Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Day 33 - Muscle Relaxants and Maritime Chowder
I took all my complaints to the orthodontist this morning. He was sympathetic and took a good look around in there, making sure there was no infection. The consensus was that the discomfort was likely a combination of the nerve regeneration in my chin and my return to work, which has resulted in a lot more talking and activity than I'd been doing in the weeks since my surgery. The suggestion on the part of the ortho was what surprised me a little - he recommended a moist, warm compress and muscle relaxants. The idea of me taking something so strong is laughable, in my opinion, but it is tempting. The great news from the appointment is that I came out free of one of my elastics - the ortho said I could get rid of the front one and suggested that, at the next appointment, we may be able to change the rest of the elastics out for lower-tension ones!! This is such good news - I am cool with baby steps because progress is progress.
After my appointment, I went downtown to join the rest of my colleagues at the district professional development day. There were lots of interesting little tidbits in the speakers' presentations. I met up with a friend for lunch. Neither of us could eat the bag lunches that were available, so we decided to head over to the restaurant across the street in the hope of finding something palatable (though I wasn't entire convinced it would work). Much to my pleasant surprise, I found a delectable Maritime Seafood Chowder on their lunch menu. I loved every spoonful and my only regret was that I couldn't devour the warm, multigrain roll that accompanied it.
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, 3 being the highest, today was an 11. ;)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Day 32 - This is a little disappointing
I seem to have regressed again :( My swelling has about doubled. I am in enough pain to take Advil a couple of times each day. The feeling is still coming back in my chin, but the swelling and pain are keeping me from being comfortable and using my lips properly.
I am getting cranky about the whole thing, honestly. I am seeing my orthodontist tomorrow and I am hoping he will be able to shed some light on the situation. I really hope that it is short-lived because it is making my job, sleeping, eating and just generally existing rather less pleasant.
The glamour shot for the day.
I am getting cranky about the whole thing, honestly. I am seeing my orthodontist tomorrow and I am hoping he will be able to shed some light on the situation. I really hope that it is short-lived because it is making my job, sleeping, eating and just generally existing rather less pleasant.
The glamour shot for the day.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Day 30 - Back to Work
The new semester starts tomorrow. I am not entirely sure how this is going to go, given that I am still pretty difficult to understand at times and am in a lot more pain than I was last week because of the nerve regeneration in my chin. Only time will tell, I guess.
In the meantime, I continue to try little bits of new solid food. I am changing my elastics one to two times each day now and, while it still causes my face to ache, it isn't like it was.
My swelling is sitting at about 10% of the maximum it was. That said, it flares up with activity. For example, when we went for a walk last night, the swelling in my chin and cheeks about doubled in size. I am hoping this lets up soon since I would like to start in with more physical activity - I am looking to do zumba class through the fall and winter.
Anyway, otherwise things seem to be progressing gradually. Here are the pics:
In the meantime, I continue to try little bits of new solid food. I am changing my elastics one to two times each day now and, while it still causes my face to ache, it isn't like it was.
My swelling is sitting at about 10% of the maximum it was. That said, it flares up with activity. For example, when we went for a walk last night, the swelling in my chin and cheeks about doubled in size. I am hoping this lets up soon since I would like to start in with more physical activity - I am looking to do zumba class through the fall and winter.
Anyway, otherwise things seem to be progressing gradually. Here are the pics:
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Day 27 - Meal Planning, Survivor-style
You know how, on Survivor, around mid-season, the contestants spend episode after episode driving themselves crazy with talk of the food they are missing and lusting after. I knew it would come to this...as much as I make fun of the Survivor players and as much as I tried to tell myself that I wouldn't let myself fall into this pattern of though, here I am. Visions of Taco Bell dance through my head a dozen times each day.
