One Week Post Surgery TODAY

To the left is DAY 2 in the hospital, above that is DAY 4 and in black DAY 5.
I've emerged momentarily. Little surprised at how emotional I feel. I think it has a lot more to do with the last year of my fight and a lifetime of anticipation. Recovery is tough! Yesterday I did too much talking and today I'm paying for it. I feel like all the swelling from the sides of my face moved forward into my nose and lips - like they might actually pop. Its a very odd feeling. I'm still numb from below my eyes down. I have two black eyes and bruising (yellowing) all over my chest from the breathing tube I had for what seemed like forever, even after surgery! I ended up staying an extra night in the hospital and getting a blood transfusion. But the surgeon did say it was one of the "best" he's done ... whatever that means, but glad to hear. It took less than 3 hours. Oddly he also said that he found that I had a facial fracture on my right cheek that hadn't healed properly. My dad doesn't know of a time when my face got broken. So the doctor somehow used bone from somewhere else and put it on the cheek (how amazing is that?!) Can't wait to actually be able to see the results. I had my first post op orthodontist appointment today and he moved the two bands to go from the bottom back molar to the 4th from the upper midline. That's it - 2 bands only and I can take them out whenever I want. Also ... my eyelashes are falling out ... is this normal?!

I'm getting surgery TOMORROW!!!!

Okay, I know I haven't blogged in a while. Forgive me; things have been a bit CRAZY lately. But to make a month long story short: I switched surgeons to Dr. S and my procedure is TOMORROW!!!! 3pm. I can't believe it. I have had to fight so hard for this that I'm not even nervous (yet). I never thought I could be so excited to have somebody cut into my face. For my "Last Supper" I had pizza and this amazing, organic, Chicken and Fuji Apple Salad and then ... Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Yum! Since my procedure is so late in the day tomorrow though I'm allowed to eat until 7am so I'm happy to know I can have coffee (I am completely addicted). James (see picture) is helping me pack and gave me a "Get Well" basket with all sorts of important stuff like a dry erase board, relaxing cds, neck pillow and chapstick. Everyone has been really supportive as everything came together last minute and I haven't had much time to plan for this! I'm taking 3 weeks off work and I'm excited about that. I'll have more time to blog :)

Well all - you have no idea how much your own stories have helped me along this journey already. Thank you SO much :)

"Talk" to you again soon!

Never Ending Story

So, since I have decided to take my employer's "offer" to cover 80% (of contracted charges) for my surgery I went ahead and set the date for October 27th with Dr. D (who I've been a patient of for 2 years). But then last week I went to Dr. S, who I had been waiting over a month to get in with, for a second opinion. Now I have quite the predicament as I have for sure decided to change doctors. The 2 doctors seem at this point incomparable. Dr. D had told me I would be in surgery for 11 hours for both jaws, 2 days in the hospital with the usual, dreaded wired shut forever, liquid diet, then soft foods recovery and off work 4-6 weeks. But Dr. S tells me (for the same procedures) it will take only 3 hours in surgery, 1-2 nights in the hospital and ... I will wake up WITHOUT MY JAWS WIRED SHUT! The orthodontist apparently comes to me in the hospital the next day to apply the bands and I will be back to work in 3 weeks. The longer you're under anesthesia, the more bruising and swelling, hence the vast difference in recovery time. I feel so much more confident in Dr. S. Now I have had to request that my "offer" instead include the new doctor. I'll be paying a whole lot out of pocket (and of course it would be worth it), but because he requires payment in full before the surgery ($36,000) I have to see how much my portion will be before I can know for sure if its realistic. He is available on October 25th at this point and I so badly want this over with. Next week I should have the details on the cost and therefore be able to decide if I will financially be able to do this.

Why does this story seem never ending? I'm so grateful to have found a doctor I'm much more confidant in, but now there are still all of these new "what ifs." My body and mind are tired. Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts.