Yippee! I can talk again. The wires were cut today. There is still one little wire around my lower front two teeth. I’ll still need to be on a very soft diet for the next two weeks. My first meal was cream of wheat. Very yummy, I’ve been craving it for a week. Looking forward to some real food for dinner, maybe a little hamburger, rice and peas. I still can’t open my jaw all the way, but the doctor says not to force it and it will relax in time. I go back for another follow up in about three weeks.
I saw a couple of other people in the doctor’s office that I met in our class. They had surgery the day after me. They all looked great. I had lost the most amount of weight. Because of the gall bladder scare last month, I stayed away from fatty things and most dairy. The others were able to add ice cream to their shakes. I can start increasing physical activity now, just nothing too strenuous as to cause clenching my jaw. Hopefully with a little exercise, I can keep this weight off.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Took a big trip to Roseville on Friday. Had a pedicure, lunch with some friends and X-Rays taken. It’s hard to navigate in my condition. Mom and managed to get where we needed to be on time without too much argument. I’m not sure who was frustrated or stress more. Nice red toenails sure help cool an attitude.
Lunch was a pumpkin Jamba Juice. It took quite a while for mine to melt down to a consistency I could drink, but I eventually enjoyed it very much. The short day trip really wiped me out. I took a nap and still went to bed early.
Surprised to see the X-Rays. There are three cuts, one on each side about two teeth in from the back and another right down the center of the front. Three little titanium brackets holding everything together.
I’m getting tired very easily. Just a little bit of work for SWE on Saturday knocked me out for most of the day. Even had a melt down in the afternoon. Pete and I did take a little shopping trip for his niece’s baptism. At first I was thinking it wouldn’t take 6 weeks to recover, but with this diet and interrupted sleep I understand. The smallest frustration just saps all the energy out of me. I wouldn’t last 15 minutes at work.
Less than 24 more hours now! I’m down at least 10 pounds. The swelling is completely gone with the exception of the slight bump where the infection is. Still taking the penicillin. Planning my first meal. I’m torn between pasta and potatoes. I’d really like some BBQ but I won’t be able to eat that for a while yet.
Lunch was a pumpkin Jamba Juice. It took quite a while for mine to melt down to a consistency I could drink, but I eventually enjoyed it very much. The short day trip really wiped me out. I took a nap and still went to bed early.
Surprised to see the X-Rays. There are three cuts, one on each side about two teeth in from the back and another right down the center of the front. Three little titanium brackets holding everything together.
I’m getting tired very easily. Just a little bit of work for SWE on Saturday knocked me out for most of the day. Even had a melt down in the afternoon. Pete and I did take a little shopping trip for his niece’s baptism. At first I was thinking it wouldn’t take 6 weeks to recover, but with this diet and interrupted sleep I understand. The smallest frustration just saps all the energy out of me. I wouldn’t last 15 minutes at work.
Less than 24 more hours now! I’m down at least 10 pounds. The swelling is completely gone with the exception of the slight bump where the infection is. Still taking the penicillin. Planning my first meal. I’m torn between pasta and potatoes. I’d really like some BBQ but I won’t be able to eat that for a while yet.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Well another good day. Feeling a little blue, just lowercase blue not BLUE. Painting my nails later, which should help. Slept until nearly 10:00 am if you don’t count the times I woke in the middle of the night and the 5:00 am trip to the kitchen for medication. Got to sleep a little on my side this morning. Aaahhh, it was so nice. Didn’t do much exciting today. This afternoon took a short trip to Walgreen’s for more grape ibuprofen and apricot scrub, then a short nap.
Doing a little SWE work today and this evening. Read a bit more of the Bad Chili book. It’s kind of raunchy, but a fun read. Looking forward to a trip home tomorrow. X-rays and pedicures in the plan. It’s the next step to getting cut open again so to speak. Jaw unwiring ceremony scheduled for 12:00 Monday. Seems so close. I hope there’s some good little café on Piedmont Street in Oakland that serves a soft lunch.
No real meal adventures today, I think we’re getting the hang of things. I had a protein shake for breakfast, vegetable soup for lunch and celery soup for dinner.
Doing a little SWE work today and this evening. Read a bit more of the Bad Chili book. It’s kind of raunchy, but a fun read. Looking forward to a trip home tomorrow. X-rays and pedicures in the plan. It’s the next step to getting cut open again so to speak. Jaw unwiring ceremony scheduled for 12:00 Monday. Seems so close. I hope there’s some good little café on Piedmont Street in Oakland that serves a soft lunch.
No real meal adventures today, I think we’re getting the hang of things. I had a protein shake for breakfast, vegetable soup for lunch and celery soup for dinner.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Today was a very good day. I had what wouldn’t normally sound like, but are now classified as gourmet meals. George stopped by and brought Mom and I an orange sherbet icy for a morning snack. Lunch was Pete’s special split pea soup; afternoon snack was a protein shake of cottage cheese, yogurt, soymilk and banana. Dinner was a ½ cup Pete’s special chicken broth and ½ Campbell’s vegetable soup mixed, blended, and triple strained, yum yum. I think that is the most food I’ve had in one day since the surgery.
