When they say liquid diet, they mean liquid diet. That may have been the only thing that truly went as planned...and even that wasn't completely. Because I healed quickly. My stitches closed more quickly than was scheduled, so when the second week came, I was moved up immediately to 'particles.' This means I am now able to have blended drinks rather than strained juices and am able to wear 3 elastics which dictate how my jaw closes. These elastics are taken off twice daily at which point I am to stretch my jaws by opening and closing my mouth as much as I am able and then to brush my teeth. Yes, that means before particles I was unable to brush my teeth. You can imagine the joy of being able to remove fuzz once I was able to take my nostaligic pink 'my little pony' toothbrush which my mother had so enthusiastically gifted me to my pearly whites.
I have also been fortunate enough to get passed over for my share of bruising (ah how genetics have shat and favored me in one go!) as well as having a lot less swelling than the average maxofacial surgical patient. So while my jaws are broader than they would be normally - than they WILL be normally - they are not grotesque.
My father has graciously photographed the stages of my recovery journey. I will upload them as soon as I am able for all the world to see. It's almost like a Bardian senior thesis project that one inspired senior created. Hers involved documenting how orange her skin became as she proceeded to eat more and more carrots over a period of time. I think mine is more beneficial to my health than hers was to her health. I could be wrong. I just never thought orange was the ideal color for skin....in any person. But like I said, I could be wrong.
Needless to say my time in hibernation (the best word for my self-inflicted reclusive actions for the past 2.5 weeks) has been rather productive. I finally cleansed my now happy laptop and restored it to its obsolete glory! I also knitted two scarves - one knitted with two cables. Sweet. On top of this I have read more of the beloved 1984 after quite a long retreat from the classic manual of our times, as well as having painted approximately 60% of a commissioned canvas work (a mermaid) for a friend's wall. Not too shabby. Ah, I also sharpened my jaw opening skills, cup drinking skills, and my ability to sleep on my back without turning side to side too much (quite a feat for a side sleeper). I should also recount the fact that I have further honed my Sudoku solving ability by making use of the daily newspaper puzzle as well as my giant Sudoku book which I bought just after the new year.
For giggles, let me tell you the fabulous dinner I tried this evening. Upon recommendation by the nurse at my surgeon's office, my mother blended orange peel chicken (yes...blended it) with the aid of some chicken broth. As could be imagined, it was a beautiful color and texture. The first attempt was so thick it merely stuck inbetween my jaws and my braces being so thick I was unable to suck or pour the thing down my waiting throat. The second attempt was a little more successful, if slightly more disgusting as per presentation (not that the first was VERY good). My mother added a bit more chicken broth. Needless to say, this simply sped up the process of sticking chicken flecks inbetween my perma-wires and elastics as well as looked just like something my cat recently regurgitated.
In the interest of nutrition, I did drink half of it. Then, proceeded to break open a fortune cookie, take the fortune and give the cookie pieces to my folks. My fortune this evening read: TAKE A TRIP WITH A FRIEND (in all caps, I kid you not and in the Verdana font).
Well, I would love to, really, any trip (and I mean any) at this point would do however I do have obligations for the next several months (until JUNE!!! WOOHOOOO!!!) not the least of which is to return to my sweet surgeon's office regularlly to monitor my jawful progress.
Wish me more comfortable sleeping tonight than last. Good night. I'll see you when there is no longer darkness. ;-)
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