jaw surgery; 2 weeks on

What a difference a week makes. It's safe to say that this week I have come on leaps and bounds in terms of recovery. The majority of the swelling has gone down, that awful bruise is deciding to pack its bags and leave, and more importantly, I feel like myself again - mum's been complaining that I've gone back to my witty self.

Being able to wear thinner elastics on my brace and change them myself has done the world of good. I'm able to open my mouth a lot more, meaning I have been able to eat a lot more. I've managed a chilli con carne, cottage pie, and blitzed up curry and stir fry. I'm still unable to chew as my teeth are really sore, however I've eaten more than I thought I would be at this stage, and its made me feel a lot more happier as I'm not hungry and grumpy anymore.

I am however still feeling fatigued, and feel absolutely drained if I do too much. It's hard to tell where my limit is though, as it tends to hit me out of the blue. It's nothing a nap can't sort out, but I hate sleeping in the day as it sends me nocturnal. Anaesthesia has certainly messed up my body clock good and proper. People keep telling me to take it easy as my surgery was only 2 weeks ago, but its very hard to do nothing when you feel ok and want to do things.

I'm also getting the sensation back in my bottom lip and chin. Surgery damaged the large nerves which supply this area so I've been numb ever since. I was aware of this before hand so was expecting it, and its been quite cool to be able to touch my lip with something and not feel it. Getting the feeling back though is turning out to be worse than I thought. While I was numb, my brace and brace hooks have rubbed the inside of my mouth raw because its been so swollen and I have been completely unaware. It's only now that I'm getting the pain. Thank god for bonjella!

I'm due to go back to the hospital tomorrow to see my orthodontist and surgeon. Hopefully they will both be as happy about my recovery as I am - I never thought I would be feeling this good just 2 weeks post op!

jaw surgery; 1 week on

Spookily, today marks exactly one week since my jaw surgery. This week has literally flown by, probably because I have spent most of it asleep. Since my last post, I definitely feel on the mend: the swelling has gone down quite a bit (even though I'm still resembling Mrs Potato Head), the bruise has developed on my chin, neck and upper chest, and I am regaining some feeling in my lower lip and chin.

this evening, trying to smile

More importantly, I am beginning to feel more like myself. On Sunday, I had a really tough day. I was fed up, had no appetite, and mum and dad were fussing over me too much. I wasn't in much pain, but I just wanted everything to go back to normal. Mum mashed up a roast dinner for me, which I really really enjoyed, and for the first time since surgery, I was full. Following the night before's acheivements, I woke up yesterday with a really positive attitude. It was also the first morning I woke up not feeling groggy or hazy since the anaesthetic. I had a review at the hospital, and they seemed impressed with my progress and the swelling. They also let me try changing my elastic bands myself, which I managed, meaning the elastics I have now are a lot thinner and allow me to open my mouth a little wider. I even managed to eat a bag of quavers which satisfied my palate!

I have been touched and slightly overwhelmed by the kindness of my family and friends sending cards and get well presents. My uncle came to visit me on Saturday which brightened my spirits. It was lovely to talk about family, which has grown ever important to me since going to uni. Two of my friends Abbie and Becky came to visit yesterday, making it probably the best day since being discharged. We reminisced about old times, talked about the future, and I shared my hospital stories. It was generally lovely to see them, and really helped my positive attitude.



Today has been a little harder, as I have felt a lot more lethargic, probably overdoing it a bit yesterday. I managed to eat some cottage pie that had been blitzed a bit, which has cheered me up (and filled me up!), and haven't resisted the need to sleep. I feel I am making progress towards recovery, but would rather take small steps rather than leaps at the moment. After all, it has only been a week.

jaw surgery; 4 days on

Monday night was restless. The heat didn't help, but it was what was playing on my mind that was keeping me awake: the fact that this time in 24 hours, I would have a new face, and probably be in a lot of pain. Because Tuesday was the day of my Jaw Surgery.

I was admitted to hospital at 7am. My mum and dad were asked to leave not long after, and I waited to be called in to see the nurse, who went through my paperwork and took blood from me. I met the anaesthetist, and 2 maxillofacial surgeons who would be assisting the operation. I was then sent to the pre-op lounge to wait to be called up to theatre. Needless to say that was probably the longest hour and a half of my life.

