Jaw Surgery Resouces

I might have already shared this, but here are some of the blogs and websites I used to help give me knowledge and preparation.

http://throughthewire26.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-10-22T10:43:00-07:00&max-results=7

doublejawsurgery.com

archwired.com

Triumph...and fails

I'm way overdue for an update. Tuesday last week was my first visit to the ortho since surgery. It was kinda exciting because everyone there congratulated me on a successful surgery and said that it looked good. Dr. O said maybe 6 more months of braces, so latest would be February 2017. That would be appropriate considering I had them put on February 2014 near valentine's day. It would be a great triple decade birthday gift to myself to have them off!!!
Anyways, I had a continuous wire across my top teeth put on (in place of the sectional ones I had before). No tpa arch at the roof of my mouth. Another praise!
I do have to wear a rubber band on the left side across 3 top and 3 bottom teeth. This is to pull them together so they meet. I'm finally in the winding down stages.
I'm allowed to bite in front...yay. except I still physically cant. I try and my teeth don't bite. I end up pulling on the food.
I've tried eating crackers, bread, and pizza. I haven't been too successful on that. I can only fit a finger all the way through when I open my jaw. Trying to get two in.
I was really frustrated this week because the radiology department sent me what I thought was x rays of my jaw. They sent like 5 cds. Turns out all of them are cat scans of my head looking top down. The is completely useless to me. Now I have to call them again and have it resent. My friend B works at kaiser in the next department. She said she could get them for me. That'd be awesome, but she has a lot on her plate so we will see.
So, progress is being made. Steven foes back to work tomorrow so I'm on my own with Abby. It should be fine I think...

I can haz sushi?

I am almost back to normal as far as energy levels are concerned. Been able to take longish walks, make dinner, and have normal conversations.
I still have a lot of numbness in my chin, upper lip, and inner cheeks. Yawning also hurts.
Today I tried eating sushi. I had to mash it with a fork and I couldn't eat the crunchy bits. Some of it got on my face and I couldn't feel it. A friend had to tell me it was there. Oops.
I attempted to chew, but I can only chew on the right, since my left molars don't meet. I was gone all day and forgot my rubber bands and anti biotics.
The stiches on the left side actually came out and left the incision site open. I called the surgeon and emailed her, but she didn't return my call. Luckily it's not bleeding and doesn't hurt, so I'm hoping everything is ok.
Going to the orthodontist on Tuesday for stronger rubber bands and the continous arch.
Abby is cutting her third tooth in the upper. She still has a runny nose, but seems to be on the mend.

Open and say Aah!

So I can smile, although I'm still numb around my mouth so I can't smile normally yet.
I can open my mouth as far as I can fit one finger in.
The molars on the left don't meet together, so I have to wear a rubber band to pull them close together.
Next Tuesday I have an appointment to have a continuous arch put in, so no front biting until then.
Chewing feels weird. It feels like I have dentures. Sticking to soft foods for now

Unwired! Day 12

This morning we left to go to Kaiser oakland. We made really good time and I got my x rays done early. The x ray machine had a case of the Mondays so it took awhile to get it up and running. I got to see my 6 plates under the x ray, which was cool.
After that we got some breakfast.

After trying to drink chocolate milk and spilling it all over my white pants, we headed upstairs to maxillofacial.
Steven had to go to the bathroom, so I was left with a fussy baby trying to escape the stroller.
Moments later....

I was unclipped!!!!

I vigorously brushed my teeth like I've never brushed before. I couldn't open my teeth more than a millimeter, so I didn't brush the back. I'm working on jaw stretching.
I have a mild infection on the right, so I was prescribed anti biotics. And my molars on the right are open, so dr. O put in a rubber band to pull them together.

Now I'm going to eat some mac n cheese.
Hallelujah!!!

I can smile!!! Well, kinda

My hair is a bit messy today due to all the work we did.

