Home Sweet Home

It feels great to be home! Even though it's my parents home and not my own it is wonderful! Duh! It's where I grew up and what I love why wouldn't it be wonderful? My spirits are up and my attitude is bright. Home isn't really where the heart is because my heart & body was just in Cali, in this cute little house for 3 weeks, and while it was nice, I am much happier here at MY home! I think it will be good for me to get back into more of a "normal routine".  See family and friends, go out on lunch (I mean smoothie) dates with my usuals (you know who you are!) and just get out and about. Start driving again in a little while, go to stores, run errands, you know, do the things that people without kids or a job do! That's me..again.. for awhile. :) (I am taking suggestions now..)

So the plan now is weekly check ups with Dr Darrel Spilsbury (only the greatest orthodontist on this side of the Nile!) for 5 weeks. Then the bands come off!!! Bands? The bands the dr uses to hold my mouth hostage. It's basically a prison cell. Nothing out, nothing in. Except for puréed soups and smoothies and anything else I can dream up to puree! The other morning, we blended up my favorite Pillsbury orange cinnamon rolls with rice dream and the orange frosting. Hah! Tasted JUST like the roll itself. That was breakfast! Just trying to get my calories in folks. 

So, after the bands come off, I am on an additional 2 weeks of pureed diet because I am a high risk patient.. yay me. After those 2 weeks marks 10 weeks from surgery- back to Cali to see Dr Arnett we go. He will hopefully give me the go ahead for a soft chew diet. Bah! I cant wait for that!! And then the bands are worn only at night for an additional 8-10 weeks. Bah! I cant wait for that either!! At the 20 week mark we go back to Cali once again for Dr Arnett to take out the screw and hook in my gums that I use to hook the rubber bands to. THIS appointment my friends is when I plan to spend an entire day at Six Flag's!!! BAH!! THAT I really can't wait for!! I am also opening up the invitation to any and all who would like to join us. This will be a celebration for me at that point so I'm making a dang good celebrating vacay out of it! Yep, you betcha! So start saving your money now and find your babysitters cause whose going to watch the babes while we are screaming our heads off on big kid roller coasters?! (your sweet little spawns are totally invited too, just don't be offended if I don't want to do little kid stuff with you! but I still love you!) 

Changes at this point:

• swelling is still minimal but still present- swelling can last up to 12 months
• face is still numb and will be for a long while- feeling comes back anywhere from 2-12 months
• there is a party on my face each night after I go to bed- this creates major frustration as my face is tingling and itching away all night long, but with numb skin I can not satisfy that stupid itch!!!
• brushing my teeth is so awesome- stitches are still EVERYWHERE in my mouth and it's sore and uncomfortable to brush..but I get to clean my teeth!
• more exercises- shoot me now 
• joints hurt after exercises
• lip movement is improving
• lips basically back to normal size- minus the bump in the middle of top lip
• no more salt washes!!!
• no more pain med
• cant sleep without tylenol pm to knock me out- and it doesn't even do that. but it does help me sleep enough to not hate life 
• cant find a comfortable sleep position
• no more naps- I'm a big kid now!
• pills, pills, pills. it's back to taking pills. my life revolves around pills. but now, with a full size esophagus pills are easier to get down! Woop Woop!!
• weight- 91 pounds. lost about 10lbs (though that highly depends on the day and time you ask me, I've gained anywhere from 2-6lbs after a meal pre-surgery..like I said, I used to love food. Tyson advised me against binging and over eating once I can eat again.. hahaha he knows how much I love love food and how I have no control over it. I guess its time to learn a little)

As I sit here and type I am exercising my jaw. Open and close. Side to side, forward and lip puckering. My movement is minimal. I'm working towards full range of movement by the time my bands are off so I can fit a nice juicy In n' Out burger and Kung Pao chicken from P.F. Chang's in the second I can eat normal! Those are first and foremost on my list! But let's not talk about that right now. I'll live off of Tropical Smoothie! We bought the NutriBullet today with tons of fruit and veggies, kale and flaxseed. Soo we'll see what we can whip up! I'm out! Happy juicing to me.

