Okay, my surgeons gave me the low down on Tuesday.
My procedure papers say:
1. Reconstruction midface, segmental (3 pc.) LeFort I osteotomy with bone graft
2. Reconstruction mandibular rami ; bilateral sagittal split osteotomies
Translation: pain, misery and more pain.
I'm on the books for first surgery of the day, hopefully it will stay that way. One night stay in the hospital if everything goes as planned. I will have a splint for 6 weeks ( yay : / ) But the best news is...drum roll please...soft food diet from the start! No syringe feedings for me. Woohoo!!!!
Life is hectic right now, but I think it has been good for me to keep my mind occupied. I started a new job in December. I have to return after two weeks because I will loose my job if I don't. The company I work for will only give me two weeks off as a new employee, after that, they let me go. Just their policy, nothing can be done about it. So keep you fingers crossed that I can rally for work at two weeks post-op. I really need this job.
My Mom had kidney surgery about 3 weeks ago. Then had a second one a week later. I think it was hard on her, but she is doing well now and that is a huge weight off my mind.
My brother, his wife, their 18 month old daughter, and their two dogs have been stayin with me since Feb 9th. He is in the Army and has been in Germany for 8 years. They are moving to Kentucky to his new post in less than a week but they stayed with us for a month to visit. It has been so nice to have them here. Mara and I will miss them all so much when they leave.
My husband and I are back together. We had separated, filed for divorce and he moved out almost a year ago. But around Christmas time we decided to not go through with the divorce. It has been so wonderful to have my family back together and I'm hopeful for the future. He hasn't moved back in yet, but shortly after my surgery he will. It seems everything is falling into place.
So, Jason and his family are here for a few more days, then it's time to get my act together and make my preparations for surgery. I hope to keep as busy as possible until then and maybe squeeze in a few good meals, a date night, and a special day for Mara over the next 19 days. Poor pumpkin has pneumonia right now and has been so sick.
That's my crazy life right now. So, to all you teenagers who wonder how you will manage to get through surgery and recovery, just think of me and how rediculously crazy it would be if you waited until you were old like me, and do it now if you're able.
Hope you all are well.
Hugs,
Nichole
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Let the count down begin!
24 days until surgery. I've been too busy to think about it until now and that's probably for the best. I have my pre-op appointment on Tuesday. More to say after that....
Starting to freak out a bit!
Starting to freak out a bit!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Finally!
I have a date! March 22nd is my surgery date.
( / ) ( \ ) ( / ) that's my butt doin a happy dance!
That is 9 months past my original surgery date, but hey, better late than never.
I would be ready January, but my OS is head of the University of Pittsburgh oral surgery and they close down for that month. February is out because my brother will be home from Germany that month. He and his family are staying with me and I wouldn't be a very good hostess if I'm all gimped up with a broken face. So, March it is.
It's going to be a juggling act for sure. I start a new job on December 19th (accepted the position one week before I got a call with my surgery date). Jason and his family will be here Feb 9th to March 7th. Moving out of my house the following week. Then double jaw surgery on the 22nd. I won't have any vacation time and no one to really help me pack and move. So, it ought to be quite interesting but I'm determined to make it all work somehow. So ready to move on with my life and put this surgery behind me.
More later. But for now, happy shopping, baking, and decorating to everyone.
Smiles,
Nichole
( / ) ( \ ) ( / ) that's my butt doin a happy dance!
That is 9 months past my original surgery date, but hey, better late than never.
I would be ready January, but my OS is head of the University of Pittsburgh oral surgery and they close down for that month. February is out because my brother will be home from Germany that month. He and his family are staying with me and I wouldn't be a very good hostess if I'm all gimped up with a broken face. So, March it is.
It's going to be a juggling act for sure. I start a new job on December 19th (accepted the position one week before I got a call with my surgery date). Jason and his family will be here Feb 9th to March 7th. Moving out of my house the following week. Then double jaw surgery on the 22nd. I won't have any vacation time and no one to really help me pack and move. So, it ought to be quite interesting but I'm determined to make it all work somehow. So ready to move on with my life and put this surgery behind me.
More later. But for now, happy shopping, baking, and decorating to everyone.
Smiles,
Nichole
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happiness is a choice.
I've been on a jaw-blogging sabbatical. Since my last post, nothing has changed. Still no news and no clue as to when things are moving forward. Just flossing and waiting. Over the last couple of months, things have been bumpy. I've had a laundry list of not so positive things going on. But, in honor of Thanksgiving Day, I'll postpone my airing of grievances and reflect on the positive.
I am so very blessed. For every negative there are 10 positives in my life. And on the days when I feel I can hardly see through the fog, I remember to smile and be grateful. Because with each new day, the sun will rise and lift the haze. We just need to be patient and conscious of our choices. I choose to see past the fog, and rejoice in the warmth of a new day. Of this, I hope to never loose sight.
Happy Thanksgiving! I wish everyone a beautiful day.
I am so very blessed. For every negative there are 10 positives in my life. And on the days when I feel I can hardly see through the fog, I remember to smile and be grateful. Because with each new day, the sun will rise and lift the haze. We just need to be patient and conscious of our choices. I choose to see past the fog, and rejoice in the warmth of a new day. Of this, I hope to never loose sight.
Happy Thanksgiving! I wish everyone a beautiful day.
Friday, October 14, 2011
What's goin on?
The answer to that questions is NOTHING. The OS office called me back Tuesday to inform me that the surgeon needs to do another mock up of my molds. I guess things aren't lining up as planned. I'm starting to freak a bit. Shouldn't he have a better game plan? Why all this last minute change of plans stuff? I really don't want the man in charge of putting my head back together to be unsure of himself. AAAHHHH THE STRESS!!!!
