Day 51: My Chin Tickles

It's hard to imagine that it's been over 50 days since the surgery! But, I am doing well! Despite not being cleared to chew everything, the oral surgeon said that I could begin trying things harder than scrambled-egg-consistancy on week 7. He didn't have to tell me twice! I decided I would try some boneless chicken wings, followed the next day by some sesame chicken and rice. While, I was able to eat these things, it wasn't always easy. What I ended up doing was cutting the large pieces of meat up so that I wouldn't have to bite completely through the meat. This also made it easier to fit between the rubber bands in my mouth. Once in my mouth, I would gently bite on the meat with my back molars. I would never bite completely through the meat, just to play it safe. Once I bite a little bit through the piece of meat, I would turn it and repeat this process a couple times before mashing the rest of it up using my tongue and pressing the meat to the roof of my mouth. It may sound like a rather long and complicated process, but in actuality it was a pretty short process that usually left me swallowing large pieces. But, it was worth it because I am ready to begin eating more regular foods. Although, I was a little let down with the sesame chicken I had-it didn't compare to Hyvee's!

Last night I was invited to join several of my classmates for dinner tonight at a nearby restaurant. They were hesitant to ask knowing my situation, but I reassured them I could eat more than they think, despite not being cleared to chew. We pulled up a menu of the restaurant from their website and they had several things on the menu that I would be able to eat, such as pasta. Then, I remembered the last time I attempted to eat pasta out in public with friends. After several forks full of spaghetti being loaded into my mouth surrounded by a numb lower lip and chin, I had just as much spaghetti and spaghetti sauce on my chin as I had probably gotten in my mouth-unbeknownst to me. My friends who I was eating with got quite the kick out of this but I wasn't too embarrassed because they were very good friends of mine. I just don't think I am ready for making a fool out of myself with my new classmates quite yet.

But, things have changed since that first outing. Most noticeable, my chin has been tickling me the last couple days (it's not literally physically tickling me like my brother use to tickle me, but I have been feeling a tickling sensation on my chin). This can mean only one thing (I hope)-my nerves are beginning to wake up! As annoying as this tickling sensation is, I am happy to be feeling something! Once I have regained feeling here, I will feel so close to the finish line of this whole process. The last hurdles being chewing, running, and my braces and rubber bands.

I still feel swollen when I wake up in mornings from sleeping on the side of my face, but I don't seem to physically see as much swelling any more. I'm looking more and more like my old self, minus the huge under bite. I am also beginning to speak more clearly-at least I think I am. I still have the occasional slip-ups here and there that produce a lisp but not nearly as much as a couple weeks ago.

"Stay classy, San Diego"

Day 46: Post Op Appointment #5

I met with an oral surgeon today, not my regular one. My regular oral surgeon was called to the hospital early this morning on an emergency so I saw his associate. He seemed up to date with my procedure and familiar with everything going on (my oral surgeon must keep good notes). He said that everything is looking good inside but I'm still not allowed to run, jump, or chew (anything harder than scrambled eggs). I was a little bummed about this because I really want to play basketball with my classmates during our study breaks (they played today-I watched) and I just want to take a massive bite out of a Chili's cheeseburger with my new teeth-touching-bite!

I say I "was" bummed about this because while I was watching my classmates play basketball, I was dribbling a ball and it got away from me so I ran after it-not more than 10 strides. It wasn't long before I noticed some aching in my jaw, accompanied with a little bit of pain. I can't imagine that 10 strides would do it but something caused it and it was enough for me to side with the doctor on his decision.

After I had asked him about being able to run and stuff he gave me a rather long explanation on the bone healing process and how at this time (6 weeks after surgery) the bone just isn't ready for the constant pounding that running comes with. He said that at my next appointment, in 2 weeks, they will take x-rays and will be able to give me a better timeline as to when I can expect to be able to run and jump. He also said that at week 7, this Thursday, I can try chewing some harder things but not to go overboard with it. He didn't give me many specifics and kept it as vague as I put it and I'm not quite sure what he had in mind but I'll figure it out. Unfortunately, I don't think this will allow cheeseburgers.

