Sara

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sara!

I am not looking forward to the hooks and wires, but will prepare

myself with plenty of wax..(haha) I am awaiting a call from the OS to

see when he wants me to come in for my next appointment. The OS

approved to go ahead and do my blood work at my upcoming Physical

appt. on the 23rd of May. The hospital and OS went back and forth as

to when I should have the blood work done. I am just glad to be able

to get it out of the way and I really didn't want to do it the same

day I was donating blood which is a week before the surgery. Anyway,

I will write you when I get back tomorrow from the OD to let you know

how the hooks and wires go!

> > Just checking in on how all my June surgery buddies are doing. I

am

> > going crazy trying to schedule all these pre-op appointments. My

pre-

> > op screening is scheduled for June 20th. At the screening

> > appointment

> > they will be doing all the lab work, and donating one unit of

blood.

> > My

> > pre-op physical is set for May 23rd. Tomorrow is the fun day of

> > getting the wires and hooks. Then in between all these

appointments

> > are the surgeon appointments and dental cleaning...CRAZINESS!!!

I

> > guess on a good note these appointments will keep me busy and time

> > will

> > fly by.

> >

> > Anyway, I will let ya'll know how the wires and hooks go tomorrow!

> >

> > Take Care,

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

Okay, that's one way to look at it being the leader of the July

crew!!...(haha)

Yes, this past month has flown by...I am in the same boat as you with

that blender. I am hoping my mom will give me an early b-day gift

and bring me that blender up when she visits on July 1st. I have my

humidifier ready if it is needed. Bought that back a few months ago

when I thought my surgery was going to be in December.

September trip to New Orleans? You will have a blast! Maybe I can

sneak away from Virginia and you and I can enjoy some fried shrimp

over at Dale's. What do you think?

Enjoy your last few remaining days before your surgery! I am so

excited for you and can't help but think about Monday!! I am

probably not going to get any sleep on Sunday in anticipation of your

big day..(haha)

Let me roll off of here and I will try to chat with you before Monday!

> > > > > Hi All

> > > > >

> > > > > Well today was a LONG day! Started off at 9am at the orthos

> to

> > > get

> > > > my

> > > > > hooks on. I am now the proud donner of 16 metallic hooks.

> > Grrrrr

> > > > says

> > > > > she! Actually they are not as bad as I expected. A lot less

> > > obvious

> > > > > when I smile than I thought they would be. The bottom

center

> > hook

> > > > is

> > > > > killing me though, really digging into the inside of my

life

> > but

> > > > I'm

> > > > > sure my mouth will build a barrier to this just as it did

the

> > > > braces.

> > > > >

> > > > > Next stop was the hospital to go through all the pre-admin

> > > surgery

> > > > > testing. Unfortunately for me, it being the day after

> Memorial

> > > day

> > > > > meant that there was the longest line ever so it only took

me

> > > three

> > > > > and a half hours to get what could have taken 40 minutes.

Oh

> > > well.

> > > > At

> > > > > least it's all done now. I got blood drawn, blood pressure

> and

> > > temp

> > > > > measured, chest xray and a whole set of questions asked and

> > > > answered.

> > > > > All very basic stuff. What I made sure to do was tell them

> that

> > > > I've

> > > > > had previous ops before and vomited afterwards as a result

of

> > the

> > > > > anesthesia. They gave me two little tablets to take pre-

> surgery

> > > to

> > > > > help descrease the nausea. One to take the night before and

> one

> > > to

> > > > > take on the morning of the surgery with very little water.

> They

> > > > also

> > > > > confirmed that I will have a catherer put in since the

> > operation

> > > > will

> > > > > be approximately 4 hours but they also helped to calm my

> fears

> > > > about

> > > > > this as well.

> > > > >

> > > > > After this I ran to Dr. Sachs to have my pre-op discussion.

> He

> > > gave

> > > > > me good news in that he has decided that they will only

need

> to

> > > > > operate on my upper jaw. My lower jaw should swing into the

> > right

> > > > > position. Whoopee! No lower jaw which really made my day.

