6 Month Update

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Hey Mom;

It's hard to believe how quickly time goes by. 6 whole months since my MMA surgery, which actually seems forever ago.

Last Friday, I went to Stanford to see a pal (k8e) who had MMA surgery last Wednesday. She had a bit of a tough time the first couple of nights, but she's doing much better now.

I originally met her at the MMA get-together in Sunnyvale a few months ago. She was one of the people who hadn't had the surgery and was still trying to decide if she was going to go through with it. Anyway, she made her decision and vwala! There she was, all fixed up and recovering comfortably in Ward C2!
I also happened to see a few familiar peeps (nurses) at the hospital.....and Dr KL also happened to be there which really didn't surprise me at all.

He's a great guy, and it's always good to see him.

I also met another MMA recepient ("D")from out of state. She was walking down the hallway

with her husband ("R") and I recognized the little 1-sucher incisions on each cheek. It looked like she was doing really well. It's good to know that 2 more people out there will probably sleep much better at night now!

On the Pinski-front, recovery is going as good as can be expected. Feeling in my mouth is gradually coming back. The lower regions are the most significant as far as improvement goes, but the top is also following suite. My hard pallet is slowly getting feeling back from the back, forward and I feel frequent sensatioins in random front teeth., which feels kind of strange, (especially when my teeth feel like they are vibrating when I talk or blow my nose) but that's still progress.

As I mentioned in the last entry (I think), Dr KL did a terminate reduction in his office, but a followup appointment revealed that a second round is in my future, so I will be going back next Monday to have that done. I want to do as much as I can before the end of the callendar year since I've already fully paid my out-of-network insurance (and then some) deductable.

Speaking of insurance, still no word on weather my fight to get back the 5 figure sum I had to pay the doc up-front will be re-imbursed. I think it very well might be, but it's still in the hands of my company's benefits adminitistrator and her supervisor. Turns out the insurance company low-balled the payout and I'm not too keen on them getting away with that since they led me to believe they would pay all of what was deemed as "reasonable and customary" after I paid the out-of-network deductable.

Also, I have another MMA-related appointment with an orthadontist on the 19th. Unfortunately, I have been having a bit of trouble with my jaw and my bite. In other words, my TMJ seems to have returned. I don't think my teeth are quite lined-up as they were (close but not quite), so I am going to consult with the otrho to see if a third (sigh) round of braces are in my future. I had much worse TMJ back in my 20's and it pretty much went away after my second round of braces, so I'm hoping that a re-alignment of my bite (or some sort of treatment) will help clear it up once and for all. Fingers crossed that something can be done because the jaw (especially on the left side) is pretty achy most of the day, but especially in the mornings.

Lastly, I have to think about diet and exercise which I've done neither of recently. I did lose 20 pounds after the MMA surgery, but I've unfortunately gained all that back, plus 7 or 8 pounds. I'm feeling a little "thick" and out of shape, so I'm visualising (!) doing something about it soon!

So that's about all the news worth reporting. Here's a pic taken today. As you can see I'm back to my old bearded self with a slightly updated haircut.

Hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods. Paul and the cats are doing really well, and send their love. We're looking forward to getting the tacky aluminum rainbow Christmas tree put up, so let the X-mas decoration excitement begin!...next weekend!

much love:

Pinski

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3 Month(ish) Update + First annual SuMM(A)it!

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Hi Mama!

Whassup?? How are you and dad? Paulie and I are doing just fine and continue to be happy, healthy and slightly boring. I haven't written much lately because there wasn't a whole lot to report, but suddenly there is!

First off, there's the basic 3 month(ish) post-MMA update: My recovery is coming along really, really well. I'm still "over-the-moon" with my follow-up sleep study results which really gave me a mental boost. I've still been sticking to mostly soft foods because I had been told by Dr KL that the bone in my upper jaw is thinner than most, and it's taking longer for the bone to stabelize than in most people, so I would get a little "down" around meal time becuase of my limited food choices. However, I have discovered that I really like sushi! Who'd-a thunk? So, my upper jaw seems to be getting stronger each day. I can tell because my top teeth are getting more solid and less wobbly. The numbness in my mouth also seems to be slowly improving, and I'm getting a lot more feeling in my bottom teeth and in my chin area as well. When I shave, I can actually feel my chin now, so it doesn't feel like I'm shaving somebody elses' chin. I am also starting to get some subtle warm sensations and an occasional sort-of painless "throbbing" in my front teeth. Not exactly feeling, mind you, but I can tell that something is starting to happen, which makes me hopeful the feeling in that area will eventually return. That's progress, eh'?

So last Monday, I went to Dr KL's for a quick procedure called a turbinate reduction. I had previously had some trouble with having a stuffy nose (mostly in the evenings), even after the good doc straightened the slighty defiated septum I had on that side. Turns out, a quick look up my schnoz revealed I had unusally large turbinates. So, after numbing everything up, he stuck a probe-like thingie up there and zapped both turbinates with radio waves, which is supposed to shrink those pesky, over-sized turbinates. It didn't hurt at all and the procedure only took about 10 minutes. In some cases it has to be done a second time, but right now it's too early to tell if I'm a candidate for another go-around. He also checked my upper jaw and said it's coming along well, and is starting to strengthen-up. So, I'm heading down to Dr KL's office tomorrow (Monday), and I'll have him take a gander at my turbinates to see how they are doing.

However, I'm actually going there to meet someone from Southern California who will be having MMA surgery on Tuesday. His name is Wayne and I was introduced to him through Nurse Daisy at Dr. KL's office. I have elected myself as his sort-of "MMA advocate" because after learning he would be coming up here alone and would not have anybody there with him after getting out of the hospital, I asked him if he would accept my help (by keeping tabs on him while he's in the Bay Area - just to make sure he'll be okay), which he happily accepted. We've only spoken on the phone so far, and he sounds like a very nice guy...but still really scared since he's coming up here "solo" and was originally going to go through it all alone. We just can't let THAT happen!! So, I'll keep you posted on how he's doing.

..and speaking of other MMA patients.........

This weekend was a lot of fun. As you know, when I started this whole journey I didn't know "Jack-S**t" about any of this MMA/GA stuff, and through the internet I gained a lot of knowledge and made a lot of friends who have been through the same thing. Well, to make a long story short, (and thanks to my good MMA buddy and neighbor Learian who spear-headed it all) there was an "MMA" get-together down in Sunnyvale this weekend. 19 people showed up. A couple of them were pre-op, and a few were "caregivers" and the rest were post-op MMA alumni -- One of which just had his MMA surgery just 9 days ago and one who had his MMA back in the early 90's. You're the man, Dominic!!
....and let me just say: There were some strong, great-looking chins there!!
It was a great mix of people and a good time was had by all. I don't think anyone who hasn't had MMA surgery or sleep apnea (or has acted as a caregiver) would have found it very interesting, but I think everyone who showed up could really relate to why we were all there.

It was great putting faces to all of the names I had seen on the sleepnet.com posting and various blogs. Fellow bloggers "Dreamette", "Western Joe", "Cupertino Joe" and new blogger "Dawn" were there, as well as many sleepnet.com posters. I hope we will be able to make a yearly event out of it. Here's a pic of almost the whole bunch of us!

