About Mashed Potatoes -To Jane

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane,

I just had to tell you that I was literally laughing out loud when I

read this post from you. Oh, how I can relate about the mashed

potatoes!!! I get them all over my lips. When I try to lick my lips,

I end up spitting some back out of my mouth and I look like a baby

eating baby food. I read somewhere that someone recommended a mirror

that you can stand up and use when you eat. I got one and it has

been invaluable. Not that I recommend using one out and about, but at

home it really helps. I personally have numbness and not the best

function with my lips and tongue, so it's been really helpful so I am

not quite so gross to sit across from!!! Good luck! you aren't

alone!! I also found that normal sized spoons worked ok, I just dug

around the silverware drawer and managed to find a couple that were

very shallow so they were easier to get into my mouth. You can also

try slurping things off the spoon if you can't quite get it in yet.

I've done a lot of slurping lately. I sometimes end up swallowing air

and burping which of course is charming, but what about this surgery

is pretty (except for the final results!!) so I let the burping go. I

know my boyfriend is bowled over by it! Warmth therapy on your jaw

joints really helps with getting them to loosen up and open a little

wider. I read that suggestion in someone's post recently, I think and

tried it and it did help. It didn't give me centimeters, but did

improve things just the same.

Good luck! and hang in there!!! This time will also pass.....

Katja

> >

> > Hi Jane

> >

> > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get better.

> >

> > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me giggle -

> > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but unless

> your

> > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of surgery,

then

> you

> > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff us women

> > face! Ha ha!

> >

> > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't believe

how

> > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that I might

> one

> > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had the chance!

> >

> > Good luck!

> >

> > .

[Guest guest]

Yes, I am a big mess with my mashed potatoes (especially with extra

gravy) The same worker is at KFC. I think she thinks I am some

crazy person because I sound like I am when I order and then I order

4 family sized mashed potatoes with 6 bowls of gravy! I get strange

looks at the drive through. I guess if your boyfriend see you

through this ya'll are going to be together for a long time huh! My

husband watches as I eat and makes comments like, go give mommy

a big kiss:) I know I have gravy and potatoes on my chin and usually

dripping down my shirt. Yesterday my husband ordered a humpfrey from

counter coulture. Its a frozen yogurt layered with granola honey

grapes strawberries and bananas. I used a mirroe on that because I

didn't want to wear the yogurt and we were in the car. I got a few

slurps before giving up on it. My daughter finds me very curious and

amusing. I think my eating habits put her more at ease I eat

like her (messily). Thanks for the encouragement. Now if I could

stop biting myself with these wide new teeth!

Jane

> > >

> > > Hi Jane

> > >

> > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get better.

> > >

> > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me

giggle -

>

> > > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but unless

> > your

> > > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of surgery,

> then

> > you

> > > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff us

women

> > > face! Ha ha!

> > >

> > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't believe

> how

> > > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that I

might

> > one

> > > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had the

chance!

> > >

> > > Good luck!

> > >

> > > .

[Guest guest]

Maybe you could try going to different KFC branch locations??? Then

at least you aren't placing such a ridiculously huge order all the

time at the same place! That does sound really funny... even better

that you can speak so well to place it! There is comedy in all of

this, isn't there? I am totally a regular at 's now for frostys.

My boyfriend has been really sweet. I hope we are together for a long

long time. Sometimes, particularly when I'm trying to eat, I feel

so repulsive and disgusting and there he is sitting across from me. I

need to get a larger mirror so I can hide behind it. My best moments

are when I am eating something and half of it gets caught in all the

hardware along my front teeth and then immediately in some moment of

hilarity with my family, I have to smile some huge toothy grin and

can't help it. It is so gross!!! All that food all caught across

there!!!! YIKES!!!

I'm glad that you and your husband can find the humor in it.

Sometimes that is hard too! I have on occaision when particularly

frustrated gotten upset. " I can't help it! " " STop watching me like

I'm a freak show! " But if you put your daughter more at ease, then

that is good . She was good preparation for your husband to see you

eat!

Hope you get that chewing figured out, but it's been a while so don't

get too frustrated... it will come. Besides, I'm right alongside with

you. I can't chew at all... I have no idea where or how to put my

teeth together and the splint makes it impossible I think!

