Day 36...

Every week I am getting a little better and feeling more and more like myself. I am still eating soft foods, but slowly adding more food to my diet. I can eat rice, eggs, cheese enchiladas, and pasta. I have to cut the food in tiny pieces and takes a long time to eat. It is quite wonderful to eat some real food. However, I am mainly just eating soups and smoothies because it is easier to eat and takes less time. People keep asking when will I be able to eat "normally" again. Well the complete healing process takes about a year. Yet, next week my jaw will be about 50% healed and I will be able to start eating cut up chicken and fish. I will also be able to eat most things I can cut with a fork. It is really hard to tell when I will be able to eat more normally. 

Another question, I get asked a lot is have you noticed has the surgery helped any problems you had before the surgery. Well I feel like it is still to early to tell. I still have some numbness on my lower lip and chin. I also continue to have some jaw pain when I wake up. So It is hard to tell about the quality of my sleep. My husband says he notices that I don't really snore that much anymore which is amazing since I was the girl that friends would not want to sleep in the same room as because I snored too loud. So that is happy!  Also, It is easier to close my lips.  

I started driving about a week ago. My first trip was to the library about 25minutes away. It felt a little awkward, I noticed I was a little more cautiously. I was tired when I came home. My second trip to the library a couple of days ago was a lot better and I didn't feel too tired afterward.

All things considered, I am well on my way in my recovery! 

Day 25... Slow and Steady

Sorry I haven't written in awhile, but there hasn't been anything to exciting that has happened. My recovery is slow but steady. At times I feel like nothing is really improving, but I do feel better.  I can open my mouth wide enough for one and half fingers to get in there. The goal in the next week is to be able open my mouth wide enough to get two fingers plus in it. What feels really slow is what I can eat. It hasn't changed too much since I have been unwired. I am still eating soft foods that I don't have to chew much. I was able to eat scrambled eggs and small pieces of muffins! It still takes a long time for me to eat. My swelling is almost all gone, I just have small swelling on my left side. My bruising is all gone.

 Last weekend, I was well enough to go to a friend's wedding. I had a great time, but I could definitely tell I was far from being back to normal. At the reception, I was able to eat some sweet potatoes, butternut squash raviolis and gelato, but it was so hard seeing and smelling delicious steak and chicken. I was able to get on the dance floor a few times, but if you know me, I would have been on the dance floor all night if I could. I couldn't move too much when I dance because it would shake my jaw. I was exhausted when we got home but was so happy I could make it!

We have been blessed to have our church bring some meals for Derek and I. These meals have helped change things up and have given me more variety. Also, some of my coworkers came to visit. It has been such a treat having people visit me while Derek is at work. I think this has been the most visitors we have had while we lived here.I know it isn't easy for people to come to our house as we live 30+ minutes from people and the roads are not as easy to travel on. We are so thankful for all the prayers, meals, emails, cards, calls, texts, and time people have given to help me in this recovery process. We thank God for the people He has brought into our lives. Life is so much better with community. I wondered how things would go, having this surgery when we live far away from family, friends and "town." I knew it might be a little more challenging, but with God all things are possible. It has been difficult at times, but God has been so faithful!  

 Surgery has a way of humbling you and striping you down to your core, at least it has for me. You often become dependent on others and you are not able to do day to day tasks on your own. When you have to have someone help feed you, brush your hair, or help you take a shower, it gives you a different perspective. Add some pain to the situation and your niceness often gets pealed away. I realized how I was easier to react and get upset over small things. I am so thankful for my husband taking care of me during this surgery and everyone who took care of me during my back surgery.  Surgery makes you think of all the blessing around and in your life.

2 weeks ...

Yay it has been 2 weeks! I am improving daily. I am still on soft foods that I can swallow with out having to chew such as avocado, mash potatoes, blended soups, smoothies, apple sauce, cottage cheese,ice cream, peanut butter, cookie butter, and yogurt. The magic bullet and baby spoons have been life savers.Today, I tried pancakes. I had to cut it in micro mini pieces, chew slowly and use drink to help loosen the pancake. I was able to eat a little more than a quarter of the pancake but felt exhausted after. I crave "real" food more and more. I know soon I will blend up pizza or a burrito. Sounds gross, I know but when you only have a limited diet, everything you can't have becomes this mouth watering mirage in the distance.

I was able to go to church on Sunday and it was great to see people. Everyone was surprised to see me. I was able to stay through the whole service. We even went to a friends house afterward. I was  exhausted afterward. I went home to take a nap but it was good to get out of the house.    

I am able to do more independently now, which is good because my husband goes back to work in 2 days. God bless him, he has taken good take of me. I am a little overwhelmed at the thought of doing everything by myself , but thankfully Derek works where we live so he can come home at a phone call (most of the time). Also, my church is going to  help with meals and some friends are going to come visit. I know I will be fine. I am so glad I do not have to go back to work until August! Yay for more recovery time.