Top Row: (L to R) Brad, "Alamo Joe", "Western Joe", Dominic, "Kettlebell", Michael, "BlueLite", and Adam

Bottom Row: (L to R) "k8e", "Sleepy Head", "Pinski", Courtland, "Dreamette", "Learian", "Seattle Bill", and "PJgirl".

Not pictured: "Cupertino Joe" and "zzzzz"....who didn't arrive until after this pic was taken...and Dawn (below-who actually took this picture)

Dominic savors his chocolate milk through a Zip-and-Squeeze while Dawn (his lovely wife, and caregiver) watches on.












Everyone enjoying plenty of food and drink (well, except for Dominic, that is)












"Western Joe", Michael, "Kettlebell" and Brad review their sleep studies.

In all, I think everyone had a great time and I hope we can do it again next year.
Anyway, that's about it for now. Hugs and kisses to everyone!

with love:
Pinski

P.S. I love Stevie Nicks. (I just thought I'd throw that out there)
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My Sleep Study: Before and After Specifics

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Hi Mom;

As previously reported, I got the results from my post-surgical sleep study and I am still very happy, excited, and grateful for these amazing results.
However, since then a couple of people have asked me about the specific differences between my pre-surgical sleep study and the post-surgical sleep study, so I thought I'd break it down and show you how "worth it" this whole "Excellent Adventure" was!

The figure on the left represents the before (4/28/08) sleep study, and the one on the right in bold represents the after (8/25/08) sleep study:

Sleep Efficiency Index: 74.2% / 93.3%
Minimum 02 Saturation: 85% / 94.%
RDI: 24.5 events per hour / 4.8 events per hour
Impression: Moderately Sever Obstructive Sleep Apnea / Mild Snoring without significgant OSA.

Sleep Architecture:
# of Stage 1 Shifts: 87 / 25
# of Stage shifts: 208 / 107
# of Awakenings: 77 / 19
# of REM periods: 4 / 4
REM Latency: 66.5 min/ 68.5 min.
REM Latency minus Awake: 43.5 min. / 67.5 min.

Sleep Stages:
Stage 1: 32.1% / 7.9%
Stage 2: 38.2% / 56.7%
Stage 3: 3.2% / 3.2%
Stage 4: 0% / 0%
REM: 26.4% / 32.2%

Apnea Events: Obstructive
Number: 59 / 2
Index: 10.9 / .03
Mean Duration (sec): 27.6 / 11.5
Longest Duration (sec): 49.6 / 13.0
Occur in REM: 0 / 2
Occur in Non-REM: 59 / 0
REM Index: 0.0 / 1.0
Non-REM Index: 14.9 / 0.0

Hypopnea Events: Obstructive
Number: 69 / 29
Index: 12.8 / 4.5
Mean Duration (sec): 25.5 / 16.3
Longest Duration (sec): 50.1 /27.4
Occur in REM: 9 /15
Occur in Non-REM: 60 / 14
REM Index: 6.3 / 7.2
Non-REM Index: 15.1 / 3.2

Respritory Events with Arousals:
Total Events: Index 24.5 Total 132 / Index 4.8 Total 31
Non-REM Events: Index 30.5 Total 121 / Index 3.2 Total 14
REM Events: Index 7.7 Total 11 / Index 8.2 Total 17

Actually, I'm not 100% sure what it all means, but at least I can refer people here if they want to see what the results of my MMA/GA experience was.

Love:
Pinski
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Voot-Voot! The post-op Sleep Study results are in!

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We interrupt this (now-)monthly blog to bring you this important News Flash!!

Hi Mom!

Yes, as I mentioned in my last blog, my recovery has definately slowed down at this point. I didn't really see the need for weekly updates anymore, so I figured monthly updates would suffice.
However, I have good news about my apnea (or lack thereof!), and even though I'm a little over a week shy of an official monthly update, I just couldn't wait to tell you.

Quick back story:
I had scheduled my 3-month post-op followup sleep study at Bay Sleep Clinic in San Francisco for September 5th. As you may recall, my surgery was June 4th :-), however I got a call in the middle of last week from the lady at the sleep clinic, telling me they had a cancellation and asked if I wanted to come in that Friday night. At first I told her no - that I needed to wait the full 3 months, but thanked her for calling. Then, I got to thinking about it, so I called Dr KL who said it would be okay to do it a little early.

So, last Friday night I hopped on the bus and got to the sleep clinic at 9:30 sharp. After waiting much longer than I would have liked, the nice technician Mandy hooked me all up, and exactly 3.7 minutes later, I was fast asleep. I woke up once at 3 a.m. to go to the restroom, and before I knew it, 6 1/2 hours had passed and Mandy was waking me up, telling me I was done. Uh, I guess she was kicking me out....at 6:00a.m.!
She didn't say much about how I slept except for the fact that I snored lightly.
Before I left, she told me the results should be sent to Dr. KL at the beginning of next (this) week.
...and sure enough, they were.
It turns out P.Smitty was almost right. He said he didn't think I had any events anymore, which wasn't too far off.

Dr Li called me at work this afternoon with the good news.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . drumroll please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . My RDI is 4.8!!!

How awesome is that?? I feel SO fortunate that my MMA surgery was such a success. He said my O2 level never fell below 94%, and that I only stopped breathing about twice an hour for like 11 seconds. I can live with that!!!
Then, he said "For someone your age, we can consider this a success". Uh, hem? My age???
Well, I knew what he meant and I thanked him for the great news. He is a great surgeon and a great human being in general.

Anyway, I just had to share the good news with you, Mama! I'll save the rest for the monthly update, coming soon to a blogspot near you!!

Love;
Pinski
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2 Month (8 week) update - Back to work for Pinski !

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Ola', Mama!

Holy Crap! Where did the time go? One day I'm on the couch watching "The Price is Right" with ice bags on my face, and before you know it, I'm back at work!
Man, I enjoyed not working, but truthfully I was getting a little bored that last (7th) week.
I am fortunate to have had so much time off, actually.

The feedback I'm getting at work (about my appearance) is very good. The general consensus is, is that I look more rested, a "little bit different", and a little bit younger. Hmmm. I guess that's pretty good, eh'?

My energy level is great. My boss told me that I didn't have to "hit the ground running" when I returned, but there is just so much to do that it's tough to pace myself. It also doesn't help that I'm a little on the hyper side, but so far I'm holding up pretty well. I need to build my stamina a little bit, but I'm doing pretty well and getting A LOT accomplished. They definately saved plenty for me to do so I wouldn't be bored upon my return :-)

As far as the MMA/GA part goes, I think any further recovery is going to be slow.
Now that the Ouch Bars are gone, and the swelling is pretty much gone, it's just going to be a matter of time for my nerve-endings to connect so I can get some feeling back in my mouth.
Right now, most of my top and bottom teeth are still numb, as is the roof of my mouth (my hard pallet) and most of the area around my chin.
All that numbness is still making it quite tough to eat, limiting what I can eat. Dr KL said that I shouldn't push it, because if I try to eat foods that are too hard, it could slow down the healing and even possibly cause a set back. Wouldn't want that, now, would I?
Needless to day, I still get kind of bummed around meal time.

