Day 19: Tuna Sneezes

Smiling and saying cheese: 67% (I had a good constructive day)

Yes first photo without elastics on...well just for ten minutes

Pain: 16% (Nothing crazy today so down 4%)

Weight: 12 stone 7lb or 175 lb

Weight loss so far: 6lb (Wow 2 lb on today though I weighed myself after dinner)


Food I would love today: Though I can now technically eat anything I want once a day when my elastics are removed, the food needs to be cut up tiny and swallowed with no chewing. If I could eat anything normally today it would be.......a big fresh cream bun...or two... from my local bakery.

After leaving Ashleigh back to work today after a week off , I was home alone again. I wasn't going to sit and watch TV all day so as soon as I got home I got stuck into filing my tax return. After getting that completed and posted, I went to the bank and then home to get a few things organised for work which I would love to start back into at some stage this week. I had soup and a milkshake for lunch and then cleaned the house, made dinner for Ashleigh and dinner for myself.

I don't know why, but for today's dinner I decided to have egg and onion and then tuna and onion. I probably wouldn't have this again as on their own these mixtures aren't great. Maybe bread would have helped. I think I was hoping all the protein would be good for me and I'm getting weird cravings. So after releasing my teeth from their tight little elastic chains, I proceeded to eat a bowl of each followed by a pot of apple flavoured Muller Rice. My mouth definitely opened wider today which is a good sign. I then cleaned my teeth, scraped a little more fur off my tongue and rinsed well with my mouthwash.

Not much more to tell you except that I think my left cheek (face) is still more swollen and tight than my right but hopefully as the swelling continues to go down this will improve and look more like my right face cheek! I'm also looking forward to see my surgeon again on Thursday. I haven't seen her in two weeks so it will be good to get a check up from her. I hope she doesn't mind me taking my elastics off once a day to eat but I'm only going by what my orthodontist told me I could do. I will feel better hearing it from my surgeon though.

Some sharp pains around my jaw at times today but I'm guessing that is only because my mouth has been open. Oh before I go just to let you know that I sneezed twice today for the first time in 18 days. It was either because of the dust I disturbed while cleaning or because in yesterday's post I had said that I hadn't sneezed since my operation. Anyway the sneeze contents blew out my nose which was quickly cleaned up with a tissue. All in all a quiet yet constructive day. Yawn, yawn.

Day 18: Full up

Smiling and saying cheese: 65% (Wow... well past half way now)

Me and Chloe comparing side profiles

Pain: 20% (A few aches probably from having my jaw open but my pain level isn't going up)

Weight: 12 stone 5lb or 173 lb

Weight loss so far: 8lb (Same again today but with these soft food dinners I'm hoping the weight will start to return)


Food I would love today: A bar of Galaxy to accompany my hot chocolate which I am drinking with a straw.


Firstly, I didn't take tablets last night before bed because I wasn't in pain. This was a mistake as I awoke several time during the night with pain in my jaw. Tonight I will enjoy drinking those little soluble friends. After a breakfast of milkshake and porridge (yes two courses and I was full up)  I got ready and we headed to church for the first time since surgery. It was great to go and see all the people who had been praying for me, sending cards and visiting me, though I was conscious that I do look different. No one made to big a deal about that and I'm sure they will soon forget what I looked like before.

It was 'Childrens Day' today at church so it was nice seeing the kids singing (including my not so traumatised anymore niece, Miss Emily) After church there was a lunch provided for everyone, which I declined to stay at, for obvious reasons. I didn't fancy baby spoon feeding myself in front of a handheld mirror with the contents of my lunch caked around my face. Anyway I was pretty excited about my own culinary dining experience that was planned.  After helping Ashleigh make our lunch it was that time again were I could remove my elastics.

After pinging them off with great efficiency, I started shovelling with my baby spoon. On offer was mince, carrot and onion and gravy with potato and broccoli. For dessert was sticky toffee pudding with custard that Ashleigh had mashed up and heated. The problem is that the spoon is designed to fit into a 1 year old mouth which is considerably smaller than mine. The result is that the spoon doesn't hold so much and I end up continually scooping small amounts of food into my mouth. This is maybe not so bad as I cannot chew anything so have to swallow everything.

I find that it works like a conveyor belt. Once I push too much food in, the food at the back of my mouth automatically gets swallowed. Yummy. After cleaning my teeth as best I could it was time to get tied together again. I feel a sense of security when I put my bands back on but also look forward to the day when they are no longer required. I also noticed that I was full up very quickly after lunch. Maybe my stomach has shrank! All that was followed by a afternoon nap which I hope will become less frequent starting next week.

Interesting fact for today.. I haven't sneezed in 18 days. Isn't that amazing. I'm not sure if I'm too scared to or if I physically can't but I know it wouldn't be a happy experience if I did! Maybe more on this tomorrow...or maybe not!

Day 17: Open Wide

Smiling and saying cheese: 60% (up a big 6% after having some half proper food)

Me and my two new friends.. tommee and tippee

Pain: 20% (Back to 20% after having my jaw open with no extra pain)

Weight: 12 stone 5lb or 173 lb

Weight loss so far: 8lb (Lost another one but not surprised as I haven't ate so much in the last few days)


Food I would love today: Chicken Fajitas with lots of crunchy salad and mayo


A big milestone today but I will come to that in a minute. After deciding to lie in a little longer than we had planned we headed to Asda again to get our shopping but because we had a lie in and didn't arrive until mid morning the crowds had gathered. The thing that annoys me is that 'Asda' now do the shopping for people who buy it on line and then deliver it to their homes. Instead of the staff collecting the shopping for their customers in the dead of night when the store isn't open and they have the aisles to themselves they decide in their infinite wisdom to collect the products when the store is full on a Saturday morning.

So instead of having to deal with the usual shoppers, I now have to deal with the staff pushing around their over sized trolley carts with their self scanners in hand. After that ordeal lunchtime came and today was the big day. Ashleigh made me smash (mashed potato) with fried onion, butter and cut up pieces of bacon. I asked her not to blend it yet but to wait and see how I got on when I took my elastics off.

Yes, these happy campers are to blame

So standing in front of the small mirror in the kitchen, using my tweezers I began to ping of my elastics. I'm getting quicker every time. It didn't feel as strange today once they were off and I was pretty certain my jaw wasn't going to drop to the floor. I opened my mouth probably about 1.5inches and quickly reached for my baby plastic spoon and the bowl of food. I scooped a little of the mixture onto my spoon and pushed it into the gap in my mouth. It was so good. I just swallowed it though I could feel that my food had texture.

