17 March 2015
Today marks 5 weeks & 1 day since my Expander operation. Here is a quick summary of where I am at!
Weight loss
To date, I have lost 6kg (not by choice). No physical activity is incorporated in my daily routine nowadays. Couple weeks ago, I managed to whipper snip lawn while Shanice mowed. That was a struggle. Returning to work has been the best thing for me, to get out of the house, get motivated and get my body moving and hence eating more. I got to a point where it was just too much effort to eat so I (a) drank lemonade, hot choc or (b) ate very small portion. Not enough obviously. The past week or so, I've managed NOT to drop more weight. I go between 55-56kg now. (I started off at 61kg). I plan on hitting the gym in the next week or so, solely to lift light weights on arms and legs (no cardio or fast movement possible, I still get light headed particularly when I turn my head to the right too quickly, or tilt it back and/or to the right). Woozy. So I'm hoping that I can tone up, and increase my appetite from the gym.
Diet
Eating is fairly difficult, I am limited as to the types of food I eat. I have been surviving on soft foods such as pasta, roasted sweet potatoes, rice, custard, liquid drinks. I've successfully managed to introduce soft/melted chocolate into the equation also! Last night I scoffed down some of my mums famous cheesecake! The base, thankfully is quite crumbly so it wasn't too difficult to get down.
Work
I'm back to full time work for the time being. At least while one girl is away for this month. Then I will wait and see the demand.
Church calling
This didn't really stop. The only thing I delegated was in the first week of my surgery, a welfare callout. I physically couldn't get out of bed. Other than that, I haven't altered my effort, it's purely based on needs that arise.
Pre-Braces feelings
I had been feeling pretty upbeat and excited about getting braces for a while but now I have a different set of emotions manifesting... A little nervousness about the impact this will have on my eating and speaking ability. And, I guess, the added layer of teeth cleaning. I am already cleaning meticulously after each meal, but I suspect now that the degree of it will magnify.
Whilst I remain excited about the changes that will occur to my teeth, I am feeling anxious about the difficulties that will arise.
I am anticipating blisters and ripped skin inside my mouth (I got this on a minor level from the expander bracket metal rubbing my cheeks yet I didn't find the need to use the wax they supplied to me). I am also thinking eating may have an added difficulty level because my slippery foods such as pasta etc, won't be able to slide down the sides, rather they will be forced to go through the middle of my mouth bypassing my expander bracket. (Which, takes skill to get through that gauntlet! Half my meal gets caught and hangs off the bar of the bracket, or bits get jammed within the palette and metal bits closer to my teeth, frustrating).
Even so, I remain positive that this will all be worth it in the end!! Not that I want to get older quicker, but I look forward to 2 years time and looking back (smiling brightly) saying yep, it was so worth it! We shall see!!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Day 3 & 4 Wednesday & Thursday
Wednesday was an okay day. TV was on most of the day. Mostly bad news. This replayed in my mind all night. Which ruined my sleep entirely. I barely slept a wink! Terrible. Not being able to do a "no.2" may have contributed to this also. Stomach was really off. Just a bad unsettled night. Poor Levi, he is suffering just as badly as I am. When I am awake, so is he. Asking me if I'm alight.
I ate the usual stuff, jelly, lemonade, had some chicken cup a soup noodle (my go-to when I'm feeling sick) this repeated on me all night. Mum made some chicken curry and rice. I tried to eat some rice with sauce on it. It didn't really agree with me. Maybe the cardamom in it, or perhaps it was the rice, it felt like I had rice stuck in my throat all night.
Thursday was a much better day. In and out a little bit of sickness but not prolonged like last night which basically lasted all night. I carried my spew bag around. Just the thought of it made me sick. Spewing is my all time biggest fear. I generally will do anything I can to avoid it. I a not one of those people who can stick their fingers down their throat, have a chuck and get on with their day. That aint me.
Today (Thursday), I stepped up my eating :
I think my swelling is at it's worst today. (Well, I hope). My head is still a little spacy... Not quite on the ball, but doing much better than yesterday.