....and one more sTrAnGe thing that's happening is my chapped lips....make that my chapped lip - *singular*. The top one is fine, but the bottom one gets all dry and always needs to be moisturized. I don't understand why that is, but I'm sure it'll get better eventually.

Oh!! ...and I booked a night at the Bay Sleep Clinic here in San Fran for my 3-month follow-up sleep study. I can't wait to know what my numbers are now. I'm bettin' they will be good. Paul thinks so too because he says I sleep quietly (even on my back) and I continue breathing without gasping, snoring or snorting.
....and I really don't feel exhausted any more. Tired? Sure, but at least I'm not falling asleep at the wheel on my way from home from work at 4:30 in the afternoon, like I once did. (uh, ya, I kept that from you for a *reason* ma!)

So, there you have it. I have made more interesting and informative updates, but this is all ya get this time.

much love;
Pinski
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6 Week Update - ...and doing pretty well !

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Hey, Mom!

Things are coming along pretty well. I thought that since the Ouch Bars have been removed, things would really change a lot (especially in the eating department), but they actually haven't all that much.

I suppose it was an unrealistic expectation to think that I could miraculously start eating a lot of food that I couldn't eat before, but I have since learned that it's just going to take time before I can eat like a normal person.
Since our company from Ireland has been here for the past few days, we have been going out to eat a lot, but it took a few meals to realize what I should have already known. When I "bite off more than I can chew" (ar,ar!) I wind up bummed with a really sore jaw, and being that I'm a slow learner, I've done this more times than I care to admit.
Let me just say: I desperately miss double-bacon cheeseburgers, pizza and steak! Oh well, I'll live....

I know I've posted a series of "Before and After Pics", but I thought I'd just put some "Then and Now Pics" right here.

.......THEN..............

..........and NOW.

So, what do you think? Significant? Not? I'm still getting used to the different-looking me. I definately like my profile better (what with a chin now, and my nose it a little "tipped-up"), but from the front, I'm still trying to get used to it. My nose seems wider and I feel like my cheeks are chubbier, making my eyes seem sunken. I *do* like the fact that those deep smile lines on either side of my nose have softened. Some people say I look a little younger. Not as much as I'd like, but beggers can't be choosers!! :-)

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Sleep continues to be great, although I don't think I'm having much luck transitioning in to a "nose breather" as opposed to a "mouth breather", like Dr. KL said I probably would. I still wake up with a very dry mouth most of the time which is just like it used to be.

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Fortunately, I *think* I'm starting to get a little bit more feeling in the left side of my teeth which is enabling me to eat stuff a little bit easier. Still not EASY, but a little easier.

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We have had a great time with Vince and David and I think they've really been enjoying San Francisco and the Bay Area. They'll be heading back to Ireland (via NYC) on Saturday and I will have one more week before returning to work on the 28th. Hopefully, they'll have fond memories of their vacation, and if they forget any part of it, they can refer to the 1,754 pictures they took!! :-) kidding...

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Anyway, that's about it for now.

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Much love:

Pinski

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Week 5(ish). Goodbye Ouch Bars!!

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Hi Mom!

Sorry I'm a little late with my weekly update, but I wanted to wait a few days so I could also include the good news that I got my Ouch Bars taken out today. Yay!

Before...................................After!! Ta-Dah!!

Actually, it was a pretty easy procedure. Other doctors actually consider it an out-patient surgical procedure, but this was done right in his office, using only novicane and it was really not bad at all. I did save a dose of pain meds for this occasion (previously okayed by the doc), so that may have made it even easier.

Daisy was there to help the good doctor and the whole procedure took less than a half an hour. In fact, it was even easier than getting a cavity filled.

Any way, the Ouch Bars are now out of my mouth, and I am allowed to start chewing soft foods, and not just soup, smoothies, yogurt and pulverized food from the Cuisinart. Alla-Louie!! This will be a big boost for my mental health, as I was getting really tired of my dietary limitations.

Before leaving, I asked if everyone in the office would pose for a quick pic for the bloggie, and even though a couple of the ladies deemed it "a bad hair day", I convinced them that it's only going to be in my blog, and not in People magazine....so they reluctantly agreed.

Left to Right: Linda, Daisy, Moi', Juanita and Dr Li. (A fine lookin' bunch, they are!)

So, I was 193 lbs. on surgery day, and now I'm at 178. (down 15#). I'm hoping to only gain about 5 pounds back, so I have a bit of eating to do! I figure 183 lbs. is a good weight for me.

Also, after I return to work on the 28th, I'll definately start going to the gym again, since I've gotten a little"soft".

I talked to my boss the other day, and he let me know that when I come back to work,

I don't necessarily have to "hit the ground running" and can take a little time to re-acclimate. That's a good thing, since I'll have been away for 7 weeks. Wow. Time flies.

Tomorrow, our friends from Ireland (Dave and Vince) will be visiting for the week and staying with us for a few nights, so we will take them to see all the sights (Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Union Square, Fishermans Warf, Golden Gate Park etc.) and we are even going to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a day trip. I've not done a whole lot in the past 5 weeks (other than some semi-long walks, and re-finishing this table:-),

...so it will be a good way to start building my stamina so it won't be so tough getting back to work.

I'm going to hold-off on this weeks "Before and After" pics because I'm really not looking any different from last week, but I will post some next week for sure.

Lastly, my sleeping (the whole reason I've gone through all of this) has been fantastic. I am so rested, have been sleeping quietly. and feel like even though there's been some rough spots, it's been totally worth it.

Well, that's about it for now, so toodles!!

love always;

Pinski

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1 Month Update; Time continues to fly!

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Hey Mom;

Wow !! It's hard to believe that a month ago today, I went under the knife for my MMA/GA operation. In some ways, it seems like it happened months ago, and in other ways it feels like it was only last week. Would I do it again? Yes, I would. This whole experience has come with a lot of challenges, but all in all, I think it has benefitted me a lot.

Of course, I wasn't too crazy about having to go in for "ICU Part Deux", but that couldn't be avoided. I guess that's what makes me "unique".

I won't be able to really know HOW MUCH I've benefitted until I do another sleep study (which won't be for another 2 months), but Paul has said I am sleeping as quiet as a mouse (and this is while sleeping on my back, which is amazing!) , I continue breathing, and no more gasping!
Also, I used to be able to nap in the afternoons (when given the opportunity) quite easily, and now napping is not as easy as it used to be. I think that's because I get a much better and restful sleep at night now and don't need the naps as much.

However, I still have a long way to go. Especially in the "getting the feeling in my mouth and chin back" department.
After the first surgery 4 weeks ago, I was able to feel much of my chin still, most of my pallet (the "roof of my mouth"), and most of my teeth on both sides, but after the 2nd surgery, my chin is tingly but much more numb, my pallet has nearly no feeling yet, the teeth on my left side have nearly no feeling as well, and the teeth on my right side have very little feeling. I'm sure that with time, I will gain more feeling in my chin, pallet and teeth, although I know it will probably take quite a bit more time.

At this point, (as I have mentioned before), I'm really getting tired of the liquid diet I'm on and can't wait to start nibbling on soft foods.
Fortunately, last night Paul and I sat down to our first real dinner at the table in over a month.
On the menu was crab-stuffed salmon, creamed corn, and a nice ripe sliced avocado with italian dressing on it. All with no chewing required. It was really representative of things starting to "get back to normal".

