October buddies

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Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:45 am

Thanks Chicago!

I swear, you need to be a life coach or something along those lines. You posts are always so helpful, and when you think people need a nudge, you give it to them.

I really am thanking my lucky stars for you and this forum becuase I am quite certain I would have be so down in the dumps right now if it wasn't for everyone!

#47 Post by **cocomecrazy** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:13 am

hey octobuddies

do you guys get the funny feeling with your jaws? like someone is constantly pinching/rubbing it. Not the entire area but near the ears.

Is it just me because my bones are growing over the plates???

#48 Post by **kmputnam** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:31 am

Glad to hear that everyone is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I am T minus 11 days (not that I am counting!!) and starting to get a bit nervous. It is reassurring to hear how everyone is doing (even the not so pleasant stuff) so I can mentally prepare myself.

Wishing everyone well with thier recoveries and for those of us left in October good luck with the surgery as well!!

Cheers,
Kara

#49 Post by **chicago29** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:25 pm

mamaneedsanewjaw wrote:Thanks Chicago! I swear, you need to be a life coach or something along those lines. You posts are always so helpful, and when you think people need a nudge, you give it to them.

I really am thanking my lucky stars for you and this forum becuase I am quite certain I would have be so down in the dumps right now if it wasn't for everyone!

Thank you for the kind words, but I'll let you in on a little secret. I am terrible at following a lot of the advice I give

I see a lot of "panic" posts on here, and trust me...I panic as much as everybody else. However, often times it helps me to try and help others when I can, because it puts what I should be doing in clearer perspective for me.

Also, I don't think I would have ever done my 2 surgeries if I hadn't found this message board. This place has been amazing for me, and if I can help one person it feels like I'm giving a little bit back to something I've taken so much from...

Anyway, once again thank for the kind words and I think I speak for all of us in saying all of us veterans look forward to helping the new people that join this "club" every day.

Regards
Chicago29

#50 Post by **ColoradoGirl** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:05 pm

@chicago: totally agree with mama.

@mama: yikes, hang in there! I was thinking of you this morning as I did my first rinse--it's been a struggle keeping myself on my feet, even with the help of my hubby. I can't imagine this process with little ones around!

@coco: I'm still mostly numb, but I do have a feeling of pressure. Sorta like someone inserted a huge pie-shaped wedge into the lower half of my face. Oh, wait, someone did!

I'm going to go back to work tomorrow (it's only gonna be a partial day). I'm a little nervous, but everybody there knows my situation so I think it'll be okay. My main problem now is nutrition--had a horrible time keeping stuff down--and dizziness. I'm not sure if it's dehydration or lack of calories or what, but the room tends to spin a bit when I change position. I'm no longer on particle-free as of Wednesday, though, so hopefully this will change soon. Anybody else experienced dizziness?

Good luck Izzy and Kara!

#51 Post by **cocomecrazy** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:32 pm

@coloradogirl: Oh wow. 12 days since post-op and you're going back to work! I'm jealous because I'm assuming your face isn't swollen anymore. Did talking and walking help? That's what the nurses said 'Ice, walk and talk'.

I can't wait until my face de-pumpkins. I know what you're saying when the room feels like spinning. It's just annoying how there are some intervals in time when I feel like I'm fine, but when I start doing my math hw -my face starts to flush, I get woozy and feel fatigue that I have to stop what I'm doing. Like right now because I'm doing a newspaper article, an e-mail, my math hw, and posting in this board.

@chicago: how many days did it take you to be not so swollen anymore?

----

A while ago, I took a vitamin tablet crushed and mixed in apple juice. I think that has made me really nauseous. I shouldn't have done that because I had only liquids in the past hours for breakfast and lunch. My swollen pumpkin face has felt even more heavier. I do not want to lay down on layers of pillows anymore because it has been giving stiff necks since post-op. I tried laying down flat just a while ago and I felt all the blood rush to my head *I meant my pumpkin swollen jaws. It felt really weird, but do you guys think it's bad to lay down flat?

When I get up, the pressure I would feel isn't so bad anymore. But it still feels bad when I lay down. I want to make my head get used to sleeping on 1 pillow to prevent stiff neck, do you guys think it's ok if I do? It's only been 4 days since post-op.

Right now I want to throw up. I literally feel like I have a hang over. I wanna throw up even though there's nothing in my stomach. I have my liquid dinner right next to me. I'm contemplating whether or not I should drink it because I'm afraid I'm throw it up later -_-

I have only taken meds thrice because I can tolerate the pain. My lower face only feels sore and weird -not entirely painful so I refuse to take medication. So that's not causing me to feel like throwing up. It's definitely the vitamin. Boo

I need to drink this dinner liquid. I'll prolly drink it soon. So far, I have only lost 3 pounds which is bueno. If I continue my drinking regimen, I think I won't loose more than 5 pounds. I would normally weigh 110, anything bellow 100 is a big nono.

Alright I'm gonna drink my dinner now. Wish me luck that I don't throw up

#52 Post by **ColoradoGirl** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:40 pm

@coco--I'm still somewhat swollen, but what the heck--it's almost Halloween! So many choices...chipmunk? Pumpkin? Frankenstein's monster?