Got all the tape and strapping pulled off at Dr Finn's yesterday. Hurt like hell. They don't need to see me for a week.
I ate the usual stuff, jelly, lemonade, had some chicken cup a soup noodle (my go-to when I'm feeling sick) this repeated on me all night. Mum made some chicken curry and rice. I tried to eat some rice with sauce on it. It didn't really agree with me. Maybe the cardamom in it, or perhaps it was the rice, it felt like I had rice stuck in my throat all night.
Thursday was a much better day. In and out a little bit of sickness but not prolonged like last night which basically lasted all night. I carried my spew bag around. Just the thought of it made me sick. Spewing is my all time biggest fear. I generally will do anything I can to avoid it. I a not one of those people who can stick their fingers down their throat, have a chuck and get on with their day. That aint me.
Today (Thursday), I stepped up my eating :
- protein drink for brekkie 1/4 cup
- jelly cup for morning tea
- lemonade to calm the stomach down 1/4-1/2 cup
- KFC potato and gravy (went down an absolute treat!)
- ice cream w milo (smashed up into a soft mixture)
I think my swelling is at it's worst today. (Well, I hope). My head is still a little spacy... Not quite on the ball, but doing much better than yesterday.
Got all the tape and strapping pulled off at Dr Finn's yesterday. Hurt like hell. They don't need to see me for a week.
Pretty puffy!
Day 5 Friday 28 October 2016
Well, I must say that today has been my best by far. Dr Finn literally said that each day would get a little better, and it really has! Felt pretty good today. Was a little rough waking up though, struggled with sleep from around 4am but had only woken once before that around midnight to take some panadol (a lot better than the previous nights).
Selfie (drooling at it's finest!):
Today I've been up and around; doing housework, walking a little around outside, talking to my neighbour. Feeling great. Weather has been lovely and sunny. Not too hot either. Unfortunately, for Levi though, his back is in a fair bit of pain from sleeping on the couch with me, so he snuck into the room around midnight last night to lay flat and catch some z's. He napped a couple times today whereas I did not want to risk being wide awake at night.
I think my swelling has reached it's peak (I hope!) Now the bruising is making it's appearance. It has started along the bottom jaw line basically symmetrical with my eyes.
My food diary today:
- Juice around 6amabout 1/4 cup (I was starving!) followed by a little sip of water to stop me from passing out (dramatic I know, but that's how I am usually)
- Protein (choc flavour) shake about 1/4 cup around 7am took my antibiotic
- ice cream & milo around 8am (around 2 table spoons of ice cream)
- lemonade hydralyte (I think I was a little dehydrated last night)
- Massaman curry & rice 1 piece of beef/potato each 3 tbl sp of rice and sauce
- Followed by some more ice cream and milo (same portion size as earlier)
- lemonade (1/4 cup)
- strawberry jelly cup around 4pm
- kfc potato and gravy at 6pm
- ice cream w milo around 8pm
- Every day I salt water rinse 3-4 times and also brush my teeth thoroughly. I've lost 2 stitches so far, and felt another one loose today, but didn't manage to move it with my tongue. Maybe tomorrow.
Ice-cream & milo (just to get an idea of what I am eating and also the portion size). Basically, the equivalent to 2 tablespoons of ice cream. I'm eating with a teaspoon.
Gotta love KFC Potato and Gravy!
Watched Bridesmaids movie today, although I had already seen it, I forgot how funny it was in some parts. When the funny chick farts and burps at the same time after they ate bad Brazilian food; I lost it. It actually hurt my mouth so much, I had to pause the movie and walk away to stop...
Overall, a good day. Am definitely on my way to a good recovery. I must admit I was regretting my decision a little for a few days... the whole vomiting, hallucinating, not feeling well thing just doesn't float my boat. But things are looking pretty bright.