I could feel the sharp edges of the bacon hit my throat. I could feel the lumpy potatoes. It felt amazing. I was actually eating food, it was soft food like baby food but at least I wasn't drinking a light brown concoction. I took another spoonful. And then another. Maybe too fast but I was hungry and I didn't want to have my elastics off for too long. This was the longest time I had them off. My feeding frenzy resulted in my lips and chin being covered in baby food along with the worktop. Now I know what babies goes through when they feed.

I also had one of those trifles in a pot for dessert. It tastes so good I couldn't fit it in quick enough. One of my most memorable meals of my short 25 years on earth. After feeding, I decided to try and brush my teeth and more importantly the inside of my teeth which haven't been cleaned in 16 days. I tried my best without opening my mouth too wide and managed to reach a few places. I then stuck my tongue out as far as I could which was probably half way. Using my baby toothbrush I started to scrub at the greeny, brownish fur that has taken over. It didn't seem to clean off too well though the toothbrush bristles were caked in the brown goo.

I gave up on this task quickly and have decided to fight another day. The only problem I had to this point was that I prematurely bit down while my spoon was still in my mouth which sent shock waves through my jaws. I was a little excited I guess. It was sore. After rinsing my mouth with my medicated mouthwash I closed my jaws together in preparation for re banding only to find that my teeth weren't lining up as before and my jaws weren't as tight as before.

Had I had my mouth open too long? Had my jaw relapsed into a wrong position? After a little panicking and a sudden temperature change which resulted in sweating thinking my jaw was ruined, I consulted Ashleigh and previous photos I had taken of my teeth to see if they looked the same. Ashleigh adviced to re band and that would pull my teeth back together. I wasn't convinced but had no other option. In the end I did that and I think it has done the job.

I think my teeth are sitting in pretty much the same position as before but I am looking forward to see my surgeon on Thursday who will hopefully be happy with them. You see I have taken my bands off today and yesterday because my orthodontist told me I can and although he is a professional, I will feel better when I hear my surgeon tell me that I can. I feel like cheating after having proper food today if you can count mashed potato as proper food. It will be soup tonight as I'm only allowed my bands of once a day. Maybe tomorrow I will eat like a king again. Sensitive teeth and chin as usual, pain minimal and guess what, I haven't sneezed in 17 days. More on that tomorrow. I know, I can't wait to talk about it either. Oh hello to my first reader from the Philippines!

Day 16: Soft food today... I think not

Smiling and saying cheese: 54% (Another big 2% because I saw the orthodontist and he was pleased with everything)

My new tweezers!

Pain: 25% (Up 5% due to achy jaw probably because I opened my mouth)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lb

Weight loss so far: 7lb (Same again)


Food I would love today: Chips, gravy, onions and peas from the 'chippie'

Take two...why take two? Because I had typed out today's post, saved it regularly and all of the sudden the page went blank and the automatic saving feature of 'blogger' saved my blank page. So, back to the start of today's post which started with me waking up and looking forward to my appointment with my orthodontist.

After a breakfast smoothie and my best attempt at cleaning my teeth, Ashleigh and I headed across town to the school of dentistry at the Royal Hospital. For the first time ever I was running late for my orthodontic appointment so after some clever motoring manoeuvres by myself, quickly parking up and a light jog to the reception I arrived at exactly 9.45am. As I caught my breathe through my elasticated mouth, I sat in the waiting room only to discover that the shirt I was wearing had numerous stains from dinner that I had tried to drink unsuccessfully. Knowing that I was going under the dentist's spotlight I tried to hide the stains by turning over the shirt collars a little more.

Random side photo

Thankfully though as I sat down on the 'big chair' I was given my stylish protective glasses and a nice blue bib which covered the stains. And relax. My orthodontist was joined by two first year dental student armed with their pens and notepads. It was their first day 'watching on' and I was asked if I was happy for them to be there. Of course I don't mind, they are the surgeons of the future (yes, I said the future, so please don't come near me yet) There was also a higher qualified student who I like and has fixed my braces in the past so it was good seeing him with my new face which he thought turned out alright.

So there were four people in total plus a few dental nurses hanging around. After asking me how I was, what I was eating, where was I numb and those sort of questions, he showed the students some before photos and x rays and told them what my surgery had entailed. It was good as I was able to listen and learn too. Next, my elastics were pinged off and I was told to hold my mouth shut while he checked out some notes. It was quite hard not to open my mouth, I don't know why, maybe it was just an instinct to open it since it has been closed for 16 days.

 Anyway I held them closed until he asked me to open them. I did, it felt fine though a little strange but I relaxed as much as possible even though I did start to sweat. Yes all because I had to open my mouth. I feel insecure opening my mouth, like my lower jaw is going to fall off and slide down my already stained shirt. Thankfully it stayed attached and he proceeded to have a look inside and show the eager students were the cuts had been made and were my stitches are. After a few minutes I was re elasticated only this time I watched how it was done with the help of a mirror which I was given to hold.

I was told that I was now able to change my elastics once a day and while they are off I am able to try and eat some soft food. I really don't know how this will happen and sitting here at the minute I can't imagine ever eating food again. It just seems so difficult. I'm not allowed to chew so it will be a straight swallow. Before I left I was given a lot of elastics and a pair of large tweezers to aid me in the process of changing elastics as seen in my daily photo above. He was very happy with how everything was looking, which was encouraging and said my swelling was looking good too( I mean the lack of swelling) I left feeling like I had enriched those students lives and hope my face will remind them of their first day around a patient on a dentist chair. My little contribution to society.

After my appointment we had a look around some shops, and then headed home. After a tin of chicken and country vegetable soup (with the chicken and country vegetables sieved out) I required my 'nap'. After my nap I decided I was going to remove my elastics and have my first soft food meal of pasta and sauce. Or maybe not! I took off my elastics only to discover that my mouth doesn't open more than approx 1.5 inches. I could just stick out my tongue a little bit but there was no way I was going to stick any food in there yet.

I could just imagine choking on it and opening my jaw to wide and it getting stuck so I thought I won't risk it, I will blend it instead. My tongue looks like a moss green luxury carpet by the way. So I was a bit gutted that I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat, it is going to be a long process, especially eating. That bacon and cheeseburger I would love right now, it seems so far off into the future but I will have to take one tiny step at a time. For now I will continue with the liquid diet. If you are having a nice meal this weekend please savour every bite just for me. Eating is more than fuel for your body, it is an enjoyable experience that in the future I will appreciate all the more.

Day 15: Mmmmm Cupcakes

Oh I wish!