First Restaurant Experience since Surgery and the Soup Fail

Today was a big day. Steven started his Workbench Project, which he spent almost 8 hours on. He employed the help of both neighbors, and a friend (who came later). He was busy sawing large pieces of plywood, while I attempted to organize files and such. Abby came down with a cold yesterday, so her nose has been running constantly. She finally took a pretty good nap around 1:00, so I was able to get a lot of work done.
Then my dear friend Rachel came over, along with her boyfriend Chris. Chris helped Steven on his project, and Rachel helped me organize my books and scrapbooking stuff. It was so nice to have more help!
Around 6, we all were pretty tired so we decided to go out to dinner.
We settled on the Alehouse in town. They ordered delicious nachos, fish and chips, and a burger with garlic fries, while I attempted to communicate to the waiter that I wanted pureed soup. He said they could run it through the food processor.
So everyone's food came, and I waited...and waited...and waited...
My soup finally showed up and it was in a bowl...with a spoon. I attempted to use the spoon and it dribbled down my face. So I gave up, and spooned it into a to go cup.
Once we got home, it was still a bit chunky, so I ran it through the blender again. We microwaved it in a cup, and then I had to figure out how to eat it. I tried the syringe with a tube attached, and it was so difficult to suck it up. Then I had to find my pointy syringe and wash it. After that, I was able to suck it up, but once it got pretty low in the cup, I had to ask Steven to tilt the cup so I could angle the syringe to get the rest of the soup. I will admit, I did not have the best attitude about this and I did lose my temper...a little bit. But, I'm a redhead, so I'm allowed right?

9 days post op

Today I finally decided to crawl put of my shell and act like a human being again.
I washed the dishes, cleaned the humdifer, put away laundry, and decided to actually do my hair and makeup.
I was starting to feel like a helpless victim,  feeling depressed with no light at the end of the tunnel.
Last night, my dear friend Yvonne came over and brought me some coloring books and pencils. She also had heard about the tragic cookie jar incident and brought me her parents old bear cookie jar. So sweet. I'll post a pic of it later.
We made smoothies and watched some dancing with the stars. We are still at the beginning of season 20, but we will catch up!!
A discussion with her made me realize just how blessed I am. Sure there are things I wished I had done and I do have some regrets, but I wouldn't trade my marriage to Steven for anything. He is a wonderful man who has done so much for me during this time (and so many others), we have a wonderful daughter, cutest baby ever, and beyond all that, God has truly had his hand of protection over me and I am so grateful.
Thank you everyone for being so supportive through prayer, visits, food, and service.
Hugs everyone!

What I wish I could eat

Part 1
Chinese food

Soup du jour...and smoothies

Trying to have a more creative title than just day 1...2...etc.
Yesterday, my dear friend J came and helped out for pretty much the entire day. She cleaned dishes, vaccummed, watched the baby, and so many other things. I was blown away.
Today there was an emotional breakdown when I couldn't get the broccoli soup to go through the syringe. Yes there was crying people.
My other friend June came and was very encouraging. I rested for awhile while she watched Abby.
Then I made some delicious cheesy tomato soup and I'm now resting with ice on my face.
We've made some really tasty smoothies. I bought Chia and hemp seeds. I put them together with some frozen pineapple, banana, peanut butter, and protein powder.  Oh and we added kale and spinach.

Day 5/6 (losing track)

Yesterday (Sunday) was the worst day so far. I was really sleep deprived, groggy, and incredibly hungry (oh yeah and in pain too).
We had no visitors either and there was a miscommunication about Abby. She was left on the table in her restrained seat, but was able to scoot around the table and she kicked the cookie jar onto the floor. Yes, it broke, and so did all my cookies. Cry....

Today was a much better day for me energy wise. I only took one dose of the high pain medication. My mom came and brought broccoli soup. It tasted so good, but it all got jammed in my teeth which took a long time to get out.
Steven's mom came too and swept and mopped the whole house.
I periodically rested and managed to get enough energy to do a Costco run!!
I was craving mac n cheese so much that I bought a costco pac of instant mac (I know, gross right?). I went home and tried to liquefy it... Its just the not the same. Lol