> He'll

> > > be

> > > > > removing the two upper bicuspids and also performing genio

> > which

> > > I

> > > > > knew already. We went through a lot during the discussion

but

> > > since

> > > > > it's been a long day and I have to get up at 5:30am to fly

to

> > > L.A.

> > > > I

> > > > > think I'll call it a night for today. I'll try to sort out

> all

> > > the

> > > > > information he gave me into a nice, short and concise

posting

> > for

> > > > > everyone tomorrow.

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks for listening/reading.Can't believe surgery is

almost

> > > here!!!

> > > > >

> > > > > Nite to all.

> > > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Pad Thai is my favorite!! It is so funny because back when I was

having all my root canals I would head over to a restaurant near the

endodontist's office and enjoy a big plate of Pad Thai!! My dentist

would always get on to me for eating after the root canals, but I

always told him that I could eat Pad Thai anytime!! (Maybe that's

why I had to have all those root canals..haha)

Be sure to get a bunch of protein in you also today and tomorrow! My

trainer at the gym has increased my protein intake for the past month

to prepare for the surgery!

Anyway, enjoy the weekend!! Hopefully ya'll are having good weather

in LA...It's been raining here in Virginia but is supposed to clear

up. Tomorrow is going to be near 90 degrees!! SUMMERTIME!!

> > Sara girl,

> >

> > What are you doing online right now? You are now down to less

than

> > 72

> > hours! You should be hitting all the restaurants in town eating

> > everything in sight..(haha)

> >

> > I am so excited for you!! I told everyone at work today that my

> > surgery buddy is having her surgery on Monday. They all looked

at me

> > like I have gone crazy...(haha) They just don't understand that

when

> > one of our buddies goes in for surgery, it's like we are there

with

> > them holding their hand & giving them big encouragement hugs!

> >

> > Anyway, I will be counting down the hours with you until Monday!

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Go ahead with your bad self...(haha) I guess I better get on the move

and pick out my surgery attire..I didn't realize this was part of

preparing for the surgery...(haha)

You are a mess,

> > > > > > Well it's been a week since I joined this site and even

> > though

> > > I

> > > > > > haven't type much, I have been checking out all the

> > messages!

> > > My

> > > > > > surgery is 6 weeks from Monday, so I will have some time

> > left.

> > > I

> > > > > have

> > > > > > found all these messages from everyone very helpful!

It's

> > nice

> > > > to

> > > > > > read what others are going through to prepare me for my

> > > > recovery.

> > > > > I'm

> > > > > > sure I'll chime in more as it get's closer Keep up

the

> > good

> > > > work

> > > > > > everyone.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Enjoy CA Sara and have a safe trip back. Eat up while

you

> > can.

> > > > Best

> > > > > > of luck on your surgery Monday. I will send good wishes

> > > through

> > > > > > cyerspace. I'm anxious to see how you do post surgery.

> Don't

> > > > over

> > > > > do

> > > > > > the climbing of Mt. Everest and bungee jumping !

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Dee

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Glad to hear you are tackling Mt. Everest without the assistance of a

bungee cord..(haha)

I knew I could count on you to set me straight about those doctors!

Yes, there are many fools out there & I need to put that behind me

and be thankful that I am now with a very competent OS who I feel

100% safe and secure with! That is all that counts! It also helps

that he is really good looking..(haha)

So at day 10 pre-op time should start flying by...Well that sounds

better because day 10 pre op is only about 11 days away..So now that

I put it that way, it's almost here...(haha)

I have my final pre-surgery appts. with my OD and OS on the 13th and

14th of next week, so I will let you know how that goes. Please keep

me posted on your recovery and if you have any pointers let me know!

Wow, it's almost 3:30 and time to head home for the day! I can't wait

to get home and check out your surgery pictures. We can't pull up

pics at work! Your pre-surgery pics were beautiful! Tell your

fiance that I said he is a very lucky man!!