Yesterday, I got to see a good friend who hadn't seen me since the surgery. She thought I didn't look too different, but she did think that my nose looked different. I've actually thought the same thing so it would nice to hear someone else say it, too.

Today, I showed some of my classmates t my before pictures of my bite and the x-rays. They couldn't believe my bite before the surgery was as bad as it was. I have just been telling my classmates that I had a really bad bite that needed to be fixed, apparently they didn't imagine it was that bad. It was really cool showing them and seeing their reactions. I think they better understood why I had the surgery, now.

Day 42: Happy Birthday Mom!

Well, today marks six weeks since the surgery and my mom's birthday! I'm doing well, and absolutely craving a Old Timer with cheddar cheese, plain from Chili's! It's the only food that has come across my mind when I have been hungry. I'm hoping at Monday's appointment with the oral surgeon that I will be cleared to chew. I also hope he clears me to run and jump so that I can join my classmates in basketball!

School started this past monday and I got the flu or something by tuesday. It has forced me to miss a couple days of lectures but I was forced to go to the mandatory labs. I never thought I would be this far behind after one week. But, if I had to get sick I'm glad it happened this week and not mid-semester when things are moving even faster! Speaking of labs, in our first lab we had to take all sorts of measurements of the body, one of which was weight. I weighed in at 177 pounds-a three pound gain! Granted, it was a different scale.

I think I still have a little bit of swelling but not as much as a couple weeks ago. I noticed today that my cheeks felt normal, or that my cheek implants no longer felt extremely foreign. I'm still mostly numb on my lower lip and completely numb on my chin. I am constantly wiping my chin in fear that I have a piece of food dangling from it without me feeling it dangling there. My speech is still needing some improving. My S's are pronounced more as S-H's, right now. My whole enunciation is off, and worse than before. I'm not sure if its the four rubber bands I have in my mouth, the repositioning of my jaw, or what is the cause of my poor speech at this point. But it really feels like my lower jaw is so much closer to my tongue, which is taking some getting use to.

This past weekend I got to see a good friend from high school while I was in the city. He hadn't seen me since the surgery. I met him inside a crowded bar, where I was told to look for him in the back near the bar. I made my way towards the back, excited to his reaction. I saw him making his way towards me and I just stopped and stared at him as he was about to walk right by me. I saw his eyes scan my face and move on, then immediately they came back to me. He recognized me! Later on he would say that he couldn't believe how much I looked like my brother. He also complemented me on my extremely straight teeth as I was showing him my teeth that now touched. He was with his girlfriend and her sorority sisters who I have met a few times. His girlfriend recognized me but her friends swore they had never met me, at least thats the way they acted. But, it was great to see him and some familiar faces!

I'm going home this weekend at some point because I have my appointment with the oral surgeon early monday morning. Another one of my good friends from high school will be home, too. She also has not seen my "new" face, so I am looking forward to seeing her even more so than usual.

Well, I better get back to studying before I get even more behind.

Day 35: Five Weeks Down!

Well it's been a few days since my last post and I apologize to those anxiously awaiting my next post! Between orientation and moving in/getting settled in my new place I have been extremely busy. And because of that, I have decided that I will just post on the days that I have appointments and or notice improvements.

I have managed to work out twice since being cleared to do so. I am so weak now! I was barely able to do three sets of weights that I use to do a warm up set with. When I was done I felt like jello! Needless to say, I have been sore the last few days but not as bad as I thought I would have been.

I've also been very tempted to start chewing or eating solid foods these last few days. During these few days we have had every lunch and two dinners provided to us by the school. We had a class mixer at a bowling alley in which we bowled for free and were given free pizza. The pizza smelled so good and everyone looked so happy eating it. I enjoyed an ice water (with lemon) and a beer-keeping to my liquids! But I was able to eat today's lunch, which were soft shelled tacos. I pretty much ate their insides and then cut up the tortilla and ate it.