Jumped on scales tonight. Down 2kg from 66 to 64 kg. In 5 days. Last time, I lost 4 kg's in 7 days, but I think last time was worse. This time I am eating a lot more...! Very happy with that. (Still hungry though, don't get it twisted).... :-)
Nose still bleeding a little.
Looking pretty funky! But what I do love is that my bottom teeth can actually be seen now. That's never been the case of times past! :-)
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Day after surgery Tuesday 25 October 2016
Today I was released from hospital.
I wasn't feeling so great so I had the option of staying. I vomited again when they injected me with steroids. I tried telling them that it made me vomit every time. The head Nurse lady said 'no, it's an anti-nausea'. Yeah right lady. Explain this! Blurgh...!
Levi had to wait outside for me for an hour or so. Because I had been sick.
They made me get up and walk to the toilet before I was allowed home.
Dr Finn and Midge swung by to check on me and told me again how great the operation went!
Then they asked me to try some Tramil / Tramadil. Not sure how to say it. But basically, it was the only drug left that I hadn't tried and made me sick (Endone, Panadeine Forte). Well, as I guessed, Tramil made me feel sick too. Light headed and funny in the stomach. I think drugs just don't agree with me basically.
We went home via Dr Finn office. Midge checked me out and showed me how to clean my mouth whilst so swollen. Dr Finn came by and said it was perfectly, the nerve behaved itself and didn't make an appearance! And my bite is beautiful. He said with a bit of luck, my braces will def be off before 6 mths is up. So that would be <2 years total.
Watched tv here and there today. Ate a little bit of food but wasn't entirely enjoying anything. Had some:
I wasn't feeling so great so I had the option of staying. I vomited again when they injected me with steroids. I tried telling them that it made me vomit every time. The head Nurse lady said 'no, it's an anti-nausea'. Yeah right lady. Explain this! Blurgh...!
Levi had to wait outside for me for an hour or so. Because I had been sick.
They made me get up and walk to the toilet before I was allowed home.
Dr Finn and Midge swung by to check on me and told me again how great the operation went!
Then they asked me to try some Tramil / Tramadil. Not sure how to say it. But basically, it was the only drug left that I hadn't tried and made me sick (Endone, Panadeine Forte). Well, as I guessed, Tramil made me feel sick too. Light headed and funny in the stomach. I think drugs just don't agree with me basically.
We went home via Dr Finn office. Midge checked me out and showed me how to clean my mouth whilst so swollen. Dr Finn came by and said it was perfectly, the nerve behaved itself and didn't make an appearance! And my bite is beautiful. He said with a bit of luck, my braces will def be off before 6 mths is up. So that would be <2 years total.
Watched tv here and there today. Ate a little bit of food but wasn't entirely enjoying anything. Had some:
- raspberry jelly
- lemonade
- water
- protein drink
Surgery Day! Monday 24 October 2016
Well, Surgery was today. I fronted up the Cairns Base Hospital at 6.30am. I was really nervous. Got an upset stomach. Levi stayed as long as possible, which was basically when they called me in to get on the operating table.
I guess the nerves really set in when I sat down with the Anaesthetist. I started crying. I think I was a combination of a few things but mostly just nerves, and being scared of the recovery.
Back out the waiting area, they gave me a tablet to take for nerves. It made my head spin a little. I thought these 2 guys were going down a glass lift. There was no lift. They were just standing around talking.
The nurse who got me ready on the table had her bottom jaw done in T'Ville about 12 years ago and said it was just so worth it. I appreciated her effort to calm me down. The next dude that came along was the head of nurse staff I think. His name was Dr. Frogley. He tried to lighten the mood after comparing who had the worst surname.
Well, I got wheeled in and true to form, I dozed off and woke up in recovery.
Recovery felt like I was in there forever. I was all hooked up to machines etc. The nurses was really good in there though! I spewed for the first time in here. They got water hoses and suction hoses just like at the Dentist. Very attentive.
