Do you like my crooked smile? It actually hurts on my right side when I smile too big....so I have been favoring the left side as you can see. The swelling is also making my nose look crooked. Some days it's straight some days it's crooked depending on the amount of swelling I have on either side. It's kind of a crap shoot as to what I am going to look like each morning. I look less swollen than last week but never fear the swelling is still there. I have some more feeling in my upper lip and around my nose this week...not normal sensation but some feeling. I still have zero feeling in my bottom lip and chin. I get funny sensations in them like shooting tingles and pain and also a weird burning sensation. I'm hoping all of those are good signs. I am seriously considering going to see an acupuncturist if I don't get some feeling back in the next 2-3 weeks. Saw my surgeon today. So far everything looks good. She removed the final 3 stitches that were on the roof of my mouth today, it feels wonderful not to have those things bothering me. I am also permitted to go one 6 hour stretch without my bands on plus having them off an hour at mealtimes. Yesterday was my first 6 hour stint and it was nice. By then end of the 6 hours I was talking more clearly...still not great but better. I was also able to open 8 Popsicle sticks wide. Which I thought was pretty good considering when I was in her office today I started out at 4. I also have to do "exercises" to get my jaw opening back to normal. So I hold the Popsicle sticks in my mouth for 1 minute 10 times, 3 times per day. Kind of a lot! Anyway, I am supposed to add 1 Popsicle stick per day. So far it hasn't been that bad, I am anxious to have full range of motion again. I was pretty disappointed that I am still not allowed to eat any solids what so ever. Bah Humbug! Next week I get to eat things like scrambled eggs and such. I guess I have come this far, what's another week? Well to be honest soup and the like has gotten so old. I am so tired of it. I don't know how long it will be again until I have soup once this is over. It will be a LONG time I guarantee you that.
Jen