No One is Perfect

Continuing from yesterdays post.. Life is not all flowers! Don't think I am always happy and strong..cause I'm not! :) And I'm going to prove it to you right about now. I try as hard as I can to stay positive and happy and think of my blessings through all this crap. Yeah, that's right, it's a bunch of crap if ya ask me! And that's my nice way of putting it. :) Some days are just down right hard. Awful. Others are great! Mom may have mentioned already about the steroids they use during surgery (not sure?) but, they have depressants in them. I still have those depressants in me now. I am advised not to watch sad movies, listen to sad music etc. because it will heighten those emotions. So when I hurt, worry about after surgery risks, or am sad.. I get depressed. It takes a deep dive real quick. It's weird. Can't really control it. Makes a bad day worse. I cry and it's almost like its the end of the world. I think to myself "how in the heck am I ever going to get through the next 8 weeks??". One day at a time..one day at a time. That's all I can handle right now. I so hate the routine of everything I have to do. My jaw is now starting to become sore a lot more from the exercises to stretch it. And, like my mom mentioned before, I'd honestly rather not eat! It's a blessing and a curse. But I am force feeding every day. Strange, so strange for me- because if you know me well, you know I LOOOVE me some food! I think my spirit is a fat spirit because I am obsessed with food. Or so I thought. Haha, not so much now. But up until this point food controlled my life. It was the last thing I thought about before falling asleep and the first thing I thought about when I woke up. No joke.

Below I've got some serious pics. PLEASE BEWARE. Some of these are nasty! Don't say I didn't warn you...

the only 6:30 I see is pm.. not on March 20!

walking into the hospital

chillin'

relaxin'

Dr Arnett- best surgeon in the world yes sir

GO TIME

BEWARE!

BRACE YOURSELF..

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART..

yup.. a bib for my blood..classy

suctioning out the blood. notice how he keeps his distance? I've been known to cough up blood with a flying distance of 5 or 6 feet.. go me

check out those angelina jolie lips :D

who is that?

That, I assure you, is not what I prefer for a day of fun. And if a nurse ever tells you they have to spray Afrin up your nose- RUN!!!! Run until your lungs collapse. I think I'd rather take a lesson from a sword swallower. So you see? We are all in this messed up, beautiful, awful wonderful world together! And no one, no matter how it seems, is perfectly happy, positive, strong and holding it together 100% of the time. But I sure can try!! Because that is my goal in life! As for now, the secret is to post on my good days! :) Now you know.

I still want to thank you for all your comments of strength, motivation, well wishes and prayers!!!! You cant even imagine how much they continue to help me get through this!!!

Cheers to a good day! 

Until we meet again..

April 6, 2013

It's Saturday. General Conference weekend.
We love watching general conference and the inspiration that comes. The peace it brings.
Lana is drinking butternut squash soup that her sister in law made.
Tyson is working on a puzzle.
Chad is napping.

I enjoy reading other peoples blogs, on occasion. But I have noticed that the author of the blogs can create of vision of their life that looks, sometimes, deceiving to the outside world. I wonder if they live a perfectly charmed life. Everything is positive, happy and upbeat. And good for them if they really are that type of person (like you, Dani! who I love.)

So with that being said, it's been a hard week for Lana. Yes, there were some good days, more of those than bad ones, thank goodness. But there have been some stinky ones, too. Tears have been shed, spirits were down, her mood has been sullen.

Nights are hard for Lana. Her muscles ache in her back and especially her neck. Only being able to sleep on her back contributes to the problem. We have found some muscle cream that helps a little. Tyson is good to help her re-adjust pillows for a more comfortable position, and give her backrubs. He is encouraging to her. He is good to her.

And with surgery, sometimes there are 'side affects', worries and concerns afterwards. There are some of those too. We will have to wait until her appt on Tuesday to discuss them with Dr. Arnett.