Smiling and saying cheese: 52% (Up a big 2%)

Pain: 20% (Same as yesterday, still have mild pain in my jaw and a sore head)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lb

Weight loss so far: 7lb (Same again, could I be bumping along the bottom of my weight loss ocean)

Food I would love today: Tuna and onion on crusty bread with mayo. Not something I would normally be overly fussed on but I am getting cravings (No I am not pregnant)

I don't want to be repetitive but I did sleep well last night and was even able to sleep with my head turned sideways on the pillow instead of looking directly at the ceiling. Oh the progress! After feeling exhausted yesterday, I wasn't as bad today and got out with Ashleigh for a eye test at 9am. I wasn't back into the house until 12.30pm so it was nice being out and about for the morning.

After a lunch of tinned soup I watched Ashleigh make her new cupcakes which are 'bonoffee'. I would normally eat most of these as she likes to know my critical opinion but on this occasion I will not be able to be as helpful. Fear not, I will be blending a cupcake mixed with fresh cream and custard into a drinking consistency and I will drink it accompanied by a cup of tea. After some friends has visited I headed to bed for my afternoon grandpa nap.

Two hours later I felt even better, had a shower and then dinner which consisted of mashed potato, gravy, butter and onions. Unfortunately I didn't add any milk or cream and it was quite a thick mixture meaning I had to suck it from the cup which my jaw didn't appreciate. I left half of it as I couldn't be bothered transferring it from the jug into the blender and back into the jug and then into my kiddie cup.

Not much more to update you on today except I watched 'Come Dine With Me'. Could you imagine if I was hosting it, I could serve up a three course blended dinner party served in 'kiddie cups'. Why not if I were a vegetarian everyone would be served vegetables, so since I'm a blenditarian at the moment they could have blended food. Yes I know I'm being silly, I'm just trying to entertain me and my very annoying tingling chin, numb lip and gums.

To end on a brighter note, my appointment with my orthodontist is tomorrow at 9.45am which I am looking forward to. I'm not sure what he will do but I'll let you know tomorrow. I know...I can't wait either!

Day 14: Two weeks today!

Smiling and saying cheese: 50% (Same as yesterday as I was tired today and not very motivated)

Red, white and blue..... and yellow elastics!

Pain: 20% (Minimal and bearable pain around my jaw and a sore head sometimes. Nothing that soluble paracetamol can't fix)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lb

Weight loss so far: 7lb (Same as yesterday)

Food I would love today: Anything that's not blended!

Wow! Two weeks today from I had surgery. Two weeks today from I opened my mouth. And seen my tongue. And cleaned my tongue! Yukkk! Two weeks today from I started drinking everything. Did I mention its two weeks today. Well time flies when your having so much fun. How do I feel two weeks on? I generally feel very good at this stage. I'm glad I went through with this process and I look forward to the end result in the future of getting these elastics of, then being able to eat and one day getting my braces off to reveal a confident perfect/ near perfect smile.

I think if anyone is at any stage of this process that is what you have to keep remembering, that one day in the future there will be a end result that your looking forward to. My sleep is improving every night with another good sleep last night. Pain is minimal and as I have read on blogs and forums that the first two weeks are the hardest. I would say the first week in my experience. Overall I think everyone is different and everyone deals with surgery in different ways but if you can be disciplined and have a positive attitude it will help a lot.

My thoughts have started to move towards returning to work. I'm a bit different to other people because I'm self employed so in theory I can take as much time off as I want. My boss knows what I've went through as he is recovering from surgery too. That boss is me! The problem is that my job is quite physical but I hope that maybe next week or the week after at the latest I can ease my way back into it. If I was even eating properly (I mean chewing proper food) I think I would have more energy to work but I will see how I am at the weekend. Two more days until I see my orthodontist which I'm looking forward to. I see it as another little step towards recovery. I had porridge again for breakfast and then slept through lunch because I had a nap so I didn't have a lunch but had bacon and lentil soup for dinner with a milkshake.

I just felt exhausted again today which is a bit frustrating as I'm not doing much but hopefully this will improve with time. I have to remember I'm still only two weeks post op. I can't wait until it's two months!

Day 13: Hair Cut Time

Smiling and saying cheese: 50% (Half way back to my best of 100% which will never happen while I can't open my mouth)

50% cheesy grin with yellow elastics and hair cut

Pain: 25% (Down 10% because I'm feeling good)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lbs

Weight loss so far: 7lb (Another one back on according to my dodgy scales)

Food I would love today: A Red Velvet Cupcake made by Ashleigh, of course

After a good night sleep again I woke up thankfully without the aches and pains of last night. After a hour or so this morning I was feeling good. I decided to get my hair cut back to my normal length. I'm going to see how I like it since I have a different face (sort of) and if I then decide I want to grow it long I can do so. Also I was coming to the end of my hair gel and would have had to buy more!

Ashleigh and I also went for  nice walk along the riverside at Shaw's Bridge in the sunshine though there was a cool breeze that made my chin go crazy. I was able to go to Tesco to get stocked up which included 'yop', apple juice, pineapple juice, 3 litres of milk, carton of double cream and 'frubes which are yogurt in tubes. Once I got home I had homemade vegetable soup and then it was time for my famous Grandpa nap. Up at 6pm I got another shower and had blended cheesy mash with butter and cream which I spilt over myself while trying to refill my 'kiddie cup.' After a full change of clothing I finished my meal.

Very little pain today, I wasn't overly tired even though I had a busy day and thankfully I haven't picked up a bug as the aches and pains of yesterday have gone. I'm still taking tablets but not as regular as last week. Speech is quite good and I can be understood over the telephone. Tingling is still very annoying. Brushing teeth is good also. I'm also just getting on with drinking everything and it isn't bothering me as much as it was over the weekend. I haven't felt too hungry as I'm eating as much as I can stand when I'm having a meal.

Day 12: Sore Nostrils

Smiling and saying cheese: 40% (After a promising morning the evening wasn't as good due to achy joints and jaw and a sore head)

Literally.....my daily mugshot

Pain: 35% (Up 10% due to aches and pains)

Weight: 12 stone 5lb or 173 lbs

Weight loss so far: 8lb (One back on according to my dodgy scales)

Food I would love today: ' A Fish Supper' A cod fillet with a light, crispy batter with a side of chips and peas covered in Heinz Tomato Ketchup from the local 'chippie' (I woke up thinking about this today so it had to be today's choice)


Best sleep last night so far. I took two co codamol at midnight and except for a bit of shuffling during the night I can only remember waking properly at 7.15am. Result! A new week and thankfully I have an appointment with my orthodontist on Friday morning. I'm glad I have an appointment as it gives me a goal to reach and something to look forward to. I'm not sure what will happen at the appointment but it will be good to get checked out by him. I had a smoothie for breakfast again consisting of:

• 2 bananas
• Frozen berries
• Milk
• Ice Cream
• 'Crusha' milkshake mix
• Complan sachet
• Double cream

I had my first cup of tea last night from my favourite cup but it just didn't feel normal without a biscuit. I dropped Ashleigh off to get her 'hair surgery' this morning. I think the operation takes the following course: hair cut, highlighted and wash and blow dry but probably not in that order. Tingling and sensitive teeth are continuing. Sometimes it isn't so bad and I forget about it then all of the sudden it goes crazy. It's a weird sensation and hard to explain but I think the best way is to say it's like having regular sensitive teeth x10.