Sigh!

Katja

> > > >

> > > > Hi Jane

> > > >

> > > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get better.

> > > >

> > > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me

> giggle -

> >

> > > > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but

unless

> > > your

> > > > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of surgery,

> > then

> > > you

> > > > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff us

> women

> > > > face! Ha ha!

> > > >

> > > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't

believe

> > how

> > > > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that I

> might

> > > one

> > > > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had the

> chance!

> > > >

> > > > Good luck!

> > > >

> > > > .

[Guest guest]

Speaking of boyfriends and husbands...mine was convinved he could get

the chunk of apple from my splint that's been there for 3 days now so

I FINALLY decided today to let him try! First of all I was

laying across the bed with my head hanging off. Next he would say

open up wider Now surely you can see the humor in that! I would

say I can't my jaw was broken. He would laugh and say move your lip

and I would say I can't -I can't feel my lip! He would say ok I see

the food MOVE YOUR TONGUE. He squirted water all over my face with a

syringe and decided he couldn't get it until I could open wider. He

says maybe in a week! I said well it will fall out when they

remove the splint! Oh well

Jane

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Jane

> > > > >

> > > > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get

better.

> > > > >

> > > > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me

> > giggle -

> > >

> > > > > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but

> unless

> > > > your

> > > > > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of

surgery,

> > > then

> > > > you

> > > > > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff us

> > women

> > > > > face! Ha ha!

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't

> believe

> > > how

> > > > > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that I

> > might

> > > > one

> > > > > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had the

> > chance!

> > > > >

> > > > > Good luck!

> > > > >

> > > > > .

[Guest guest]

I

> order

> > 4 family sized mashed potatoes with 6 bowls of gravy!

And they think this is strange??? That's one of the few foods my

hubby can down easily and with pleasure. I get that much routinely,

and don't bother to explain a bit. They always seem quite pleased to

take my money...

Of course, I don't tell them that all this stuff is for one person...

And as for your S----y surgeon: Well, I can only tell you that our

neurologist, who is a dear friend and a lifesaver for both of us,

was looking soooo tired and drawn and gray that I said, " Just take a

couple of days off. " She told me she can't, and said, " My job is not

like that. I have to go. It's my job. "

Would that all docs were as wonderful as she. And I do really

believe that most are. I admire those, both men and women, who marry

docs, as well. I could not live that life.

What about having a food fest with your daughter? Some lovely smeary

mashed potatoes with gravy. (Maybe some creamed sweet potatoes, too,

with carrot puree. Tomato sauce, cooled down, of course. Creamed

spinach. Black olive rings. And whatever else you can think of

that's fun. Put down a big piece of plastic, or (an immaculately

clean) plastic shower curtain, and the two of you sit down and eat

together. Paint some pictures. Maybe peaches and ice cream, too, and

definitely some strawberry or raspberry jam... grape jelly...

all " spooned in " with the fingers! I'd bet that might be fun, and

that you could get a nifty christmas card pic out of it too,

especially if your husband could be persuaded to play along!

You'll need lots of also immaculately clean washcloths for

afterward, though. Maybe a good chance to teach her about finger

bowls! (with slices of lime)

Cammie

C.

>

> Yes, I am a big mess with my mashed potatoes (especially with

extra

> gravy) The same worker is at KFC. I think she thinks I am some

> crazy person because I sound like I am when I order and then I

order

> 4 family sized mashed potatoes with 6 bowls of gravy! I get

strange

> looks at the drive through. I guess if your boyfriend see you

> through this ya'll are going to be together for a long time huh!

My

> husband watches as I eat and makes comments like, go give

mommy

> a big kiss:) I know I have gravy and potatoes on my chin and

usually

> dripping down my shirt. Yesterday my husband ordered a humpfrey

from

> counter coulture. Its a frozen yogurt layered with granola honey

> grapes strawberries and bananas. I used a mirroe on that because

I

> didn't want to wear the yogurt and we were in the car. I got a

few

> slurps before giving up on it. My daughter finds me very curious

and

> amusing. I think my eating habits put her more at ease I eat

> like her (messily). Thanks for the encouragement. Now if I could

> stop biting myself with these wide new teeth!

