Day 9 (Sunday) - Life returns to normal

Tomorrow I will return to work.  Doug will spend next week with Brian as needed.  I have been completely amazed how well all of this has gone.  Brian is doing so great.  The swelling is down and the pain level has remained low through the entire time.

Our biggest issue is how to keep Brian fed and watered =)  But even that has been less of a challenge than we initially anticipated.

I will probably not blog daily anymore.  Brian does have another surgery coming up in a few months - a deviated septum and possible cheek reconstruction. 

Brian has mentioned he will add a blog closer to the end of this - to recap the things I may have missed.  I am thankful to our friends and family for helping us through this.  More pictures to come.

Day 8 (Saturday) - Brian Goes Out

Brian's friend from middle school had a birthday party in Surprise.  I struggled letting him go, but he really wanted to be able to attend.  Remember, I haven't left Brian's side since the surgery (except for Saturday night, Doug stayed with Brian at the hospital).

Brian's recovery has been remarkably smooth.  There had been no problems.  The pain has been minimal.  Brian has fully adjusted to having his jaw wired shut - and manages his nutrition and hydration exceptionally.  All of this contributed to my decision to let Brian go - but Ronnie and I stayed on that side of town.  I couldn't be too far away.

Ronnie and I went to lunch - then shopping - and finally to see a movie.  Five and a half hours later, I was back to pick Brian up.  He had a blast with his friends - and everything was fine.

Day 7 (Friday) - One full week

It's hard for me to believe I will return to work on Monday.  Doug will be here with Brian next week.  Today I will take Booger to the groomer and things are very normal.

Brian is sketching and finding ways to pass the time.  Sunday dinner is at my parents' house - I think we will go over for a while.

Day 6 (Thursday) - Drinking from a Cup

Pain level remains at a 1.

Brian was thrilled to find he has enough feeling in his lips now to drink from a cup.  The sofa bed is put away - Brian has moved back into his room at night.  His spirit is up and recovery seems to be going extremely well for him.

He asked to go to a friend's house on Saturday.  I am hesitant because I still feel the need to be with him, but he appears up to the challenge.  Brian has been going with me to the store and to run errands.  I worry that people will stare at him, but Brian is just thankful to be out of the house.  He is an amazing son.  I love him! 

More pictures to follow.  Brian has the cutest smile ever - if I can catch it on camera.

Day 5 (Wednesday) - 1st Follow-Up Appt

Pain is still at a 1.

Brian had his first follow-up appointment today with the surgeon.  The surgeon was pleased with his progress so far.  Brian is down to 120 pounds - from 128 on surgery day.  It is to be expected, the surgeon said.  He just needs to try an maintain this weight.

Brian was cleared to use a waterpik - so I bought him one today.  Ron and Brian had a good time trying to figure out how to work the darn thing in the bathroom - small mess, but lots of laughs too.

We also went to a smoothie shop and spent $20 on 3 drinks - lol.  I think I will listen to Beth and just make them at home.  =)  I have that fancy Bullet blender - that has proven to be worth its weight in gold.

It was a good day for Brian - he smiled so much his cheeks are sore tonight.  Brian even put up the sofa bed - I think he wants to be done, but there is still recovery time to be had.  We will get there.

Day 4 (Tuesday) - Brushing Teeth

Brian rated his pain level a one today.  Grandpa brought over History of the World for us to watch - Brian, Jay, Grandpa and I.  Grandpa also brought over some drawing supplies from Grandma.  Brian sketched a little today.

It was a big day because I was determined to get Brian in the shower and then take him outside for a little walk down the block - just to see and feel the sunshine.  Brian was up to the challenge and even decided to take on the task of brushing his teeth.

We started with sponges on a stick for the inside of his cheeks, but then Brian busted out the toothbrush and managed to brush all of his teeth thru the bands.  It was amazing - a little scary because we just aren't sure where the incisions begin.  But when all was said and done, Brian felt like a new man.

Doug rented John Carter for us to watch tonight.  Tomorrow, Brian has his first follow-up appointment with the surgeon.  Things are going very smoothly.

Day 3 (Monday) - Home

Brian had a good day today.  His pain rating remains at a 2 and he is not taking any pain medication during the day. 

So, yesterday Doug and I learned that we need to make Brian smaller portions as he adjusts to his new diet.  I was so eager to let him have something other than clear liquids, that I made him a pretty big smoothie when he first got home yesterday.  He took 3 swallows and he was done.  Small portions - more frequent but small portions.

