Almost four weeks ago now I underwent reconstructive jaw surgery. I had my lower jaw moved forward and my upper jaw widend and moved up! I'm finally starting to feel normal again, the first three weeks were spent pretty heavily medicated and almost always confused!For the first week and a half I required constant care from others. Anyone who knows me is aware of how independant I am and how hard it is to not only accept help but to have to ask for it. To have to depend on others for simple tasks such as taking meds, eating meals, and cleaning up after myself was so difficult for me to deal with. What I didn't expect was how lonely I would feel once I went home, it was extremely humbling to me to call (text) my friends to ask them for their company. I am so grateful for all of the people in my life who took the time to come and visit me not to mention the kindness of the Carpenter Family who feel more like family to me than just friends who let me stay with them for the first four days post surgery and took care of me, bringing me meds,food and ice every two hours 24hrs a day as well as lots of luv from the girls! Another close friend, Amy, also stepped up to care for me and saw me at my most vulnerable. She was at the hospital with me from admittance to discharge and then opened her home to me when I was unable to care for myself.
Now that i'm at home and the pain has turned into discomfort I've been able to go out and do normal activities ( with the exception of eating), it has been so liberating! I can't wait until i'm able to eat and chew like everyone else. Mealtime is a big ordeal, I begin by removing one set of elastics ( i have two sets) then head into the kitchen to decide which mushy food I am going to choke down, next comes actually trying to get the food into my mouth and not all over my chin. After I have managed to eat a portion of food fit for a six year old I head back to the bathroom where I rinse any particles out of my mouth and then rinse with mouthwash after which I proceed to "brush" my teeth as best I can (did I mention I can only open my mouth the width of my pinkie finger?) Then I put the elastics back on only to start all over again a couple of hours later! On a more positive note I love the results of the surgery so far! I can see a noticable difference in the appearance of my jawline and for the first time in my life I can run my tongue along the backside of my top and bottom teeth at the same time in a smooth line. The total recovery time is about a year and the worst part of it is behind me....thanks to everyone who has been with me through this trial.
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