My classmates have been nice about the whole thing and no one has asked about the massive amount of hardware and rubber bands that fill my mouth unless I mention not being able to chew. I'm sure it's not hard for them to figure it out, especially after I start talking. I'm still not speaking perfectly clear, but I'm kind of close! I still cannot feel most of my lower lip and all off my chin. I'm getting use to it at this point- well as much as one can get use to not feeling these parts of their face. I haven't had much (hardly any) pain in quite some time, so this is good.

Day 32: Post Op Appointment #4

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I have been internet-less the last few days as I have been moving. Not much has happened until today when I had appointments with both the orthodontist and oral surgeon.

At the orthodontist I had a lot of changes made to my braces. There, they replaced my bottom wires, took off my surgical hooks (couldn't be happier about this), and changed and added rubber bands. Now, I have four rubber bands of the "gazelle" strength compared to two bands of the "gorilla" strength. Either the rubber bands or the new wires have made my bottom teeth sore. I'm just happy to be getting the process going again. I'll see her again in six weeks.

At the oral surgeon, the first thing out of his mouth when glancing at my bite was "wow!" I was surprised by such a positive response. But he said things are looking great. I am now allowed to lift weights as long as I am careful, use the elliptical machine, but no running. I can also start using my electric tooth brush again! He hasn't allowed me to start chewing yet, which I am a little upset about but better safe than sorry. I'll see him again in two weeks. I'm hoping he will give me the okay to chew, run, and jump at that time. I watched some of my new classmates play basketball today and it just made me want to play even more. I can't wait to get out there and play ball with them.

Day 29: Insert Witty Title Here

Another day of minimal noticeable changes, but these minimal changes are adding up. I am feeling more and more comfortable with talking and making facial expressions. Smiling and yawning no longer hurt much. Yesterday, I had done more laughing and smiling than usual and was surprised when I woke up without any soreness from this.

I'm still following the doc's orders and not chewing. I had lasagna today for lunch and I was able to handle it without any chewing. Thanks again to Patrick for taking me out for lunch, it's always nice to get out of the house. I'll be out of the house for good come the end of the weekend. I am moving up to school on Saturday night and will come back Sunday for Monday morning appointments with my orthodontist and oral surgeon.

It turns out that the bill we received the other day was just the surgeon's fee, not the complete bill. That would explain why it was significantly less that we thought it was going to be. Yesterday, while visiting our friend in the hospital, I saw a sign that looked more like a menu showing the cost of common procedures at the hospital. It had anesthesia listed at $50 a minute! (My surgery was roughly 5 hours long, yikes!) Hopefully insurance will be picking that up!

Day 28: One Month Anniversary

It's been a month! While the first two weeks seemed to have taken an eternity, this last two weeks have flown by. I can't believe it's been a month. In honor of that, I have posted some more pics of the surgery day (I was finally able to get them off of my mom's camera). I'll post them on today's post, and the surgery day's post.

As far as today goes, there hasn't been much improvement. I do feel like I am regaining more control of the muscles in my face allowing me more facial expressions. My chin doesn't feel as completely numb, but still predominately numb. I didn't have much, hardly any actually, pain. I did have another "food-first" (since the surgery) today in the form of the contents of a burrito. I poured the burrito's insides into a bowl and ate the tortilla afterwards. While I wasn't able to fully enjoy the burrito experience of the tortilla, the mess, and having to open your mouth as wide as you can with each bite. I did get to experience the mess (as with every meal at this point, but getting better with each day) and the delicious hot and cold flavors in my mouth. It was delicious!

I am talking better but still not perfect. I noticed a couple people giving me weird looks as I talked to them, as if they may have been wondering why I am talking funny. This happened while I was running errands, doing mature things like paying bills, going to the bank-nothing exciting. For a brief time I felt old, mature, older than my age. Then, I realized I was wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt and had to laugh.

I had a family friend be admitted to the hospital today. I went to visit her with my mom. She was placed on a restricted diet while there. I got to see her restricted diet menu, which brought me right back to the day I was in the hospital after the surgery (it was the same hospital, too). Her menu had three full columns of choices, while I remember mine (a clear liquids only diet) that was made up of about a half dozen choices. I can still not eat most of what was on her menu! That was a bit of a bummer, but it reminded me of all the progress I have made in the last month.

