What All the Fashionistas Are Wearing

Monday morning gave me the chance to check the latest in Surgery fashion.  As you can see, you can't go wrong the Bair Paws.  It offers the latest in paper gown comfort with a full wrap-around design (you want to save that tooshie for that special surgeon or tech) in a lovely violet hue.  This season's model offer a hook up to allow warm air to be gently blown into the gown making the ensemble perfect for any time the furnace just does not heat up enough.

No lady would want to allow their Bair Paws go unaccessorized.  I chose a few from the extensive collection, including (from the bottom):

1. The Cha-ching.  Not only will this lovely allow you to remember your own name and date of birth (because let me tell you remember shit otherwise!) and it's the go to bracelet for techs and nurses making sure you don't miss out getting charged for that $10 Tylenol.

2. L'Allergie.  I love touch of mystery to this piece.  It does it best to warn all and sundry that you have an allergy to something while never actually stating what that something is.  Vive le danger!

3.  The Fall Risk.  This cheery little number is a real attention-getter.  Every nurse, tech and housekeeper will watch you stroll on but with a possible-lawsuit twinkling in their eye.

4. And finally, the Blood-typer.  This great accessory is not only is there for you when you might bleed out but it's evolves!  Yes, it actually changes it's look periodically by leaving another little sticker stuck to your bed or to your hair.

I hope this little guide will be helpful if you ever need to explore the Wonderful World of the Hospital Fashion.

Well, I'm Still Alive

I'm sorry that there wasn't more posting. It's taken a whole lot more out of me than I was expecting. But everybody says that I'm doing amazingly well and it looks like I may be going home tomorrow. That's all I've got for now. Thanks so much for everybody's thoughts and prayers. They are just as much a part of the healing process. Hugs to everyone!

We're Off to See the Surgeon...

Well, off to the hospital in a few.  I think I'm going to need a clean pair of underwear soon.

Also, bye-bye old face.

It Begins...

I'm a terrible writer and a worse blogger, so please don't expect erudite or amusing posts.  Mainly, this a place for friends and family to check in for updates on how I'm doing post-op.  That being said, here's a little background.

For the past 5+/- years, I've been trying to fight my TMJ disorder using appliance therapy.  About 2 years ago, it was decided that my condition was just too far gone and I would have to have surgery.  After more MRIs and CTs of my joints it was concluded that I should have bilateral jaw joint replacements with custom prosthesis from TMJ Concepts.

(source)

I'll also be having my upper jaw relocated in a surgery related to a Lefort 1 Osteotomy.

(source)

(**Warning: Do NOT Google this unless you are prepared to see some pretty graphic photos.  You have been warned.)

For those that care, I'm currently at a 15mm (.6in) opening and no measurable side movement (average is considered to be 50mm).  The discs in both jaw joints are dislocated and fused, joints are disintegrated and show signs of arthritis and bone spurs.  I am currently unable to eat anything harder than overcooked pasta and subsist mostly on yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and anything that can be swallowed without chewing.  I use an infant toothbrush because I can't get an adult toothbrush in my mouth anymore. I have constant pain in my face and neck.  This is why I'm willing to risk this surgery.

I do want to acknowledge the wonderful care that I have gotten and will continue to get from the members of my "jaw care team".

Dr Duane Keller and his staff.  If you have headaches, jaw noise or pain, dizziness etc., please consider contacting him.  If there is help to be had, he'll find it.

Shawn Everson, physical therapist extraordinare.  I truly think he's done more for my pain relief and got me further along then any other member of my team. (Sorry, guys.)  If you need a PT for any reason, please consider Shawn.  You won't regret it.

Dr Reza Movahed, my surgeon.  I'll admit that we haven't gotten to the surgery part yet but up to this point, he's been everything I could ask for in a surgeon.  He's knowledgeable, caring, and has way more energy than any one body should contain.  And his staff have been incredible, too.  (Hi, Jona!)

I should also mention that my TMJ journey started with Dr Gary Wiele.  He was also a very good doctor with the TMJ disorders.  When he decided he couldn't do anything else with my jaw, he recommended me to Dr Keller for a second opinion and possible other treatments.  I am eternally grateful for that.

I'm about 36 hours from surgery now and have transitioned from "Yay,I'm going to get this fixed!" to "Oh sh1t, oh sh1t, oh sh1t!!!"  But that's to be expected, I suppose.  So if this post is disjointed and makes little sense, that's why.  After that, I'm going to blame it on the pain meds.

Thanks for checking in on me.  Check back for updates in the future!