Pain-wise, there's not that much now. Just a lot of "tightness".... as if my teeth and jaw were in a vice. I went ahead and took the pain meds for possibly longer than I needed to. There were a few times when I missed taking the pain meds on time, and it was quite uncomfortable, so that's why I continued with them.

I'm still getting used to my new look. I do like my new profile. I have more of a chin now (yay!), and my nose is "tipped-up" just a litle bit. From the front is a different story. My right cheek is still a little bit swollen on the right side, so becasue of that, my eye loooks a little "sunken" and my nose seems wider than it used to be. Also, the crevices on either side of my nose have lessened and I'm told I look a little bit younger. Hmm.

I stopped by work on my way home from my last Dr KL appointment and those who saw me said they thought "I look different". Not having facial hair probably contributes to the "looking different" as well, but I think the overall change is fairly subtle.

So lastly, I've update the "Before and After Pics" page with more photos, but I don't think you'll notice too much of a signifigant change from last weeks pics. Maybe a little less swelling.

Well, that's about it for now. Thanks for al the e-mails and care packages throughout all of this. It's really helped. Have a great 4th of July!!

much love;

Pinski

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Week 3. Improving Slowly but Surely

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Yo Mama!

How's everything going in your neck of the woods? It was great hearing from you the other day and I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well.
Earlier this week, Pauls mom RoseMarie and Alex came up to S.F. for a long weekend and dropped in to see us. They also went up to Petaluma to see RM's sister Nanette and her family.

While they were here, we went out for a couple of meals, which was a little bittersweet. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them to bits, but watching them eating hash browns and sausage one day, and caeser salad and fish and chips the next kind of bummed me out a little, since all I could really eat were poached eggs, cream of wheat, part of a mushy pancake and really mashed potatos. (not in the same meal, mind you) Pity party for Pinski!! Actually, at dinner I ate some light extra-flakey fish that required no chewing, so that was quite scrummy.

I know. The day will come when I will finally be able to start eating soft foods. In fact, I'm slated for my Ouch Bar removal on July 11th, so mark your calendar! After that, look out!
Dr KL will remove them in his office while I'm under "twilight sedation", which means for me I'll be out cold and won't remember a damned thing. Can you say "Cheap Date"?
No bother!! I like it like that!!

UPDATE!!: I have been informed that the Ouch Bar removal process is not one utilizing "twilight sedation". I assumed it was, but apparently it's just a matter of getting shot-up with a lot of novicaine. I'm hoping he'll throw in a little nitrus oxide just to make it more fun, but I guess I won't know till it happens.

Well, it's Week 3 and like the subject line says, I'm improving "slowly but surely". I've updated the "Before" and "After" Pics page with Week 3 (Day 21) pics, so make sure to check it out.

BTW, here is a candid shot of MY "Ouch Bars" that Paul took this morning. They are woven with wire around my teeth (not bolted or screwed in to my jaw), so it should be a pretty easy procedure taking them off. I won't miss them. No sirree. Right now, each of those little silver things sticking out (where the rubber bands can attach) are embedded in to my lip, and although there are no sharp edges, they are still rather uncomfortable. I know I could use wax, but it's REALLY not that bad....but with a little more than 2 weeks before their removal, it wouldn't surprise me if I eventually break out the wax.

Attractive, aren't they?? As you can see on the right, there are rubber bands from the top to the bottom. They are only on the right because we are at the stage of "fine tuning" my bite before the Ouch Bars come off. Dr KL said that he will be removing the rubber bands all together on Monday, which is great because it's not really the Ouch Bars themselves that cause the Ouch. It's really the pressure from the rubber bands. My bite feels pretty good, but honestly, it's still so hard to tell because of all the numbness that I still have.
I really can't feel any of my teeth on the left side. The right side is better but not 100%. Also, my chin (from the Genioglossus) is still numb but it starting to get tingly, so that indicates that the feeling is slowly returning. Unfortunately, shaving is a huge pain in the *ss. Shaving my chin is especially difficult and weird. Almost like it's not actually MY chin that I'm shaving.

The nasal infection that I reported last week is getting better by the day, but still not completely gone. Still taking the antibiotics for that for a few more days. Eeeuu. That whole thing was uber-gross.

Also, the popping in my ears is still happening. Dr KL said this will eventually subside, but for now, it's still kind of strange and a bit annoying.

Pain-wise, I've reached a point where I'm starting to lessen the dosage of my pain meds. Sometimes I'm okay, and other times...not so much. I'm going to have to ask Dr. KL his opinion on how to wein myself down from my pain meds "gracefully". Unfortunately, I'm almost out of meds, so I'll have to see weather one last prescription is in order or if it's time to just suck-it-up and bite the bullet with stuff like Tylenol etc...

On the food front, I have not been eating much soup becasue I'm sick of it. Almost in all forms (except for maybe the ones with bacon in it:-). I have blended the chunky style soups, noodle soups and any other kind of soup you can imagine. Now, I'm just primarily drinking the protein shakes with any kind of fruits I can think of. Yesterday, I broke out the Mini Cuisinart and pulverized some delicious chicken chow mein, (and removing some of the vegetables that didn't get pulverized enough). With a little soy sauce, it was really really good. (both taste-wise as well as for my mental health!) I am still not supposed to chew anything (and I'm not) but just by putting the mushy stuff in my mouth and leaving it there for a few seconds before swallowing it, was still really nice.

Lastly, I think Paul is doing better. I was a little worried about him - especially after what I refer to as "The Stanford Bleed-Out" incident, but I think things are getting back to normal, and I don't think he's permanently traumatized over that now. Poor Boopie. Who'd have thought that in only 6 years, he'd have to go through, 2 elbow scoping operations, 1 hospitalization for a bowel obstruction, and 2 (MMA/GA-related) surgeries. I'm glad he hasn't ran for the hills. Apparently he still likes me enough to stick around, so I consider myself very, very lucky.

So, I think I'll close for now. Not the most clever letter I've written, but I just wanted to keep you updated on what's been going on.

All my love;
Pinski
.

Wowzers! 2 weeks fly by when you're having fun!!

.
Hi Mom;

I can hardly believe it's been 2 weeks since my MMA/GA surgery. I've decided that other surgery at day 7 or whatever doesn't count as anything but a followup procedure (reserved for only me;-)

It's a little tough being able to tell how I'm feeling "in general". Right now, it pretty much depends on what time of the day you ask me. At times, I feel like a million bucks and seem like everything is right on track. At other times, I feel kind of crappy. I really wish I were feeling fantastic all the time, but realistically, the crappy times eventually pass and I'm back to feeling good again.

In general, (like many other people at the same point of their recovery) I feel like my mouth is in a vice, under a great amount of pressure.
My pallet is still quite numb and it feels like I'm wearing my orthodontic retainer all the time.
Luckily, I was given these neat little stiff-spongy things (they look like a lollypop from a distance) and by trimming them down, I am able to clean a good amount of my teeth and tongue. I still can't feel many of my teeth either, but just knowing I've cleansed them and rinsed them as good as I can for now, makes me vewy-vewy happy.