So, similar to the list I made pre-surgery, I am going to start a post-surgery list of things I will be indulging in as soon as I can. I will add to it as time goes on. Here is the current version, in no particular order:
In other news, this has been a hell of a day. My chin has been tingling pretty viciously for the last three or four days. This is a sign that the feeling is returning. Over the course of today, a little feeling has returned, but more to the point, my pain has increased dramatically - like, to a level it hasn't reached since my early days at Steph's apartment. EVERYTHING hurts...I have a headache, my neck and shoulders hurt and the centralized pain in my chin and lower jaw is excruciating. I was near tears in the last hour of work :( I've taken Advil and that has helped somewhat. I am hoping tomorrow is better. Here are the pics:
So, similar to the list I made pre-surgery, I am going to start a post-surgery list of things I will be indulging in as soon as I can. I will add to it as time goes on. Here is the current version, in no particular order:
- Chicken Quesadilla and Supreme Fries (minus the beef) from Taco Bell
- Peanut M&Ms
- Scalloped Potatoes, Ham and roasted sweet potatoes
- glazed croissant from Superstore
- raw veggies & dip
- chicken nachos
- banana
- fully-dressed baked potato
- bacon double cheeseburger from DQ along with fries from McDs
- Turkey dinner with all the fixin's (conveniently, Thanksgiving is a mere 2 weeks after I should be elastic-free)
In other news, this has been a hell of a day. My chin has been tingling pretty viciously for the last three or four days. This is a sign that the feeling is returning. Over the course of today, a little feeling has returned, but more to the point, my pain has increased dramatically - like, to a level it hasn't reached since my early days at Steph's apartment. EVERYTHING hurts...I have a headache, my neck and shoulders hurt and the centralized pain in my chin and lower jaw is excruciating. I was near tears in the last hour of work :( I've taken Advil and that has helped somewhat. I am hoping tomorrow is better. Here are the pics:
Monday, August 15, 2011
The state of things at 2 1/2 weeks
It has been brought to my attention that I haven't really updated much on how I feel lately and, in the interest of keeping this useful for future patients, I figure I ought to keep a running commentary or symptoms, related sensations, etc.
A lot of what is going on right now has to do with the diet. I am down to about 117 pounds from 130 (I am usually around 120, but held onto about 10lbs after having O so that I didn't fade away to nothing during this recovery period). I have been eating as well as can be expected - five to six small meals each day of various foods. That said, I am still feeling the effect of the lack of fuel in my body - I am always tired and always cold. I am also having low blood pressure head-rushes of epic proportions; the kind that absolutely blind you and leave you grasping for a solid hold in order to keep from falling down. I haven't had them like this in many years.
The other significant aspect of recent days is the ache. Since the addition of the elastics, my face and head have constantly ached to some degree or another. I've been taking Advil every day around supper time, just to get through the evening without turning into a raging bear.
Other minor things: I've had to apply wax to some sharp bits because they've been irritating my healing mouth. This took some skill - get the wax on there without poking the stitches or shifting anything and, of course, without opening my mouth. I've been *pissed* off to the degree that I nearly threw a temper-tantrum comparable to Orin's because eating is such a challenge at times. There is still some subtle swelling in various places, which I understand will go down over the next few months. The bruising is gone entirely, I think. My gums, which were zombie-white immediately after the surgery, are now a lovely shade a pink.
I think that about sums it up.
A lot of what is going on right now has to do with the diet. I am down to about 117 pounds from 130 (I am usually around 120, but held onto about 10lbs after having O so that I didn't fade away to nothing during this recovery period). I have been eating as well as can be expected - five to six small meals each day of various foods. That said, I am still feeling the effect of the lack of fuel in my body - I am always tired and always cold. I am also having low blood pressure head-rushes of epic proportions; the kind that absolutely blind you and leave you grasping for a solid hold in order to keep from falling down. I haven't had them like this in many years.
The other significant aspect of recent days is the ache. Since the addition of the elastics, my face and head have constantly ached to some degree or another. I've been taking Advil every day around supper time, just to get through the evening without turning into a raging bear.
Other minor things: I've had to apply wax to some sharp bits because they've been irritating my healing mouth. This took some skill - get the wax on there without poking the stitches or shifting anything and, of course, without opening my mouth. I've been *pissed* off to the degree that I nearly threw a temper-tantrum comparable to Orin's because eating is such a challenge at times. There is still some subtle swelling in various places, which I understand will go down over the next few months. The bruising is gone entirely, I think. My gums, which were zombie-white immediately after the surgery, are now a lovely shade a pink.