Did they give you something for the nausea? I got 3 different meds for it (which I haven't had to use, thankfully). Maybe you can call (or have someone else call) and get them to give you something? As for lying flat--they told me absolutely not to. I haven't quite been doing the 45-degree angle they prescribed, but I have been keeping elevated. It helps if you elevate your shoulders too--less stiff neck. I bought a memory-foam pillow at Target and it's been really helpful.

Good luck!

#53 Post by **cocomecrazy** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:55 pm

@coloradogirl: Haha so you're still swollen?? Hmm, but it's not like pumpkin kinda swollen. You just look like you're munchin on something?

They did give me meds. Just one (I think it's called codine?) But I really think because of the vitamin supplement I took. I kind of had an empty stomach.

I don't really like taking meds because it makes me woozy. Most of the time, I let my body do all the work. I'll take meds if I cannot tolerate the nausea.

So they told you to absolutely not to lay down flat? Oops. Ok, I'm not gonna do that.

Do you know that feeling when after sitting on your foot for some time, the foot starts loosing some blood circulation, then you start feeling like as if a bunch of ants starts crowding on your fe? -I feel the same way on my chin. It's weird.

#54 Post by **chicago29** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:30 am

The "severe" swelling started letting up around Day 6 and was probably gone by the 2 week mark. Since then it's been getting better, but at a much slower pace.

I still have swelling in my sinus/upper lip area. Also, I think my lower part of my nose got butchered in surgery. I know this area basically gets torn off your face, so it'll just take a long time to heal. Sometimes it just feels "raw", I don't know how else to describe it.

The swelling I have left isn't really noticeable to people - it is to me though. It also isn't so bad in the morning as it was, and now I'm sleeping normally...so that's another good sign that it continues to go down.

From what I understand there is residual swelling like this for up to 4 months post-op, so this isn't anything to worry about. I can't say I **like** it, but there are worse problems...right?

Take Care
Chicago29

#55 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:57 pm

Hey all!

So, I am scheduled for the OR on Thursday of this week! 2 days left, and I am getting excited and anxious!

My insurance approval had not come through yet, but I had prior approval last year, and switched surgeons (my old surgeon moved waaaaay out of state), so it is really just a "change of provider" okay from the insurance company we are waiting on. The surgeon told me on Friday that he did not expect any problems with the ins. company, and that the hospital would call me on Wednesday to tell me when to be there, what to bring, and confirm the approval from the insurance co. Sort of sucks waiting with uncertainty about insurance, but that's okay... I have been waiting 3 years already! Just hope it does not have to be rescheduled since I have already taken time off work and school!

One question: I am looking for zip-n-squeeze bags online (buying late, I know!!) and can not find them. The ZnS website is down for ordering, and a lot of folks seem to have had issues with receiving their orders from them anyway. Does anyone know other places to buy such items?

Good to see that all of you recently operated-on folks are doing good!!

#56 Post by **mistyp** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:06 am

I'm sending well-wishes everyone's way, for those recovering and those with a surgery still to come!

I had my pre-op appointment on Friday and everything went well, so unless I get a cold before next Tuesday, this surgery is going to happen!

It IS a built-in Halloween costume and my husband and I are planning on doing a costume where I am a battered wife and he's an abuser, and we're going to have a placard that says "October is domestic violence awareness month". I hope that helps make it not a tasteless costume.

I'm basically all set with everything except I'll probably try sleeping elevated so I can get some things situated before I really need it.

I'm eating almost everything in sight, especially things which require a lot of chewing. Later today I'm going to get some gummy worms

#57 Post by **cocomecrazy** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:24 pm

this morning, when I woke up. I wanted to brush my teeth... so when I was rinsing my mouth with water first (this was before I brushed my teeth), when I spitted the water out.. there were specs of blood in the water

Is this normal? I thought bleeding should stop in 2-3 days. It's been 6 days since my post-op

Then I checked, and I saw on open wound

Do you guys think this is normal?

#58 Post by **LeahRuth** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:10 pm

How is everyone doing?!

I'm about 2.5 weeks post op and the only pain I have is in the left joint when I yawn/sneeze and some tooth pain from the elastics. All my bruising and swelling is gone too!

Looks like there's hope for everyone

I hope you're all taking care & eating lots of Ice cream!

#59 Post by **chicago29** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:13 pm

@Broadway Bill and mistyp: Best of luck to you both! I wish you the best and look forward to hearing from you on the other side!

@cocomecrazy: TOTALLY normal. You should try and be as careful as you can brushing (use a baby toothbrush the first few weeks post-op), but those incisions can bust open for the first 2 weeks. They shouldn't be "actively bleeding" at this point, but if irritated or stretched they absolutely can and will bleed. Rinse with salt water, apply some gauze with pressure, and try and avoid the area. It should clear up in a couple of days...

#60 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:38 pm

So I got the call from the hospital today! I go in at 5:45am tomorrow!!

Which means that I am now 20 minutes away from the no-food point... about to eat my last meal for a bit. This steak better be good...

I will likely be posting all over this thread this weekend, since it will likely be my only communication.

Good to see that you folks are doin' well! Wish me luck, and I'll certainly do the same for you guys...