Six Week Check-Up

Not much happened at this appointment; it was just a quick in-and-out to meet with Dr. Piper to see if any medications need to be adjusted, that the splint still fits, and that the exercises and healing are going well.

We have agreed that I need nerve block injections and have scheduled those for next week preceding my Chiro to try to kick some of my neck pain and headaches. They'll be injected into my neck and will numb the areas where I have pain in hopes of bringing the pain levels down once the anesthesia wears off. I think mine will be in the occipital nerve, but will probably have multiple done.

I'll also have my splint polished as it's a little bit sharp in a few places and has been irritating my tongue. I did want them to crimp/reposition one of my hooks on my braces because it was causing a lot of pain, but since I've started using the Orajel Antiseptic Rinse mouthwash, my mouth feels so much better. I'm using less wax and feeling a lot less pain inside my mouth.

I have been reading a lot about Magnesium supplements helping with muscle soreness and got the okay to start taking it; Dr. Piper also added Calcium and Vitamin D to my list of dailies.

Here's where I'm at as far as medications, vitamins, pain levels, and activity:

Klonopin 0.5mg 4x daily
Trazodone 1 - 1.5 tabs 1x PM
Relafen as needed for anti-inflammatory
Tylenol as needed for pain - not taken with Relafen, and not taken on consecutive days.
Glucosamine & Chondroiton
     This one, to the left is the most disgusting. Buy it in powder form if possible!
      I have to crush the pills and mix them and it tastes horrible.
Vitamin E, C
Calcium & Vitamin D
Magnesium

Each vitamin has a different dosage/amount of units I'm supposed to satisfy daily. It's a mess trying to remember it all, so I'm just going to spare myself the numbers for now.

Chiropractic treatments 1x week
Gym: I have been trying to go every day and target a different muscle group, but only choosing exercises that protect my neck from any strain. I haven't been able to do cardio or any HIIT as it's just too difficult to breathe out of my mouth.

Pain levels
Headaches are daily, mostly in my temples and between my eyes. They range from a pain level of 4-9, and I can't wait to get the nerve blocks.
I have slight muscle soreness and occasional spasms in my jaws, but pain levels here can be 2-4.
My teeth have become very sensitive from clenching and lifting out of the splint to talk, ranging from pain levels of 5-10, depending on when I retrain to talk with my teeth together, and play around with the Trazodone dosages and remember to relax my jaws.
My neck is what has been consistently bothering me still, as you've probably read over and over, but Chiropractic and getting into the gym to regain strength and correct my posture should help; it's just a matter of time.


When I am out of the splint, I can open my mouth wide, and have a good range of motion without pain, something that I haven't been able to say for myself for years.

I almost forgot - tomorrow, my breaks out of the splint increase to 45 minutes!

Upcoming!

I have a somewhat big week coming up, as compared to the last month and a half of my life (well, minus surgery)... And just felt like writing a bit about that and what's next. I see this page as my outlet to document, share, connect, and to make myself happy, so if it starts to not make sense to you, keep in mind that it does to me.

When I moved down to St. Pete for my surgery, I had a job lined up. My offer was recently revoked because of the way I talk with the splint in, even though my employer was aware of this beforehand. Feeling discriminated against and hurt, I applied, called, interviewed, and was shot down like crazy but finally have been offered a very good position at a facility I love. Monday starts my circuit of pre-employment procedures, and will determine if I am fit for the role, so fingers crossed! I am staying realistic, but hopeful about it all.

Next, I have my six-week check up with Dr. Piper on Tuesday, where he'll see me for just a short period of time, see how I'm doing after the surgery, and answer any questions. It's not until three months that he orders a new CT and the works.


I've been spending a lot of time on the beach, and it seems to be the best cure for anything - bad day, too much on your mind, boredom, loud neighbors, anything. I'm lucky to be so close to some of the most beautiful beaches here on the Gulf!