At the entrance to my left nostril, up my nose about 10mm there is a lump which is quite sore to touch (sorry I know it's not attractive reading but in the name of accurate documentation of this process it must be included) I'm unsure why there is a lump but it is there and is a lot sorer when pushing from my right nostril against my left nostril if that makes sense (probably not) Has anyone else had experience of this? I'm guessing it has something to do with tubes being stuck up there for a few days.

For lunch I had a 'Marks & Spencers roast chicken dinner' that was tasty enough. Me and Ashleigh then went out to a sweet shop/ sweet factory were I was able to have a raspberry milkshake while Ashleigh got to sample some sweets and honeycomb. The owner ended up sampling my piece. Sigh. After our visit I went to visit Emily, my niece who I traumatised when she first seen me after my operation. After a cautios welcome Emily came around to the idea that I wasn't half uncle, half ballooned chipmunk and by the end of the visit we were friends again.

After a afternoon nap which I needed today I had a shower and my dinner of blended 'Irish Stew'. Google it for the recipe. It was tasty but at this stage of the day, I have become really achy all over, sore head and joints including my jaw. I'm also exhausted. Why? I don't know. Maybe it's a bug but hopefully I will be back on track tomorrow. If anyone has anything they would like me to include in my blog that I can update my progress on daily let me know. Maybe speech for example.

Day 11: It was all just a dream

Smiling and saying cheese: 45% (Up 10% from yesterday as I can smile now though I get loads of laughter lines. My face must be too tight. I still can't eat, my mouth is still shut so it's still all a big inconvenience)

Me with my helpful sleeping travel pillow.

Pain: 25% (Same as yesterday as I was a little sore before I took tablets)

Weight: 12 stone 4lb or 172 lbs

Weight loss so far: 9lb (Another one bites the dust!)

Food I would love today: My mum's Chicken and Broccoli Bake (chicken, broccoli, bacon, mushroom, creamy sauce topped with breadcrumbs and cheese) Sides of veg and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Last night's sleep wasn't as great as the night before but it was bearable and I think tonight I may take my tablets before bed which I didn't do last night because I wasn't sore. I got up at 9am, got some porridge and orange juice( not blended together thankfully) and then went upstairs to have a shower.

I think today was the 4th shave I have had and it ain't getting any easier. It is pretty sore and not just were the numbness is in my chin. It is around my cheeks which feels like each individual hair is being plucked out of my face. I have a new razor so that's no the problem. I'm not sure if it's because I still can't tighten my cheeks very well (I'm talking about my face cheeks here) If anyone has any ideas or experience of this I would love to know? (probably talking to men here)

Any way by the time I had got washed and shaved it was 11am and I just felt exhausted. So I got into bed and slept for another 3.5 hours. During my blissful nap I had a dream that I opened my jaw very slightly while my elastics were on, I decided to put a few more elastics on and in the process my lower teeth all started to fall out. There were a lot more teeth than I actually have and I started swallowing some and spitting some out and in the process losing them. It was horrific and woke up sweating.lol. I'm so thankful it was all a dream but it goes to show what my mind is thinking about after surgery. TEETH!

After getting up I had a complan milkshake followed by my lunch/ dinner of potatoes, carrot, parsnip and chicken stock and gravy blended. Tasted like a blended dinner. I was also out in the car but apart from all that and watching a movie, I had a quiet, tingly chin kinda day.

Day 10: Honeymoon Period Over

Smiling and saying cheese: 35% (The same as yesterday because I have no pain and had nice visits but I didn't increase it as I am finding the lack of food a little tough)

Ahhh, good old soup but which one?

Pain: 25% (down again today after a decent sleep and no tablets so far. Tingling in teeth and chin are very annoying but I don't think it's pain)

Weight: 12 stone 5lb or 173 lbs

Weight loss so far: 8lb (Same as yesterday)

Food I would love today: Still craving savoury foods and today I would love a 'Ulster Fry' For my foreign readers who are unaware what a 'fry' consists of....here goes. Sausages, bacon(not bacon you get in the USA, our bacon has little fat on it and lots of meat. Fried egg, grilled tomato, soda bread and potato bread. Google image of 'ormo potato bread and soda and you will see what I mean) mushrooms and baked beans. Ulster fry ...also known as a heart attack on a plate!

Best sleep again last night. I think I only woke up two or maybe three times but for no length of time at all. I had one soluble tablet during the night  and that was the last tablet I have had. Minimal pain today though the tingling in chin and mouth are quite annoying but I have to take this as a good sign that feeling maybe starting to come back though it still numb at the minute.

As it's Saturday, Ashleigh is off work for the weekend and also next week which is great as I will hopefully feel like getting out and about next week a little more that the past week. We headed to Asda (Walmart's child) this morning and got some groceries. I found some aisles like the soup aisle which I would have been happy to pass and then I came to the chocolate and biscuit aisle which I would have liked to shop from but unfortunately not.

My chocolate friends, one day we will meet again!

From last night, I have found it a bit harder than I had been. Maybe because it is day 10 and the 'novelity' of having soup and liquids is wearing thin or maybe it is because I feel quite healthy now in the last few days, my pain is low and I want to get back to normal but obviously being unable to eat properly is holding me back. I don't want to come across complaining as I am very fortunate everything is going so well but it is just how I have been feeling.

On a lighter and happier note, I can now officially drink from a normal glass as long as I take my time. One reason for trying this is because my 'kiddie cup' is starting to constantly smell like soup, which is fine until I want a milkshake or drink of water. Yeah soup flavoured water isn't something that will catch on. Breakfast today was porridge, lunch was Smash (instant mashed potatoes) made with cream, milk and butter. Dinner was potato and cheese soup made by my mum which was nice. After 'Baby Walmart' I was really tired and headed straight to bed for a lie down. I suppose I am still not fully fit and even going to the supermarket makes me tired.