Take Care,

> > > Hi all, this is my first post post-op. Well I survived surgery

> amd

> > made

> > > it back home in record time! Surgery started at 1pm yesterday

and

> > ended

> > > at 6:30pm and I was back home today by 2:30pm. Thank god

because

> I

> > had

> > > to spend the whole night in the recovering unit as there were

no

> > beds

> > > left in LIJ hospital. What's more they put me in the mens

section

> > in

> > > the recovering unit which wouldn't have been so bad if the guy

> next

> > > door to me hadn't insisted on telling jokes all night, ones

that

> I

> > did

> > > not find amusing:-( On the plus side it meant that I had a

nurse

> > > checking in one me pretty much every hour which was reassuring.

> > >

> > > Surgery details: I had an upper leforte 1. My palet was

dissected

> > into

> > > three pieces and expanded. I can feel a little cut in the

middle

> of

> > my

> > > palet from where they cut it but it has already started healing

> > which

> > > is good news. They removed only my two upper bicuspids and not

my

> > three

> > > wisdom teeth as my doctors claimed I would have been in major

> pain

> > > today. My upper jaw was moved up and they removed a piece of

bone

> > above

> > > my gum line to allow for this. My lower jaw swung right into

> place

> > > perfectly. My mouth is now banded shut with only two VERY tight

> > elastic

> > > bands which actually feel like four bands because they are

> wrapped

> > > around my hooks in a box shape. I have a splint which by the

> looks

> > of

> > > it is not that big but boy does it feel clunky. Eating, or

rather

> > > getting liquids in, as well as talking is proving a nightmare

but

> I

> > am

> > > confident I will get there eventually.

> > >

> > > When I woke up post-surgery I still had the nasal gastric tube

in

> > my

> > > nose. Let me tell all you pre-oppers this. This tube is your

> friend

> > > even if it looks grosse! I had a lot of blood in my stomach and

> > thanks

> > > to this tube I was able to get all the blood out of my stomach

> and

> > not

> > > vomit once. It also helped me breathe very well. Surprisingly

> when

> > I

> > > woke up I was breathing totally from my nose without

struggling.

> A

> > > first for me as I am a mouth breather. When they removed the

tube

> > it

> > > hurt a little but nothing major. Unfortunately my sinuses are

> very

> > sore

> > > right now. I am using ice packs to desensitize them and it

seems

> to

> > be

> > > working. What else. Ah yes, the catherer. Well I had two. One

in

> my

> > arm

> > > and one for down there, you know where. The 'toilet' catherer I

> was

> > > very thankful for because there is no way I would have been

able

> to

> > get

> > > up to go to the bathroom until this morning. I was already

asleep

> > when

> > > they put the catherer in so no embarassment there. When they

took

> > out

> > > the catherer it took less than 3 seconds and didn't hurt at

all.

> It

> > > also did not hurt after to go the the bathroom. Sorry about the

> > details.

> > >

> > > The catherer in my arm on the other hand hurt like hell.

> > Unfortunately

> > > this catherer is essential because this is where they

> administered

> > my

> > > IV. I know from previous operations that this catherer has

always

> > hurt

> > > me at times but today it really hurt bad! Unfortunately it was

> the

> > > first time my mother left me on my own for 30 mins post-

surgery.

> > She

> > > left me in the recovering unit under the supposed watchful eye

of

> > the

> > > nurses. The problem was that suddenly the catherer and IV

started

> > to

> > > really hurt. SO much so that I started crying. A first

throughout

> > the

> > > whole surgery procedure. NO ONE NOTICED or they chose to ignore

> me

> > > which got me even more frustrated and I suspect worsened the

pain

> > in my

> > > mind. I had to start waving my other arm and bang the side of

the

> > bed

> > > with my wipe-board to get someones attention. Eventually a

nurse

> > came

> > > over and said, " there's no reason it should be hurting you, "

and

> > > promptly went back to her desk to gossip with her colleague.

Such

> > was

> > > my first encounter with not being able to talk back clearly and

> > tell

> > > someone to shove it up you know where. Eventually my nurse

showed

> > up

> > > and blocked the IV.

