(Part 2)... Time for surgery!

I was in disbelief when I was told that my jaw was broken... and not just one break, two breaks. I don't know why I was so surprised since the hit sent me to the ground and the left side of my face was the size of a grapefruit. I didn't think past the swelling so I never thought about... surgery. I'm not sure which sounded scarier... surgery or being sent home with a broken jaw. I was told to go home and call the Oral Surgeon at 8am. The doc must have remembered a few weeks ago when I told him that I don't care for pain meds so this time, he asked me what pain medicine I wanted. I asked for Tylenol 3 so he wrote me a liquid prescription, told me not to eat or drink because of surgery, and sent me on my way. (I later regretted that. I shyly asked my surgeon for something stronger. He didn't hesitate... he said he couldn't imagine taking Tylenol 3 for broken bones)

I impatiently called the office promptly at 8am to find out they don't open til 9am. That hour felt like forever. I called at 9am and got an apt for later that afternoon. I was happy to see the empty waiting room since I was self conscious about my huge face. I was called back, got an xray done, then waited for the doctor. The E.R told me differently... but apparently the 'small fracture' in the front was the worst... and the 'larger fracture' in the back wasn't as bad. The thinnest part of my jaw in the front was completely snapped in half, from the very bottom to the very top. The back (the very back of the side of my jaw) was completely snapped as well, but it wasn't as concerning as the front break. The doctor explained a few different surgery scenarios which included the possibility of wiring my jaw shut. I told him to do whatever he needed to do, but explained to him how anxious I was about the thought of having my jaw wired shut. He told me that he will do what he can to avoid it.

The receptionist said the next surgery opening would be the following evening. I was depressed and excited at the same time. I wanted to get the surgery done ASAP, but since the surgery wasn't until the next day... that meant that I could eat! I haven't eaten in about 24 hours since I thought I would have surgery that day. She said she has to call my doctor to get a pre-surgery physical scheduled. When she said that I asked impatiently "Can I come back in 10 mins?" She said "Yes.. go ahead... I'm sure you want to run downstairs to get some food!" I quickly ran out! Unable to eat, I down a bottle of chocolate milk faster than I could blink!

Honestly, I don't remember Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. The pain meds had me so drowsy but they took the edge off the excruciating pain. I could feel EXACTLY where the two breaks were... I could feel my bones move. Vicodin barely touched the pain but surely made me drowsy. I remember sleeping on the way to the hospital. I changed into this awesome gown. The gown hooked up to a machine that blew hot/cold air! The warm gown and pain meds knocked me out. I remember moving from the bed to the stretcher that took me into the Operating Room.

When I had surgery on my collarbone 5 years ago, I remember being knocked out right before entering the OR. This time, they wheeled me right into the OR, completely conscious. Something about it freaked me out... I felt like I was in a movie! I was wheeled through double doors into an operating room full of nurses, medical instruments, a big metal table, and white tiled walls. Then they asked me to get on the operating table. Uhhh.  A guy said "I'm going to give you something in your I.V to relax you". Relax me? RELAX ME? Just knock me out already!!! He injected something into my I.V... held a mask over my face... then I woke up in the recovery room.

First thing I did when I came to it was to see if my jaw was wired shut. I was SO excited that it wasn't wired shut! The doctor explained that he put a metal plate on the front break. He said he had a hard time with the screws since my bone was soft, so he had to use larger screws. He explained that he didn't touch the back break since he would have needed to cut the outside of my face, which he didn't want to do. He just said he would monitor it closely.

The next few weeks were a blur. The pain was unbearable. I watched the clock to see when I could take the next dose of pain medicine for about 2 weeks before the pain started to decrease. I had my first big Microbiology exam 3 days after major surgery and a lab exam 5 days after... yea, I had to drop that class. I fell behind in my photography class and I am STILL trying to catch up. It doesn't help that my teacher deducted a whole letter grade for a few assignments since it was late...  sorry I was busy having surgery then being knocked out from pain meds. I totally planned that.

I received a beautiful flower arrangement from my softball team that included a teddy bear and candy. I looked at the candy and out of all candies, guess which candy was in there! Jaw breakers!!! I busted out laughing!!! And what's even better, it just happen to be in the 'bag of candy' that came with the flowers... my team was only told it was candy, and not what kind. Lauren thought I would be upset or offended... I thought it was hilarious!

The next few weeks were full of nutritional shakes and soups. I lost about 10 pounds. Something I don't ever want to go through ever again, or wish on my worst enemy. It was a hard time... not just not being able to eat... but I had constant flashbacks... and really bad/low days.

I think that's enough for now. I see a part 3 coming in the near future. But for now, please keep me in your prayers as I have another surgery on the 13th. The metal plate is sticking out too far and it's causing me a lot of pain so it's going to be removed. It's a simple surgery but another long recovery. My stitches just recently fully dissolved and it's been about 7 weeks since my surgery. Doc will go through the same incision which is a large one... from the back of the left side of my jaw all the way around to the front right side, so about 3/4 of my gum line will be cut open again.

Love and prayers are appreciated :)