Surgery #2 - The second Condylotomy

I found some pictures from my second surgery back in 2008.  This surgery was done in Santa Clara and was the second conylotomy.  The first being done in 2007.  The condylotomy procedure involved making two incisions on the inside of the mouth.  Through this incision a bone saw was used to break the jaw bones and then the mouth is wired shut for 6 six weeks.  During these six weeks you are on a liquid diet.  Which, I have to say is the worst form of torture, ever.  Thinking about doing this again is hard.  Everything you eat is pureed and liquified so that you can suck it up through a straw the size of a coffee stirring straw.  Anyway, this surgery had complications. A nerve was punctured in the face and I was told to give it a year to regain feeling.  After that year, still no feeling. The right side of my chin, the corresponding part inside the mouth, gums, teeth, etc and part of the right cheek still have no feeling and most likely ever will.  Please be advised these pictures are not pretty and were taken days after the surgery when the swelling started.



Don't you just love the baseball looking lump?




The full facial view




I don't need to say how painful this was.




Misery at it's finest.



As this current surgery will have greater risk of nerve damage and facial paralysis, I pray these pictures are the worst I will look.  No matter the outcome of the replacement, I have a team of peeps (my mom, dad and husband) who are under strict orders to take as many pics of the post-op recovery so that I can share my recovery with all of you. Don't you all feel so lucky?

The Adventure Is About To Begin

I've been encouraged by many people to start this blog so that other's can understand the struggles I have been going through and the adventure that is to come.  I have put off doing this for many reasons, first and foremost being - I am not a writer.  It is hard for me to put down on paper (or in this case, a blog) my thoughts and feelings without sounding like I'm complaining or whining.  Talking, no problem.  Writing, problem.

As most of you know, and for those that don't, I will be having a double joint jaw replacement on February 13th in Oakland.  The procedure could last anywhere from 8-12 hours and a night in the hospital.  The company that is making the custom-made titanium implants is located in Ventura, CA.  If you have time to look at their site and at the patient brochure to see what's involved, please do so as it's rather interesting reading  (www.tmjconcepts.com/patbro.html).

I've been experiencing jaw problems for the past 5 1/2 years.  I have had 9 surgeries which include arthroscopic, arthrocentises, 2 condylotomies, and flushing of the joints.  I've been through TMJ classes, physical therapy and a lot of pain.  What's been puzzling to my doctor is the fact that I show no signs of clenching or grinding of the teeth (probably because I don't), no signs of any other bone disorders, yet I have splintering of the jaw bones and hair-like materials present in the joint spaces.  Basically, my joints and disks are completely shot and there are no other alternatives to fixing them expect total joint replacement.

I am ready for this chapter of our lives to be done and the next to begin.  I am tired of the constant pain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain.  I'm tired of being too tired to do things with my kids.  I'm ready to start enjoying life again and eating regular food.  As the days pass and things get worse, I have a hard time imagining what the future will be like with no pain.  When it's a constant struggle just to function on a regular basis, I wonder if I'll remember how to function normally again?  This new chapter in our lives is about to begin and I for one can't wait to see how it turns out.