Day 12.......It's Official, we leave Monday

I have been communicating with Dr. Li over the weekend and we believe he will release me Monday. We will be hitting the road to return to Phoenix after our 9:15 am Monday morning appointment with Dr. Li. He will be loosening my bands so that I can open my mouth about a quarter of an inch. It has been 12 days with my teeth banded tightly together.

Update on my sleep:

I have not laid eyes on my CPAP since I packed it up the morning of the surgery. I am not sure if I even know where it is!

I am having a little trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. It took me about 2-3 hours to get asleep last night..... I felt like I was not getting enough air down my airway and oxygen in my lungs. After doing a hundred different things to try and rectify it, I just laid down and went to sleep......exhaustion, I think.

Asking Dr. Li what this episode was all about, he simply stated, anxiety!, being too compulsive and the fact that my jaw is banded shut. I like to be in control and I cannot be in control at this point with my jaw banded tightly shut. So, instead of doing a "hundred different things", I need to just relax and let go...let sleep come as it will. But, wait to hear what I have to say next........

For the first time in 15 years, I woke up (at about 3 am this morning) and felt wonderful..... I felt rested. I wanted to get out of bed, grab my wife and go dancing somewhere. With my mouth banned shut, I could not get that message across to my wife. But bless her heart, she has not slept much more than me over the past two weeks.

I went back to sleep and woke up unrested, and with some jaw pain and a headache. But I still remembered that great rested feeling that I experienced a few hours earlier, even though it was short lived......... I will be patient.

Update on my surgery:

Slight jaw pain that icing seems to take care of.

Arch bars that are wired to my teeth and hold the rubber bands are uncomfortable but bearable.

Food has been a challenge. I have to make sure I get enough protein and calories. I have to make sure I get enough fluids. I have to make sure I eat yogurt because I am still taking an antibiotic (because of my unknown aliment). I use to be a fussy eater, well no longer. I just ate green bean baby food mixed with beef broth. I also am just finishing up a shake made with whole milk, strawberry yogurt and protein mix. I am craving a pepperoni pizza with beer chaser.

I stopped using the large syringes the hospital issued to me to administer medicines and to eat liquids. I have found the reusable ketchup bottles you can buy at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond are much more efficient for delivery blended strained food and drink. I can be a little more forceful since I have a missing tooth on the right lower jaw.

I still have an on again off again headache that could be related to a lot of things such as caffeine withdrawal, tension from having my teeth closed completely with no jaw movement, and my unknown aliment.

John