Richard Gandy

I am so thankful for many things but mostly for the family God has given me. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. It’s generally the time of year we spend with both our families eating, talking, and playing. Jeaneane and I are both from the same hometown, Adel, GA, so when we go home for the holidays, we’re able to spend time with both sides of the family.

This year was different though. Since we were all together in St. Augustine for Dustin and Katie’s wedding the week before, and I was not feeling too great because of my surgery, we decided to spend Thanksgiving at home in McDonough. So, it was just Jeaneane and me. What to do about Thanksgiving dinner? It’s really not practical to make turkey and dressing for two people, so we thought about going out. But then the phone rang! It was Ann Sexton, our next-door neighbor.

When Ann found out we were home all alone, she offered to cook for us. She brought over turkey and dressing on her way to her family’s get-together. It was awesome! Thanks Ann. You’re the best!

Kailyn

Josh, Jessica, and Kailyn

Kailyn and Jessica

 
Photo by Josh Cash

Attended my nephew’s wedding in St. Augustine, FL. Doctor said travel is OK, but no flying yet. Obviously, Jeaneane did all the driving. The weather was a little chilly on Friday evening – OK is was downright cold – but it warmed up nicely on Saturday to about 70.

The ceremony was at 5:30 on the beach. It was great! I smiled and laughed so much at the reception that my mouth was killing me. I had to cruise back to our condo just before the karaoke started. Bummer. I heard my daughter Jessica and cousin Sherry rocked on I Feel Like a Woman. Not that I particularly like that song or anything. I’m just sayin’. Sorry I missed the karaoke.

Katie is one of the sweetest young ladies I have ever met. It’s official now. Welcome to the family! We’ll have to wait on the wedding photos. My brother and his wife shot the wedding. They’re professional photographers from Valdosta, GA and have been featured in major magazines, such as Grace Ormonde’s Wedding Style and Studio Photographer. They’re always booked months in advance, so it may be a little while before the photos are online. Check out their blog if you like great photography. By the way, I taught them everything they know about photography – well, maybe not everything – well, maybe just a little bit.

Fishing Boat—St. Augustine, FL

Due to Thanksgiving coming up, I met with Dr. Steed at the Emory Clinic. Dr. Roser was in surgery. Dr. Steed said my incisions are healing remarkably well. The stitches in my gums are almost all dissolved. No chewing yet. Rubber bands remain on.

Pain continues and is severe at times. Prescription written for refill of Roxicet. Lortab does not help much.

I’m still not very active due to low energy levels. Still mostly resting. Walking to get the mail is about the extent of my exercise. I can’t wait to get back on the tread mill and get my energy back.

Voice Loss

Dr. Steed said there is a good chance my voice will return. In his experience, full recovery occurs about 85% of the time.

Back to Crawford Long Hospital today to find out why my voice has not returned to normal. We thought at first it was just temporary due to stress from the intubation tube, but unfortunately that was not to be.

Diagnosis: Left Vocal Cord Paralysis probably due to intubation tube laying on the left cord during my MMA surgery.

Prognosis: Voice often returns sometimes in a few days or a few months. Sometimes damage is permanent. If doesn’t return by 9 months, probably won’t return.

Well, I certainly did not see that coming. Just praying for healing. It’s like the worst laryngitis you can imagine. Normally, the vocal cords vibrate in a lateral motion to make sounds. In the case of vocal cord paralysis, the paralyzed cord just lays over to the side leaving a gap, which the air flows through unmodified except for the little effect the good cord makes. Thank God for that good vocal cord!

In case you haven’t figured it out, I believe in the power of prayer. So, if you do too, please remember me when you pray.

Met with Dr. Roser today for my 1-week checkup. Said he would like to see me once every week for a while. He immediately commented on my voice. It has not returned to normal, so he scheduled me an appointment with an ENT specialist.

Healing is going well. Stitches on the outside removed. Prescribed Lortab 7.5 for pain as needed. I’m still taking the Roxicet, which is stronger than Lortab. I’ll start trying to back off to Lortab depending on how the pain subsides. Roxicet is great for pain, but it makes me sleepy. Right now, I prefer to sleep.

Regarding pain, it’s still quite strong. It’s a persistent ache with sporadic sharp pain in the gums, particularly the lower jaw.

After the surgery, I’m just wiped out both physically and mentally. I’m still really slow at typing, and don’t be surprised if you find a few typos. My brain doesn’t seem to pick them out as well as normal.

Day 1 Post-op

Right after surgery, Drs. Optid and Cho came in to check on me. They kept a close watch on me, but I think everything progressed rather well, and they were pleased with the surgical outcome. Dr. Roser said my occlusion was good enough not to require my jaw wired shut. Thank God for that.

The after effects of anesthesia, the morphine and other meds kept me in what I would describe as a semi-awake dream state. I had about a 1 second span of attention, which made it difficult for the hospital staff to get x-rays.

My son-in-law, Josh, complimented me on how cool my Halloween costume looked. Too bad it was a day late. I’m planning on getting it trademarked and on the shelves by next Halloween. It’s going to be called Orthognathic Man. How cool is that!

Day 2 Recovering

Woke up with a terrible headache. Morphine had ran out. It is was quickly refilled. They gave me a setup where I could click a button, and the morphine would dispense automatically. Thankfully, it has a failsafe mechanism on it to prevent overdose, because I think I was hitting that puppy at night on autopilot.

My voice is shot due to the intubation tubes, which have to go in through your nose. Normally these go in through the mouth, except here they’re operating inside the mouth and can’t have the tubes in the way. I’m very hoarse and hard to understand when I speak.

Day 3 Going Home Today

Woke with head and mouth hurting again. Hit the button for near instant relief. Truly amazing. Ice chips felt great in my mouth, and water was good. I don’t recall eating anything they brought me during my stay.  We requested non-dairy, but the just kept bringing it right on schedule. I asked a nurse for some soy milk, which they brought.

I love Silk Soy products, especially the yogurt. We get them at our local Publix supermarket. Dairy gums you up inside, so I don’t eat it at all. Prior to and during recovery, you especially don’t need anything that gums up your sinuses.

Dr. Roser came in and installed rubber bands on my front braces to help position my jaw. They aren’t too tight, and I am able to eat any soft food that does not require chewing.

Technorati Tags: Dr. Optid , Dr. Cho , MMA surgery

‘nuf said. Hopefully tomorrow, I’ll feel like posting some photos. Just a quick appreciation for Dr. Optid and Dr. Cho, the residents that helped take care of me. You guys are great!