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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