Oh I forgot to tell you this

I put the pictures in backwards. The first picture is today, day 4. The last 2 are from the hospital right after surgery.

Oh, I forgot to mention I got a genioplasty and a cranial bone graft which left 7 lovely big staples in my head. He did give me a choice between a cadavers or my own. I choose my own bone. I have rinsed it in the shower a couple of times, but I'm too afraid to use much shampoo. I'm afraid it will hurt. Anyway, here are some pictures and yes I look like was run over by a mac truck.

4 Days Post-op

Hi everyone. I'm sorry it's taken me a while to post, but I guess all these drugs make me so loopy. I'm actually doing pretty well. Pain isn't too bad. I have some pain in my upper teeth. I have lots of dried blood in my nose and it is so hard to get out. Any suggestions? I've used Ocean spray and qtips, but it's just really stuck up my nose.

I just want to post how the day of surgery went. I had to be in Denver at the hospital at 5:30. They took me back about 5:50am and got me dressed and an IV in. I was so scared I told them I think I changed my mind about the surgery. They let my husband back to talk to me and he was so comforting. The "gas" doctor came in an talked to me. He said they put a patch on my neck after surgery to stop the neausea. That really did help. I haven't felt sick at all. The OS and his assistant came in. The OS said they had been praying for me. He knew I was scared. Anyway, I said "ok, let's get this over with". The wheeled me into the OR about 7:45 and I couldn't believe how many people were there. I think it was 7-10 people. They talked to me for a second and that's all I remember. The surgery lasted 6 hours. He did the lower jaw first and that went until 10:00. I'm not sure what they did next but they fixed my turbinates in my nose. They said they were twice the normal size. They had a hard time getting my breathing tube in because my trachea was so small. The did a 3-piece Lefort. My upper jaw was pulled up 2mm and my lower jaw was moved up 6mm and then one side of my lower jaw was tiled 2mm and he fixed that. They took me to the Recovery Room and it was hard to wake me up. I was there 2 hours. I vaguely remember them talking to me. I was so out of it. I don't remember any pain waking up though, just really spacey.

I was able to breathe so much better the first few days. The surgery was done at Sky Ridge Hospital in Denver and they were all so great. The nurses were all attentive and I had a private room. It was all a fairly good experience considering what they did.

I came home the next day, Friday, and I feel better each day. Swelling is the worst part of it and it's hard to swallow. My throat hurt a lot. I do have pictures that I'll post. I am still really numb on chin and lower lip. My mom and husband have been taking such good care of me. My husband is a MD himself so he knows exactly how to care for me. I can't wait to feel normal again. It's hard to say right now that I'm happy I did it, but I think I will be happy in a couple of weeks. Maybe it's my age. Most people who do this are a lot younger than me. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I'm doped up on Vicodene.

I made it

HI all. I can't believe I did. I was so scared I almost didn't do it. Very, very swollen. Can't swallow well. It hurts to swallow. It's hard to breathe out of my mouth. I'll post more later and pictures.

I Am Strong

So today I went to the OS office to get the official measurements. I was excited to learn that although I will have a 3 piece Lefort I do not have to have an external splint. My OS uses an internal splint that dissolves by itself after about 6 weeks. Cool. I really like my OS.

After that I went to the hospital for blood work and paperwork. It took all morning to get this done and by then I was pretty hungry. Anyway, I was sitting down getting my blood drawn thinking...I am woman, I am strong.... I am going to pass out. So being the smart person I am I tell the nurse that and the next thing I know I'm dreaming. Then I wake up and look at her and think "who is that". Then it hits me. I'm in the hospital getting my blood drawn. She then tells me I passed out and had a seizure. It only lasted 10-15 seconds and she stayed with me until I came to. How in the world can I have jaw surgery if I can't even get my blood drawn. I've never had that happen before. I was pretty freaked out to loose control like that. The nurse told my OS and I don't think that will stop my surgery, but we'll see.

I think it happened because I was stressed out, hungry and tired. At least I hope that's it.

More Metal in My Mouth

Just when I thought they couldn't possibly put more metal in my mouth they found a way. Yes, I got my surgical hooks on today. I didn't count how many there were, but I guess it was about 12-16 hooks. While they were doing it I had wires sticking way out of my mouth. I felt just like Jim Carrey when he said, "do I have something in my teeth". I asked them if it was just 6 weeks with the hooks on and she just looked at me funny and said, "weelllll, maybe a little longer". Oh, joy. They are trying out some smaller hooks and I'm the guinea pig. Here are some pictures.

Gross, I think I have something in my teeth. I should have brushed my teeth before taking the pictures. So sorry.

Pre-Op Appointment on Tuesday

I can't believe my surgery is in 10 days. I have my pre-op appointment on Tuesday with my surgeon. I don't know what all they do, but the appointment is supposed to last 2 hours. I'm sure they'll do xrays. My ortho did the molds at the last appointment. I bought a Vitamix Blender which is supposed to blend just about anything to liquid. It looked pretty cool and I think I'll use it after recovery too. My mom is coming out to help me and the boys. She doesn't know what she's getting into with the kids..hehehe.

I'm just hoping and praying that in the end it'll all be worth it and that I won't have permanent numbness or pain. Did anyone notice a difference in their breathing? I just wonder if that will improve since my trachea is half the size it should be. Thanks guys.

Surgery Date and Insurance Approval

Ok, I'm freaking out now. I have surgery scheduled on May 6 at 7:30am. Although I have known the date for a while I haven't wanted to post it, because I kept thinking I might back out because I'm nervous. However, today my OS's office called to tell me my insurance company has approved my surgery. Yes, they will pay for all of it except the genioplasty. (That one I knew they wouldn't pay for.) I am really kind of surprised they approved it, but it just validates my thoughts that there is something wrong with me. lol If anyone has some words of wisdom and encouragement I'd love to hear them.