Just under 3 months since it all went down, and I feel like making lists today, so here are a few lists pertinent to surgery, post-op life, and my day-to-day victories, struggles, routines and funny moments.
Foods I never thought I'd be able to eat:
CHIPOTLE!
Garlic bread (Soft)
Enchiladas
Steak
Donuts
Panera's bread (Break it up and soak in soup. Heaven.)
Common misconceptions about what my splint is:
Vampire teeth (6 year old)
Teeth whitening device (?)
Plain old braces...
Common misconceptions about what my name is:
Shannon
Shaina
SHARA (REALLY?)
Small scares:
Bumping myself in the face (I'm protected while the splint is in) ...I do it way more that you'd ever think.
Fell down at work... Actually really hilarious story looking back, but was so scary as my splint was out! As long as the splint still fits and nothing is cracking/feels out of place, I'm assured I am okay!
Best moments:
Knowing I've overcome something big!
Finding a community of amazing people who provide support, laughs, and can relate to the same exact experiences.
Finding people I can now relate to and empathize with more than I would before
Being hired at a company and in a role I never thought I'd be able to fulfill under my circumstances, and doing well at it!
Finding my independence, and also the best support system ever in my friends and family.
Knowing and understanding it's GREAT to ask for help and accept it from others.
From a medical standpoint though, to get a little more serious, I am having a lot of neck pain/headaches still and my sympathetic system is a wreck. I haven't been able to unwind the system and allow everything to relax and be normal. I'm doing Chiro, and now massage (have found an AWESOME masseuse in St. Pete) and will hopefully be in for a nerve block the week after next. Optimism, happiness, laughter, positive influences, and following instructions from Doctors are what help me the most.
Tilllll next time.
xo
(I'll add pretty pictures later, promise.)