> > >

> > > That I have to say was my only bad surgery experience. I was up

> and

> > > walking as of this morning at 8am. I had my last morphine shot

at

> > 5am

> > > this morning. The next pain killer dose I took was this evening

> at

> > 6pm

> > > once I was at home. This was tylenol and codene which put me

> nicely

> > to

> > > sleep. I've not in major pain. More than anything it's my

sinuses

> > and

> > > my joints feel really stiff, as if they are being forced into

> their

> > new

> > > position which is exactly what's happening. As soon as I woke

up

> > this

> > > mroning I remembered to do my breathing exercises and to cough

as

> > much

> > > as possible. I had quite a bit of phlem built up in my lungs

from

> > the

> > > anesthesia but nothing to worry about. I have to say, taking

deep

> > > breaths and walking around the ward, as well as going to the

> > bathroom

> > > did a lot for me not just physically in terms of getting the

> > anethesia

> > > out of my system but also in terms of my mental state. I felt

> > better

> > > and positive about my recovery.

> > >

> > > Doctor Scwartz came in to see me this morning at 8am and

removed

> my

> > > bandages that were wrapped around my head. He was amazed by how

> > little

> > > swelling I had. In fact, Dr Sachs who came in to see right

before

> I

> > was

> > > discharged at 1:30pm and all the nurses kept on saying that I

> > looked

> > > amazing for someone who just had a leforte. I put it down to

the

> > arnica

> > > pills I took on Sunday night and the MLD massage I had. I still

> > think I

> > > look swollen and I'm sure it will get worse over the next 48

> hours

> > but

> > > at least I haven't bruised badly immediately. I'll post a post-

op

> > 24

> > > hour picture for all of you.

> > >

> > > The weirdest part has been getting used to the new me. First of

> all

> > I

> > > hav a chin, which is really weird. My lips are wider and my

nose

> is

> > > also slightly wider. I'm still not sure I like what I see but

> I've

> > > decided not to make any final judgements for at least 3 weeks.

> > >

> > > Well, that's enough of my rambling for now. Throughout the

whole

> > > procedure I kept on saying to myself, oh I need to tell the

group

> > about

> > > this. It was a huge comfort. And I can honestly say now from

the

> > other

> > > side that while not one of the most enjoyable activities I have

> > ever

> > > been through, the surgery is not that bad. The best part was

> > getting it

> > > over with. Now I'm going to go through the other posts to see

how

> > > Shiloh and Jae did and to see how Jen and Becky are getting

along

> > in

> > > preparing for their surgery.

> > >

> > > It's good to be back.

> > >

> > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

I prefer Ensure to Boost. I went through a case during my second-

fourth weeks post op. They were really my main source of vitamins,

calories, etc. I know ... they are not very tasty. Two things I

found that made them better - bananas and peanut butter.

Just a suggestion,

Carol

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > My mom used the mother of all blenders for the first time the

> > > other day

> > > > to make me soup. You should see the bells and whistles on

this

> > > blender!

> > > > It has a button for EVERY single type of process you could

> think

> > > about

> > > > (smoothie, milkshake, batter, soup, ice, cream, pulp) and

> > > different

> > > > speeds. I have to admit both she and I were in awe when we

> first

> > > pulled

> > > > it out of the box. Took us a while to figure out what buttons

> to

> > > push

> > > > though:-)

> > > >

> > > > A block party! That sounds like a wonderful way to get the

time

> > to

> > > pass

> > > > by. Step right up for one of 's famous smoothies! I'm on

> > the

> > > next

> > > > Chinatown bus to get one:-)

> > > >

> > > > Today I am doing ok. I had a bit of a rough night because my

> > left

> > > hand

> > > > side of the jaw keeps on hurting. I think it's one of the

metal

> > > plates

> > > > that they put in during surgery. My explanation is that it's

> > > trying to

> > > > nestle itself into my jaw/cheek bone and in the process is

> > letting

> > > me

> > > > know about it. I'm hoping that eventually it will figure out

> > that

> > > this

> > > > is home and it needs to settle down now! The painkillers

don't

> > > seem to

> > > > be helping much. It's not a MAJOR pain. The IV pain was much

> > worse

> > > but

> > > > it's just this nagging feeling that I constantly have pulling

> at

> > > my

> > > > cheek bone. Other than that things are going swell. My

swelling

> > is

> > > > going down and I still have no bruising!

