Day 6 - April 10, 2013 - Pack is removed

Wow - what a day.  Brian had his nose pack removed at 1:00 today.  I didn't watch - but Aunt Missy and Doug stood by his side.  Brian had wanted it video taped but that didn't work out - I am thankful =).  Missy said it really wasn't bad - as the gauze came out it expanded and looked like a Christmas tree.  There was no blood or anything.  It was uncomfortable - Brian had hoped it would be fast, but the doctor had to go slow to ensure minimal damage.

The most graphic part was that Brian needed to spit afterwards.  The doctor recommended he just swallow - but he said "No".  They got him a cup and he was able to spit.

After all of that Brian looked very pale.  The doctor told us 90% of men pass out after the pack is removed.  So as much as Brian wanted to jump out of the chair and get out of there - he had to sit for awhile.  Then I felt a little nauseous .... yeah, I don't do well with blood and stuff.  I was so thankful my wonderful sister and wonderful husband were there.  Brian did great and is so close to the finish line.

In 10 days we will go back and have the splint removed - but that should be relatively easy.  Brian is off work for 3 weeks - unless she clears him sooner (4/22).  We will see.

 

 

Day 5 after Deviated Septum Surgery

Day five went by quickly for me.  Brian said I should go to work - so I did, but spent much of my time thinking of him.  Brian is very excited about getting the pack out tomorrow.  He took a long nap this afternoon to help pass the time.

We did wash Brian's hair for the first time - which was a trick.  He laid down on the floor by my shower - we put a pillow on the edge - and I scrubbed while he kept water away from his nose.  It hurt his neck but we went fast.  I need to find another way next time =)  We just have to be careful not to get the nose splint wet.

Here are today's pictures:

Day 4 after Deviated Septum Surgery

Yesterday we went to my sister's house for dinner.  Shortly after we arrived, Brian went to lay down.  He slept until we left a couple of hours later.

Last night was probably my last night on the sofa with Brian - I was a bit sore today (Doug helped me get up lol).  Brian suggested I should go to work today, but instead I worked from home.  We can still see he is uncomfortable - while I cannot do anything about the nose pack, I can keep him company and make sure he eats.

Brian is calling these photos we are taking daily "glam shots" lol!  He is so funny.  Less than 48 hours before the pack comes out.  We are almost there.

Day 3 after Deviated Septum Surgery

Brian is doing great.  When we changed the gauze today, he was able to scrub most of his face with a warm washcloth - he said it felt amazing.  He also took a shower, but he cannot get his splint wet.  My shower has a handheld shower head.  I put a chair in the shower - in case he got light headed.  Clean clothes, brushed teeth - he felt great.  For his hair - I used a damp washcloth and scrubbed his scalp.  Lots of work but well worth is.

Today is family dinner at my sister's house.  Brian is looking forward to seeing the family.  I will post today in review later.  Below are today's pictures.

Day 2 in Review

Yesterday was a wonderful day for Brian.  He had 2 friends come over to see how he was doing.  Brian's spirits were up but as the day came to an end frustration seemed to creep in.  Brian is uncomfortable with the pack in - solid foods are not fun to eat because it feels like the food gets stuck in the back of his throat.  Yesterday he asked me to pick up some muscle milk for him.  This product was his primary source of nutrition after the jaw surgery.

We need to focus on keeping Brian hydrated and fed - it is easy for him to ignore those discomforts and I believe it impacts his state of mind.  He is doing great - only 4 more days and the pack will be removed.  Time will pass - I keep promising Brian that.

Nala checked on Brian many times last night.  We had other pictures to post, but Doug's phone crashed and we lost them. 

By the way, it is recommended that you use a bag of peas to help with the swelling.  Sounded good, but Brian's nose could not handle the weight of a bag of peas.  I wanted to let people know, there is another option - little cold compresses at the drug store.  I managed to find a DUCKIE and a FISHIE!  We froze them and they were PERFECT size, shape and weight.  Here's a picture:

More to come - Sunday we will tackle a shower and leaving the house for the first time.