My neck is still KILLING me and Dr. Hobbs says that skeletally, I look great, it's just muscular work now that needs to be done. He has advised me to correct my posture and work on strengthening the muscles that are causing problems. When he first saw me, he would touch a muscle in my neck and the surrounding areas would jump and spasm, but he says that that has subsided and everything "looks" great - but it just doesn't feel great yet.

Two days ago, I got back into the gym for the first time in almost four months, which used to be a religious routine for me and is something that I've really missed. It's been really difficult, not being able to breathe out of my mouth much at all, and adjusting to having lost all of my strength and about 20 pounds of weight. My starting weight was about 136-138 and I am now 113. I'm trying to pack in some protein and build muscle to get back to a healthier weight. I'm not sure if gaining or losing is more difficult, as I can now say I've experienced both.

I went roller skating last night and was terrified I'd fall on my face! No injuries occurred, just needed a firm hand to hold the entire time, and was a wall-hugger. It was actually a blast, and was my first time ever roller skating. I tried not to envy/secretly hate all of the 5-10 year olds that were rocking it.

I've applied to be approved to volunteer at a dog shelter to help fill more of my time since I'm taking this semester off from school. I'd really rather be taking a few classes now, but can see that it was a good choice to hold off until the summer, so hopefully I'll be playing with puppies soon and trying not to kidnap as many as I can carry out on the first day...

I'm currently at home with my own puppies and couldn't be happier... Nothing is better than the love of a dog.

That's all I can think to write at the moment, just taking things as they come still, and trying to make the best of it all. 

One Month Post-Op

Every day that I wake up and am closer to my three month "anniversary" is a beautiful blessing. I can't wait to spend more time out of the splint and fully feel the benefits of this procedure. I can feel them every day, progressing and making me a stronger, happier person. It is so great to be able to converse with others, shout and scream, and sing to my heart's content. I haven't done that in... I can't even remember how long. 

Recovery has not been easy pain-wise, but the pain changes the further down the road I come; keeping me on my toes, and teaching me what I need to fix to be 100%.

The inside of my mouth is a wreck from the braces, bands, and brackets, and the Therabite is now starting to irritate me as a little well. I feel like I have permanent lines tattooed into my cheeks from the bands, and have developed cuts on my lips and sores/cuts inside my mouth. They're my "battle scars."

I'm going to start doing more and trying new things to treat and prevent all of this as it's absolutely miserable at times! Honestly, the most comfortable thing to do is puff my cheeks out like a child having a tantrum; not the most becoming, though.

I was able to wear ear buds for the first time a few days ago. It wasn't too bad, but my ears were sore afterwards. The scars are more prominent than I thought they'd be, but I'm told repeatedly they are not noticeable (as people always say). I also feel like my ears are still swollen and the cartilage feels a bit harder than it used to.

Looking at this photo now, I can see that

the incision isn't all that noticeable.

The other side looks identical.

The incision on my abdomen is healing well, but is still pretty bumpy and I'm hoping that goes away or I can find a way to help it along. It isn't noticeable, but I of course don't like it. For someone who has never had an incision or stitches, I'm pretty fascinated by how odd they look.

I ate my first meal out in public yesterday. I just brought my bag of essentials along, ordered, and once my food was ready, went to the bathroom and took the splint out, putting it back in after 30 minutes. It was great! I had rice, beans and guac at a great Mexican place.

I'm exploring and trying more with meals; beans and rice, shredded chicken, BROWNIES, bread soaked in soup so that it's easily swallowed (PANERA - FINALLY), and I'm going to try a taco salad (sans-taco shells) this week. I'm having a hard time getting enough protein or hardly any meat, so now's the time to get creative.

I've just started today with this supplement, which is delicious and tastes like iced coffee.   I have clearance to get back into the gym  and hit some weights (light weights, high reps... better than nothing) and can't wait! 

I've been having Chiropractic treatment once a week, but still feel like a mess. If it isn't my upper back, it's my lower and vice versa; My C-spine is still a wreck but ice helps more than I give it credit for. I woke up Sunday with intense pain in my sternocleidomastoid muscle on both sides and was terrified they'd start spasming. Ice helped with that as well. My traps are still a constant problem as they're inflamed and have very obvious trigger points, but ultrasound therapy and everything that Dr. Hobbs has been doing is helping a lot. I've been advised to stop stretching my neck so much as I'm aggravating the capsules and to self-massage and use ice, which, I give the Doc credit for - really works, as simple as it is.