After Monday's followup appointment at Dr. KL's, I seemed to be doing pretty well, but by the end of the day, both of my sinuses were not clearing out very well. I had also been experiencing really bad (but infrequent) headaches, and an occasional bout of reflux. Not fun. He let me know that the oxycodone he prescribed didn't have Tylenol in it, so to buy some of the liquid kind when my head started to hurt. I also asked him about pain management. Seems the oxycodone works pretty well most of the time, but since I take 2 tsp. every 4 hours, there are times when halfway in to hour 3 that the pain starts to return. Dr KL suggested I take 1 tsp. every 2 hours, in order to keep a steadier stream of meds.

Later that day (towards the evening), I could tell there was something "not quite right" with my sinuses, not only because they weren't clearing out easily like they did before, but they seemed to be emitting a rather unpleasant smell as well. I also started having a tough time swallowing.

Realizing that my sinuses have been through a lot, (the left one having a breathing tube put in it for each of the surgeries, and the right one being "slightly deviated" and repaired during the first surgery), I thought about the possibility of a nasal infection. Especially because of that new and quite unpleasant smell. Also, the contents of both sinuses were now the same and also new. I won't describe it, other than to say....kinda brown, flemmy and smelly. Dr KL is out of town, but told me to call him if anything came up. I sent him an e-mail that said "NON-EMERGENCY question" in the subject line, and proceeded to describe my newest issue.

He called about an hour or 2 later, and told me that I should have called him, but I told him that I wasn't sure if this issue was really THAT critical, and that I decided I could wait as long as it was going to take. He understood and then asked me for my pharmacy's number, to prescribe some anti-biotics. Apparently my description led him to think I indeed do have a sinus/nasal infection.

I got that filled today and started taking it. I hope it starts working. I also have a 99.7 temperature. Not high enough to be alarmed about, but definately worth keeping an eye on.

So, I guess I'm just in a holding pattern, trying to behave myself by not overdoing anything, and just trying to take as good of care of myself as I can.

I updated the Before" and "After" Pics for you to check out too. Now that I look at the Day 7 pics, I think there is more swelling in my right cheek today. My guess is that he has something to do with that nasal/sinus infection. Paul thinks the swelling in my cheek has actually gone down a little bit in the last 4 days. At first I looked like I had a half-of-a-tennis ball stuck in my cheek, but today it only looks like 1/3.

So, there you have it! I hope you and dad had a good weekend, and it was a Happy Fathers Day for him. He's the best, isn't he?

love to everyone:
Pinski

ICU Part Deux: (An addendum that doesn't *really* count)

.
Dear Mama;

Sorry I've been out of touch "blog-wise" for the past few days, but that's what happens when they throw you back in to the hospital again. d-OH!!

DISCLAIMER:

First, I have to say (and I'll explain why a little later), this doesn't happen to everyone. In fact, I'm not sure it's happened to anyone, but unfortunately it did happen to me.

That's why I'm titling this with the key word ADDENDUM in it, because it's like a sidenote. I really doubt that anybody who has an MMA/GA procedure would have to anticipate something like this happening to them. ...and by the way. Dr. KL said this is the first time (in all the hundreds of surgeries he's done) that he's seen something like this too.

Secondly: This blog is gonna be gross. No way around it, because that's how it was. ...but I know you're tough, mom!! (Although I must admit, I'm glad you weren't here for this one)

Lastly: For as bad as this may seem, other than feeling robbed of 3 days of my exceedingly- exciting life, I feel like the whole experience looked worse than it really was.

So, a brief recap: Remember how on day 6, I started to bleed profusely on and off for no apparent reason?

<from a couple of blogs ago>
So, then he said that if I start bleeding like that again, he will want to admit me to the hospital and go in to see why it's happening, because he hasn't seen that happen before. So, I've decided that I dont want to go back to the hospital, so I am on EXTREME "I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THE HOSPITAL" ALERT. Meaning. I'm not going to much of anything for now. Well, at least I'm really going to try.

Well, so much for that plan.

All was well on Wednesday. Things were looking good. Practically sunshine, lollypops and rainbows. I was taking it REALLY easy, and around 9 p.m. we were just about ready to finish watching this really bad movie when I realized it was time for my pain meds. So, I walked to the kitchen, poured them in to the little cup, tilted my head back and BAM!! Gushing blood again!!!

I kind of wimpered (I actually felt like crying becasue I knew what was in store) and yelled for Paul to come in and to get me some ice (since we'd been through this before) and it didn't take all that long to get things under control.

At first, I didn't want to call Dr KL on his cell and tell him about it, (thinking it was just another one-time fluke), but since it was actually the third time it had happened, I decided I would be a total dumb-ass not to call him.

He answered immediately, I told him what had just happened, and told us he'd call us back, but to get ready to come back to Stanford. Within minutes, he called back and told us where to meet him. (On the same non-ICU ward where I had stayed previously). He would set me up with a room for the night and go in and see what was up the next morning.

So, we got there, and Dr KL was (of course) already there. They got my room squared away, and he said he'd be back bright and early. I went in to the restroom to pee, and as soon as I tilted my head down, BAM AGAIN!! Again, I yelled for Paul to go catch Dr KL and asked the nurses to get me ice and a bucket. Unfortunately, this time I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. I don't know if it was because when I ice with pressure, I have to switch off arms, and this time they weren't letting me do that becasue they had put the blood pressure cuff around my left arm or why that was.

Dr. KL was back by then and was looking all around trying to see where all the blood was coming from, but he couldn't pinpoint it just by looking. I was trying not to choke because it was coagulating too quickly before I could spit it out, and it was sticking to the rubber bands that were attached to my "ouch bars".

I eventually got the bleeding to stop. ....and then it started again. And that happened several times, again and again. Then, it just didn't stop. By that time Dr KL was on the phone to Dr B the anesthesiologist to ask him to come in then, and Paul was on the sidelines, very quite and as white as a ghost. I told him to split, knowing what he'd been through the past couple of days, assuring him I was in the best of hands, and he did take my advice.

There were a lot of nurses trying to take off my clothes and get me in a gown, while I'm holding this bucket full of blood, spitting out coagulated glob upon coagulate glob. It was really pretty disgusting.

FINALLY, they got me on the rolling bed, and wheeled me up for emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, because of how "last moment" all of this was, the emergency room team was asking about all kinds of paperwork, (even a doc that I needed to sign) and it was a little bit chaotic. They seemed ready for me, but not "officially" ready until all the "I"'s were dotted and the "T"'s were crossed.

...but can I just say this: Dr KL is probably the most caring and incredible doctor I have ever had to privledge to meet. I am certain that there is absolutely no better doctor I could have had, and no way all of this could have happened in such a timely and professional manner, had it not been for his do-diligence. He kept his cool, got done what needed to be done and after a rather awkard (probably 30 minutes) of just waiting for everything to happen, finally wheeled me in for the surgery. 3 cheers for Dr Kasey Li!

Hip-hip Hooray! Hip-hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip- Hooray!!

One thing I forgot to mention to the doctor (and I'm sure you will remember this, mom) because I really didn't make a connection until then, and that was: Remember back in 93' when I had my (out-patient) UPPP surgery and you came out here to help take care of me? The surgery went well, but after 5 hours back at home, I still couldn't stop spitting up blood?......and the doctor made us drive (actually, I drove on liquid Vicadin and you held the spit-bag and tried not to fall apart) to Burlingame to re-operate on me?....and that doctor had mentioned that never in all the surgeries had he previously done, had this ever happened before? Sound familiar?

