[Super Duper Fantastic] ISFP/INFP. 4w5. World Explorer. Super Hero. Rose-colored Glasses.

I’m feeling inspired to bring people together. I’m so excited to finally have a place for that. Dinner parties. Cooking parties. Game nights. Movie nights. I just hope people are willing to travel a little ways since we are not centrally located. Plus, there’s also trying to figure out who would even want to come over.

Side note: We just realized that the three Safeways closest to us are open 24 hours. How did I not know this before?! It’s a little overwhelming as it means late night shopping is definitely possible. Three-fold!

I’m not feeling so miserable with my face wired. It’s just annoying not being able to have any real food. I went back to work, and it’s been a balance of figuring out where I’ve left off and how I’m going to eat enough meals during the day while remaining productive. Everyone’s super supportive there. Since it’s been raining like the end of the world, RV’s been shuttling me to work because he has the car more suited for this weather. He’s not a morning person, and so the folks at work have said that I can come in a little later, so that he and I both have enough rest. How nice of them! I mean, yeah, I’m being paid by the hour, so every hour not worked is an hour not paid, but they’re so accommodating! If I have to leave early because I’m exhausted, I can do that too. So far, I haven’t felt too tired to leave before the eight hours are up!

It’s been a week since surgery. I met with the surgeon today for my follow-up, and things are looking good. I’m healing as I should be. He extended the antibiotics though because I managed to have some blood coming from one of the incisions. He cleaned it out today, and it’s still closed up, so that’s a good sign. Anyway, more antibiotics and rinsing. I have a follow-up appointment next week. I’m hoping he releases me from these bands sooner than later. I’m excited to have even a bite of soft food!

In the last few days, I’ve realized that there are certain items that I must have within reaching distance while recovering from jaw surgery. I’ve titled this post as #1 in case I find other essentials along the way.

Q-Tips or any other cotton swabs – These were most essential during the first few days of recovery. Rather than stick your finger up your nose, you squirt the saline solution up your nose or onto a cotton swab and then wipe away the blood/snot/boogers. For the first few days, it’s mostly blood. NASTY. Then, the Q-Tips are handy for other times your nose is stuffed up since having the upper jaw worked on means no blowing of the nose for at least the first ten days post-surgery.

Saline nasal spray – I’ve never been a fan of nasal sprays, so it was hard to get me to use this spray. However, it’s the best way to clean out the nose. Plus, I ended up dabbing the saline solution onto the Q-tip rather than squirting directly into the nose.

Syringe for food/medicine – While they continually emphasize that one should try to sip from a cup as soon as possible, the syringe has been essential. Whenever I sipped while my lips were numb, the food would end up on my clothing rather than in my mouth. NOT FUN. For taking medicine, the syringe is the perfect way to get it all in there without wanting to spit it all back out. The medicine doesn’t taste good, so I’ve had to dilute it with warm water.

Kleenex – Get the softest kind you find because you will be wiping your nose, mouth, face all the time! It’s essential unless you want blood, drool, or both running down your swollen face.

Saline mouth rinse + prescription rinse – As disgusting as the prescribed mouth rinse tastes, it makes your mouth feel so much better after having eaten. There’s really no way to brush inside the mouth [only the teeth and gums], so it is actually pretty refreshing. The one I have right now is licorice flavor, not so tasty, but I’ve gotten used to it. The saline rinse is essential after all meals. Despite the difficulty of swishing and spitting everything out, rinsing has actually been relief more than anything else.

I’m thankful for all these during the recovery process. More later!