Now, enjoy some before-surgery pictures and some immediately-after-surgery pictures.

These two (above) were taken in the waiting room the morning of the surgery. No, that's not a milk-mustach but a mustache tan line.

Day 27: Fell Off the "No-Solid-Food" Wagon

First of all I apologize for not posting yesterday. There were no significant, or even minute, changes so you didn't miss much. I did have a couple beers with my dad and a friend. They hit me harder than I'm use to again. I'm glad to have stopped when I did.

As for today, I woke up with a little bit of pain. After visiting family friends who tend to make me laugh, talking, and some more back-to-school shopping, this little bit of pain had graduated into a significant amount of pain and discomfort. I was very tempted to take some Vicoden but luckily I held off long enough to give the Ibuprofen time to kick in. It relieved enough of the pain that it no longer really bothered me.

I did cough up more blood today but only a little bit. And I didn't seem to keep bleeding so it didn't bother me that much.

Later in the afternoon I went to a newly opened grocery store with my mom. I walked by their chinese food, which I absolutely love, and immediately began salivating. I made it all of about a half hour until I convinced myself I could handle the plain fried rice, and orange and sesame chicken. I got it to go and dug in once I got home. I was able to eat it without any chewing after cutting the chicken up into small bites. This is one of the foods I had been craving for so long and it tasted so good to finally get it.

In the mail today came the final bill from the oral surgeon's office for the surgery. The bill was for the amount that we owed after insurance paid their part. It was less than we thought it would be so that made my parents happy, and what makes them happy-makes me happy.

Day 25: Oral Surgeon Appointment #3

As I mentioned yesterday, I had another appointment with the oral surgeon today. Like my previous visit, this one was short and sweet. The oral surgeon said that everything looked good and that he doesn't know where the bleed would have been coming from because everything in my mouth was healed and sealed. He said I still have some swelling and that it will take another few weeks for almost all of the swelling to be gone. Otherwise he said that everything was looking good and to keep up what I'm doing. I didn't ask for a timetable as far as when I can begin chewing or using a straw. I have a feeling I could probably use a straw now. He had me close my eyes as he touched different areas of my face to check the numbness. The completely numb areas were my chin, my right cheek and area under my eye, and the left part of my lower lip. I'll see him again in another week, the same day I'll be seeing the orthodontist.

I didn't have any bleeding today (obviously, since the oral surgeon couldn't tell where bleeding would have been coming from) and only a little bit of pain. The pain came on after a couple hours of back-to-school shopping and a nap. But it wasn't much and I didn't need to take anything for it. I continue icing periodically throughout the day.

I ate my normal foods except for tonight I had a soft shelled taco. Well, I had a tortilla with ground beef and cheese in it. I had to cut it up into really small bites. I also had some rice and beans on the side. You'd be surprised what you can "eat" without chewing.

Back to Shark Week, ttyl!

Day 24: Two Pounds Gained

Today was a good day compared to the previous two. I had very little pain and made it through the day without needing to take any Ibuprofen. My mouth didn't start bleeding until about 4 pm. After showering I was able to put my lip up and find the source of the bleeding, well the general area. It was too messy to see exactly where it was coming from. But I will definitely be asking the oral surgeons tomorrow about this. I'm continuing to ice periodically throughout the day. Other than that, it was same old stuff.

I was able to eat some tortellini tonight for dinner. It was a good change of pace from spaghetti, albeit not much different from spaghetti. I also managed to enjoy a few french fries tonight. I mostly sucked on them until the were soft enough to swallow but they were delicious! I am pleased to say that I have gained two pounds back. It's not much but its a start. I've been tempted to do some sort or work out the last few days. I'm thinking I can handle a light weight lifting session, so that's on my list to try this week. Wish me luck.

I'm talking much better and I would say its no longer a mumble. I'm by no means speaking crystal clear, but much clearer than when this all started.