Anyway.......

Crap. So, I wake up yet again in the ICU. I felt okay. Turns out, that Dr. KL didn't really find any specific place from which I was bleeding profusely, so he went in and cauterized as much as he could. Just on the top, since that's where all the bleeding was coming from.

Later that morning, he told me that he'd decided we'd better have hematologists check me out to see if there's something wrong with me in the blood clotting (or in this case blood not-clotting) department.

That morning, I was given 2 units of blood. Did I mention I bled alot? Oh, right. I think I did.

The ICU is a nice place. I like the peeps there. My first ICU nurse Jason was a really nice guy and a really good caregiver. This time, the nurse I had for the longest aount of time was Kim B. Great nurse as well, and such a happy disposition. She said I cracked her up, especially when each hematologist came in and started asking me the same questions over and over. Hello!! Compare notes people! I'm surprised anybody could even understand me at all because my voice sounded really bad. Actually it still does, so I'm not saying much today. They also drew blood in order to test it.

Oh, and get this: I have no idea how, or when or where it happened, but when I woke in the ICU, the top of my left foot hurt. ?? HUH?? Like it had a cramp in it or something. Well, throughout the course of the next 2 days, it's gotten a lot worse. Swelling. Pain spreading. Gawd!! It hurts WAY more than my stupid jaw at this point! ... and nobody knows why! What a hoot!

...but IMO, it's kind of cool, because it shifts the focus from my jaw, elsewhere.
What a sight! I'm hobbling around like a gimp, and my voice is as raspy as Tom Waitts!

Unfortunately, I can tell a lot of differences with my mouth and jaw between after the first and after the second surgery.
Now, my top teeth are even more numb than they were, my pallet (a.k.a "the roof of my mouth") has a lot less feeling and my ears are really popping a lot. Oh well. It's still not all that terrible.

Finally, after almost a full 24 hours of the ICU, I was moved back to the C2 Unit at about 1 a.m. to the very same room I had the first time, but this time I had the bed by the window. It was nice seeing all the familiar faces. I almost felt like Norm from Cheers. (well, not really, but you know....) .

Then, that morning was Friday the 13th. Go figure.... Dr KL had been in and out so many times to check on me that by that time, I had lost track. He had come in early that morning and said that I was doing well, and if Hematology agreed, he'd like to let me go home later that day. Unfortunately, he hadn't heard a squeak out of the Hematology people, so we needed to wait until they gave the okay. Paul was there and our hopes were up that I would be going home, but The Hema-peeps never contacted him...or me...or anybody. Finally Dr KL paged them and contacted them on the (I think) 4th page. (Glad THEY weren't my surgeon!!)
It turns out that even though I had some irregular "levels" in my bloodwork, they didn't want to prescribe anything for me, but wanted me to stay another night just to make sure it wasn't going to happen again. GAWWWW!! So close.

Oh! ONE good thing about that Friday the 13th! I did have my first poo!

...but I digress. Anyway, Paul headed home and I settled in (with icebags on my foot) for another night in the big house.

......and today, they finally let me out!! Yay!!
This is Nurse Laura, removing my last I.V.

So, we're home now. I'm relaxing, sipping on pureed bean with bacon soup and thought I'd drop you this little (HA!) note.

Also, it looks like I've lost about 15 pounds all-tolled. In my humble opinion, I had 10 too many to start with, so I'm *feeling* like I'm only 5 pounds down. I'll try to make it back up, and I'm sure I eventually will.

Don't worry mama. I'm fine, and Paulie (as usual) is taking good care of me. Bless his little thumper.

much love;
xoxoxo
Pinski

This just in..

.
....from The Department of Redundancy Department:

Nice people are so nice!!!!

Hi Mama!

Writing again so soon, you may ask? Well, ya.... Especially when it's either this or getting in trouble for talking!!

Anywaze, upon waking from a quite-overdue nap, Paul had just returned from being out (having Coffee at our groovy neighborhood Starbucks)

"I have presents!" he informed me.

AAAhhhh. Beautiful flowers!.....from my barista friends at Starbucks! They are just so thoughtful. This also includes my pal from work Jen, and my "mo" friends in Ireland, Vince and Dave, who have also sent me flowers.

So, being the shutterbug I've become lately, I thought it was time for yet another photo-op.



[Left to Right]: Me, The Bunch from the Starbucks ...<---->....Ted modeling the flowers from Jen
Bunch, then Jen, and then Vince and Dave.

Also, speaking of pix!
As my swelling goes down and there's some change, I'll be updating my "Before" and "After" Pics, page, so refer to that page in the archives to see them!!

who loves you mama??

xoxo:
Your Sonny, Pinsk.

Day 6 (a,k.a "The toughest day so far")

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Dear Mom;

Woo! I wanted to make sure yesterday was REALLY over before telling you about it.

Not the best day I have had, to say the least.

Things were going along pretty well up until then. Hadn't really gotten much "quality sleep" because of my nasal challenges. That is, the deviation on the right side was fixed and is still healing, and the left side kept being stuffy because the breathing tube went down that side, so breathing out of my mouth dried out my mouth so bad and I couldn't sleep.

Pain has been managed pretty well, but it's definately there.

So, after the "Non-Eventful" doctor appointment, I figured things would just continue to progress slowly (i.e. "Status Quo").

Went to bed Monday night, and really started sleeping well for the first time. There's some progress!
Okay, so my alarm startles me awake at 1 a.m. (as not to miss my pain meds and antibiotics) and the startling makes my chin hurt. Hmm. Not as "dead" as I thought it was. Even though the Genioglossus pretty much nummed everything out, I'm feeling *something*, so I guess that was good. I also noticed that the rubber bands, used to "re-rubber band" my "Arch bars" were WAY TIGHTER, and because my bite isn't evened out yet, the place where (only) 2 of my teeth touched, was quite sore as well.

By the way, when you wrote back and referred to them as "ouch bars", I decided that term had to stick.... Thanks, Ma!

Anyway, took the meds, went to the bathroom and set the alarm for 4 more hours out, and was back in dreamland before I knew it. By the way, oxycodone works great for pain, but ever since I've been taking it, my usually "fun and interesting dreams", have been....well. STUPID

...but I digress. Fast-forward to 5 hours later. The alarm goes off. I get up and walk to the kitchen, take my liquid pain meds, and wash it down with a couple gulps of water. Then, I start walking to the bathroom, and suddenly OUT OF NOWHERE, I feel blood literally GUSHING down my front teeth (from the inside insision - above my top teeth, not from my nose). This was not a trickle which really startled and worried me..

In the bathroom, it was like a scene from a gory movie. Blood, blood and more blood. Blood tastes gross, and it coagulates rather quickly. It's consistency reminded me of blackberry Jello...only warmer...and grosser.
I finally rushed to the bedroom and told Paul that I was bleeding really badly.
Poor him. Waking up to his boyfie all panicked and covered in blood.....
We got some ice out, leaned my head back and applied pressure, which started to slow
down the bleeding fairly quickly. Realizing this was a legit emergency, we called Dr KL's office and left a message, plus I sent him an e-mail asking him to call me as soon as he could (It was 5:30am at that time).

