Jaw Journal

  • Jaw Journal

    Day 13: Cheek Ripping

    Pain: 1 Nausea: None. Swelling: Almost completely gone. I still have a mild “double chin” look, but my face no longer resembles the jowly face of Alfred Hitchcock.  Numbness: My lips and chin are in a constant state of burning turmoil these days, which is, of course, a great sign of nerve health and healing. Sometimes, though, the burning/itching/tingling makes me want to pull my hair out. Going insane is a small price to pay for getting out of chronic pain though, right??? Today I had my second follow-up with Dr. D’Addario. The minute I walked into the office, everyone on the staff started telling me how great I look.…

  • Jaw Journal

    Day 11: 25 mm and a Toddler

    I haven’t written in a few days because, at first, nothing had really changed and I didn’t have much to say. Then I didn’t write because I had a HORRIBLE day of HORRIBLE pain and nausea (yesterday), and didn’t feel like blogging. But today, I’m much better–a whole new woman, in fact–and have some fun things to share. Pain yesterday: 9 Pain today: 2 Nausea yesterday: 8 Nausea today: none! Swelling is almost unnoticeable on both sides! Numbness: My lip has started to give the sensation of pain whenever anything comes into contact with it. It’s like the nerves know something is happening, but can’t quite get things straight yet.…

  • Jaw Journal

    Day 7: One week anniversary!

    Pain: 3 Numbness: Same old, same old. Nausea: Doc wrote a prescription for another patch, so I’m doing alright! Hopefully this one will last through the end of my Percoset, and I won’t need more. Food Consumption Today: oatmeal and a mashed up banana for breakfast, two small, soft cheese wheels, and about 1/2 cup of baked beans. Tonight I’m going to boldly try meatloaf at my parents. That is…if I don’t fall asleep with my face in it first. Today is the one-week mark in my recovery from jaw surgery. Yippee! Really, I’m doing pretty well. Not a ton of swelling, my pain is manageable, and I can brush…

  • Jaw Journal

    Day 6: Freedom and Bliss!

    Pain: 4 Numbness: Same. You know in Road Runner cartoons when Wiley the Coyote accidentally electrocutes himself instead of Road Runner, and as he walks away, his whole body lights up with electric shock every other step? Well, Wiley the Coyote has been walking his electric-coyote walk across  my bottom lip all day. Swelling: Almost unnoticeable on the right side, but still a bit pudgy on the left.   Today was the best day of my post-surgery life! Today, I got my rubber bands off!! *cue angel choir singing* I can officially open my mouth 12 whole millimeters. And you know what that means? I CAN BRUSH MY TEETH!!! I…

  • Jaw Journal

    Day 5: All You Need Is Love…and Condiment Bottles

    Pain: 6-7 Numbness: Same. Nausea: Bad this morning, but passed without incident. Back this afternoon after my 3 hour nap, but went away after tomato soup. My day of socializing yesterday caught up with me last night and this morning, and my pain was the worst it’s been. After my 4 and 9 am doses of food and meds, I slept until about 11. When I woke up, my mommy had replaced Brandon as my caretaker for the day! (Brandon had to go back to work. Rats.) Good thing my mom has an iPad to keep her company…I was pretty boring and sleepy all day. My dad came by around…