1-week post-op (long update)

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

My severe sore throat is almost healed... YEAH! When I saw Dr.

der (my OS) today (he was out yesterday so I had to see another

OS for my sore throat) he said that he came down with the same viral

sore throat Friday night... the same night I did, and that was the

evening that I had a 5:15pm appointment with him. There must've

been a viral bug floating around the OS's office. He also mentioned

that one of his receptionist had strep last week so he is glad that

we didn't get strep.

I have been so tired of chicken broth, ensure, water, and juice. I

made and drank s cheese soup last night. It was so YUMMY!

It tasted like mac-n-cheese. It also felt good on my sore throat.

My mother called me last night and gave me her recipe for baked

custard(6 eggs, 4 cups milk, 1/2 C. sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract -

baked at 325 for 1 hour -- there are a few cooking/baking tips if

anyone wants to know), for when I get on the soft food diet. I made

it last night even though I couldn't eat it. I haven't been brave

enough to blend anything, but I was really craving the baked

custard, so I blended it with milk tonight. It was DELICIOUS!

I have only lost 4-5 pounds, but if I keep drinking the custard I

probably won't lose much more weight. Plus the eggs (protein) are

good for me.

OK... so within minutes of speaking with my OS today, he said that I

could go back to work soon. He also said I was doing a great job

keeping my teeth clean. It is easy to keep my teeth clean when I

have to drink liquids, and then brush and rinse afterwards. Plus,

there's no real food to get stuck anywhere. I told him that I had

stopped by the office (Harvest House Publishers) earlier and asked

my boss and the HR manager if I could return to work this week, if

my OS gives me the OK. I got the OK... YEAH! I cannot believe that

I feel well enough to go back to work after only 1 week. However, I

was pretty tired by 5:30pm tonight. Yet, it is amazing how much

better I feel compared to just 2-3 days ago. I am not going to push

it, so I asked my OS to give me the OK for " up to 6 hours " so that I

can leave for a nap, if necessary. My OS said again that my teeth

are aligned PERFECTLY and once my jaw bone heals the braces won't be

on for very long. This is exciting to hear! I was afraid that

something would happen, like misaligned teeth, bite, etc. But so

far, everything is going good. I don't have too much numbness. My

left jaw joint is bugging me, but prior to surgery it was the right

one that bothered me. I have already decided that if the constant

lingering pain remains, I will not have any more surgeries. I will

probably just get another bite plate (splint).

When I stopped by the office earlier today. Everyone I work with

was amazed that I am no longer swollen and I barely have any

bruising. In fact, they didn't even notice the slight yellow bruise

on my left cheek near my lips. I am so glad that my mother gave me

that bottle of Arnica gel, and that I used it at least 3 times per

day. I also used ice faithfully for 48 hours, then used heat after

that. I'm sure this helped. Plus, I have been sleeping elevated on

my couch with pillows behind me.

I also believe that my positive thinking has helped. I was worried

going into this surgery because I'm going through a divorce --

divorcing an angry, controlling, abusive man who is trying to get

custody of our son to spite me (drain me financially with legal

bills) even though he hasn't equally raised him for the past 5

years. The day after my surgery, I was given temporary custody of

our son and his dad gets him every other weekend. This has helped

emensely with being able to maintain a positive attitude.

The next stressor I get to deal with, in conjunction with the

divorce, is selling the house and moving into an apartment. I have

decided to hire a moving company since I am not going to lift

anything heavy since it could ruin the wonderful job my OS did.

PS. I had planned to take before and after photos, but my husband

who I am divorcing took my digital camera so I haven't been able to

take photos.

~ Swanson

Oregon