It’s been such a comfort to have Mom around. She comes over in the morning and together we try to figure out how to get food prepared so I can eat it. At least that seems to have taken up most of our days. She’s really great at keeping things picked up so it doesn’t look like a pigsty. Sitting around in a cluttered room really wears on you when you can’t do anything about it. For some reason it’s a lot easier when you’re feeling great but are just a big lazy ass. To give you an idea of how exciting it’s been around her, Mom ironed something like 10 shirts yesterday just to try and stay awake. At least I come by it honestly.
I’m glad Pete went back to work, but only because it’s baseball play-off season. The first game starts at 1:00 and then three games later its bedtime. At least I’m learning a lot about baseball. Go Giants!
Mom and I went to the grocery store today and picked up some more canned soups and stuff to blend. We also got some protein powder from the GNC at the mall. By the way, Stockton now has a California Pizza Kitchen. Can’t wait to give it a try. I just hope it doesn’t go out of business before I can eat pizza again. I also took a little walk with Pete when he got home from work this evening. Yep, definitely a good day.
It’s been such a comfort to have Mom around. She comes over in the morning and together we try to figure out how to get food prepared so I can eat it. At least that seems to have taken up most of our days. She’s really great at keeping things picked up so it doesn’t look like a pigsty. Sitting around in a cluttered room really wears on you when you can’t do anything about it. For some reason it’s a lot easier when you’re feeling great but are just a big lazy ass. To give you an idea of how exciting it’s been around her, Mom ironed something like 10 shirts yesterday just to try and stay awake. At least I come by it honestly.
I’m glad Pete went back to work, but only because it’s baseball play-off season. The first game starts at 1:00 and then three games later its bedtime. At least I’m learning a lot about baseball. Go Giants!
Mom and I went to the grocery store today and picked up some more canned soups and stuff to blend. We also got some protein powder from the GNC at the mall. By the way, Stockton now has a California Pizza Kitchen. Can’t wait to give it a try. I just hope it doesn’t go out of business before I can eat pizza again. I also took a little walk with Pete when he got home from work this evening. Yep, definitely a good day.
A little set back yesterday. Damn nausea kept me down most of the day. I just laid around and groaned.
We squashed up a Tagament and that helped. Once the swelling started to go down I discovered a weird bump on my lower right jaw. Conversations with Mom-nurse-doctor-nurse-Mom finally communicated the problem. Possible infection. This might also have been causing the nausea. So now I’m taking penicillin. Since the Tylenol might also cause the stomach issues I’m switching between that and children’s ibuprofen. At least it tastes a little better, grape… yum. I managed to get down a little apple-pear juice, some banana baby food and for dinner butternut squash soup. So far, I’ve lost somewhere between 3 and 7 pounds. I can’t really tell with Pete’s scale.
Slept pretty good last night. I’m still sleeping propped up. I can lay on my side a little now, but still can’t sleep long that way. My lower lip down past my chin is still numb. Every now and then it feels like it’s trying to come back, like minor pins and needles. It isn’t uncomfortable, but it does interfere with being able to talk. My lower face still feels tight from the swelling. Looking in the mirror, I have high hopes for the chin. But I don't think it's really going to look that different; kind'a like a good haircut, good but not too noticeable. Brian, Chris and Mom seem to understand most of what I say. Pete has a little more trouble. Of course we’re not discussing world peace or the recall vote. Our discussions consist of mostly, “I’m hungry”, “good”, “no”, “yes”, “hand me the scrabble game”. I’ll be a champ at charades before this is over.
I’ve finally finished "The Secret Lives of Bees". It got much better towards the middle. It might be because of the discussions of Mary and the rosary. It takes just about the same amount of time for the Tylenol to take affect as it does to pray the rosary. I was grateful to have something to concentrate on while waiting. I also read "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency". Very cute story, Pete even enjoyed it. I’m starting one Chris gave me for my birthday, Bad Chili. The first chapter was hilarious. A couple of guys are out shooting at tin cans and get attacked by a rabid squirrel. One of the guys is a gay black man who just got fired from his bar bouncer job. Looking forward to how this one evolves.
Watching a lot of TV too. "Windtalkers" was a disappointment. I don’t know why I think I like Nicolas Cage. I think I only liked him when he played John Travolta in "Face Off". So maybe I really only like John Travolta and not Nicolas Cage. Also watched "Singing in the Rain" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Thank goodness for cable, I haven’t had to watch a single soap opera or talk show. I have caught a few episodes of Buffy, Perry Mason and Leave it to Beaver. Ahhh daytime TV can be so enriching. Come on Netflicks! "Ronin" and "Permission" are on the way. Maybe some Citizen Kane and Singing in the Rain extras this afternoon.
We squashed up a Tagament and that helped. Once the swelling started to go down I discovered a weird bump on my lower right jaw. Conversations with Mom-nurse-doctor-nurse-Mom finally communicated the problem. Possible infection. This might also have been causing the nausea. So now I’m taking penicillin. Since the Tylenol might also cause the stomach issues I’m switching between that and children’s ibuprofen. At least it tastes a little better, grape… yum. I managed to get down a little apple-pear juice, some banana baby food and for dinner butternut squash soup. So far, I’ve lost somewhere between 3 and 7 pounds. I can’t really tell with Pete’s scale.