Eating continues to plague her. She simply would rather just not do it! Seems like we are always pushing her to eat, drink, do her washes, exercise, yada, yada, yada!

On the other hand of all that is hard, we have been grateful this week for progress seen, especially with the swelling. I give credit to  Doterra oil, Frankincense. I have been using that oil on Lana's feet as well as putting it on her jaw. We decided to gently run it along her top lip which was swollen. With in just a couple days we saw a big decrease in her lip swelling.

It's a long haul and the path ahead is a tough one. But she will get through it. And she appreciates the love and support by so many family and friends.

And this is how life is, right? Most days are up, but sometimes they stink. And then, we are grateful for beginning of another day.

It's a beautiful day in Santa Barbara. 72 degrees. I think we will go to the beach where all the seals hang out!

Enjoy your weekend.

April 4, 2013 - Day 16

2 weeks after surgery! What? Did I just say "after" surgery? Awesome. Still cant believe I am on this end! After 5 long years of waiting and hating, it felt like surgery would never happen. Now I am in the healing and hating phase. But healing and hating will I take over waiting and hating! I am improving. Check it out for yourself! :)

Just what we wanted to hear!

Oh YIPEE. 

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hallelujah!

Lana got clearance at her 2 week appt today to graduate to a blended diet.

Anything she would normally eat, she can now just put through the blender and drink!

That may not sound too appetizing to all of us, but to a jaw surgery patient, it is heavenly, 

divine, simply wonderful!

I had made Albondigas soup a few days ago hoping she could just have the broth but it had too many particles in it. So we saved it. That was her request when we got home from her appointment.

So we put it in the blender, meatballs and all!

"Heavenly, divine, simply wonderful!" 

She was able to exercise her jaw and must do so 15-30 minutes morning and night.

She learned how to change her bands.

She got to brush her teeth and learn just exactly how she must do that at this point.

She will start now on her medications that she has been on this past year to stabilize the bones.

She can now lay flat when she sleeps, and not propped up. But on her back only. No side sleeping.

Her swelling is decreasing.

A young teenager walked by the room we were in while at the dental office, 

so swollen and moving very slow. 

Her mother said she was 5 day out of surgery. I am so glad we are beyond that first week!

Her diet needs to have lots of protein and even calories. 

She is essentially feeding her bones at this point.

And she must continue to intake water. Drink! Drink! Drink!

Peanut butter in her shakes, protein powder, etc.

Any desserts can be blended, thinned with milk.

Fun to see what we can come up with.

Dang! She just might end up gaining weight!

Happy eating to us all!

Hugs, 

Heidi

Update:
This is dinner....chicken pot pie (thank you Megan Lee)

When it's blended, it's green. And it tastes just like chicken pot pie!

My tummy is satisfied and full today! I have had 3, very thick, yummy soups today! First one was Albondigas soup (mentioned/pictured above) one of my faves and it was soo delicious! Yes, we totally blended up the meatballs, yes it sounds absolutely nasty and YES I ENJOYED EVERY LAST SECOND OF IT! Blended meatballs you say? You just threw up a little in your mouth? Totally understandable. But guess what, after 2 whole weeks of strictly broth and water it was heaven heaven heaven! I have to admit, even as my mom is blending up dinner I think "ew, not appetizing, am I really going to drink that?" and sure enough I do! And you bet your bum it's delicious to me! 

Thank you Sesy!!! For making me delicious soups and sending them with dad so I can enjoy them now! You are the best! And she sure is an amazing cook!!!

Well I am going to share something that is a favorite of mine and my dads.

Italian soda- homemade

Easy Peasy

All you need:

ice

half and half

7up or carbonated water (I like 7up, pops likes carb.water)

syrup (choose your flavor..we love vanilla)

Dont ask for measurements- when I make things I dont always measure. So here's what I do:

Grab a glass

Fill with ice (this is key!!)

Fill with 7up (somewhere around half way)

Pour in syrup (enough so liquid raises about an inch or two)

Pour in half and half (enough to color it white about half way or so)

Stir a little

Sip to taste! 