I have a quick check-up in the clinic in one week, and have a list of questions/concerns prepared that I'd like to ask Dr. Piper:

I have accidentally bumped myself in the jaw enough to raise concern a few times; Could it have done any damage?

Are there any parts of my braces/brackets that can be removed to avoid irritation?

Doubling the dosage of Trazodone has helped a lot with the sensitivity in my scalp and headaches. Are there any repercussions of increasing the dose?

I am still getting headaches almost daily though, is there anything I can take or do to prevent/treat them? They are in my temples and between the eyes.

The therabite pinches my cheeks very hard when I use it after moving up to Peg 4. 

I have a hook (on the braces) that is bent forward and causes the most pain and irritation inside my mouth. The hook in the front center causes a lot of irritation and pain as well.

I have heard of taking Magnesium to help with Bruxism and muscle pain. What do you think of this and would it be right for me rather than Trazodone?

I'm still maintaining my last instructions to double my dosage of Trazodone at night to keep my muscles from spasming, but it's still so hard to get out of bed in the morning. If I don't lay down soon after taking it, I feel like I'll fall, right where I am. I've heard a lot about Magnesium from different forums and want to see if maybe it could be a good alternative for me. Granted, the Trazodone is helping a lot, I'd just like to get away from the side effects. 

Truer words have never been spoken. Cheeeeese fries. 

As for the pain in my jaws, I have none! I wouldn't say none as in never, at any point, under any circumstance - yawning, talking too much, bumping my jaws, and doing the exercises cause small bouts of pain, but nothing like what I was going through before. Side-to-side movements while out of the splint seem to cause the most pain (sharp and acute, not lasting very long), for whatever reason. 

I am so happy with my progress and decreased levels of pain. My ice packs and heating pads, strict exercise regime, and timely medication routine have been a huge help, as well as Chiropractic and constant advice from the loving Clinic staff. 

I'm starting to become a "picture" girl, so surround yourself with beautiful things, keep looking forward, and see the beauty in your pain; that you are alive enough to feel it, and strong enough to survive it. I took comfort in that before I could find the help I needed; that even though I wanted to curl into a ball and never face the world, I was able to get up and do just that, day after day, despite the pain.

                               

For as much as she's stumbled, she's running.

May the damage of her days disappear... 

Yesterday marked three weeks post-op for me! It's been a journey...

Updates:

My opening used to deviate to the left when I opened my mouth. My mouth now opens straight! I took a video in excitement.

I'm on Peg 3 of the Therabite and it's getting easier... Can't wait to get to 5 and brag about how strong I am. 

I'm less drowsy and am able to get up and do more each day.

I've discontinued Relafen, the anti-inflammatory as instructed.

Yesterday, my favorite Christmas gift was graduating to 30 minute breaks!

My neck and back pain are what bother me the most, but Chiropractic therapy is helping! Finding my trigger points and knowing how to treat them at home has been a big help, too.

I have occasional jaw pain in the splint, when I lift out of it, or accidentally jolt my jaws to the side when out of the splint. 

My teeth are pretty sore from the braces and pressure from the rubber bands.

Yesterday, I HAD CAKE. And Christmas dinner (With a little help from the Ninja).

I'm currently taking Vitamins to help with joint health and scar healing.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin - These are used for osteoarthritis, to slow destruction/reduce pain. They are HORSE PILLS times a million. I have to crush them and mix with baby food. They taste disgusting, so mix with something you don't like. (I use apple sauce)

Vitamin E & Vitamin C - for scar healing, I was told (assuming they're referring to the incision on my abdomen and small incisions in my ears). 

My scalp sensitivity is back - I had this right after surgery very intensely; My scalp and temples have been sensitive and very painful to the touch. Jeff at the Clinic says it is most likely due to clenching, and increased my dosage of Trazodone. 

