if I was clenching, and about my pain levels. I let him know that I was doing very well. My splint still fits the same as it did when I was in St. Pete, I have not felt that I have been clenching at all, and, for the most part, I only have fleeting pain in my joint and facial muscles when I am talking or doing my Therabite and Jiggle exercises.

Next, he asked if I had any questions or concerns. I did. I asked him when I would be able to start running again. Dr. Piper gave me the go ahead to start back up. WooHoo! 

My only concern was that several weeks ago, I began having severe sensitivity to cold on one of my top teeth, which never bothered me before. Dr. Piper said that sometimes the bands can torque the tooth, exposing the root. He suggested that I move the band off of that tooth, and place it in a different location, until he could check on it at my 3 month appointment. This has helped a lot.

TIPS- Other things that help with my tooth sensitivity are to use a Prescription Sensitivity Toothpaste, called NeutraMaxx, which I obtained from my local dentist, to always use WARM WATER in my Waterpik and when brushing, and to use a straw when drinking cold liquids.

Thursday, Feb. 16th
45 Minute Breaks
Having a 45 minute break means for the first time since my surgery, I was able to eat outside of my home. The extended time allowed me to meet a friend at TCBY, and get home in just enough time to clean and band back up. This was a huge day, because...

It's also really relaxing to take a shower without the splint, so I don't have to worry about drowning ;). Overall, longer breaks give me so much more FREEDOM and a renewed sense of NORMALCY, which makes an enormous difference.

Friday, Feb. 17th

I'm a RUNNER again!

I've been walking a lot, but have not run since the night before my surgery, so I didn't really know what to expect. I decided to try it with Scout for the first time. I much prefer being outside in the fresh air, hearing the birds, and tackling the hills, to running at the gym. So, I bundled up and took off. 

Much to my surprise, I made it one mile before the cold air (making my nose run), and the Hoover Dam in my mouth, made it impossible to get enough air! I know it's not far, and I physically felt like I could have kept going, but the breathing was a challenge the entire time. My inability to breathe easily will be my biggest obstacle as I run. I also have to really focus on not pushing myself too hard, so I don't clench, and/or make my stomach incision hurt. 

I'm sure the people who passed me were wondering why I sounded like I had a serious case of emphysema, and looked like a puffer fish, but it felt so good to be out. No matter how ridiculous I sounded and appeared, I'm going to keep up the running (with Scout of course, and luckily she doesn't mind the noise).