Today some of the youth group from church came to visit me which I enjoyed it a lot as I haven't seen them in two weeks and was nice to have some more company. Swelling is still more on my left side but I think it's gradually going down. Thanks for the comments from those who have posted too.

Day 9: Out and About

Smiling and saying cheese: 35% (Beautiful day here, I'm alive and feeling good though being unable to open my mouth and eat is a big inconvenience)

Thanks Ashleigh for the photo

Pain: 35% (back down today after a better sleep. Tingling and pain in teeth is still a slight issue)

Weight: 12 stone 5lb or 173 lbs

Weight loss so far: 8lb (Oops, 1 more lb off)

Food I would love today: Has to be Ashleigh's mighty fine American door wedge sized pancakes with syrup and lemon juice with a big cup of tea. I haven't drank tea in at least a week. It has lost its appeal. I used to drink 4-5 cups a day!
I slept lying down a little more last night with the go ahead of my surgeon which helped my sleep and the extreme pressure that had been a nuisance was much better. I was still sore especially on my left cheek (that's my face cheek) but I had a drink of soluble tablets at approx midnight and then again at 4am which got me through to 7am. I have been dreaming quite a lot every night. I don't know if this is because of the whole experience or due to my medication but some haven't been so nice. I now don't dread going to bed at nights and can only see sleeping getting easier each day.

After side profile driving in our Renault Megane in Belfast.
Unfortunately, not a Dodge Charger

Before side profile driving in our Dodge Charger in USA

I dropped Ashleigh to work this morning in the car when she snapped my daily photo for today so thank you for that. I used to dislike my side photo taken in a car but I'm quite happy with this photo even though swelling isn't gone and it's still early days. As you can see I have short hair in my 'before' photo and longer hair in my 'after' photo. I don't know weather to get my hair cut short again or try a different hair style and grow my hair longer since I have a 'new look'. Ashleigh thinks I should get it cut but I'd love to hear your opinion by leaving me a comment.............tumbleweed rolling by..........waiting........ OK, your right, I know you don't really care and no, I probably wouldn't leave a comment either...

I 'm just glad your reading.

You may also notice that my nose has changed in the two photos above. My nose doesn't seem as protruding in the second photo though maybe turned up slightly at the end. Not in a  plastic surgery way but I think it's slightly different but I don't mind it thankfully. One of my worries about surgery was how I would look after and it's something that can't be predicted exactly so in a way you just gotta go with it. I looked at lots of other people's before and after pictures and everyone I saw looked better afterwards so hopefully my end result will.

Breakfast today

This next paragraph is information requested especially by a reader so here goes.... Breakfast consisted of a protein powder sachet called 'build up' mixed with frozen fruit, 2 bananas, milk, a squirt of honey, 1 scoop of ice cream and some milk shake flavouring. It was blended as shown above and then sieved into a jug and poured into my kiddie cup. I then had drinks of pineapple juice throughout the morning. I clean my teeth 4 times a day after I have something to eat( sorry I mean drink) I have a small plastic cup at the sink and I rinse with water first, then using my baby toothbrush and normal toothpaste I brush as much as I can reach. I then rinse with my medicated mouthwash and use tissue to clean up my face as it can be messy, especially at the start.

At first this was my front elastics only but by this morning I can brush most of my teeth as the swelling isn't as bad. I found that when I was able to lift my lips away from my gum there was a build up of white stuff on my gums which the surgeon said is a build up of everything I was drinking. As I don't feel so comfortable brushing my gums due to the stitches being there, I used a cotton bud (ear bud) and was able to remove most of it so there's a handy hint.

I had a small banana custard pot mixed with cream and milk as it was quite thick. Heated in the microwave and ate quickly after discovering I am 1lb lighter. For lunch it was potato and leek soup that my kind sister made and for dinner it was soup again. I had protein shakes in between but I do feel like I am starting to get hungry during the day. I went to a few shops near my home today which was good and people don't seem to notice unless I try talking and they don't really care or make a big deal which is good. I don't feel as bad going out since the swelling has gone down a little.


It was a lovely day so sat out in the garden drinking my soup in the sun. Easily pleased. My friend came around and we played ps3 again, I made Ashleigh her dinner which consisted of burgers, salad and potato cubes dressed in herbs and spices with mushrooms, onion and bacon all marinaded and all homemade. It smelt so so good, I suppose I could of blend it all together but I don't think I could stomach drinking all that. Sigh... Another good day and didn't require my afternoon nap so will hopefully sleep well tonight.

Day 8: First Post Op

Smiling and saying cheese: 25% (Good to get appointment over with and know everything is OK at the minute)

Me and my elastics!

Pain: 40% (up by 5% from yesterday due to aching jaw after appointment)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lbs

Weight loss so far: 7lb (the same as yesterday, 2 days in a row)

Food I would love today: Barbecue chicken pizza with crunchy salad with mayo (Simple)

Swollen side profile

Last night I counter attacked my lack of sleep by not taking my tablets as early and held off until nearly midnight before I took them. I wasn't as sore last night but still woke up 3 or 4 times but at least it was a small improvement again. After a drink of creamed rice for breakfast I started my morning by watching 'the joy of painting' which nearly put me back to sleep but it was relaxing at least. If anyone has any ideas for breakfast I would love to hear them? Tingling in my chin and lower teeth are still going crazy and I hope that it may be early signs of feeling returning to my chin.

Today I was writing thank you cards to the nurses who looked after me and without thinking went to lick the envelope to seal it..... I'm guessing your just catching on to the problem with that right about.....now! I ended up wetting my fingers under the tap to complete this task.After getting ready I went to see the nurses at my ward and showered them with my gifts of a tray of milk tray and thank you cards all presented in a nice velvety gift bag. They were very thankful just as I am of them for their care.