I'm finding more foods to eat, but am lacking in the meat department. Stuffing, rice and beans, pulled pork, and biscuits and gravy are current favorites. 

My family seems to be coming down with the plague and seeing as I can barely breathe through my mouth in this thing, I'm taking all the precautions! 

Life is good; last week (and month) were rough. Job and personal issues, and not having a sweet puppy to come home to and love on have made things difficult, but I'm ready to face forward and look to what the future holds.

Enjoy the little things.

Like baby ducks...

Eating PB from the jar...

(For the days that aren't so good)

Holding a puppy hand,

Cute quotes from your tea...

Sassy needlepoint,

And quotes from Myrtle Snow.

Since My Last Post...

I haven't been writing in quite a while, and there are a lot of reasons for that.

Reasons I'm not sure I'm ready to share yet, but I will say that life after surgery and after the crucial few weeks where you need a caregiver is rough. 

It can be deafeningly lonely, stressful, frustrating, depressing, but somehow beautiful. I'm not ready to go into all of the details yet, but will give you some updates on my progress, medically.

I'm on the third peg of the Therabite as of Sunday (Dec. 21) and it is not fun... I will say though that my jaws feel so much stronger and stretching just a little bit before doing the exercise helps a lot. Also, doing it right at bedtime and as soon as you wake up help as well, to try to bridge the time gap between exercises as much as possible.

My stitches from my abdomen were removed and steri-strips took their place for 10 days. Those are now all off and I have no more pain in that area! Finally!

I think this is super gross, but as far as stitches go, it looks great.

The stitches in my ears have almost all completely come out and the areas are healing really well.

This is what they look like as the fall out. Again, kinda gross.

The draining tube sites below my ears just kind of look like small breakouts and are a little sensitive to the touch, but nothing significant by any means. 

Things I've Learned:

Chapstick is crucial. Without chapstick I am not happy.

I have become obsessed with dental hygiene. 5 breaks a day = brushing 5 times a day.

Wax is important. 

Blisters inside your mouth are not cool.

Use your wax.

Baby food is not supplement. Eat something real.

Throwing up through the splint is a real thing, and it's real shitty.

Mocking, being made fun of, discrimination, and laughter are waiting for me where I least expect it.

How you handle that is what gets you through it.

It's okay to cry.

It's okay to sit on the couch and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas while snuggling a stuffed monkey your Aunt sent you for a day. Or two.

I have lost my positivity, but I am determined to get it back.

I am incredibly lucky, blessed, loved, and privileged.

My "speech impairment" makes some people totally uncomfortable.

It's their loss. I'm hilarious.

A lot more people can understand me than I would expect. 

I over-do it almost every single day, and pay for it with back and neck pain, and occasionally muscle spasms.

I am not fully capable of everything I once was, but I will be soon.

Waiting is hard.

Jeopardizing what I've been blessed with is worth the wait.

Being made fun of, ridiculed, mocked, and seeing the insensitivity and ignorance of others towards my condition is really what has brought me down. I know that I'm strong enough to overcome it, and really just needed a week to regroup, think about it, let it hurt, remember they are tiny, insignificant beings, and get over it. 

I've grown apart from friends who have not asked how I'm doing since it was first known that I was going to have surgery and have remained absent since then; I've have made new ones along the way who are suffering with similar symptoms as I. I've been contacted by so many wonderful people asking for my opinions, experiences, and support, which has been amazing and humbling. For now, I'm ready to work on myself, get back to where I'm happy and continue to HEAL daily. Physically and beyond.

I have had some pretty great moments with amazing friends who spent their time making me laugh, healing my heart, and pulling me into adventures that I needed more than I knew. And yes, getting a flat tire and spending four hours dealing with it with a friend who won't leave your side is an adventure that you didn't know you needed until it was over.

In the meantime...

That's all for now; I will write more when the words come to me. In the mean time, ice packs, my heating pad, scrambled eggs, plushy throw blankets, Chiropractic visits, and non-skid socks have become a few of my favorite things.