I think that about sums it up.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 16 - Started Solids Today
Ahhh....we all go back to our roots at some point, eh? Just as has happened twice before in our household, someone made an attempt at eating solid food today. It just happens that this person is 5'6" tall, 120lbs and hasn't been in babyhood for a while ;)
The verdict: It wasn't worth the effort it required. And that is saying something since one of the two attempts was whipped potatoes with cheddar, sour cream and garlic. The (very runny) oatmeal went down alright and was enjoyable enough, but when it came time for my whipped potatoes, even with most of my elastics off, it was still way too difficult and made me really nervous. I've tossed the rest in the fridge to try again another day.
The verdict: It wasn't worth the effort it required. And that is saying something since one of the two attempts was whipped potatoes with cheddar, sour cream and garlic. The (very runny) oatmeal went down alright and was enjoyable enough, but when it came time for my whipped potatoes, even with most of my elastics off, it was still way too difficult and made me really nervous. I've tossed the rest in the fridge to try again another day.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 10 - Culinary Adventures
Today was a day of experimentation. I started off by re-trying the soup that I mentioned yesterday again today. With more energy and knowing what to expect, it went much better.
With that under my belt, I decided to give butterscotch pudding a shot, sipping it off the spoon, into my mouth. This was messy business to say the least and I found myself scraping food off my mouth and surrounding face the same as I do for Orin. Hehe. I will probably leave things of this density for a little while longer because it was tiring and may have created mild suction in my mouth - not a good idea.
I wasn't deterred altogether though. For supper, I decided to try a smoothy/shake. I mixed up 250ml of chocolate milk, 1/2 a banana and 2 tbsp of peanut butter in the blender. It was alright.....the peanut butter gave it a bit of a texture because, while it is labeled "smooth" peanut butter, this brand is a little grainy, which was off-putting for someone like me (i.e. fussy about texture). I also learned that frozen fruit both blends better and brings a little extra chill to drinks (I had to put ice cubes in it to chill it enough to make it palatable). Overall, a good option. I may try it with ice cream next time to make it more milkshake-like.
Swelling is going down still....although the changes are subtle now and it can be flared up if I talk any great amount. If I had to put a number on it, I would say that my swelling has reduced by about 65% from the worst. The bruising is fading very quickly...I have small pea soup-coloured patches on my lower face and neck and some dark mottling around my eyes and chin and that is it. I am feeling more inside my mouth now, which means more to worry about. Every time I feel something, I worry that I've damaged something.
The only feeling of real concern is a familiar one, surprisingly. When I had my palate spread, there was, for a long time, a feeling of flexibility and fragility and sometimes even small shooting pains in it. I didn't expect this to return because, my understanding is that they didn't do any work on my palate (beyond likely some minor bumping while they worked on my top jaw). I am a little befuddled by the return of these feelings and will be mentioning them to my surgeon when I see him on Wednesday.
For now, here are some photos:
With that under my belt, I decided to give butterscotch pudding a shot, sipping it off the spoon, into my mouth. This was messy business to say the least and I found myself scraping food off my mouth and surrounding face the same as I do for Orin. Hehe. I will probably leave things of this density for a little while longer because it was tiring and may have created mild suction in my mouth - not a good idea.
I wasn't deterred altogether though. For supper, I decided to try a smoothy/shake. I mixed up 250ml of chocolate milk, 1/2 a banana and 2 tbsp of peanut butter in the blender. It was alright.....the peanut butter gave it a bit of a texture because, while it is labeled "smooth" peanut butter, this brand is a little grainy, which was off-putting for someone like me (i.e. fussy about texture). I also learned that frozen fruit both blends better and brings a little extra chill to drinks (I had to put ice cubes in it to chill it enough to make it palatable). Overall, a good option. I may try it with ice cream next time to make it more milkshake-like.