> > > >

> > > > Ugh Ensure/Boost. I discovered pineapple juice today, the

kind

> > > with no

> > > > pulp and I have decided that this is the drink of my choice.

> > It's

> > > very

> > > > good for helping the trapped fluids leave your swollen body

too

> > so

> > > if

> > > > you like pineapple check it out. I got the canned variety.

> Think

> > I

> > > > might go for a chocolate pudding today:-)

> > > >

> > > > I don't know about in Washington DC but here in NYC it has

> > started

> > > > pouring cats and dogs again. Oh well, just as well that I am

at

> > > home.

> > > > Let me know how your mother of all blenders goes!!

> > > >

> > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

just a quick note to say hi. Glad the operation went well. I had a

look at your pictures and you look great, recovering well i see

also. Those bands look tricky to get past, good picture, gives a

good idea of why just eating is so exhausting!!

B

x

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " mjlewis23 "

<mjlewis23@h...> wrote:

> Yeah, I guess it's just strange that people can completely not

> recognize us...weird.

>

> An off topic question, after you had your septoplasty, did you get

> congested from it? I wonder if I should call my surgeon. I know

> it's congestion, b/c when I take a shower, it clears somewhat, but

> the decongestants aren't helping much. (maybe I just have alot of

> crud in there?)

>

>

>

>

>

> > > Hi guys,

> > >

> > > I just wanted to share something with you that was kinda

funny.

> We

> > > have an exterminator come out every month to spray for all

kinds

> of

> > fun

> > > stuff (We live in the boonies with lots of wasps and spiders:-

> )).

> > > Anyways, we've known this guy for a little over 3 yrs, and he

> lives

> > in

> > > our town, his daughters play basketball in the league my

husband

> > > coaches, etc. I'm normally not home when he comes by, just my

> > husband

> > > is. So, I haven't seen him since basketball season

(November).

> He

> > > came by today to spray and kept looking at me and said " Why do

> you

> > look

> > > completely different to me? " LOL....I guess we never

mentioned

> the

> > jaw

> > > surgery to him, but I told him about it and he said, " I was

> trying

> > to

> > > figure out if you did something different with your hair or

> what "

> > >

> > > I just thought that was funny the way he phrased it....He did

> tell

> > me

> > > that I looked great though:-). I can just imagine what

everyone

> > else

> > > is going to have to say.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi B

Thanks for your message. Yes I am recovering remarkably well and I am

very pleased although I am still trying to get accustomed to the new

me. Glad the pics give a good idea of what a nightmare it is eating

with all this hardware in the mouth but I'm sure you expected that

already. Hope your wedding planning is coming along nicely. I've read

from your posts that your surgery will now be a little later than

expected. I hope that doesn't interfere with your plans.

Sara xx

> > > > Hi guys,

> > > >

> > > > I just wanted to share something with you that was kinda

> funny.

> > We

> > > > have an exterminator come out every month to spray for all

> kinds

> > of

> > > fun

> > > > stuff (We live in the boonies with lots of wasps and spiders:-

> > )).

> > > > Anyways, we've known this guy for a little over 3 yrs, and he

> > lives

> > > in

> > > > our town, his daughters play basketball in the league my

> husband

> > > > coaches, etc. I'm normally not home when he comes by, just

my

> > > husband

> > > > is. So, I haven't seen him since basketball season

> (November).

> > He

> > > > came by today to spray and kept looking at me and said " Why

do

> > you

> > > look

> > > > completely different to me? " LOL....I guess we never

> mentioned

> > the

> > > jaw

> > > > surgery to him, but I told him about it and he said, " I was

> > trying

> > > to

> > > > figure out if you did something different with your hair or

> > what "

> > > >

> > > > I just thought that was funny the way he phrased it....He did

> > tell

> > > me

> > > > that I looked great though:-). I can just imagine what

> everyone

> > > else

> > > > is going to have to say.