Luckily, the bleeding finally stopped, I rinsed out my mouth really well with saline stuff, and layed back down on the bed. Soon there after, Dr KL called. His advice was pretty much what I had already done (ice with pressure), that I *might* have broken a stitch, and said I should come in to see him later that day and to call him on his cell next time there's an emergency like this. I didn't have that number, but I do now!!

At about 1 in the afternoon, I called Dr KL's office and explained to Daisy that I wanted to make an appointment to see the doc. She said she would call me right back. So, in the meantime, I walked over to the washing machine, and leaned over to take stuff out and BAM! I felt the pressure "break", and the blood started GUSHING again. This time, a little worse. So, more pressure, ice and it eventually stopped. This time, I handled it, and Paul just kind of stood there in horror.
Dr. KL called back RIGHT THEN, and I told him it just happened again.
So, I scheduled the appointment to go down there later that afternoon.

Okay, so let me say as a sidenote. I could be a better patient. BUT I AM TRYING!!! One of my big goals was not to be over-needy and to start doing stuff for myself as soon as I could, so it wasn't too overwhelming for my caregiver (P.Smitty). Well, it turns out I've been frustrating him (i.e. p*ss*ng him off) because when I get bored I'll wash the few dishes in the sink, or throw in a load of laundry, instead of resting. I'd love to sleep, but I just can't...and I get bored!!...and he doesn't see that as being a good patient. So, I went from one extreme (needy) to another (too self-sufficient).

I say this because I really don't see these bleeding-out episodes as being caused by the fact that I am a bad patient. Sure, bending over to get laundry out of the washer provoked the second episode, but I honestly can't think of why it happened the first time. It just did.

We got there before the good doc, so Daisy had a look. I told her how tight the rubber bands on the "ouch bars" were, and she said that might be part of the cause but it was too tough to really tell. Daisy decided that since it was hurting too much, she sould wait for the doc to get there, which he finally did.

First, he cleaned out the coagulated blood stuff from the rubberbands, removed the wax from in front of the "ouch bars", and then he took the ruber bands off. After looking around he could not tell where the bleeding was coming from. (huh????) I told him exactly where that was, but he said the icing and pressure must've stopped it up enough to not be able to tell now.
Then, he put on rubber bands that weren't as stiff, took out a few little boogs in my nose, and replaced the wax in just one little part on the bottom jaw.

So, then he said that if I start bleeding like that again, he will want to admit me to the hospital and go in to see why it's happening, because he hasn't seen that happen before. So, I've decided that I dont want to go back to the hospital, so I am on EXTREME "I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THE HOSPITAL" ALERT. Meaning. I'm not going to much of anything for now. Well, at least I'm really going to try.

Paul had had enough blood and guts for a day, so after we got home, and we got some meds and a protein shake in me, he left for Starbucks and promised to swing by The Cove to get me mashed potatoes and white gravy. I made sure to make the potatos really runny, but I still focused mostly on the gravy!

This was definately the toughest day so far.....so now, they can only get better, right??

Dudette'. I do NOT want to go back to the hospital.

I'll keep you posted. ...but so far, so good!

with love;
Pinski

P.S. ..and I thought *I* had problems! Check out what Premium Unleaded costs at the Chevron station across the street from our apartment. Oy!! I'm glad we have a really little car!

A Rather Non-Eventful Dr KL Appointment

Hi Mom:

Greetings from Captain Cow-Breath! Moooo! ....or is that E-w-w-w-w?

Well, I'm feeling a lot better since this morning's "pain aversion therapy session".
After taking my pain meds, I was able to crash for another un-interrupted couple of hours, which was exactly what I needed. Haven't had much success since then, but I'll keep trying until I get it right.

We *just* got back from Dr KL's office. Since it is in Palo Alto (and we are in San Francisco) it's always a little hard to judge how much driving time to allow for.
Fortunately, we left an hour before the appointment, and we got there in about 45 minutes. Just about right.

After Daisy took 3 different x-rays, Dr KL came in, cleared out the few boogs in my nose (while I sung the praises of the Neti Pot) and changed-out the rubber bands in my archbars. Remember my telling you about getting flack for talking too much the other day? Well, Dr KL said that often times he can tell how much someone has been jabbering because their arch-bar rubber bands will break -- and I am happy to report that none of mine have done that. So there!!

Then, he showed me the before and after x-rays, and promised to e-mail me the x-ray so I can post it here in the near future. Huh! Nearer than I thought!!

........BEFORE MMA/GA

.........AFTER MMA/GA..............

I was especially pleased with how much of an air passage I have now! Considering what he had to work with (meaning, such a thin upper jaw bone and all the fixed bridges right where they didn't need to be), I am really really pleased with the progress so far. Yay! I have high hopes that my sleep experience will only get better now.

He also answered a few questions I had. Like:
Why are my ears poppoing so much? Turns out the internal "guage" that senses altitudes and makes your ears to that, is very close to where I was operated on, so it is very sensative right now, but will eventually stop. Makes sense!
When can I start brushing my teeth? (See intro) For now, i am only allowed to brush the front part of the teeth I can easily see, (not the back, behind the rubber bands) and stay away...far away from brushing the gums. I'll have to stick with mouthwash or saline solution for a while longer.
How Long before my stiches start to dissolve? Around 10 days.
Is all this brusing I have normal? Yes.


....I'm actually feeling much better than this grumpy look I have on my face!

Unfortunately, it might be worse before it gets better, but I got time. I can't recall planning any upcoming super-model photo-shoots, so I'm good. ;-)

In all, a fairly non-eventful appointment. If I have any problems, I can go in on Thursday or Friday to see him, but if not, I'm scheduled for another appointment next Monday.

Lastly, please humor me while I tell you something you already know.
Paul is a saint. I am often times a crappy patient, and he's stil just the best. We snap a little bit at each other now and then, but I know I couldn't have done this without him.

So, at the expense of sending out a "For all you do....This Bud's for You!" message (which wouldn't seem appropriate because neither of us drink), I just had to throw that in, and just let you (and especially him) know that I love him and DON'T take him for granted.


...and I love you too, mama!

xoxo:
Pinski

P.S. And these are the OTHER ones in the house who always manage to put a smile on my face, weather I'm feeling like it or not!
(l to r) : Raster and Ted.

4:00 a.m. letter to me mum....

'ello Mumzie!

...er, I mean, Hey Mom.! (Yes, I know I'm not British...it's just fun saying that)

Ugh. Where to start. It's 4 a.m., I have an hour until my next round of pain meds and things are pretty uncomfortable right now. Nothing I can't handle, but you know how sometimes it just helps to "talk" to divert your attention elsewhere?

I've crushed up 3 asprins, and mixed them with warm water (yuck), so that's going to have to do for now. Why the asprin? It's the arch-bars. But more about that in a minute...

Okay, first things first. Lots of comments about the "before/after" pics. Let me just say that it's *entirely* too soon to know how my mug is going to turn out, and no, I haven't entered the "Witness Protection Program".
Will my nose be different? Will my face look longer? At this point, that is THE LAST THING I'm concerned about!!...although while out for a little walk last night, Paul and I were sitting near Starbucks with a couple of friends, and one of them said to Paul: "So this must be your boyfriends brother, eh'?" To Which Paul replied: "Nope. It's the boyfriend." Strange that I don't look like myself right now. It's like having aninimity that I don't really need!