So, my July surgery has been repeatedly postponed. I'm now looking at after January 1st. But they wouldn't even give me a guess as to when. Would be nice if I could actually see my surgeon to get some questions answered. He has seen me once, for 30 minutes, 16 months ago. I was supposed to be almost out of braces at this point. So much for my 12-18 month treatment course. Oh well, griping isn't going to help. It is what it is.
I've promised myself, that tomorrow when I wake up, I will find a new focus and let this one go for now. It's too draining to stay in this place any longer.
To better days my friends!
So, my July surgery has been repeatedly postponed. I'm now looking at after January 1st. But they wouldn't even give me a guess as to when. Would be nice if I could actually see my surgeon to get some questions answered. He has seen me once, for 30 minutes, 16 months ago. I was supposed to be almost out of braces at this point. So much for my 12-18 month treatment course. Oh well, griping isn't going to help. It is what it is.
I've promised myself, that tomorrow when I wake up, I will find a new focus and let this one go for now. It's too draining to stay in this place any longer.
To better days my friends!
Friday, October 7, 2011
LOST!
I don't know what to do right now. I really want to call the OS office again. It's been a week and a half since he met with my OD and discussed my case. On Monday, the PA ( I think she is a PA) said she would call me back by 2pm. It's now Friday. I soooo want to call again, but this woman isn't necessarily friendly, and I feel like she has all the power in this situation. I don't want to tick off the woman with all the power, ya know? I am so lost right now. I just feel defeated, like they could care less about my situation. I just want to scream...
" Look, I am a human being, not a number. I have a life...a job, a child and many things to consider and plan for. And on top of that, I am a very kind person...patient and forgiving, caring and understanding, and I do not deserve to be treated this way!"
Nahhh, don't think that would go over very well. Guess I just shut up and wait some more. (shrugging shoulders)
UPDATE!!!! 10-10-11 @ 10:45
I called the OS office and left a voicemail. Then I called my OD to let him know what was going on, because I was supposed to call him back with the update and come in for some adjustments. Turns out, My OD is out of the office till next week, but his very nice partner (who also happens to be his son and my friend's husband) called the office for me to ask them to get back to me. He called me right back and said he spoke with the girl I was waiting on a call from (she's the OS patient coordinator, I thought she was a PA). She said that the OS has been out of the office and isn't back until tomorrow, and she isn't putting me on the schedule until she speaks with him. Well...at least that's a reason why she hasn't called me. But, don't tell me you'll call me back by 2pm, then have no intention to call me back, and leave me hanging for over a week. That's just rude!
Thank goodness for my OD's very kind and sweet partner, who took time out of his day for patient he doesn't even see. I would have been in tears by tomorrow if he hadn't dug up that bit of info for me. So, tomorrow, I should know what the heck is going on ("what's goin on what's goin on" (singing in my head because I AM a goober)). And tomorrow I work a 16 hours shift, so I probably won't be able to take the call. Grrrrrrr
" Look, I am a human being, not a number. I have a life...a job, a child and many things to consider and plan for. And on top of that, I am a very kind person...patient and forgiving, caring and understanding, and I do not deserve to be treated this way!"
Nahhh, don't think that would go over very well. Guess I just shut up and wait some more. (shrugging shoulders)
UPDATE!!!! 10-10-11 @ 10:45
I called the OS office and left a voicemail. Then I called my OD to let him know what was going on, because I was supposed to call him back with the update and come in for some adjustments. Turns out, My OD is out of the office till next week, but his very nice partner (who also happens to be his son and my friend's husband) called the office for me to ask them to get back to me. He called me right back and said he spoke with the girl I was waiting on a call from (she's the OS patient coordinator, I thought she was a PA). She said that the OS has been out of the office and isn't back until tomorrow, and she isn't putting me on the schedule until she speaks with him. Well...at least that's a reason why she hasn't called me. But, don't tell me you'll call me back by 2pm, then have no intention to call me back, and leave me hanging for over a week. That's just rude!
Thank goodness for my OD's very kind and sweet partner, who took time out of his day for patient he doesn't even see. I would have been in tears by tomorrow if he hadn't dug up that bit of info for me. So, tomorrow, I should know what the heck is going on ("what's goin on what's goin on" (singing in my head because I AM a goober)). And tomorrow I work a 16 hours shift, so I probably won't be able to take the call. Grrrrrrr
Monday, October 3, 2011
Still waiting
Okay, okay, I give! I'm about to loose my ability to be patient and polite.
Lord,
Please continue to keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!
My uneventful ortho appointment on the 21st, became a "wait until after the OS meets with the OD to discuss." That meeting happened last Wednesday. Today I call the OD office to check in because I was supposed to get a call last week and didn't. He says some vague information about the possiblilites of what may come about and to call the OS about getting on the schedule possibly. So, I call the OS office and she tells me she will call me back today before 2pm. I carried my phone around with me all day at work today, expecting a call at any moment. It is now 8pm and I never got a call. I am soooooo over this crap right now.
Lord,
Please continue to keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!
My uneventful ortho appointment on the 21st, became a "wait until after the OS meets with the OD to discuss." That meeting happened last Wednesday. Today I call the OD office to check in because I was supposed to get a call last week and didn't. He says some vague information about the possiblilites of what may come about and to call the OS about getting on the schedule possibly. So, I call the OS office and she tells me she will call me back today before 2pm. I carried my phone around with me all day at work today, expecting a call at any moment. It is now 8pm and I never got a call. I am soooooo over this crap right now.
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