Swelling is going down still....although the changes are subtle now and it can be flared up if I talk any great amount. If I had to put a number on it, I would say that my swelling has reduced by about 65% from the worst. The bruising is fading very quickly...I have small pea soup-coloured patches on my lower face and neck and some dark mottling around my eyes and chin and that is it. I am feeling more inside my mouth now, which means more to worry about. Every time I feel something, I worry that I've damaged something.
The only feeling of real concern is a familiar one, surprisingly. When I had my palate spread, there was, for a long time, a feeling of flexibility and fragility and sometimes even small shooting pains in it. I didn't expect this to return because, my understanding is that they didn't do any work on my palate (beyond likely some minor bumping while they worked on my top jaw). I am a little befuddled by the return of these feelings and will be mentioning them to my surgeon when I see him on Wednesday.
For now, here are some photos:
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day 9 - Home Sweet Home
Don't get me wrong, I am eternally grateful to my sister and to Jane & Moe for the use of their spaces and even to the Dartmouth General Hospital and especially to my mom for spending more than a week of her vacation this year caring for me. Seriously, she didn't have to and it means a ton to me that she did.
All that said, my friends, I cannot tell you how elated I am to be home. My bed is so comfortable....it might as well be made of marshmallows. My children are angelic and perfect (this will probably last until bed time ;) ), my pets are the most delightful, well-mannered animals on the face of the planet.....you get what I am saying. It is that wonderful feeling of returning to your comfort zone after a time out of it, sometimes, as in stressful situations, WAY out of it.
The kids' reactions were better than I expected actually. Orin had a look of immediate recognition when he saw me, but also a definite sense of hesitation. He toddled right over and kind of coyly, sweetly, quietly asked to be picked up. I put him in my lap and almost immediately, he leaned into me, looked up into my face and smiled. After about twenty minutes, he was running around, plopping in my lap instructing me on the names of all of my belongings and species of animals that we have (he now calls the dog "dog" rather than "cat", people....can I get a Hallelujah!). Isabel was out grocery shopping with her dad when I arrived, so when she came in, she smiled right away, walked over to me, wrapped her arms around my legs and strung this all together, "I won't jump on you, mom. I'll be gentle. I love you so much. I missed you." She's been a right little mum to me, bringing me her friends to comfort me, helping me pour soup, grabbing a face cloth to mop up soup that I got on my shirt. Truly, heartwarming.
As for me, I feel much the same as I did yesterday. This is the first day when I haven't felt that the swelling and feeling in my face haven't changed. The bruising is fading already, which surprised me. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty similar to yesterday. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring with it a little more energy and a little less puffiness in the chin....it just still feels...well...gigantic.
Oh! I tried one of the soups that I bought today....V8 Cream of Broccoli. It is good. It has more substance to it than I was expecting, so I may need to hold off on using the rest for about a week because I can't quite manage the small chunks of broccoli yet, but the taste was really good. I was pretty impressed.
Pics below were taken while resting in my own bed before supper :)
All that said, my friends, I cannot tell you how elated I am to be home. My bed is so comfortable....it might as well be made of marshmallows. My children are angelic and perfect (this will probably last until bed time ;) ), my pets are the most delightful, well-mannered animals on the face of the planet.....you get what I am saying. It is that wonderful feeling of returning to your comfort zone after a time out of it, sometimes, as in stressful situations, WAY out of it.
The kids' reactions were better than I expected actually. Orin had a look of immediate recognition when he saw me, but also a definite sense of hesitation. He toddled right over and kind of coyly, sweetly, quietly asked to be picked up. I put him in my lap and almost immediately, he leaned into me, looked up into my face and smiled. After about twenty minutes, he was running around, plopping in my lap instructing me on the names of all of my belongings and species of animals that we have (he now calls the dog "dog" rather than "cat", people....can I get a Hallelujah!). Isabel was out grocery shopping with her dad when I arrived, so when she came in, she smiled right away, walked over to me, wrapped her arms around my legs and strung this all together, "I won't jump on you, mom. I'll be gentle. I love you so much. I missed you." She's been a right little mum to me, bringing me her friends to comfort me, helping me pour soup, grabbing a face cloth to mop up soup that I got on my shirt. Truly, heartwarming.
