If we take the nerve out of the equation for a moment, I am over the moon with the recovery now. I'm getting used to life brace free and I often catch myself staring at my lovely straight teeth in the mirror. I'm religiously sleeping in my retainer every night and when I went to see Prof two weeks ago she was happy with the progress. I have to see her again early next year where I will have a joint appointment with her and the consultant to discuss the progress from an orthodontics point of view.
The swelling has 90% gone but my cheeks do puff up if the jaw has had a particularly active day. Obviously all the bruising has long gone and the scars inside my mouth have all healed lovely.
In regards to feeling and sensations everything (apart from my lower lip and chin) is perfect and back to normal.
As the cold weather has moved in I've noticed aching in my lower jaw bone on the right hand side but I just try and keep it covered where possible and avoid walking directly in the wind.
Mouth opening is also really good and has improved a lot from before
So now, we move onto the one side effect from the surgery that has really got to me. The messed up nerve in my chin. At every movement no matter how big or small it sends a horrible sensation upwards that feels like an electric shock or that similar of having an elastic band twanged on your chin.
Virtually any movement or contact triggers the pain off. Talking, smiling, laughing, eating, brushing my teeth, washing and applying make-up even having my hair brush past it and applying lip gloss is uncomfortable.
It's so hard because to look at me I look normal, and I think people do forget that I have it. At the end of the day I still have to do all the trigger acts during the day as it's impossible not to move your chin for any period of time.
The chin even effected Halloween with only half of my face being able to stand the application of special effect make-up (actually worked out quite well though)
I find I get very drained, and I put this down to the pain being so constant and painful. By the time 2pm comes I can't be bothered with the pain so generally have very quiet afternoon. (This for some friends and family is heaven) Painkillers and medication haven't done anything really other than make be feel groggy and even more drained.
So on Thursday I will meet with Mr Dodd and see what he has planned, the last time I seen him 2 months ago he was still at a loss as to why this has happened. He recalls seeing the nerve during the surgery, and is certain it wasn't cut, if anything it may have been stretched but he would have expected it to have healed by now. At this stage, at around the 12 month mark, this gives an indication of what the finished product will be. Unfortunately that means a messed up chin. During my last appointment Mr D said he would liaises with his colleagues and a neurologist about a procedure to touch the nerve with a cold probe to essentially stun it. This would temporarily make it numb and may kick start the recovery process again.
A few months ago this was a worst case scenario, but now I am quite literally at the end of my tether and would try anything! Although I need to get a more in depth break down of the pro's and cons before a decision is made. All I know is that I can't put up with this much longer so Thursday can't come quick enough
I'll update further after the appointment on Thursday
KjS-T x
P.S I still find it hard to believe the then & now!
