My mental state prior to surgery.

March 2nd, 2010
My wife's blog and point of view
So here it is, 9 days left. I'm trying not to think about the barbarian procedure that is looming ahead of me. It's scary to think of what they are going to do to my face...it boggles the mind. I'm freaked out. But staying focused on the end result. The positive has to be my focus. I went for another appointment for my dental impressions, and measurements. They are creating models of my head and jaws to prepare for surgery. They also took many pictures. I will be taking my own for sure. As I would like to see the changes to my face. Again, another scary thought. One day I look one way, the next I'll be changed forever. More to come as my thoughts focus more and more on the pending procedure.

3/9/2010

2 more days. It's getting very REAL. I'm scared out of my mind. The only thing that keeps me sane is the focus on the end and the fact that this ball is rolling and in motion. I think of it now as a moving freight train that I can't stop. I can't even imagine what its going to be like, I've read some blogs, I've heard the recovery process from Dr.'s but will I be different? Will it be worse than they say, will it be better? No one can tell. I just have to wait to find out, pray and hope it goes well and I heal quickly. Then think about not being able to open your mouth for SIX weeks!!! They say that it can drive someone with claustrophobia crazy, I'm not claustrophobic, but will this make me crazy?
Think about this at all hours of the day and night and see what your mind comes up with!! What to do, but wait!

Warning...this may be a bit graphic, if you don't like this stuff you may want to skip this section. I know it would give me this willies.

So here is what I know. I will be in the OR for 5 hours, they are going somehow, cut the bone of my top jaw away from the rest of my skull, then precisely move the bone and my top teeth forward about 1cm and then screw in very small titanium plates on both sides. Then they are going to somehow precisely split my lower jaw in a way that they can slide it forward the same 1cm and still have it touch bone to bone so it can heal, and then wire it to the top jaw with things like braces. So then I get stitched up, and if all goes well sent to the ICU where I get monitored closely for at least 24 hours if not more. Sounds like fun eh?
So assuming all goes well, I'll be out of the hospital after 3-5 days. Then I'm told my Jaws will be wired shut for 6 weeks. I will eat a liquid diet with a large syringe and a flexible tube that I get to squirt protein drinks into the back of my throat. My face will be swollen, my sinuses will be completely screwed up due the cutting into the sinus cavity. "You will be miserable for 2 months" was the exact words out of the Dr's mouth. Did I forget to mention that all this cutting a moving will stretch the nerves in my chin and cheeks. Causing loss of feeling/numbness. This loss could be permanent! Or it could take months to years to return!!! Imagine that? Still, I focus on the future and my quality of life / health. I think it will be worth it in the end. What else can I think?
May 11th 2010 = Ground zero

Pre Opp, my wife describes it just as I would read here -- Link to Becky's blog.

After I said my goodbye's (in my mind, for possibly the last time) they wheeled me to the OR room. I remember sliding myself over to the even smaller OR bed and them telling me I should be centered on it, I then made some comment about the light possibly. and then nothing.......