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

What rule? Why aren't you supposed to put wax on your front teeth? L

[Guest guest]

Talk about chills...

I had surgery soon after there had been a much-publicized case near

here in which an older woman was in a nursing home, but had not made

clear her preferences in a medical directive or for a proxy. The

family went through hell trying to follow what they believed to be

her wishes to avoid extraordinary life-sustaining measures. So I was

very vocal to my surgeon and my anesthesiologist that I had signed a

medical directive, and that if something went amiss, I had no

interest in lying mute in a hospital bed for whatever may remain of

my life.

I think I frightened my surgeon. He's a sweet, and funny guy -- but

the last thing he said to me as I was leaving his office the night

before he was to do surgery at 7 a.m., was, " Cammie, please don't die

on me. "

It took me aback a bit, I'll admit. And then I told him I didn't plan

on it, but that he and the anesthesiologists were the ones in control

of the plan.

Not only did I not die on them, I didn't even have a reaction to the

anesthesia (except for some wild dreams that morphine night) and I

never had any numbness, nor much swelling. And my recovery went

really well and easily, too. As I hope is the case for everyone, even

if it can't always go that way.

Cammie

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " Sara "

<sararegine@a...> wrote:

> ,

>

> how do you do it?! You always manage to get a giggle out of me. I

was

> picturing you tearing down the brick wall. Hee hee. You must be an

> awesome mom and a really fun colleague to work with. Well you can

> count on me to tear down your brick wall when the time comes but I

> hope for your sake it won't. Now that I think of it I don't even

> remember signing the consent form. I do remember having to sign a

> form authorizing them to donate my organs if something were to

happen

> and that really gave me the chills.

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara Girl,

Thanks, I appreciate being able to count on you for taking care of my

brick wall..(haha) The consent form I signed was 4 pages. I had to

initial off on each paragraph. I had to initial off that I was aware

of all of the complications it listed. I think it covered just about

everything I have heard about on this site and then some. It

included possible hardware removal, infection, relapse, swelling,

permanent facial problems, numbness, root canals, gum disease,

pneumonia, appearance change, and even voice change. It listed quite

a few more. It stated that it wasn't try to scare the patient, but

wanted the patient to be aware of all possible complications along

with being aware that it is major surgery not minor.

So yes, after reading 4 pages of possible complications, it put the

fear back in me! I thought to myself this must be a joke to hand

this to me 13 days pre-op when there is no turning back. But I guess

it is best I am aware of everything to avoid any surprises.

Anyway, I am sending positive vibes your way that you will be downing

those eggs soon. I have been craving Nutella since you mentioned it

a few weeks ago. That is one of my all time favorites!!

Take Care,

> > ,

> >

> > how do you do it?! You always manage to get a giggle out of me. I

> was

> > picturing you tearing down the brick wall. Hee hee. You must be

an

> > awesome mom and a really fun colleague to work with. Well you can

> > count on me to tear down your brick wall when the time comes but

I

> > hope for your sake it won't. Now that I think of it I don't even

> > remember signing the consent form. I do remember having to sign a

> > form authorizing them to donate my organs if something were to

> happen

> > and that really gave me the chills.

> >

> > Sara

[Guest guest]

,

I hear ya, I am not much of an iron food person and neither is my

mother, hence the anemia that seems to run in the family. I find

dousing my spinach with lots of interesting dressings and other

foods that I like helps. And what about pumpkin pie. If made well

that can be very yummy. And if you like Mexican food that usually

has quite a lot of beans cooked in yummy ways as well as meat which

is filled with iron. Most breakfast cereals will also have iron.

Remember that it will be important post-op to keep on taking in that

iron to ensure a good recovery and you won't want to be subsisting

on big horse pills.