Yesterday, I had a couple of issues to address that had been pressing.
The first was a solution for icing my face. For me, those "stockings" the hospital provided are not that great. Between the paper-lined ice "envelopes" and the stocking itself, there was little if any cooling action going on. So, I went to Walgreens and bought a box of the "double zip-lock (quart sized) storage baggies and a big ole' bag of ice.
At home, I used a nice, old, thin tea towel to wrap the well-sealed ice up and then used blue painters tape to secure everything, making sure there was only 1 layer of ziploc plastic and 1 layer of tea-towel between my cheek and the ice. Much cooler, thankyouverymuch. ...and I need to ice.
The second thing I really wanted to address was this stuffy nose of mine. When I went in to Dr KL's the day I got out of the hospital, he cleared out my nose and that was fantastic, but it gets cloggy again and again. I asked him if a neti pot might be a good idea, and he said yes. So, what is a "neti pot", you ask? It's a little gross but effective. Imagine a little tea pot filled with warm salene solution. Then, you tilt your head sideways over a sink and put the spout up to and in your upper nostril and pour the water. It goes though your sinuses and out the lower nostril, loosening and flushing out a lot of boogs and stuff that keep you from being able to breathe.
For a demo, check out this "Neti Pot YouTube demonstration" In this case, the relief, far outweighs the grossness level. It has really helped me sleep at night, by keeping my nose much clearer.

Another thing I needed to do (but wasn't *quite* as successful...yes, I know, I know Learian!) is to not talk so much. Paul allows me to talk a little, as long as my teeth stay together, making my jaw not move. You see, with the thin upper jaw bone and the bone graft Dr KL did to help make it more solid, it's not good to talk and open my jaw. Even though I am rubber-banded together, the pressure of talking kind-of "works against" what we're trying to accomplish. I promised I'd do better today, and even carry around my white-board if need-be.

Okay, so lets talk about why I'm writing you at 4 a.m. My archbars hurt! Don't get me wrong,
I'm glad I have enough feeling in my lower lip to even be able to *feel* pain, but I woke up today and felt like these danged things are *embedded* in to my lip. Glad I'm going to the Doctors today to have it looked at. He gave me wax, but I'm going to wait until I get there and let him dig around to see if the archbars are indeed hooked in to my lip, or if it just feels like it. It's hard to tell just by looking.
..and speaking of numbness, there is plenty of that. My chin is dead. Can't feel a thing, and shaving it yesterday was like shaving someone elses chin. My upper teeth, pallet, lips, cheeks and nose are a little bit numb, but my guess is that I'll get more feeling back *there* before I do in the chin area. Seems that area had the most nerves disturbed by the MMA/GA surgery.

Lastly, heartburn. I know,I'm talking about a lot of different "issues" this morning, but I'm just trying to deal with one at a time, when it comes up. So far, over-the-counter "Pepto" has been working just as good as the by-prescription Pepcid. Definately one of the most challenging aspects of all this, as of late.

....but I'm trying to be a trooper and just work though it. Okay, time for pain meds, and hopefully another couple hours of shut-eye.
Oh, pain killers, don't fail me now......

xoxo:
Pinski

"Before" and "After" Pics

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Before (with facial hair)

Before (without facial hair)


After - Day 3 (Post MMA/GA) Wow. My nose is so different right now.

Day 7 (Swelling has gone down a little bit)


Day 14. Left side looking better than the more-swollen right side.

Day 21. (Week 3) Still somewhat swollen on the right side


Day 28 (Week 4)-

Day 42 (Week 6) - Not too much swelling left

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Welp. It's done!

Hi Mama;

Holy Crap! I can't even begin to tell you what the past few days have been like.....but I'll try!

I hope I can be detailed enough. You see, since I've been on the pain meds Paul says I'm easily distracted, but I think he's full of -- HEY LOOK!! A CHICKEN!!

Okay, where to start: How about this:

DAY 1:

Up at 3:45 in order to get to Stanford at 5:30 for check in. Slept really crapily the night before, but I figured that didn't really matter.
Checked in and hung out in the pre-op area. Um, NO Karen Newburger robes!

Met Dr B my anesthesiologist. Very nice guy.

After asking all the typical questions and hooking up the main I.V., it was finally time to give me "a little something to relax me" and wheel me in to the operating room. Well, being such a "cheap date", I *barely* remember the operating room. I don't even remember seeing Dr. KL before "lights out".

This was taken after I was given "the little something"

.....and then I woke up. It was over. ...and that was that!! Oh Gawd. I've really done it now, I thought....

Paul said it was in the recovery room for longer than usual because they were looking for space in the ICU. After I finally got settled in, Paul was able to come in and see me.

I had the ice pack on and I think I was half in shock. Not that much pain at that time.

Dr KL came in and told me that everything went well. He was able to fix my slightly deviated septum, and he went with the Genioglossus Advancement instead of the Genioplasty.

I later learned that I unfortunately have a "thinner than usual" upper jaw bone, so the good doc had a little tougher time securing it after he advanced it (about 8mm.). Fortunately, he was able to take some of the bone from the Genioglossus Advancement and graft it to my top jaw in an attempt to make it stronger. I'm going to have to take it easy for awhile. In all, including my lower jaw advancement and the GA, the chin is out about 13mm. Not bad.

My ICU nurse's name was Jason. Totally cool guy and he stuck with me through almost the whole ICU experience and was there with morphine "every hour on the hour"!

Paul took a few pics of me when I got there. I was pretty out of it.

........my attempt at a little "ICU Humor".................................................

Not sure why, but I didn't sleep for one minute that first night. I think it was the morphine, in combination with the fact that my nose was totally clogged up. I couldn't breathe through it and I absolutely could not swallow AT ALL becuase of the breathing tube that was down my throat through the left nostril, and the deviated septum was fixed on the right nostril.

Day 2:

The next morning, I was put in a regular room. I had several nurses, and honestly, I was only impressed with one of them. But, love-love!

Dr KL came by a few times to check on me, cleared out my nose, and discussed the surgery .
I was concerened at first because my teeth seemed to only be meeting in one place (my incisers...clear over on the right), and started to feel rather uncomfortable. He assured me that my bite was fine. He adjusted the rubber bands on the archbars which seems to have helped.

I also opted to stay another day - mostly because I was really suffering from re-flux and heartburn, but was still in a fair amount of pain as well.

Day 3;

Anyway, We finaly checked me out of there this morning and headed over to Dr. KL's office to get a quick "nose clearing" and for him to check me out. We got home around noon, and I've just been taking it easy since then. Learian came by and brouht me a pitcher of home-made smoothie and to check up on me. I tell you...she has been so nice to us and has given us so much good advice. I don't know how we could every repay her for all she's done.

So, I'll download some before and after front and profile shots in my next bloggie.

There's still a good amount of swelling, but I figured it's time to put em' up here.

I hope you didn't worry too much. By now, I'm an old pro at these surgical procedures.

.....although I will admit. This was definately the most heavy-duty of them all up to this point.

who loves ya, Mama???

xoxo:
Pinski