Getting happier and frustrated by turns. After the first day, I can only reproduce movement a few times per day. I'm working on just teeth, and with a mouthpiece. I don't want the muscle to get too used to any particular movement...and I'm also starting to notice some serious pain in my bridegework on the other side of my mouth. The headaches have slowed, so I think doc was right in that they are not related to the graft...just maybe the increase in muscle activity.
But the movement IS there, and it IS happening. I'm not imagining it. I still have an estim unit from when I saw another reconstructive surgeon FOREVER ago for a consult. I dont' know how well calibrated it is...but I use it a couple of days a week for 10 minutes or so. It does simulate the contraction and I know the interval between contractions so I can clench at the right time to strengthen that movement. I can be patient now, since I know it does work...and just enjoy the thought that I'll get to smile at my sweet Munchkin when this is done.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Best day EVER!!!!
My face moved today!!!! Just a twitch up at my high cheekbone, and then the corner of my lip turned up ever so slightly. I will try to get a mini-video of it to post. It's not a terribly exciting-looking movement. But to anyone out there who may be going through this...it is a totaly victory!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Bummed and frustrated
Had another doctor checkup today. We are now 2 months and 3 days out of surgery. Doc said usually at 2 months you begin to see movement. We are seeing NO movement. No pull. No direction or anything. The therapy/rehab/medical part of me knows that when nerves are involved, you have to REALLY stick with the patience and consistency.
I SUCK at patience. Consistency, I rock; but patience...
The positives, I AM feeling tensing and contraction of the muscle. However, I have no way to know if it's the right muscles tensing in the right way without seeing some kind of direction. Frustrating. We both noticed that it's easier to judge the muscles from inside my cheek (lovely) so in the future I'll have to add some in-the-mouth checking when I'm doing all the clenching work. My teeth HURT some days. I have a mouthpiece, but having it in my mouth changes the shape of my cheek so I can't tell if I'm doing anything correctly. Oy.
I worry that the muscle is retraining more for chewing than smiling because I can't see any movement to judge it. And it's not like there's a handbook for this kind of thing, telling you when something is wrong...unless it's horribly wrong and then it's obvious (like rejection of the muscle graft, which we are out of the woods for anyway).
Doc said he's not going to worry until we are 4-5 months out with no movement, so he's trying to be upbeat. I could tell he was really bummed not to see some movement yet. To be fair, there WAS that swelling incident (the 2nd surgery) that maybe that just fried the wiring a tad and it's going to take a tad longer to regenerate the nerve needed to feed the muscle.
All of you that know and love me...just be aware that I KNOW I have to be patient. I don't have to be told it multiple times. I'm just frustrated. I am not in the mood to be tested, thank you very much. Major reconstructive surgery...just work dammit.
I SUCK at patience. Consistency, I rock; but patience...
The positives, I AM feeling tensing and contraction of the muscle. However, I have no way to know if it's the right muscles tensing in the right way without seeing some kind of direction. Frustrating. We both noticed that it's easier to judge the muscles from inside my cheek (lovely) so in the future I'll have to add some in-the-mouth checking when I'm doing all the clenching work. My teeth HURT some days. I have a mouthpiece, but having it in my mouth changes the shape of my cheek so I can't tell if I'm doing anything correctly. Oy.
I worry that the muscle is retraining more for chewing than smiling because I can't see any movement to judge it. And it's not like there's a handbook for this kind of thing, telling you when something is wrong...unless it's horribly wrong and then it's obvious (like rejection of the muscle graft, which we are out of the woods for anyway).
Doc said he's not going to worry until we are 4-5 months out with no movement, so he's trying to be upbeat. I could tell he was really bummed not to see some movement yet. To be fair, there WAS that swelling incident (the 2nd surgery) that maybe that just fried the wiring a tad and it's going to take a tad longer to regenerate the nerve needed to feed the muscle.
All of you that know and love me...just be aware that I KNOW I have to be patient. I don't have to be told it multiple times. I'm just frustrated. I am not in the mood to be tested, thank you very much. Major reconstructive surgery...just work dammit.
Great trip home, great wedding!
What a great day! So wonderful to be a part of it and to have the kiddos there. Steve Reagan did the professional pictures and I can't wait to order some...especially one of the whole family! Jason flew in the night before and out the morning after, but Zoe and I were so thankful that he could be there to party. The limo to and from the wedding was enjoyed by all, but no one enjoyed it more than Zoe, Ezra, and Kalynn!
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