Happy 1st Birthday TJR Joints

                                                    

May 8^th and 9^th –Happy 1^st birthday to my new and improved jaw!

One year ago today, I went in for a bilateral titanium joint replacement of the TMJ.  A decision I did not take lightly. Full of anxiety and fear, yet hopeful for an unknown future. 

                                                                                                     
       

I awoke from surgery to learn that everything went better than expected.  After that, I needed to heal and attend physical therapy.  I returned to teaching three weeks’ post-surgery. 

 This is my pic after surgery #pumpkinhead

Healing was a process, but not as horrific as I had imagined (and heard).  I believe in expecting the worst and hoping for the best. My high tolerance for pain aided in my ability to stop taking pain meds shortly after I returned home, and my aptness to heal. It's hard to imagine that I had nearly 100 stitches around my face.  Here are my scars one year later:

       

Within limits, I can eat whatever I want.  If it hurts, I don’t eat it.  If I overdo it one day, I eat all soft or liquids the next.  It’s all about moderation and listening to my body.

The weather can still cause tightness and migraines.  This will never change, but I am use to it.  I normally have good days.  I do feel mild discomfort in my face/jaw most of the time, but it is nothing to complain about.  In fact, I have a few days here and there where I feel no pain or discomfort.  Unfortunately, I do have the occasional bad day, but it is definitely manageable. 

When I’m stressed, I must hold my jaw in a tense manner as I get migraines and muscle tightness.  I attempt to focus and release the tension I am holding in my face, but sometimes it is not possible.  For example, the Douglass Massacre isn’t far from my home.   I know many people who were affected by this (students, parents, teachers).  I also teach at a local high school, and the weeks after were extremely unnerving and heartbreaking.  My jaw was sore for a while.

                       My friends and I at the #neveragain rally in Parkland                     

                                                                        My school's response to the national walkout (#OHSUPPORTMSD)

                             
 What is the biggest change?  My New Year’s resolution is to say yes to everything I want to do.  I’m typically quite a frugal person, but not this year.

My flight to New Orleans in November helped me recognize that I no longer needed to fear the pain of cabin pressure changing when the plane lands because it is no longer unpleasant.  With that realization, came infinite possibilities.

 

I have decided to live life to the fullest.

New Year’s Eve I spent on Deerfield Beach with a few close friends

I spent the weekend in South Beach and went to the Fountainebleau event and the South Beach tent event portion of the Food and Wine Festival!  Thank you Heather for making this possible, as you do every year!

I sat front row at Wicked!  By the way, many people said it was a mistake to purchase tickets so close to the stage because I would be uncomfortable, but it was fabulous!  Always follow your gut and do what is best for you!

Spring Break I went to Guatemala for four nights.  I was supposed to go with a friend, but she decided not to go last minute and I decided to try out solo traveling.  It was an amazing experience and I met many new people and saw so many beautiful sights.  In fact, I loved Guatemala so much I can’t wait to go back and visit!

     

I spent my birthday in Wynwood, Miami. 

I spent the night in Fort Lauderdale, to watch the air and sea show.  This is my first time ever going!

I went to the Pink concert in the middle of the week.  If you know me, you know this is unheard of.  I also paid more for box seats with my friends. 

I still volunteer with my rescue and foster dogs with 100+ Abandoned Dogs of The Everglades.

Deaf Ed (above)                        Littles ^                                                

                   

While I never expected my jaw to be perfect, I am pleased with the results.  Within a year, my world has completely changed and I am excited to see what the future has in store.  I absolutely DO NOT regret getting this surgery.  I knew that it was risky and that there are many "TMJ" people who believe that this is not the right option, but for me it was.  

My family and friends have been paramount to my recovery and I thank you very much.  I am blessed to have such wonderful, caring people in my life.

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