Add accordingly!

Enjoy!

and then enjoy some more!

HAH. How do you like that for a recipe? Go and try it, I promise you'll love it! If you dont- you did it wrong..call me for assistance..and then try to understand what I say as I talk with my teeth together. :)

Well, Pops is back in town and its movie night, so if you'll excuse me- I've got to go party! 

Peace and love!

Easter Day

Happy Easter!! 

I sure do love an easter egg hunt! I don't care how old you are it never gets old! And I dont have kids so I still get to hunt, whoop whoop! :) 

Short update:

Last night = death. I did NOT sleep. So uncomfortable.

I have to sleep on my back, I can't turn to the side and I have to sleep in a bit of an upright position. I believe for 8-10 weeks. Gag me with a spoon. Needless to say my neck hurts so so bad! Tyson was so helpful this morning, he put oils on my neck and shoulders and gave me a massage for about a half hour! That helped a little bit. 

I got out of the house today and we went to church. Just to sacrament meeting, so an hour. Embarrassing yes, but so what, I'll never see those people again! I know how important going to church is and I sure do value going to church each week, but I dont think I realized quite how much I need it each week in my life. I have not been to church for at least 3 weeks, possibly 4?? So I was not prepared to feel the way I felt today in church. Surprisingly, these feelings all rushed in right after I sat down. And I actually teared! hah. I just felt so many emotions. Along with being embarrassed and feeling goofy looking, I felt the spirit, I felt love, comfort, peace, gratitude, happiness, just that everything is okay and will be okay. I think my mom and Tyson thought I was just too embarrassed and wanted to leave haha.

Well, I'm exhausted so that's all for today. Hope everyone had such a fun day!

My eggs consisted of Blistex!

And my Easter basket (bag) consisted of SoBe and Vitamin water drinks!)

ps. I live in my robe and my hair in a top knot. why get ready?! :)

Easter messages worth watching:

http://www.lds.org/topics/easter?lang=eng

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/he-is-risen?lang=eng

Progress

I've graduated to bigger sips! I can swallow more liquid at a time now. Yipee. Still doesn't make this stupid liquid intake any easier. I still hate it very much :)

Routine is still pretty much the same.

10 mouthwashes a day with salt water and hydrogen peroxide

2-3 quarts of liquid per day but lets be honest- My mom has to reeeally push me to get close to 2 in. It's so hard!

naps during the day

5 minute walk per day

meds in the morning and night and pain as needed

My nose is still clear!!! That seriously is a big deal! You have no idea how much of a difference it makes. That first week with a completely congested nose was awful! It made things so much harder for me. I thank the Lord each night for a clear nose!!

I am venturing out of the house more this week! We all went to the beach together as a fam! It was so nice! A bit chilly. But it was great to get out and it helped lift my spirits. It's funny how we are one block away from the beach and I have to stop and rest half way there so I dont faint haha. This surgery business seriously takes a lot out of you! The drs say no more than 5 minutes of walking to keep blood pressure even so no chance of blood clots. Same with showers. Well, warm showers. KILLER!! I LOVE my hot, steamy showers and I cant take them for a long time due to the blood pressure reason. It's understandable I guess, considering the fact that if the shower is too warm I get light headed and while my mom was blow drying my hair I almost passed out. She had to help me fall onto my pillow and I honestly think it was up to a split second of perfect timing because as I was falling to the pillow on my bed I think I was fainting. But she helped me lay down just in time! Thanks to her and the oils we have been using to help with the healing process my nausea went away after putting oils on my tummy. I sure like those DoTerra oils :)

My face still feels like a balloon. Such a weird feeling! Mom and I just went for a walk around the block. Me with my puffy face and large marge lips in my white robe. Wondering what people on the street thought of me as we passed by. My mom holding on to my arm as we slowly walk. Ty says they prob are thinking where is the insane asylum around here? hah! I sure do love that funny man of mine!!