Here is the x-ray showing the metal plates and screws that hold my face together now. Most of the swelling has subsided, and I am sleeping comfortably. My teeth match up fairly well, but there is still orthodontic work to be done to get them to match perfectly. The left molars don’t quite touch. I can’t imagine anyone having this type of surgery and not having orthodontic work afterward.

A few bullet points.

• Chewing anything other than soft foods is still difficult and mildly painful.
• Voice has recovered completely, although I think it is slightly deeper now.
• Still doing jaw exercises to improve mobility of jaw.
• Sleeping well without sleep apnea by all accounts.
• Off all pain meds except very occasionally Advil regular strength. I had a difficult time coming off Lortab. Several restless nights. Withdrawals are not fun, but it had to be done.
• Starting to get back on exercise routine. Weak after doing hardly anything for 2 months.
• Thankful for Dr. Roser and his team at The Emory Clinic.
   

Today was my 6 week follow-up at the Emory Clinic. It was a good visit. Met with Dr. Roser. Also, got to see Dr. Optid and Dr. Cho. They were the ones that kept close watch on me right after surgery, so they will always have special meaning in my life.

Dr. Optid was first assistant to Dr. Roser during my surgery, and Dr. Cho was second assistant. They have been really great doctors, but more importantly, they are very warm hearted people, whom I now consider friends. I will miss not seeing them. I highly recommend Dr. Roser and his team for this type of surgery.

• Healing progressing well
• Voice returning to normal. Still a little scratchy and weak but improving
• Feeling returning to nose and chin
• Some feeling returning to front gums, more feeling near the back
• Sleep apnea alleviated completely by all accounts. Will probably do another sleep study in the Spring to confirm
• Afternoon sleepiness alleviated
• Still some pain in the gums usually after eating or at night but controllable
• Still on soft food, such as pasta, fish, soft veggies, etc.
• Still using Afrin at bedtime to help with nasal congestion but need to start weaning off
• Ok to start with orthodontic treatment to fine tune my bite
• Have appointment next week with my orthodontist, Dr. Moody Williams.

Thanks everyone for your prayers!

My voice is much stronger and almost back to normal sound. If you could have seen the little video the ENT doctor did of my vocal cords, you would understand how miraculous this is. There was no movement of the left cord—paralysis due to injury from the intubation tube during my MMA surgery.

I was really bummed out after that visit, but Jeaneane got me back in line spiritually when she got home that afternoon. Thank God for Jeaneane!

Photo from 12/02/07. If you’ve been following the blog, you know we’ve been taking photos to document my progress. I don’t think I’ve had this many photos taken of me in my entire life. I’m usually the one taking the pictures. You can see the photos in chronological order on the MMA Photos tab.

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!