I then went to see my surgeon for the first time since surgery This is what happened:

• Firstly she cut all the elastics off that were holding my teeth together. She said there was almost a rubber tree in my mouth, there were that many bands (not literally a rubber tree)
• She asked me to open my mouth and close it which I did. It wasn't sore but it felt strange to do so and I don't think I opened it too wide.
• As I closed my mouth using her hands she pushed my teeth tighter together which resulted in a nice crack noise on my left side, at which point my eyes must have widened but she quickly reassured me that this was normal. I'll take her word on it.
• She immediately put on my new elastics which hold my teeth firmly shut but there aren't as many and they it doesn't look like I have a full tomato in my mouth. You can actually see my teeth.
• She explained that usually the bands would stay on but they could be taken off for cleaning and eating, but because my surgery was a little more complicated she said I can't take them off at all as she wants to make sure the bone solidifies well so it's a liquid diet for at least another two weeks until I see her again. 
• I was given a pack of elastics in case I break any of my current ones I'll be able to replace them.
• I then asked her a few questions which may help you if you go through the same process:

1. Is this congestion that I've been suffering with normal? Yes, because I'm drinking a lot of dairy produce it creates a lot of mucus which sticks in my throat. I need to rinse with mouth wash as much as possible.
2. Do I have to sleep sitting up? No my swelling isn't to bad so as long as I'm comfortable I can sleep anyway I want though probably not upside down. (She didn't say upside down)
3. Can I blow my nose yet? No because she cut through my sinuses it's a bad idea to blow my nose. Picking will continue then.
4. Chin is tingly and sensitive teeth? This is a good sign as it shows that I may be starting to regain my feeling in my chin and lower lip. It is annoying but.
5. There seems to be more swelling on my left cheek? Don't worry about this as it's very early days.
6. Does everything look OK?Yes everything looks good but keeping elastics on to make sure.

New elastics and my new bite

That was it. I just had to book my appointment for two weeks time on 3rd May with the receptionist. I stopped by the bathroom in the hospital to take a look at my teeth. They look good but I know they will require more work by my orthodontist. It's hard to explain but I think the top teeth look like they are too far forward compared with the bottom but I guess the orthodontist can sort that out in time with my braces. Any one else experience that?

I went to Asda (Asda is owned by Walmart for the benefit of my American readers) and got some food mainly for Ashleigh. I got home and went to bed for my afternoon Grandpa nap as I was tired and my jaw was aching and wasn't yet due tablets. Another great day and a long post. Thanks for reading and hope you can leave a comment.

Johnny

Day 7: Big Daddy Box Meal



The new face of Complan!

Smiling and saying cheese: 20% (Best day to date, and yes I'm trying hard to physically smile. Working those muscles)

Pain: 35% (dropped by 10% from yesterday)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lbs
Weight loss so far: 7lb (the same as yesterday, must have been the cauliflower cheese, 4 cups of the stuff, though it did make me feel a bit sick)

Food I would love today: I would love to try my new bite out on a 'Big Daddy Box Meal' from KFC. I actually looked up their website for the 1st time and there is 1590kcal in one of those meals... I think I could afford the indulgence if only it didn't have to be forced through a 1mm gap in my teeth

One week on and thankfully it isn't this time last week. Firstly, thank you for all the comments I received yesterday on my posts, they were the first in a while. Hopefully by the end of today I will have had 1000 page views too. I'm glad I'm keeping this blog as it gives me some focus each day and will hopefully help others who will go through the same process.

Propped up by 5 full sized pillows and 1 under my 'getting skinnier everyday' bum plus one of those travel pillows for around my neck I can say that I had my best night so far. It wasn't perfect as I normally adopt the foetal position and having to sleep sitting up is still uncomfortable but the pain wasn't as bad. I woke up a few times for 10-15 minutes at a time and once to go and get tablets and a drink so all in all a better night. Also the pressure which annoys me around my cheeks at night wasn't just as bad.

 After a breakfast of creamed rice and golden syrup I sorted out my blog a little better so people can now like it through Facebook, follow me and I have added others pages with information along the top. My pastor from church and visited to day which was a good time and was some company. Rush hour 'congestion' in my throat started bang on lunchtime but I'm just trying to ignore it as much as possible.

I had cheese and potato soup made by my mum for lunch which I enjoyed and it tasted good . My sensitive teeth and chin went crazy when I went outside to collect my bin from across the road and it took at least 30minutes to settle down again. I think it is because of the cold air hitting against it so I'm going to have to wear a scarf or cover my face next time I got out.

I have my appointment with my surgeon tomorrow at 1.30pm so I'm a little nervous about that but also excited to see how she thinks everything is looking and also the possibility of changing my tomato soup stained elastics bands. Either that or instead of teeth whitening, I could avail of elastic whitening. I had my grandpa nap this afternoon which I was ready for and woke up feeling fine. I made a build up milk shake and for dinner I finished off the rest of the potato and cheese soup.

I also was outside for over 30mins standing in the sunshine with my dogs breathing in some fresh air which is a real treat. I'm going to finishing my successful day by relaxing tonight and watching 'The Apprentice' which I like with Ashleigh.

Day 6: A Slim Homer

Chipmunk Cheeks!

Smiling and saying cheese: 10% (Not just a good a day as yesterday)

Pain: 45% (mixed kinda day)

Weight: 12 stone 6lb or 174 lbs
Weight loss so far: 7lb

Food I would love today: Ham and cheese sandwiches with a cup of tea and a side of creamy coleslaw. Strange I know!

I had another bad sleep last night waking up a lot with a sore jaw (funny enough) and the same pressure around my nose. I had a sleep over with the recliner which eliminated my numb lower cheeks which was nice. After a lazy and sore few hours, I got washed and shaved with my favourite shaver ;which always makes me feel better and in the process noticed that I am transforming into Mr Homer Simpson as you can see in the photos. I also had my daily ceremonial nose cleaning exercise using ear buds to clean out the blood and rubbish that is still in there.

My transformation begins!

My predicted final appearance!

There is some bruising on my cheek and my throat which has appeared but apart from that and also being congested I'm feeling good. I am very fortunate how well I'm feeling as it can always be worse i.e... I could be recovering from a  life threatening operation or starving with no hope of food in the future like a child in a third world country so it's good to keep my 'suffering' in perspective. I had soup for lunch. My friend came round and we played Call of Duty on the PS3 for a few hours which was action packed.

The main problem today was being congested and the feeling of a blocked throat and not being able to spit anything up due to my teeth being held together. Sorry that sounds disgusting. By tea time I was quite sore and not as good as I was yesterday. I headed to bed and took some stronger tablets which helped a little. For dinner I had cauliflower cheese puree which tasted good and would have been delicious over some beef or chicken as part of a roast dinner but not on this occasion. It was on it's own. Could you imagine going into a restaurant and seeing  cauliflower cheese on a menu all by itself. "Excuse me Waiter, what is the cauliflower cheese puree served with this evening?" And the reply coming back at you... "On its own, Sir!"

 My talking seems understandable to most people though it is a effort to speak, swallow and breathe at the same time. Well hopefully sleeping will be better tonight as I'm starting to dread bedtime which is normally my favourite time of day. Sofa or bed... decision,decisions.

Day 5: I'm feeling good

Smiling and saying cheese: 15% (I feel  lot more happier than 15% but my mouth doesn't agree)

Pain: this morning: 50% ....this evening: 20%

Me with my chicken soup!