As for me, I feel much the same as I did yesterday. This is the first day when I haven't felt that the swelling and feeling in my face haven't changed. The bruising is fading already, which surprised me. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty similar to yesterday. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring with it a little more energy and a little less puffiness in the chin....it just still feels...well...gigantic.
Oh! I tried one of the soups that I bought today....V8 Cream of Broccoli. It is good. It has more substance to it than I was expecting, so I may need to hold off on using the rest for about a week because I can't quite manage the small chunks of broccoli yet, but the taste was really good. I was pretty impressed.
Pics below were taken while resting in my own bed before supper :)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Day 7 - The Rundown
The difference a couple of days can make is really quite amazing. I feel far better than I expected to at this point and would certainly never have guessed three days ago that I would feel this good today.
Don't get me wrong, I am still tender and stiff from swelling and bruising. I still tire pretty easily (considering my usual pace, I am running at about the pace of an 80-year old....lots of resting between activity) and I am still trying to get a grasp on how much I need to eat to keep my energy a little more regulated. But.....
I can hold my head up without tiring or increasing swelling and, as a matter of fact, it seems to feel better when I do that than when I lie down. I actually had a hard time sleeping last night because I couldn't get comfortable. I can walk around the apartment with relative ease and stand for a little longer than I could yesterday. I didn't take any pain meds yesterday until bedtime and, as per above, that didn't seem to help keep me comfortable, so I probably won't bother tonight. I am laughing and telling jokes and I've noticed a distinct, gradual change in my tone and type of posting on Facebook over the course of the last week, as I regain my energy and vigour. Our bodies are really quite amazing when you consider how quickly they can come back from something so traumatic (physically, that is).
As a side note, I am growing tired of chocolate instant breakfast and tomato soup, so I am opening the floor to suggestions. Items of note: I can't do yogurt. I am sorry. I just can't. I prefer chocolate to fruit flavours, but will be trying smoothies (made with milk and ice cream) once I get home to my blender. I *love* soup, so any soup (especially creamy ones), including ones that can be strained or have the bits blended are definite options.
Don't get me wrong, I am still tender and stiff from swelling and bruising. I still tire pretty easily (considering my usual pace, I am running at about the pace of an 80-year old....lots of resting between activity) and I am still trying to get a grasp on how much I need to eat to keep my energy a little more regulated. But.....
I can hold my head up without tiring or increasing swelling and, as a matter of fact, it seems to feel better when I do that than when I lie down. I actually had a hard time sleeping last night because I couldn't get comfortable. I can walk around the apartment with relative ease and stand for a little longer than I could yesterday. I didn't take any pain meds yesterday until bedtime and, as per above, that didn't seem to help keep me comfortable, so I probably won't bother tonight. I am laughing and telling jokes and I've noticed a distinct, gradual change in my tone and type of posting on Facebook over the course of the last week, as I regain my energy and vigour. Our bodies are really quite amazing when you consider how quickly they can come back from something so traumatic (physically, that is).
As a side note, I am growing tired of chocolate instant breakfast and tomato soup, so I am opening the floor to suggestions. Items of note: I can't do yogurt. I am sorry. I just can't. I prefer chocolate to fruit flavours, but will be trying smoothies (made with milk and ice cream) once I get home to my blender. I *love* soup, so any soup (especially creamy ones), including ones that can be strained or have the bits blended are definite options.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 3 - Ugh.
Well, I didn't expect this would be any sort of fun and I am not being disappointed.
The pain is minimal because, during the operation, there is work done on the nerves, so they turn off for a while, numbing the face to some degree. My feeling is gradually coming back, but given what I had done, one would expect a lot more pain. I am taking the lowest dose of Tylenol 3 recommended and that is mostly just to keep the bit of pain that is returning at bay so I can sleep.
