My pain is gone! Since I've been feeling so much better, I've been getting out of the house and interacting with others a lot more. We've seen lots of movies, gone out to dinner with friends, and had family and friends come to stay with us. One of the best visits was when my sisters and step-mom came for a shopping weekend extravaganza.
I've embraced the splint and really gotten used to it. People still do double takes, and make random/ inappropriate comments, but I just brush them off. I am getting on with my life in a normal way (well, as normal as it can be, when every minute of my day is scheduled because of the splint breaks, exercises, and medications).
Now, for the most part, people understand what I say when I'm speaking with my splint in. I guess practice makes (almost) perfect. My ear scars are gone, and my stomach incision only gets sore after I've been wearing pants. But, hey, did you catch that? I'm wearing actual pants again! Really, my only complaint is that when I talk a lot with my splint in, I get muscle fatigue in my facial muscle. All in all, I am feeling fabulous, and I am so HAPPY I had the surgery.
Monday, March 26th
At the end of March, it was time for me to head back to St. Petersburg for my three month check up. I was a little nervous about flying for the first time, since I get motion sickness really easily, and I didn't know how the pressure would affect my ears.
I followed all of Dr. Piper's flying instructions, said my prayers, got out my HAPPY ROCK, and Jay and I were off.
{Happy Rocks are a tradition my Mom started when I was little. She brought them back when I had my surgery. I've been carrying one with me everywhere I go for the last three months. It helps remind me to CHOOSE JOY.}
Thanks to Dr. Piper's precautions, the flights were a breeze, and my ears weren't affected at all! As far as no-chew airport food goes, all I can say is thank goodness for frozen yogurt and Starbucks! Changing my splint in the airport made me cringe a bit, but I got through the layovers with ease.
ST. PETE
It was surreal being back in the hotel where I was so puny and out-of-it after surgery. We were randomly placed in the room right next to the one we stayed in for two weeks. Talk about deja vu. Jay snapped a new picture of me in my hall feeling healthy...
Tuesday, March 27th
7:40 am Appointment
My appointment started off with a new CT Scan. Next, measurements were taken of how wide I could open and move my jaw from side to side. Thankfully, my bite hadn't shifted, and was still in the same position Dr. Piper placed it in during surgery. Lisa also adjusted my new splint. Dr. Piper came in, went over my measurements and we talked about my progress, and how I was feeling. He was very pleased that I was meticulously sticking to my daily medicine/break schedule, and that each week I continue to take two private Stott Pilates lessons, run/walk at least 5 times, and perform daily neck + shoulder exercises from my PT, and therabite + jiggle exercises for my jaw. He surprised me when he said, that at this point, my range of motion was about 10-12% ahead of most people. I was a little worried that I would be behind because I still hadn't gotten to #5 on the therabite. But, I guess listening to my body, and not pushing myself, has allowed me to heal just the way I should.
Finally, we reviewed my CT Scans together on his big screens. Everything looked really great. Dr. Piper showed us that my fat grafts were looking healthy and holding strong. There could possibly even be new bone growth on my condyles, which is rare for someone my age. He reminded me of the importance of continuing to take all of my vitamins and supplements for bone health. At my six month visit we will know for sure if new bone is forming, but for now, either way, I am just happy that I don't have any joint pain at all.
Overall, my appointment went better than could be expected. I was only a little sore and tired afterwards. It was great to see Dr. Piper, Lisa, and Tonya when I was feeling so good. The appointment lasted for about 2 1/2 hours. We didn't fly out until the evening, so afterwards we went for a 5 mile run/walk along the bay, and then lounged by the pool, until it was time to head to the airport. It felt so good to be back at the Vinoy, my home away from home, and actually feel good enough to enjoy the resort. I'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!
Wednesday, April 4th
New 3 Month Post-Op Protocol
I now get to focus on the time I am in my splint, rather than the time I am out. I wear my splint for 2 hours time periods, 4 times per day and at night. For me, this translates into 1 1/2 - 2 hour breaks.
CHEWING
Dr. Piper also wants me to chew, on the sides of my mouth, not the front or the back, one soft food 3-4 times per week. So far I have done this with things like scrambled eggs, banana slices, and cut up meatballs. I am very careful never to bite with my front teeth, as he said this will crush my fat grafts.
MEDICATION
Dr. Piper wants me to remain on all of my daily vitamins, supplements, and nightly Trazodone to prevent clenching in my sleep, however, I get to wean off of my Klonopin. Each week I am decreasing my dosage by 1/4 of a pill, until I am off of it. This will take me 5 weeks. Then, if all goes well, I will just take it as needed.
The True Test
For the past 3 months, I have pretty much just focused on me. I needed this time to heal and deal with all the emotions that come with a major life changing surgery, and a splint that hangs around for 9 months. I truly believe that I am feeling so good because I have, as my family put it, funneled my perfectionist personality into getting better.
But, then life happened and it wasn't about me anymore. My Grandfather had to have Open Heart Triple Bypass Surgery the same day we were flying to my check-up with Dr. Piper. After a couple of days in the hospital, he wasn't doing so well, and I knew without question I needed to go be with him.
I headed to St. Louis the day after we got back from St. Pete. Everyone was really worried about me taking care of me, because I am an emotional person, and I have been known to overdo it for those I love. But, I knew I was feeling good, that I could be strong for him, and that nothing was more important than being by his side. Staying with him in the hospital for 5 1/2 days, when he was so nauseous and in a lot of pain, really made me appreciate everything my Mom and Jay did for me. It is so hard to watch someone you love suffer. I could empathize with him, and encourage him in a very real way.
After the first few splint breaks, I got over my phobia of changing my splint in public places. I can do it anywhere now. The hospital turned out to be the perfect place for a soft diet, too. Papa didn't feel good enough to talk most of the time, and with my splint in I couldn't talk much, so it all worked out perfectly. It was enough that we were together. I stayed on track with my splint breaks and talked to the doctors and nurses as best I could. Thankfully, after a long stay in the hospital, he was released on his 83rd Birthday.
Once he was released, I was all over organizing his medication, walking, and eating schedule. I knew all too well what it takes to get through those first few weeks. I couldn't have made it without the love and support of family, and I knew that was what he needed as well. Plus, it helped that I have become an excellent protein shake chef.
Through all of the stress and worry, I never started clenching, having any joint pain, or headaches. This was when I really knew that my surgery had worked! It has changed my life.
Here I am with my Papa + Granny on Easter. Doesn't he look great?
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." -Pope John Paul II