Weight: 12 stone 7.5lb or 175.7lbs /
weight loss so far: 5.5lb

Food I wanted today: Chinese honey chili chicken and chips

To compliment my numb chin I woke this morning with two numb rear cheeks due to last night's sleeping position. Tonight I think I will try my reclining sofa downstairs which will hopefully give Ashleigh a good night sleep too as she has to go to work in the mornings. More porridge and complan milkshake for breakfast which is tiring quickly. I had a bad sleep last night waking up a lot with a sore head and jaw but also the feeling of a lot of pressure building up around my face (similar to a balloon)

Thankfully after taking my fizzy tablets the pain has eased and my main problem is sore ears, blocked and congested throat and nose, so that's no more than 'man flu' I guess. From late morning I decided I didn't want to be sick anymore so instead of sitting on the sofa watching TV and watching jaw surgery before and after videos on You tube, I decided to do a bit of cleaning, dishes and made my own lunch.

I also tried to talk to the oil man as he delivered our oil so that was a good first step at socialising. After entertaining my visitors I was ready for a nap which me and Chloe had. Again I woke up worse for wear but continued my best day yet by getting a shower and changed and made Ashleigh's dinner for her coming home. How good am I! I'm having chicken, potato and bacon soup tonight so that will be a real treat I'm sure. I went out of the house for the first time since Friday. I went round to my parents house and seen a friend from church who came to visit. All in all I had my best day yet and am really happy how my recovery is going so far. I have started to experience tingling in my chin and small shooting pains on my lower teeth. The type of pains that you would start to use sensodyne toothpaste for. I'm also getting better at brushing my teeth, sorry I mean brushing my elastics! Rock on!

Day 4: Kids are so honest

Smiling and saying cheese: 8% (can't say cheese but when I try and smile something on my face moves)

Pain: this morning: 65% ....this evening: 35%

I woke up this morning after a restless sleep due to having to sleep sitting upright in bed. It is quite uncomfortable but I am managing OK. After more porridge for breakfast (any other ideas for breakfast would be great) I got washed, shaved which was a struggle and dressed then everything caught up with me a bit and I just felt drained and went to bed for a sleep. I have found looking in the mirror hard, maybe it's all the swelling or not knowing how I will look when everything is done but that's just how I felt.

I woke up feeling a lot brighter this afternoon and not as sore. I had lots of visitors today and too much laughing which stretches my face in a way that it is not ready to be stretched. Chloe, our chihuahua came back home today and is going to be keeping me company from now on in. Talking is still hard but Ashleigh works as my translator and can make out what I'm saying most of the time. I haven't been out the front door yet but between tonight and tomorrow I will go a walk. There is still a lot of swelling but I think it may have went down a little.

On Friday when I got home from hospital the first 'meal' I had was tomato soup which has permanently stained my elastics. If you don't want orange elastics you may want to stay away from tomato soup. I've been watching 'man v food' on TV which may not be the best idea but the food looks so good. My niece Emily came to visit today. She is 3 years old and as soon as she saw my face she just started crying and would not look at me the whole time. She put her head against her mum and did not look up again. It was funny how she reacted and I thanked her for her honest opinion. It's the same reaction I feel when I look at myself sometimes. I think I may have permanently traumatised her.

I had potatoes, veg and mince tonight for dinner. It looked great on Ashleigh's plate but in my kiddie cup all blended down it didn't seem so appealing. I drank 3 cups of the stuff so hopefully that will help me. I also weighed myself and have lost approx 2-3 pound from surgery.  All in all I had a good day after a bad morning and will to continue to take one day at a time.

Day 3: Kiddie Cup and Cream

Me and my kiddie cup!

Smiling and saying cheese: 4% (I feel ok but still can't move my face so I always look sad)

Pain scale: 50% (I had a sore morning and better afternoon)

I woke up quite sore this morning but instead of feeling sorry for myself, I jumped into a luke warm shower and shivered back to bed. I had sieved porridge, with milk, cream, sugar and honey along with a banana smoothie including a build up sachet of 'Complan.' Once I had my tablets and caught up on some of my blog posts from the last few days, I had a sleep and when I woke up I felt pretty good.

Not as sore today but just a massive inconvenience having your jaw tied shut. I had some visitors which was good until they made me laugh which makes my face move too much, which then hurts! I still feel weak but not as bad as last night. I had sieved soup for lunch which was chicken, potato and vegetable made with extra cream and milk.mmmm. My friend is coming round to visit tonight which I'm looking forward to. Ashleigh has been a great help again today. My bum was sore last night as I can't lie down in bed as my head has to be raised but with the help of a rolled up jumper for padding I managed.

I have been able to eat using the little cup I stole from the hospital yesterday. It saves me using a syringe which takes so long. I can just pour anything into my mouth against my teeth and then it drains through my teeth. I can get through a cup pretty quickly now. For dinner I had sieved potatoes, carrots, gravy, cream and butter. It tasted fine but the texture can be a little strange. I had a dream about eating chocolate biscuits today with elastics on and also I seem to become more interested when I see food on TV.

I talked a little too much today and I think it has made my jaw a little sorer so I won't talk as much but it is hard when you want to join in a conversation and you can't. I don't always feel like eating but I know I have to as I don't want to lose a lot of weight. If you would like to lose weight, I think I have an idea for you! I will weigh myself tomorrow and see if I have lost any so far. If your eating normally tonight please enjoy it! You are very lucky.

Day 1 and 2: I look so bad

Cold mask was good

Smiling and saying cheese: 2% (I can move my lips a little but can't change my facial expression)

Pain scale: 50%


After my terrible first night, the surgeon came by and pulled my tubes out of my nose which was followed by a nose bleed and she didn't seem to concerned with my condition and thought I could go home. Thankfully the nurses didn't think so. I was glad that a nice nurse took some time with me to get me sorted.  First she got me up on my feet and helped me to the bathroom. I felt so weak but was able to go to the toilet and I brought myself to look into a mirror. I have such a fat face, blood hardened around my mouth and nose and just looked so bad. I made it back to my bed were she gave me a basin and helped clean me up.

Fat face and lips

At this stage I coughed up the blood etc that was at the back of my throat. As I couldn't open my mouth I had to use my suction tube to drain the blood through my teeth. I was able to eat through a syringe and had some soup later on in the day. I was also given a milkshake made with ice cream which was great. I spent most of the day in bed and had a nap I think.
I find it hard to remember everything at the minute but will write as much as I can remember.