Then I got wheeled down to ICU. I had my own 'room'. It was basically a curtained off section of a large area, but it was okay. Some lady down the hall was groaning and moaning. No idea what was going on. I guess I wasn't much more pleasant when I was vomiting. I did so again in here. And I noticed that it was happening whenever they were administering drugs to me. Specifically, the steroids which was said to help with swelling.
Rough night. In and out of sleep. Had to pee about 10 times. That required me to call the nurse for a bed pan after which they had to wipe me. Dignity out the window. I really didn't care. I was pretty out of it.
I had 3 nurse shift changes.
Levi came and sat with me for a couple hours early evening then back again around 7pm til about midnight. poor guy. He was falling asleep. I was in/out of consciousness.
Dr Finn came by after surgery and said it all went well.
I guess the nerves really set in when I sat down with the Anaesthetist. I started crying. I think I was a combination of a few things but mostly just nerves, and being scared of the recovery.
Back out the waiting area, they gave me a tablet to take for nerves. It made my head spin a little. I thought these 2 guys were going down a glass lift. There was no lift. They were just standing around talking.
The nurse who got me ready on the table had her bottom jaw done in T'Ville about 12 years ago and said it was just so worth it. I appreciated her effort to calm me down. The next dude that came along was the head of nurse staff I think. His name was Dr. Frogley. He tried to lighten the mood after comparing who had the worst surname.
Well, I got wheeled in and true to form, I dozed off and woke up in recovery.
Recovery felt like I was in there forever. I was all hooked up to machines etc. The nurses was really good in there though! I spewed for the first time in here. They got water hoses and suction hoses just like at the Dentist. Very attentive.
Then I got wheeled down to ICU. I had my own 'room'. It was basically a curtained off section of a large area, but it was okay. Some lady down the hall was groaning and moaning. No idea what was going on. I guess I wasn't much more pleasant when I was vomiting. I did so again in here. And I noticed that it was happening whenever they were administering drugs to me. Specifically, the steroids which was said to help with swelling.
Rough night. In and out of sleep. Had to pee about 10 times. That required me to call the nurse for a bed pan after which they had to wipe me. Dignity out the window. I really didn't care. I was pretty out of it.
I had 3 nurse shift changes.
Levi came and sat with me for a couple hours early evening then back again around 7pm til about midnight. poor guy. He was falling asleep. I was in/out of consciousness.
Dr Finn came by after surgery and said it all went well.
Day Before Surgery
Sunday, 23 October 2016
Had a bad night sleep last night. The stress started to kick in.
Had a Rafaello for breakfast. Crunchy Asian noodle salad for lunch. A few more Rafaello's and Ferrero Rocher's in between. Went to church for an hour instead of the usual 3. My last supper was at mum's. My request..? Crumbed steak. So good! Finished off with her famous cheesecake. Yumm. Oh and I made a roast pork and sweet potatoes along with a crunchy Asian noodle salad.
It's now 9.30pm and I am really tired. Nervous.
Had a bad night sleep last night. The stress started to kick in.
Had a Rafaello for breakfast. Crunchy Asian noodle salad for lunch. A few more Rafaello's and Ferrero Rocher's in between. Went to church for an hour instead of the usual 3. My last supper was at mum's. My request..? Crumbed steak. So good! Finished off with her famous cheesecake. Yumm. Oh and I made a roast pork and sweet potatoes along with a crunchy Asian noodle salad.
It's now 9.30pm and I am really tired. Nervous.
Dinner at mums. Left it a little late to take a pic!
Mum's cheesecake... hmmm...
lunch on sunday (pre-op) CRUNCHY noodle salad
My supplies for the next 6-8 weeks. Non-chewables. This will not be fun.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October 2016 Surgical Posts
Okay, the countdown is on. 4 more sleeps until my final surgery. This has been a long road that I have been travelling on, and it feels as though I am approaching the light at the end of the tunnel.