The swelling, on the other hand, is plentiful and extreme. I was using ice to keep it under control for the first 30+ hours, at which time it was recommended that I change to warm compresses. This seems to be working out...the heat is reducing the swelling that is now there in short spurts, giving me brief windows of relief. However, as soon as I take the compress off either to warm it or eat or take meds or whatever, the swelling balloons right back up until, within a few minutes, my face feels like it may explode from the pressure. I have begun wondering if leaving the warm compress off in order to prevent the extreme changes in pressure may not be the better choice.
Other than that, I am doing my best to stay hydrated (drinking about 60ml of water per hour) and to eat bits here and there (had 40mls of instant breakfast at each breakfast and lunch today and am considering tomato soup for supper) and am taking all the meds they gave me on the suggested schedule (something that is hard for me, since I am not a medication-taker, as a rule).
I have been ordered to rest my jaw (so keep talking to a minimum). Verbal communication has been replaced with note-writing and the use of ASL (with which my mother and I are both minimally familiar, conveniently). I am trying to get lots of sleep - this sort of thing wipes you out, I've learned.
The pain is minimal because, during the operation, there is work done on the nerves, so they turn off for a while, numbing the face to some degree. My feeling is gradually coming back, but given what I had done, one would expect a lot more pain. I am taking the lowest dose of Tylenol 3 recommended and that is mostly just to keep the bit of pain that is returning at bay so I can sleep.
The swelling, on the other hand, is plentiful and extreme. I was using ice to keep it under control for the first 30+ hours, at which time it was recommended that I change to warm compresses. This seems to be working out...the heat is reducing the swelling that is now there in short spurts, giving me brief windows of relief. However, as soon as I take the compress off either to warm it or eat or take meds or whatever, the swelling balloons right back up until, within a few minutes, my face feels like it may explode from the pressure. I have begun wondering if leaving the warm compress off in order to prevent the extreme changes in pressure may not be the better choice.
Other than that, I am doing my best to stay hydrated (drinking about 60ml of water per hour) and to eat bits here and there (had 40mls of instant breakfast at each breakfast and lunch today and am considering tomato soup for supper) and am taking all the meds they gave me on the suggested schedule (something that is hard for me, since I am not a medication-taker, as a rule).
I have been ordered to rest my jaw (so keep talking to a minimum). Verbal communication has been replaced with note-writing and the use of ASL (with which my mother and I are both minimally familiar, conveniently). I am trying to get lots of sleep - this sort of thing wipes you out, I've learned.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
T minus 15 hours
I am sitting at Dave's Aunt & Uncle's apartment with Mom, sipping a Starbucks Mocha and munching on a glazed donut. The big plans for tonight: read and eat some candy. I can't eat past midnight, so I am getting my fill this evening. I plan to have a good sleep tonight, a leisurely shower and I am expected at the hospital for 10:30am.
I will take pictures after I've finished chowing down and have cleaned my teeth up.
I will take pictures after I've finished chowing down and have cleaned my teeth up.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Last Suppers
So, I've decided that a large part of this week will be spent eating. I am going to indulge in a bunch of the things I love since I likely won't be able to and/or won't feel like it for a couple of months after Friday. I thought I'd share the list, as it stands so far, with you.
I already had a lobster feed and ate a giant back of peanut M&Ms in the last couple of weeks. I've also had Starbucks a couple of times (thanks to David for giving me gift cards :) ). I am sure there will be additions to the list, but this is the goal so far.
Cheesy Scalloped potatoes, baked ham & steamed beets- Chocolate macaroons
Breakfast @ Cora's with good companyRipple cut chips & Philly Cream Cheese Dill Pickle Dip OR All Dressed chips & Chocolate Milk (yes...together.)Chicken Quesadilla with Supreme Fries (minus the beef) @ Taco Bell- Snack for Lunch (which consists of crackers, cheese, turkey kielbasa, pickles, carrots, cucumbers, celery, deviled eggs and any other snacky thing you can think of to toss in there)
- Homemade peanut butter cup (i.e. spoonful of peanut butter with semi-sweet chocolate chips on top)
I already had a lobster feed and ate a giant back of peanut M&Ms in the last couple of weeks. I've also had Starbucks a couple of times (thanks to David for giving me gift cards :) ). I am sure there will be additions to the list, but this is the goal so far.
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