Swollen cheeks

 I had some visitors and a few trips to the toilet by myself. I had a better sleep waking only 4 or 5 times during the night. I didn't have the tubes or oxygen mask on so that helped. On Friday I felt a bit better again and got a shower and a shave. As for numbness my lower lip and chin are completely numb but the rest of my face isn't too bad. I got changed and felt well enough to pack my clothes.

 At lunchtime I was released from hospital and my dad brought me home. I had a sleep for a while and then Ashleigh came home from work which was great. She has looked after me loads and has been a great help and encouragement. I had an OK of a sleep last night waking only 3 or 4 times. The last few posts have been hard to remember exactly what order things happened but hopefully from now on my posts will be better as I will write them for each day.

Before



After

First night

This was the worst night of my life. I was finding it very hard to breathe due to the two tubes up my nose and the oxygen mask was uncomfortable and wouldn't reach over from the bedside table to my mouth properly. With my teeth being so firmly closed I found it hard to breathe.I couldn't sleep and needed the toilet at least four times during the night. I used a bottle for this each time while lying in bed. Quite hard to do. I kept buzzing the nurses to get pain relief, I just felt awful the hours dragged by and I had a ice pack face mask on to help with the swelling which kept slipping down my face. My throat felt blocked with blood and I couldn't cough anything up as my mouth could open. My throat was also very painful and found it hard to swollow. I just felt miserable, I hadn't seen my face and didn't want to. I think it was made worse because I had been in recovery until late and by the time I got back to ward it was night time.

As it started to get light outside and the ward started to come back to life I remember sleeping for a while. I was so glad that night was over but I stilled hadn't seen my face.

Smiling and saying cheese: 0%

Pain scale: 65%

Surgery Day

One of my last pre op photos

I woke on Wednesday at about 6am. I had slept OK and still felt relaxed. I had been fasting from 12 midnight so was hungry and thirsty. I went and had a shower and was able to brush my teeth which allowed me to at least rinse my mouth. I came back to my bed and got dressed up in my nice tight stockings and my baby blue gown. A while later the anaesthetist came and quickly talked through the procedure that would happen and before I knew it I was being wheeled in my bed down to theatre. I still felt fine and hadn't had any thing to relax me. I was put in a holding bay for about 15 minutes were some nurses talked to me and went over some more details.

Finally I was took into the theatre at approx 8.30am. The theatre was nice and new, lots of TV screens and big lights and a lot of people getting ready. I was transferred from my bed to the operating table. At this stage my nerves gave way and I started to shake a bit but before I knew it my anaesthetist took my wrist, jabbed something into it and told me to tell him when I feel like I have had a bottle of wine to let him know. I can't remember anything more until.......

1st post op photo

I woke up surrounded by nurses, doctors and my surgeon. I was dazed and gagging but not throwing up as I had been fasting and had no food or fluid to throw up. I was shaking but can't remember a lot more. I was in the recovery room and I remember hearing my surgeon say that my bite wasn't right and that it needed fixed. I remember the doctor explaining this to me and asking me to sign a consent form which I could just make out through my morphine filled eyes. I knew in my mind that I just wanted it fixed so I scribbled something on the page but it didn't look anything like my signature. I presume that I was put back to sleep and took into theatre again.

I remember waking up in recovery feeling a lot better this time. I didn't feel sore, my mouth wasn't wired tight and was able to talk a little to the nurses who stayed beside me the whole time. They were great. I then found out that the operation that was meant to take a few hours ended up lasting a full day as it was after 6pm and was still in recovery. One of the nurses told me how I had really panicked a student nurse. It must have been when I woke up after the first surgery and whatever I was doing like gagging and I don't know what else but the same student nurse was now looking after me and I think she had forgave me.

Next a doctor came in and told me that my teeth were going to get elastics put on them tight, really tight as the surgeon had ordered. Well that was the last of the talking for me as my teeth are firmly shut. At about 7pm I was taking back to my ward were my mum, dad and Ashleigh were waiting for me. I was glad to see them and they were telling me how well I looked but I think they were just trying to make me feel better. I had tubes up my nose and a humidifying oxygen mask on.


It had been a terrible day, so long and definitely not straight forward considering I was operated on twice. The doctor later told me this is uncommon but it was better to get it all done on the same day. He also told me that the other two operations that they had planned for that day were cancelled and everyone was happy as they thought they were getting home early. Unfortunately I took all day so they didn't get home early but ended up spending a whole day with me. After visiting was over I was prepared for my first night!

Smiling and saying cheese: 0% (I felt pretty bad and could hardly move my lips, never mind smile and say cheese)

Pain scale: 65% ( it's hard to know as I can't remember so good but I know there was pain and I know I was getting pain relief)

Day before surgery

As I've been in hospital without any Internet access these posts are a little late.

I wish my last meal had been here!

Tuesday 10 April 2012 : Day before surgery   

After another night of waking up thinking and dreaming about hospitals and jaw surgery, this morning arrived and it was time to get up. Thank goodness. I had a good Easter, eating as much as I could but by last night I was sick of looking at chocolate and food in general. I rang the ward to check they had a spare bed for me and that I was still able to come up and be admitted at 10.30am. I was told that there were plenty of beds and to come up at the arranged time.

I’m sure some people arrive with suitcases and their 20kg flight allowance plus hand luggage but I managed to fit everything into my humble backpack. Ashleigh and I left for hospital which is less than 5 minutes from my home. I was shown to my bed in a bay of 4 beds but there was only one other lady in my bay who has been taken away in her bed, I‘m guessing for surgery. Unfortunately she has left her mobile phone on her bedside table which rings with a very old and annoying ring tone accompanied with vibration which when I first heard it thought it was a workman drilling in the next bay. Seriously I did.

After a while a nurse came and took some details from me and I received my fashionable wrist band. I also ordered what I wanted for lunch and then a doctor who I had a pre assessment with came by to test out my new plates that I had had some trouble with before. Refer to my last post if your interested.

Thankfully this time the plates fitted great. I was again asked if I had any questions and was told I would hopefully be first to get operated on in the morning. Ashleigh left for home and I had lunch which was ok. Yes just ok. I was also told to eat as much as I want until midnight but at the moment I don’t feel so hungry. I have ordered my dinner and have just been given a cup of tea. The nurse emphasised the need for me to savour every last bite which would make more sense if I was in America having my dinner at somewhere like ‘The Cheesecake Factory.’

I have my laptop with me so thought I could type out my blog and then when I get home in a few days then I will publish it as I don’t have any Internet here. I have movies to watch and I feel relaxed at the minute, I’m getting looked after well and feeling good about tomorrow. I will have some visitors later which will be nice so might try and have a nap until then.

My before and after moulds

Smiling and saying cheese: 100%

Pain scale:0%