Today was an extremely busy day and I wished I had taken the day off work, but I am far too busy to do that. Here is how my day panned out:
7.00am arrived work
8.40am Dr Lane's to have 'surgical posts' fitted (more about that later)
12.00pm meeting with my bank
1.00pm Dr Finn for final meeting (details below)
4.15pm teeth clean by my friend Caity
5.00pm arrive home and collapse on the couch
7.00pm Dinner with hubby and home to rest
It may not seem terribly overwhelming, but after a week of 7 o'clock starts; late finishes, something on every night; I am pretty worn out...
Surgical Post Fitting
Dr Lane fitted my surgical posts today. 3 on the top and 3 on the bottom. I honestly had no idea what was being fitted so the dental assistant showed me. Basically little posts that hook onto my braces wire. They'll be used (somehow) during the surgery. I don't want to know. See picture below.
If you pay attention, you will see the tiny posts in the very centre of both my upper and lower teeth; and 1 on either side about 2 teeth back. Having them fit was no drama. Some slight pressure as Dr Lane got them hooked on the wire. No pain; although I felt some minor pressure tonight as I bit into a burger. Discomfort level? I was informed that in comparison to my top palate expander apparatus that I wore last year (which rated a 10/10 for discomfort) that these surgical posts would be a 1. I would rate them a 2. I may even increase this to a 3 in the morning; depending on how much they rub my lips in the night. I need to apply wax before bed. The bottom one is certainly starting to rub and make a bit of a dent into my lower inner lip; and the top is not far behind. I failed to ask how long these will stay on post-operation.
After lunch, I had my final meeting with the surgeon. Before I went inside, I scoffed down 3 KFC chicken tenders and a small fries; then hurriedly brushed / flossed when I got inside. Dr Finn wasn't back from the hospital so I had a few moments to spare before going into the normal meeting room.
My surgeon seems happy with everything, and to be honest, I get the impression from his mannerisms that he is even a little excited! Well, that's a good thing, because it means he has a lot of passion for his job even after the many years he has been doing it. To tell the truth, it hasn't even occurred to me that anything would go wrong during my surgery, because I honestly feel that he is the best in his field.
Last night, I was able to meet a young girl named Emily who was 9 days post-op. She looked incredible really. Not a lot of swelling and no bruising left to be seen. She thinks the worst part of the whole ordeal is the 'drooling'. Well, I hope that's my biggest complaint! ;-)
At this point, I have been so busy with work and everything else going on, that I haven't taken the time to stress about the surgery. Perhaps the nerves will come the night before or the morning of.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment at the hospital for my "Pre-Admission". I've read through all the paperwork from Dr Finn's office a couple times, so I'm not sure if they will tell me anything new.
Oh, today I received a call from the hospital to enquire about my allergies. It seems that I have not been a patient at the Cairns Base Hospital before! I let them know the usual: Endone, perfumes, fake leather, some latex. Basically I have sensitive skin. Touch wood, I haven't had any issues since I found out I was allergic to Endone a couple years ago; however, on reflection, I wasn't able to wear deodorant for months after my palate expander op last February! Well the garnier deodorant that was my favourite. I changed to a powdery based stick made by rexona. I've been using it ever since with no issues. For most of my adult (and teenage) life, I have suffered with sensitive skin and get rashes especially underarms, elbows, neck, wrists; any major pulse points.
Weight gain?
From these photos, I can tell I've gained a few pounds. On last weigh in I was edging over 65kg which is the heaviest I've ever been. I have got t a stage where most of my pants and shorts no longer fit; in fact, I had to buy new work pants. This is something I kinda proud of really! For some perspective, I usually sit between 58kg - 61 kg when I'm healthy and carrying a bit more muscle. Last year after my top palate expander, I got down to around 53-54 kg which was the smallest I've been since high school (I was around 50kg back then). I wore a size 8 to my friend Syreina's wedding reception in June 2015.
[Will add photo when I can find one]
Well, it's 9.30pm and I am quite tired... Arrivederci !
