Months 4, 5, & 6 post TJR (May 9)

So what has changed from month three to month four?  Actually quite a bit.

The pre-planning week at school was rough, but once the year actually began my jaw settled down.  It still gets tight and achy throughout the day, but nothing like it was previous to the surgery.  Taking one or two Excedrin keeps my pain level at a 0.  In addition, I do physical therapy exercises and ice my face throughout the day. 

August 12^th, I had to put my 13-year-old Bengal Cat, Gato, to sleep.  In my unprofessional opinion, he went from being himself to not eating, drinking, and howling in pain over night.  The vet found a mass in his stomach and he wasn’t going to make it, so we decided to ease his pain.  I was a mess.  I had been crying since early that morning and hadn’t stopped.  This was the first time in ages that crying didn’t actually cause me excruciating pain.  Knowing that I can appropriately show emotions felt life changing.

August 24^th (week 14), I went to my physical therapy appointment.  Because I knew I was seeing my physical therapist, I didn’t bother doing my exercises that day.  He examined my jaw and muscles.  Even with the tightness, I opened to a 41, moved to the right side at a 5, and my left side a 3.  My eyes are close to even, my smile is almost even, and my swallowing is normal.  Impressed with my recovery, I was discharged from PT.  Yay!  I still have to do my at home PT four times a day for a month, then three times a day for a month, and then three days a week.

Overall, I am still figuring out what triggers my jaw pain. I know that weather does, but what else?  Is it stress?  Is it when I am talking too much?  Did I eat something that wasn’t soft enough?  Overall, my jaw feels better than before but it is still healing. 

 Me on a BAD day

My scars are healing quite well.  There isn't much numbness left and my face appears to be back to normal.

You can definitely see my side burns 

I do have a few questions for my surgeon (or anyone else that might know)

1) When does scar tissue stop forming?

2)Am I still at risk for infection?  If so, when does that risk decrease?

3) Will talking a lot negatively impact my implants?

I didn't get to post because Florida was hit with Hurricane Irma.  I live in south Florida, which was supposed to be a direct hit, however, it shifted to the west at the last minute (thank goodness).  We still received rain, high winds, and tornados. 

Not much changed month five, except the fact I can wear my hair in a ponytail.  I have learned to find ways not to use my jaw as much while teaching, so I feel better.

I also went to see my OMS in Miami, and he was pleased with my joints and my recovery. 

                                            My panaramic x-ray

I also went on a last minute, weekend cruise to the Bahamas with my friend!

Much has changed and much has stayed the same.  Being optimistic about my future is the biggest change.  Yes, I still have aches and pains, but it is not nearly as bad as it use to be.  On occasion I can even eat tougher foods (I do not do this often).  

I still have side burns, but since the hair is getting longer I can tuck it behind my ears.

I have had a strange complication, and at first I had no idea if it had to do with my jaw or not.  Mid September my tongue started looking white and feeling dry.  I ignored it and figured it would go away.

Mid October, my tongue felt the same, so I made a dentist appointment as I was due for a cleaning.  First of all, I felt like an animal on display as everyone in the office had heard that I had bilateral TJR (they had to prescribe me Clindamycin to take an hour previous to the appointment).   The office manager, the dental hygienist, and the dentist all clamored around me to ask questions and look at the pics of my joints.  None of them had ever met anyone who had this procedure.  Needless to say, the teeth cleaning was relatively painless.  I asked about my tongue and they said it wasn't fungal and that it must be a clogged gland. They suggested I use Biotin mouthwash.  

October 31st, I mad an appointment with a local oral surgeon to check my glands.  Once again, my panaramic x-rays are uploaded and examined.  Again, no one in the office has ever met anyone that had this procedure and they are shocked at how well I am recovering.  The oral surgeon wanted to know why I didn't go back to Miami to have my OMS look at it, and I explained that if it has nothing to do with my jaw then why bother.  

Getting ready for Halloween shenanigans!

Bride of FrankensteinBumble Bee

 OH English Department

He examined my tongue and glands.  My glands are not clogged and my mouth is creating saliva.  He then asked if my taste buds have changed....umm yeas, actually after surgery they did.  He explained that many nerves are located in a person's face and that this is, in fact, a jaw issue.  Even though my tongue feels like sandpaper, it is normal.  He suggested I go to a neurologist.  I have no idea.  I haven't decided what to do yet.  

Overall, I am pleased that I chose to get this procedure.  Recovery is long and I still need time to heal; however, it is worth it.  I have had more fun these past three months than I have my first three years back in America.  My life is changing for the better and I am embracing and loving every moment of it (well, almost every moment)!

Oktoberfest

 Volunteering at a 100+ adoption event