Given all the yummy choices of airport food, the soft ice cream and scrambled eggs called to me - just not at the same airport or meal. I'm back on the road this week, and arrived at the airport really hungry. Knowing that I wouldn't be eating the peanuts on the flight, eggs seemed like the next best choice (it was mid afternoon). Upon arriving in Las Vegas to make my connection I was still hungry and knew I could manage the soft ice cream - chocolate.
A good nights sleep still eludes me - yet I'm hopeful. Similar to last week, the most significant energy changes have been related to exercise. I have more endurance, strength and quicker recovery than before the surgery. In trying to get ready for the LiveStrong ride this weekend, I've been riding about 100 miles a week for the past couple of weeks and so far so good.
Last night/this morning I woke at 4:30 a.m. and that was it for the night. There will be some good nights, and some nights that could be better. I just won't be able to predict them in advance. In general, I'm still sleeping about 7.5 hours a night.
My teeth seem to be the most noticeable in the recovery this week. I can feel both the upper and lower back teeth come together when I bite down. Sometimes the bite feels lopsided - like the right side meets before the left side. Other times, everything is normal. The less I think about what's going on, the more "normal" it feels. The front teeth are numb, and the gums are pretty sore. The good news is that the gums are regaining their sensation on both top and bottom.
The chin pain seems to be stronger at the end of the day. I thought that it was pretty much gone, but over the weekend, it increased. I'd like to believe that it's just the nerves waking up.
My speech still hasn't fully recovered. There are a few tricky sounds (mainly the "s"). By the end of the day, it's really hard to speak. I have not had too much jaw pain, just a challenge in speaking clearly. Given that the lower lip is still numb, I don't think that I have full muscle control to form all the words properly. I return to the doctor on Monday, and perhaps I'll start to do exercises that redevelop the facial muscles that atrophied.
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Glad to hear things continue to get better. Good luck in the race this weekend. I assume you are keeping up with the Tour--I am a huge cycling fan.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a speech therapist, which makes this speech thing really bad for me! I do notice my speech is worse when I get tired. I'm also having swallowing difficulties.
But, I'm sure all this will be worth it when we look back (maybe by 2010?)
Take care, Sara
H
Good to hear that the chin pain is getting better. Its been a couple of years since my surgery where the doc removed a cyst under my wisdom tooth. In the process, the nerve canal was messed with, so now I have pain/numbness/throbbing on my lower left lip. It got much better over the first 6 months and now it has gone into a steady state, where it gets worse in the evening (like you).
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will be normal with pain in 4-6 months.