Slept pretty good last night. I’m still sleeping propped up. I can lay on my side a little now, but still can’t sleep long that way. My lower lip down past my chin is still numb. Every now and then it feels like it’s trying to come back, like minor pins and needles. It isn’t uncomfortable, but it does interfere with being able to talk. My lower face still feels tight from the swelling. Looking in the mirror, I have high hopes for the chin. But I don't think it's really going to look that different; kind'a like a good haircut, good but not too noticeable. Brian, Chris and Mom seem to understand most of what I say. Pete has a little more trouble. Of course we’re not discussing world peace or the recall vote. Our discussions consist of mostly, “I’m hungry”, “good”, “no”, “yes”, “hand me the scrabble game”. I’ll be a champ at charades before this is over.
I’ve finally finished "The Secret Lives of Bees". It got much better towards the middle. It might be because of the discussions of Mary and the rosary. It takes just about the same amount of time for the Tylenol to take affect as it does to pray the rosary. I was grateful to have something to concentrate on while waiting. I also read "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency". Very cute story, Pete even enjoyed it. I’m starting one Chris gave me for my birthday, Bad Chili. The first chapter was hilarious. A couple of guys are out shooting at tin cans and get attacked by a rabid squirrel. One of the guys is a gay black man who just got fired from his bar bouncer job. Looking forward to how this one evolves.
Watching a lot of TV too. "Windtalkers" was a disappointment. I don’t know why I think I like Nicolas Cage. I think I only liked him when he played John Travolta in "Face Off". So maybe I really only like John Travolta and not Nicolas Cage. Also watched "Singing in the Rain" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Thank goodness for cable, I haven’t had to watch a single soap opera or talk show. I have caught a few episodes of Buffy, Perry Mason and Leave it to Beaver. Ahhh daytime TV can be so enriching. Come on Netflicks! "Ronin" and "Permission" are on the way. Maybe some Citizen Kane and Singing in the Rain extras this afternoon.
Monday, September 29, 2003
I just love teenagers. As I was showing Brian the pictures I just posted to snapfish he said I should keep a little journal. Especially since I can't talk very well right now. Nothing wrong with my typing, except spelling.
I finally had a satisfying dinner. We tried Pete's split-pea soup again. The first time it was too thick and chunky to get through my teeth. What torture! I had smelled it cooking all day and was really looking forward to something substantial in my stomach. I think it was Saturday. We blended and strained and thinned, but I lost patience before the technique was mastered.
They actually put a little plastic splint between the upper and lower teeth. This along with the wires keeps them from slipping. Unfortunately, it closes a lot of the gaps so only thinner liquids can get through.
I tried some Ensure a couple of days, but it caused a little flare up with the gall bladder issue. I think it had too much fat. Especially, since I had only been able to gag down chicken broth and juice on Thursday and Friday.
I'm sleeping kind of propped up in bed. It was very hard to get comfortable the first couple of nights. It felt like my jaw was being torqued with every turn. I also sleep quite comfortable on the couch. Last night was the first night with only one interruption, nearly 4 hours of continuous sleep! Yippee! I felt good enough to take a trip to Costco. Thankfully they didn't have any really good taste testers going. Mom and Pete have been around and helping quite a bit. My cousin Moorea sent me a bell and I also have a bike horn, but I haven't needed to use either.
It was pretty touchy yesterday. I had my first emotional melt down from not enough sleep or food. Now that we seem to have the liquidification methods down I'm feeling a little more optimistic. Just 7 more days till the unwiring....
I finally had a satisfying dinner. We tried Pete's split-pea soup again. The first time it was too thick and chunky to get through my teeth. What torture! I had smelled it cooking all day and was really looking forward to something substantial in my stomach. I think it was Saturday. We blended and strained and thinned, but I lost patience before the technique was mastered.
They actually put a little plastic splint between the upper and lower teeth. This along with the wires keeps them from slipping. Unfortunately, it closes a lot of the gaps so only thinner liquids can get through.
I tried some Ensure a couple of days, but it caused a little flare up with the gall bladder issue. I think it had too much fat. Especially, since I had only been able to gag down chicken broth and juice on Thursday and Friday.
I'm sleeping kind of propped up in bed. It was very hard to get comfortable the first couple of nights. It felt like my jaw was being torqued with every turn. I also sleep quite comfortable on the couch. Last night was the first night with only one interruption, nearly 4 hours of continuous sleep! Yippee! I felt good enough to take a trip to Costco. Thankfully they didn't have any really good taste testers going. Mom and Pete have been around and helping quite a bit. My cousin Moorea sent me a bell and I also have a bike horn, but I haven't needed to use either.
It was pretty touchy yesterday. I had my first emotional melt down from not enough sleep or food. Now that we seem to have the liquidification methods down I'm feeling a little more optimistic. Just 7 more days till the unwiring....
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