Today was an extremely busy day and I wished I had taken the day off work, but I am far too busy to do that. Here is how my day panned out:
7.00am arrived work
8.40am Dr Lane's to have 'surgical posts' fitted (more about that later)
12.00pm meeting with my bank
1.00pm Dr Finn for final meeting (details below)
4.15pm teeth clean by my friend Caity
5.00pm arrive home and collapse on the couch
7.00pm Dinner with hubby and home to rest
It may not seem terribly overwhelming, but after a week of 7 o'clock starts; late finishes, something on every night; I am pretty worn out...
Surgical Post Fitting
Dr Lane fitted my surgical posts today. 3 on the top and 3 on the bottom. I honestly had no idea what was being fitted so the dental assistant showed me. Basically little posts that hook onto my braces wire. They'll be used (somehow) during the surgery. I don't want to know. See picture below.
If you pay attention, you will see the tiny posts in the very centre of both my upper and lower teeth; and 1 on either side about 2 teeth back. Having them fit was no drama. Some slight pressure as Dr Lane got them hooked on the wire. No pain; although I felt some minor pressure tonight as I bit into a burger. Discomfort level? I was informed that in comparison to my top palate expander apparatus that I wore last year (which rated a 10/10 for discomfort) that these surgical posts would be a 1. I would rate them a 2. I may even increase this to a 3 in the morning; depending on how much they rub my lips in the night. I need to apply wax before bed. The bottom one is certainly starting to rub and make a bit of a dent into my lower inner lip; and the top is not far behind. I failed to ask how long these will stay on post-operation.
After lunch, I had my final meeting with the surgeon. Before I went inside, I scoffed down 3 KFC chicken tenders and a small fries; then hurriedly brushed / flossed when I got inside. Dr Finn wasn't back from the hospital so I had a few moments to spare before going into the normal meeting room.
My surgeon seems happy with everything, and to be honest, I get the impression from his mannerisms that he is even a little excited! Well, that's a good thing, because it means he has a lot of passion for his job even after the many years he has been doing it. To tell the truth, it hasn't even occurred to me that anything would go wrong during my surgery, because I honestly feel that he is the best in his field.
Last night, I was able to meet a young girl named Emily who was 9 days post-op. She looked incredible really. Not a lot of swelling and no bruising left to be seen. She thinks the worst part of the whole ordeal is the 'drooling'. Well, I hope that's my biggest complaint! ;-)
At this point, I have been so busy with work and everything else going on, that I haven't taken the time to stress about the surgery. Perhaps the nerves will come the night before or the morning of.
Tomorrow, I have an appointment at the hospital for my "Pre-Admission". I've read through all the paperwork from Dr Finn's office a couple times, so I'm not sure if they will tell me anything new.
Oh, today I received a call from the hospital to enquire about my allergies. It seems that I have not been a patient at the Cairns Base Hospital before! I let them know the usual: Endone, perfumes, fake leather, some latex. Basically I have sensitive skin. Touch wood, I haven't had any issues since I found out I was allergic to Endone a couple years ago; however, on reflection, I wasn't able to wear deodorant for months after my palate expander op last February! Well the garnier deodorant that was my favourite. I changed to a powdery based stick made by rexona. I've been using it ever since with no issues. For most of my adult (and teenage) life, I have suffered with sensitive skin and get rashes especially underarms, elbows, neck, wrists; any major pulse points.
Weight gain?
From these photos, I can tell I've gained a few pounds. On last weigh in I was edging over 65kg which is the heaviest I've ever been. I have got t a stage where most of my pants and shorts no longer fit; in fact, I had to buy new work pants. This is something I kinda proud of really! For some perspective, I usually sit between 58kg - 61 kg when I'm healthy and carrying a bit more muscle. Last year after my top palate expander, I got down to around 53-54 kg which was the smallest I've been since high school (I was around 50kg back then). I wore a size 8 to my friend Syreina's wedding reception in June 2015.
[Will add photo when I can find one]
Well, it's 9.30pm and I am quite tired... Arrivederci !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)