>

> Jane

[Guest guest]

Cammie,

That is such a cute idea! Actually we do use a clear shower curtain

when we feed her. She would LOVE that and I make a big enough mess

that I need the clear shower curtain! You really have the best ideas.

Jane

> >

> > Yes, I am a big mess with my mashed potatoes (especially with

> extra

> > gravy) The same worker is at KFC. I think she thinks I am some

> > crazy person because I sound like I am when I order and then I

> order

> > 4 family sized mashed potatoes with 6 bowls of gravy! I get

> strange

> > looks at the drive through. I guess if your boyfriend see you

> > through this ya'll are going to be together for a long time huh!

> My

> > husband watches as I eat and makes comments like, go give

> mommy

> > a big kiss:) I know I have gravy and potatoes on my chin and

> usually

> > dripping down my shirt. Yesterday my husband ordered a humpfrey

> from

> > counter coulture. Its a frozen yogurt layered with granola honey

> > grapes strawberries and bananas. I used a mirroe on that because

> I

> > didn't want to wear the yogurt and we were in the car. I got a

> few

> > slurps before giving up on it. My daughter finds me very curious

> and

> > amusing. I think my eating habits put her more at ease I eat

> > like her (messily). Thanks for the encouragement. Now if I

could

> > stop biting myself with these wide new teeth!

> >

> > Jane

[Guest guest]

Jane!

Again.... I was laughing out loud at your narrative here!! Too

funny. I could totally imagine it. I've kept any notions of trapped

food to myself so my boyfriend doesn't get the idea to try and help

with it's removal!! Of course, if it is in plain sight, then it

can't be hidden. I always get stuff right behind my front teeth

between the roof of my mouth and the splint. It just wedges and

nestles right in for a long nap. It is the one place I totally just

cannot reach with my toothbrush either. Oh well. I hate that my teeth

are just sitting and bathing in these grimy splints-rotting away is

how it feels.... Not too much longer!!! Thank goodness!!! Tell me how

your next food removal attempt goes next week when you're opening

wider!!! Katja

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi Jane

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get

> better.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me

> > > giggle -

> > > >

> > > > > > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but

> > unless

> > > > > your

> > > > > > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of

> surgery,

> > > > then

> > > > > you

> > > > > > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff

us

> > > women

> > > > > > face! Ha ha!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't

> > believe

> > > > how

> > > > > > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that

I

> > > might

> > > > > one

> > > > > > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had

the

> > > chance!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Good luck!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > .

[Guest guest]

YOu didn't mention the flashlight!! That changes everything!!! Was it

handheld, or maybe the kind attatched to a band he wears around his

head... or afixed to a helmet like a spelunker (sp?) with the light

out front. Regardless, congratulations on blowing that sucker loose!!

Glad your husband got a kick out of it... too funny. I think my most

charming is when I've eaten the filling of pumpkin pie. The orange

when mashed in my brackets has some sort of charm....an allure

almost.... and soooo irrestitable. My boyfriend tried to brave

watching me rinse out my mouth once. I warned him, but he promised

he'd be fine and swore he wanted to. About 5 mouthfuls later he was

thoroughly disgusted and had to excuse himself!!! No kidding! Too bad

I can't excuse myself too until I'm done! I ask him sometimes if I'm

totally repulsive to him now. He says, " no dear, why would you be?

You can't help it!!!! "

Great, huh?!

Let me know how tomorrow's eating escapades go.... it's always an

adventure. Katja

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Hi Jane

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get

> > > better.

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist

made

> me

> > > > > giggle -

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery

> but

> > > > unless

> > > > > > > your

> > > > > > > > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of

> > > surgery,

> > > > > > then

> > > > > > > you

> > > > > > > > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the

> stuff

> > us

> > > > > women

> > > > > > > > face! Ha ha!

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I

can't

> > > > believe

> > > > > > how

> > > > > > > > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think

> that

> > I

> > > > > might

> > > > > > > one

> > > > > > > > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I

had

> > the

> > > > > chance!

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Good luck!

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > .