October buddies

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Fri Oct 29, 2010 1:24 pm

Izzy- I felt good enough to go to the mall for a little bit about 12 days post op. It still wears me out but I at least get out of the house. I have been taking an iron supplement and I think that is helping a bit.

Still get tired easily....especially now that I am back to being here with my three little kids by myself but I took a nap while my little guy slept and my two older guys were at school and think I will continue in that pattern for awhile!

#137 Post by **Izzy1979** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:56 pm

Well I decided to go for it and went to a friend's dinner party tonight.

The worst part - the 1hr drive there and back. Every little bump on the road was felt in my jaw

The second worst part - the awesome smelling beef stew that everybody else was eating and that blenderizing didn't make appetizing at all

However, the butternut squash soup, sweet potatoes and apple/butternut casseroles were all a nice change from my boring shakes. I ate more tonight than in an average day.

I have to say it was kinda funny to be sitting there with my syringes and red rubbers and napkins! And to show up with my "magic bullet". It was nice to so something "normal" and see people. Im sure I'll be paying for it as I already have shooting jaw pains from talking more than I've been til now, but I'll say it was worth it!

#138 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:23 am

Izzy, I too ventured out tonight to a friend's house! I didn't think that 1 week after surgery I'd be going out, but I feel pretty good now!

I really can't wait to get the go-ahead for soft-chew foods. hopefully next week!

Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:47 am

Izzy & Bill- great that you both got out! It is on the up and up from here!

I am wondering how long until I feel like having a drink with friends??? Right now the idea sounds disgusting to me! Very unlike me!

My favorite thing to eat now is spag with marinara sauce chopped up very small that I can just swallow it instead of having to try to chew it as I am on soft foods that I don't have to chew until I am six weeks post op. Another month! UGGGG...at least I am six weeks post op right before thanksgiving....although what a time to relearn to chew!

#140 Post by **chicago29** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:17 am

It took me 5 weeks before I ventured out to the bar. I'm 6.5 weeks now and have been out a few times since and am still getting the taste of beer and booze back. As with all things with this, it takes time

#141 Post by **ennazusie** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:55 am

Wow, it's so encouraging to read about people visiting friends, going to the mall, going out for drinks, etc., farther down the line. I'm at the stage where I feel like my face is going to be puffed up forever and my jaws always wired shut, so it's nice to hear from people who have gotten past that stage. Whew!

#142 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:16 am

Ennazusie, you're about 4 days in, right? In my case, day 5 was when I really started to turn the corner, and day 7 was my first "i feel almost fine and normal!" day.

You'll hopefully be feeling much better soon!

#143 Post by **LeahRuth** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:40 pm

Izzy - I was 10 days post op when I took a 4 hour trip. I spent most of the first couple of days just lounging on the couch with my boyfriend and family though.
12 & 13 days post op I had to help plan/shop for/host my sister's baby shower. I was exhausted by the end and I couldn't eat any of the food but otherwise I felt pretty normal.

#144 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:37 pm

I made it out to the bar earlier, and then over to a friend's house for a hour or two to watch people get ready for Halloween.

I imagine I will mostly take it easy this week, since I go back to work and school next Monday and I wanna be well rested for that. Though I know I will definitely be going out next Sunday afternoon to watch my beloved Bears play a little football.

All in all I feel pretty good, and just about normal. It really sucks not being able to eat, and my jaw is a tiny bit achy from laughing and doing my best to talk understandably. Looking forward to seeing what this week brings, and then another trip to the surgeon on Friday!!

#145 Post by **chicago29** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:14 pm

Broadway...do you live in Chicago? I am a big Bears fan myself. My apologies to you for having most of your Sunday's ruined by Cutler's right arm

I know what you mean with the easing back into things...The first couple of times I went out I just couldn't talk much or do facial expressions...if somebody made me laugh it hurt! I'm 95% back to normal in those areas now.

I'm off myself to a Halloween party...I can't say this is my favorite Holiday as I have never been a fan of Halloween. But, I feel compelled to get out there and try and have some fun after being laid up so long from the surgery.

#146 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:43 pm

Chicago, I am not from Chicago. I live in Louisville. I have been a Bears fan for many years, though! And, yes, Cutler has made life hell for the past couple years... I'm actually relieved that it's a buy week so the have a chance to regroup. I don't know what his problem is... I thought with the new offensive staff he would shape up, but he is still every bit as bad in the red zone as he was last year. It is nice to have Urlacher back though, and Hester seems to be relit and burning again.

Anyway, I digress...

I think I feel a cavity or a chip in the side of a upper molar, right by the gum. Which sorta sucks, because I hate those sort of problems, and it will bug me endlessly while all this other dental stuff is happening and it can not be attended to. But, at the same time, I know I won't be eating anything that can make it worse, so oh well!!

And, I can not recall who recommended it, but xanax has been a life saver when it comes to sleep, so thanks a lot. I find that 1 little peach xanax and half of a benadryl puts me right out for the night with no waking up spells.

I also bought a small travel neck pillow, the kind that wraps around your neck for car/plane rides, and have been using it to let me sleep on my side. I just lay it flat on top of my angled mountain of pillows and sort of position my cheek and jaw so they go in the hole and the pillow part goes against my head and neck. That has also been a life-saver, because I LOATHE sleeping on my back! I love how inventive all of us get when we have to change our routines and patterns... good ole' human ingenuity at work here people!!

#147 Post by **Izzy1979** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:46 pm

hmm gotta try the travel pillow idea. Ive tried to use it to prevent my head from falling over to the side (and waking me up) and it has not worked, didn't think of trying my side. Bill do you not feel a lot of pressure on your side though? I still can't sleep on my back cause of that...

I am very sad I don't get to go out for Halloween. It is one if my favorite holidays. Last year, I had just gotten my super hot braces so I went as Ugly Betty. This year, I sure would not need any make up, but its a bit too crowded in the bars for me to venture to that! I am pretty stoke about the Halloween 1-5 marathon tomorrow, it's ready to be recorded on DVR and be watched all afternoon/evening!

You guys should start watching hockey instead of football, way more fun:)

#148 Post by **ennazusie** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:42 am

I'm wondering how you guys ramped down the pain medicine. I'm on day 5 after surgery now, and I'm just starting to halve my doses of Tylenol with Codeine and replace them with Motrin. I'm sure there will come a time when I don't feel the need for painkillers, but I'm a little nervous about cutting them off prematurely and being in a lot of pain. How long were you guys taking painkillers for after surgery?

#149 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:40 am

My last fast of meds was day 6. I just stopped taking them, didn't replace them with anything. I found that I wasn't in too much pain. I will take a tylenol now and then though!

#150 Post by **Izzy1979** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:58 am

I was taking ibuprofen while on the tylenol/oxycodone, started weaning the oxycodone around day 4-5 to 1/2 lower dose and longer interval, then a week into it I just didn't need it anymore. I just found that after that 4-6hrs, I didn't start to feel the throbbing anymore.

I still take ibuprofen before going to bed and in the morning I'm more sore, I havent had to take it during the day, except when I went out to see friends Friday night then I had to take more and even took a little oxycodone cause of all the talking

Everybody is different though, your body will tell you when you don't need it anymore