I was shaking as I walked down to the anaesthetic room, and as I lay on the bed I couldn't control my body. The anaesthetist gave me 2 shots of tranquilliser  before putting me to sleep without telling me. Next thing I remember is coming round in recovery and really needing the loo! I must have been a stroppy cow to the nurses whilst coming round; I was moaning about needing my glasses, and wanting to walk to the toilet (something which they refused).

Eventually I was moved to the ward and reunited with my bag and glasses. I was still in relatively little pain at this point, but really wanted to see what I looked like. Out popped my phone and I took a selfie:

Regardless of the swelling and blood on my face, I was already made up with the results. My chin was in the centre, and for the first time in a long time, all my teeth touched when I bit together.

My surgeon and the anaesthetist visited me on Tuesday evening, and were impressed with both my alertness and level of swelling. I felt quite "with it", and was in relatively little pain. My mum and dad visited me, and I managed to eat some jelly and ice cream, despite it taking an hour and a half to finish!

I was given strong pain killers and morphine on Tuesday night to help with the pain and to help me sleep. However I couldn't get comfortable and the noises on the ward kept me awake. Annoyingly, just as I was drifting off at 2am, a nurse came along to take my blood pressure, which woke me up again.

On Wednesday morning, I was taken down to the clinic to see the surgeon and orthodontist. Both were impressed with my progress, and the surgeon also told me that all 4 of my wisdom teeth (that I didn't know I had!) had also been taken out. The swelling had gone up again but that was to be expected. I had elastic bands fitted between my braces to move my bite into its final position and to hold my jaw in a fixed position, and was told I was going to be discharged later that day.

swelling on Wednesday morning

I was so relieved to be going home. I was tired and just wanted to be looked after by my mum. Hospitals are relatively lonely places, especially when everyone else on the ward is old enough to be your gran, and you are having relative difficulty in speaking. More than anything though, I wanted a shower! I visited Hollie on Wednesday evening, and it was lovely to see her. The rest of the evening was spent sleeping and taking pain killers. I certainly had no trouble sleeping that night!

swelling on Thursday morning | swelling on Friday afternoon

Since coming home, I haven't really been up to much, as the anaesthetic is still taking its toll, and as I'm not able to eat much, I have relatively little energy. The swelling had continued to go up until today, and now I think it is on the way down. I have developed a funky looking bruise under my chin and on my neck which looks as if I've gone overboard colouring in in yellow highlighter. Despite the pain, discomfort, cravings for normal food and fatigue, I'm in pretty high spirits about everything, and am well on the road to regaining my confidence!

the past few days.

On Monday this week, my close university friend Gemma came up to stay with me for a couple of days. I hadn't seen her since leaving Sheffield 4 weeks ago, so it was lovely to have a good catch up, and she did a great job of taking my mind off my operation worries.

Fortunately, we had the weather on our side, which we decided to take advantage of. We went on a bike ride for a picnic at the beach (where I got sunburnt, even wearing factor 30!), have a BBQ, and I took her shopping to the fabulous Liverpool One (which probably doesn't have a patch on shopping in London, which she is used to, but I think it's heaven on earth!). We also went for some drinks with our other friend who lives nearby.

Overall, I have had the cutest couple of days, and I'm sad that Gem has gone home. I'm even more excited now to go down to London to stay with her after I have recovered. Love you Gem Gem! ♥

disneyland paris day 5

Thursday 20th June 2013

Front Lot, Walt Disney Studios



stroll along Main Street USA, Disneyland Park

our hotel

don't want to go home

disneyland paris day 4

Wednesday 19th June 2013

Palace of Versailles







we went up the eiffel tower in a thunderstorm!

Notre Dame (unfortunately, we didn't see Quasimodo)

getting the train back to Disney

disneyland paris day 3

Tuesday 18th June 2013

"Moteurs Action!" Car Stunt show

Minnie Mouse Nails



Stars 'n' Cars Parade


Dinner at Planet Hollywood


Waiting for the Disney Dreams Show



Disney Dreams Show