Four more days until surgery. I'm excited and can't stop thinking about it. And, when I do think about it, my mouth starts getting dry and my muscles start tensing up. I guess I'm a little nervous, too. The thought of someone taking a saw to my face, knowing that I'm going to be regretting this at first, wondering how bad I'm going to feel, etc... that's why the dry mouth.
But, I'm ready, at least as ready as I can be. I saw my internest yesterday for a history and physical to okay me for surgery. They did a second EKG because the first one showed a strange developement of some right branch blockage (yikes) but turns out the tech. just misplaced the lead. I do have some changes in my EKG from the last time. Apnea events can cause changes to the heart, so we are wondering if the surgery will correct those little blips in the EKG?? I'm too young to have heart stuff going on. My dad was a cardiologist and I thought that made me exempt from heart problems (right? or am I getting that mixed up with jinxes and Murphy's Law and irony?)
Well, I just typed a story and erased it as I thought... there is such a thing as TMI. You can thank me later. It wasn't even a very good story. Not missing much here.
Today, I'm out to do more returns from Christmas, and to have a massage that my son gave me for my birthday (last May!). It's a good time for one, because my muscles are holding tight and I don't think I'll be able to lie on my stomach for a while!
Hopefully, more later when I figure out how to download photos! Maybe I'll have a relaxed smile on my face?
Kapoor and Sons (2016)
8 years ago
12 comments:
Hi Elaine
I had my upper and lower done about 2 weeks ago. I won't sugarcoat it, the first week won't be easy, some people have gotten through worse, some better, but I think I fall into the majority percentile. Go in with a positive attitude; have a sense of humour, that would really help with the first week. I went home with much less medicine than some other folks (just OTC painkiller and antibiotics!), but did go through the emotions of weepiness, displacement, self-doubt etc but those are rather fleeting. Remember, you are going in to correct your bite, first and foremost. Trust that your surgeon is doing the best for your jaws, and facial proportions. Excessive worrying at this point could be setting you back, not helping any. So harvest positive energy. Once I made it past day 5, the dark clouds started to go away. Now at day 12, I feel like I've been given a second lease of life. All the best, see you on the other side!
Thanks Carolina! Great advice. I do appreciate the honesty regarding the excessive worrying...
I'm trying to focus more on God and His control of my situation and that seems to bring a lot of peace. The massage helped, too. One of my struggles can be my indecisiveness. I can vacilate so much over a decision. I need to remember the decision has been made and I'm going through with this. Thanks for the overview to keep me in check! I appreciate it so much!!!
Hey Elaine!
I'm getting so excited for you! It will be fine, don't worry. Just think... I did it twice in 5 months! So, it can't be that bad, right?
But seriously, Carolina is right.. The first week can be tough, but nothing you can't handle!
We're all here for ya!
Wow Elaine...the countdown begins. I'll be praying that you will not have any anxiety and that you just rest in knowing you have great doctors and family who will be there for you every step of the way. The time flies by and your healing will too. Just know that you will have no more sleep apnea and your jaws will be right where they need to be to give you that gorgeous smile!! God Bless you and I'll check in again daily. Have a great weekend with your family!!
Heehee, TMI or not, now you've got me quite curious about the story that didn't make the final post....
You don't have to wait much longer now! Nerves & excitement? I am so jealous! One day at a time, heck, one moment at a time, the next one will be better and you'll be showing off those before & afters in NO time.
All the best to you Elaine, and let me add my prayers and best wishes for peace of mind for the next days, and a recovery that's smooth both physically and emotionally *hug*
Thanks for all the posts, good wishes and prayers. Okay Katherine... here's the TMI story, but only because you asked! I have a problem with constipation so I decided I should try to get more regular before surgery. Wednesday night I took some milk of magnesia. Only a small amount but somehow ended up with diarhea (TMI). The funny part is that I had been asking God for kisses from Him. Reminders that He's with me and in this surgery and process. Well, He and I have this thing about my constipation. When I really get 'backed up', I pray and I usually go the next morning. It's like He really helps me. So, when I totally emptied out, it felt like the kiss from God I'd been asking for. It's a good story (at least for me in regard to God really hearing me and being so personal), I just felt, since it involved bodily function, it was TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!! Now if you read this, you'll know 'the REST of the story'...
Oh my goodness Elaine! Just personally speaking, bodily funtions don't bother me (and it IS an important part of surgery and smart of you to plan ahead for it) and from a fellow not-always-regualar-gal, I both laughed (and then felt a bit bad for laughing) and am happy for the kiss you received ....maybe next time just a peck on the cheek? ;) My cheekiness aside, It is a good story.
Sorry so nosy.
You are so sweet~
Oh, I am excited for you, too! Now that I'm past the difficult beginning, I am SO GLAD I had the o-surgery. Your face will look more proportioned, more balanced, and best of all, you're taking a giant step to protect your long term health. There are many things we have no control over, yet, here you are, making a big decision that will improve breathing and sleeping!
Enjoy these last few days by eating yummy food *whenever* you want. Kiss your husband too much! Take some fun before pictures! I think it's fabulous you had a massage...sometimes it's hard to cash in those certificates, isn't it?
Several friends brought over magazines for my recovery. This was a blessing during those first two weeks. The brevity and lightness of the articles well matched my attention span.
You can TOTALLY handle the next few weeks. I pray you'll have tender nurses, good pillows, and peace during your hospital stay.
~~Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.~~
Your story is too funny and one that if you're looking you can always see the hand of God at work! I'll just clue you in on something that I found during surgery. I didn't do anything but "p" until my sixth day. I didn't feel constipated just I didn't have any food to get rid of I guess...so be prepared. Love ya and praying for a non eventful surgery and a quick recovery with speedy healing.
I so wish we could all have some time in person together so I could give you ALL big hugs!! What support and tenderness from you all! Thank you so much. I haven't forgotten what you said about wishing you had kissed your husband more before surgery Katherine. Thanks for the reminder! And, it's also good to know there's not much to get constipated over! Thanks for all of your prayers and wonderful, encouraging words. You all are the best!!
LOL at the TMI story. Have that milk on hand for after the surgery - when you're not eating, it's hard for stuff to get through. I had to drink a lot of that orange fiber drink a couple of weeks after the surgery.
Is it on Tuesday? I'll be sending out the good vibes and watching your blog for updates.
Elaine:
Hang in there--just 2 more days. So close yet so far....a tough place to land in. Your wonderful sense of humor though will serve you well. Take care Elaine.
Will look forward to hearing about your surgery and recovery. God bless..
Julie
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