Words of Encouragement

[Guest guest]

Hey Jane (and everyone else!):

Thanks for the kind words, and the info. I'm a little shaken today, as I came

back from the surgeon this a.m. and it seems even he is a little freaked out

about how badly I obliterated my left side of both the upper and lower jaw.

Turns out that instead of 4 weeks wired shut, he's saying more like 5 weeks, and

then once the wires are out he's going to have me wear a splint.

I've seen splints mentioned several times on this board, but I still don't know

what it is, does, or looks like -- is it something that goes in your mouth? Is

it removable? Is it something you have to wear around your neck? I'm so

clueless, and I guess that cluelessness just increases my anxiety levels.

I'm getting used to eating just the liquids -- I just have to have them often

enough to not feel sick or weakened. It's hard to tell when you're hungry,

because it seems you never know when you're full, either. I'll think I'm full,

when all I was doing was building up a belch.

And the inside of my teeth is starting to feel like a gravel pit, and it's only

been 8 days since I broke the darn jaw.

As far as nausea is concerned, the doc originally had me on Lortab, but now is

recommending I do children's motrin. He thinks it will work out better for my

stomach. He also gave me some codeine to try, but I hear that it is also bad

for nausea. So, I'm going to try the motrin and see if that works. So far,

since this late morning's dose, it seems like it's working out OK.

Sorry for the long post everyone -- my husband had to go back to work today, and

I'm feeling a bit strung out here.

Anyway, I hope everyone's doing OK.

Janine -- tomorrow's the day right? Good luck girl. And if it's any

consolation, I cried as soon as they put me on the gurnee at the hospital. Doc

walked in and asked why i was crying, and I said I was scared -- he asked,

scared of what? I didn't know. He told me everything was going to be just

fine. And while it's hard to believe that, and while at this stage of recovery,

I swear he was lying to keep my spirits up, it's still important to hear those

words. So Janine -- everything is going to be OK. (Eventually.)

Hugs to all,

Jen