Day 2 - After the Deviated Septum Surgery

Brian slept fairly well last night - waking up a few times between the nose pack and laying on his back, he was not very comfortable.

Today he is alert and keeping me company.  We are both thankful his jaw is not wired shut - this is easier than last year.  It has is tough points, and is not comfortable, but all and all it is a good day.  Brian's pain level is at a 1 or 2 - simply from the pack.  We took some pictures this morning.

Deviated Septum Surgery 4/5/13

Brian checked in for his surgery at 10:00 am. 

Everything went smoothly and before we knew it, it was 11:45 am and Brian would be heading in for a 2 hour surgery on his nose to correct his deviated septum.

It was easier this time, knowing I would take Brian home right after the surgery.  Brian was able to pick out a Beanie Baby Raccoon to take into the surgery.  Grandpa found a Beanie Baby puppy that looks like his new dog Fee Fi Foe Fum (Fee-Fee).  Grandpa read his book American the Beautiful (written by Dr. Benjamin Carson).

They called us back for the consult at 1:48 pm.  The surgeon arrived at about 2:20 pm.  She said she had to remove some of his anodes on the right side, but she was surprised to see that a bone spur and cartilage had grown together on Brian's left side - completely blocking that nasal passage way.  She straightened his nose and was pleased with the results.

We actually got to see Brian right around 2:30 pm.  He had not even opened his eyes yet.  This part was difficult - as I could see anxiety in Brian's eyes.  He was unable to speak initially, then managed to ask for Gatorade.  The nurse did not have Gatorade but brought him some apple juice.  He took a sip with help from the nurse, a little blood washed back into the glass.  The next words from Brian's mouth was "Pain Meds".  I asked Brian what his pain number was (this was a technic we used for the jaw surgery) and my heart broke when he held out 8 fingers.  He was hurting.

The nurse gave him a shot of Demerol. I figured he would go back to sleep for awhile, so I let Grandpa come in and I stepped out to the parking lot to send updates and call my Mom.  I wasn't out there long before my Dad called to say they were getting ready to release Brian at 3:30 pm.

The drive home was a little scary.  I could tell Brian was hurting and feeling nauseous. He was very quiet the entire ride.  I tried to talk to him as if he was there and 100% - but there was no response.

We made it home at 4:30 and he slept.  Grandpa stayed with us and Doug ordered pizza around 5:30 pm.  Brian leapt out of bed when the pizza came - turned out he knew the guy delivering the pizza, Mike.  Before I realized Brian knew him - I thought Brian had lost his mind - LOL.

 

The night was good - I was glad to have him home.  His pain was manageable and we slept on the sofa sleeper.  Let me add that Brian's pain level was down to a 2 by the time we got home from the surgery.  The days that followed were not painful - more uncomfortable because of the pack - but very little actual pain.

Deviated Septum Surgery is Tomorrow

Thought I would start posting again.  Much to our surprise, I received a call from Brian's surgeon's office stating our insurance had approved Brian for a Deviated Septum surgery.  We hadn't been in touch with the doctor in months.  Brian finished up his classes so he can graduate this year.  Earlier this month he had even landed his first job.  We just were not expecting this to come through.

Brian is excited to get the surgery done.  His work has even agreed to give Brian 3 weeks off to recover.  Most of the swelling should be gone before his graduation - so the timing was amazing.

The surgery is tomorrow at noon and takes about 2 hours.  After a couple hours in recovery, we should be able to bring him home,  I am very happy about that.  Brian will have a nose pack in for 5 days after the surgery and he will need to wear a nose splint (24 hrs a day) for two weeks.  After that he will wear the splint at night for 4 more weeks.

It should be easier than the jaw surgery.  I will post some updated pictures from this year and some pictures of his recovery after this next adventure.  We are both hopeful this will be much easier than the last one.