, now that I am at the 2 week post-op mark I can tell you that

I think you'll be fine going to work after 2 weeks. Actually, you'll

probably look forward to the distraction. I seem to have returned to

my time warp from pre-surgery. The days just seem to drag by and we

both know how annoying that is. If I had a job to go back to right

now I think I would be able to handle it just fine. And if you have

no splint or bands you'll be super dooper fine. It's frustrating for

me right now because I feel fine but then as soon as I open my mouth

I realize that all is not fine because I have all this gunk inside

and I feel so stupid everytime I talk to a stranger. But I am trying

to get along as best as possible. I went out last night all on my

own and went to see a friend who just moved into a new apartment. It

felt good to get out and walk on my own with my iPOD. Need to get

back to exericising. My body is turning into flab but I am still

prohibited from exericising so I am secretly doing arm exercises in

my room when no one is looking i.e. mom's not watching! Lol!

Oh and the pimples have kicked in now after 2 weeks. Lol, I feel

like a teenager all over again. Ugh. This will pass soon too I

suppose. On a good note the swelling has gone down and my jaw hurts

less and less everyday. Now I am just praying to get this splint out

soon. It is the one thing that is making this recovery so hard but I

should really count my lucky stars. The first doctor I went to

wanted to wire me shut for 8 weeks just like Carol. Thank goodness I

changed doctors because I don't think I could have handled that.

Well enough of me yakking away. You have work to do!

Talk to you later Caboose!

Sara

[Guest guest]

Sara,

Now I do like pumpkin pie and will surely hit the supermarket after

work to get one. I was just thinking about a bean burrito, but

surely hate to see the after affects for my coworkers..(haha)

That's okay, I just told them that we are all in this together and

if I suffer they can suffer right along with me...They all laughed!

Glad to hear that things are going well for you at the 2 week post-

op mark. I will probably try to head back to work right at 3 weeks

since I think I have been approved for the Donated Leave. I have

always had a difficult recovery with my other surgeries, so I would

rather be prepared just in case it is needed. Of course we are

thinking positive and I am going to eat my spinach and be strong

just like Popeye the Sailor Man!! Toot toot!!

Keep up the good work! I am so proud of my fav June buddy!

> ,

>

> I hear ya, I am not much of an iron food person and neither is my

> mother, hence the anemia that seems to run in the family. I find

> dousing my spinach with lots of interesting dressings and other

> foods that I like helps. And what about pumpkin pie. If made well

> that can be very yummy. And if you like Mexican food that usually

> has quite a lot of beans cooked in yummy ways as well as meat

which

> is filled with iron. Most breakfast cereals will also have iron.

> Remember that it will be important post-op to keep on taking in

that

> iron to ensure a good recovery and you won't want to be subsisting

> on big horse pills.

>

> , now that I am at the 2 week post-op mark I can tell you

that

> I think you'll be fine going to work after 2 weeks. Actually,

you'll

> probably look forward to the distraction. I seem to have returned

to

> my time warp from pre-surgery. The days just seem to drag by and

we

> both know how annoying that is. If I had a job to go back to right

> now I think I would be able to handle it just fine. And if you

have

> no splint or bands you'll be super dooper fine. It's frustrating

for

> me right now because I feel fine but then as soon as I open my

mouth

> I realize that all is not fine because I have all this gunk inside

> and I feel so stupid everytime I talk to a stranger. But I am

trying

> to get along as best as possible. I went out last night all on my

> own and went to see a friend who just moved into a new apartment.

It

> felt good to get out and walk on my own with my iPOD. Need to get

> back to exericising. My body is turning into flab but I am still

> prohibited from exericising so I am secretly doing arm exercises

in

> my room when no one is looking i.e. mom's not watching! Lol!

>

> Oh and the pimples have kicked in now after 2 weeks. Lol, I feel

> like a teenager all over again. Ugh. This will pass soon too I

> suppose. On a good note the swelling has gone down and my jaw

hurts

> less and less everyday. Now I am just praying to get this splint

out

> soon. It is the one thing that is making this recovery so hard but

I

> should really count my lucky stars. The first doctor I went to

> wanted to wire me shut for 8 weeks just like Carol. Thank goodness

I

> changed doctors because I don't think I could have handled that.

>

> Well enough of me yakking away. You have work to do!

>

> Talk to you later Caboose!

> Sara