August 1, 2012
NEW SCHEDULE
SPLINT: I only have to wear my splint for one hour during the day and all night. I am also always sure to wear it when I am doing Pilates or running. This may be a little overkill at this stage in the game, but I don't want to risk any damage to my joints until I get the "all clear."
FOOD: I'm still on the soft diet with one soft chew meal a day. I never really was one to have super strong cravings for food, but I get them pretty badly now. And, I have found that not wearing the splint all day allows me to eat more often. Ha, I have gained back all of the weight that I lost due to the surgery. But I am still exercising daily and doing Pilates, so everything is still in check. (I'll report back once I get the clear to actually eat normally again.)
THERABITE + JIGGLES: As a result of wearing my splint so little during the day, I got word from Dr. P's office that I could scale back my Therabite and jiggle exercises to three times/day. This has been helpful, because it is harder to remember to do the exercises when I'm not taking the splint in and out all day long. Now I just do my mouth exercises when I remove the splint when I wake up, in the afternoon, and before bed.
JOINTS: I have noticed crunching sounds and occasional popping noises in my left joint when I do my Therabite and jiggle exercises. Dr. Piper assured me this was a normal part of the healing process and could be from the new growth on my left side. Noise or no noise, both of my joints are still pain free!
September 4, 2012
8 Months Post-Op
I cannot believe I am only one month away from the 9 month mark. The first four months seemed to last forever, but these last four months have really gone by quickly. I think it has been the combination of being super busy and leading a normal life again. Thank goodness for the summer!
Fall Weather
I'm not sure how it has been where you live, but the summer was super dry in Arkansas. We got very little rain and tons of 100+ temperatures. Over the last few days I have noticed a little facial muscle and neck achiness that I have not experienced in quite some time, as the temperatures are starting to drop and rain has finally come our way. It's nothing that an Aleve cannot rectify, but I thought it was worth noting.
For me, everything else is going well. I'm just plugging along and continuing to do Pilates, exercise, eat a healthy diet, and take all of my vitamins and supplements. I cannot wait for my 9 month appointment with Dr. Piper. I just want to know if I can be finished with this splint and surgical braces and move on, or if I will need to keep them for three more months. The suspense is killing me! I am a planner and I just want to know one way or the other. I keep telling myself that patience is a virtue...