We noticed some bruising around his cheeks today, but his face is still pretty numb.  He chuckled at the fact that he cannot feel underneath one of his eyes still.  I will have Doug take a picture.

Day 2 (Sunday) - Going Home

Brian was moved out of ICU to a regular room on Saturday.  I have been amazed with Brian's reports on his pain levels.  Immediately following the surgery, Brian rated his pain level at a 4 on a scale from 1 to 10.  Saturday he rated his pain at a 3.  He reported his pain as low as a 2 on Sunday.

The challenge with this surgery is not pain, thankfully, but rather it's the harsh adjustment to having your jaw wired shut.  Brian had hoped there would be an opening somewhere that we could get food inside his mouth, but there is no opening.  Brian literally has to wait for the fluids to seep between his teeth - it only takes a few seconds but it is an exhausting process.

Brian was released from the hospital at 10:00 am on Sunday.  We pulled out the sofa sleeper for Brian and we watched movies together while getting use to Brian's new routines of hydration, nutrition and medication.  He also needs to irrigate his mouth with a special mouth wash 4 times a day.

I slept with Brian on the sofa Sunday night, but I think I kept him awake most of the night coughing.  He never complained - I swear he pretended to sleep right through it.  I think we were both just so thankful to be home.  I love you, Brian, you are doing GREAT!

Day 1 After Surgery

Brian woke up this morning still in ICU.  At 7:00 am they removed the second tube from Brian's nasal passage (this was in place to keep his stomach empty).  There is no way to prepare of this removal, but it is over quickly...10 seconds.  Brian was glad to have the tubes out of his nose.

He has become a master of the suction pick for his mouth and continuously made great strides in his recovery.  The nurses told him he would either go home today or would move to another room outside of ICU.  Brian started taking the steps he needed to to go home - stood up, began managing his own liquid intake (no iv) and stayed away from the oxygen mask (which had brought Brian a great deal of comfort right after surgery and the first night).

But after checking with the surgeon, they determined Brian needed to stay one more night just to be safe, but they did allow Brian to move out of ICU.

Personally, I was relieved Brian is staying one more night.  He looks so much better than yesterday, but still has strength to regain.  Pictures to follow soon.

The Surgery and ICU

Brian was in surgery for 3 hours.  There were no complications; however, the surgeon decided Brian should start his recovery in ICU.  It took another hour for me to be allowed to see him.  A long wait and it was difficult to see him the first time because the anxiety was clearly expressed in his eyes.

I do not believe Brian or I were fully prepared for what recovery would be.  I understand now that there are some things you cannot prepare for.  Brian's mood was irritated and scared, but his pain level remained at a 3 or 4 through surgery day.

Brian took his second dose of morphine at 5:00 pm, but because it made him feel nauseous, he did not take anything else for the pain until Saturday afternoon.  See, at 10:00 pm Friday night, Brian's and my greatest fear was realize - he vomited.  Normally, this would not be a big deal; however, his mouth was wired shut.  I will spare the gory details, and will just say Brian handled himself wonderfully and we got through it.

At 2:00 am, Brian woke with a bit of energy.  There was a cheerfulness to his eyes and he decided he wanted to chat, even joked a little.  He said he could feel the difference in the shape of his mouth and he seemed very impressed.

Sleep did not come easy to either of us that first night.  The average sleep interval was 10 minutes.

Surgery day

Surgery day. We made it here- grandma, grandpa, aunt Missy, Doug, Ron and I. Things were running a bit behind but Brian is in surgery now. The delays initially seemed to cause Brian some stress, but then they gave Brian some medicine to help him relax. About a minute after that medicine went in, the biggest smile I have ever seen slid of Brian's face. Magic, no more stress. I will update more once Brian is out of surgery.

Pre Op Appointment

The tour of the hospital and the pre op appointments were last Wednesday, June 6^th.

We all went with Brian – Doug, Ronnie, Deseree and I.  Brian and I had made a list of 17 questions for the surgeon – we wrote them down to ensure we would not forget the questions during the appointment.  We managed to get our questions answered and I learned something.  Not all surgeons are personable or maybe they just have trouble relating to us mere mortals (who do not do these surgeries on a regular basis), but when push comes to shove I would prefer a skilled surgeon to a friendly surgeon any day.

The tour of the hospital was fun and reassuring.  We feel like we know our way around now.  The plan is for me to stay at the hospital with Brian.

Last night we took Brian out for a nice steak dinner with Grandpa.  Today Brian goes in to have his surgical hooks installed.