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Jun. 2nd, 2008 @ 07:00 pm Your words are so sweet and so smooth, I could just eat 'em up with a spoon.
ποῦ: location: but I know better
ὡς δοκεῖ: mood: nervous
ἡ μουσική: music: your love, it changes with the moon
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I go under the knife a week from today. I'm getting so many packages from my list of surgery resources that I feel like it's my birthday! (Well, sort of. If my birthday present were getting my skull sawed open. Um.) Thank you to [info]winterredwood for the Preparing for Surgery CD, which I've been listening to every evening. I'm finding it quite helpful, although I had to laugh when, at one point in the initial relaxation exercise, the narrator beseeches the listener to "notice the intelligence in your feet." [info]shoutingboy sent a DVD about lymphatic massage, which is supposed to reduce swelling after surgery. [info]shaix ordered some books on tape and one of the special pillows for sleeping upright. [info]karenbynight provided the other pillow [and the shower stool!]. [info]makellan added a mini white board, so that I can communicate right away after the surgery. My grandparents loaded up a Jamba Juice card with smoothie goodness. And, according to my Amazon list, I still have soy protein powder and the shower seat on their way. [EDIT: They've arrived! Many thanks to [info]iterum for the protein powder. I can only assume there was no bacon flavor option.] Again, I really appreciate the support, and I'm confident that the surgery will go smoothly.

I had the pre-op appointment with my surgeon last week, and it went really well. She showed us a practice surgery on my super-cool maxillofacial models, and answered most of my burning questions. She confirmed that I'll only have to stay in the hospital for two days, if all goes as planned. On the other hand, the procedure itself will take four hours, longer than we'd thought, meaning recovery will go a bit more slowly. The bone graft will actually be synthetic (made from coral). There'll be some physical therapy afterwards, both to lengthen my jaw muscles and to prevent any intra-oral scar tissue from getting in my way. My maxillofacial surgical team seems competent, which bodes well, since my head is, you know, where I keep all my stuff.
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From:[info]dicedork
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:18 pm (UTC)
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Sounds like an excellent support structure. If any of them need any bolstering The Cheat and her monkey are here to help!
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From:[info]teawiththecheat
Date: June 3rd, 2008 03:54 am (UTC)
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It's twue.
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From:[info]cuddlycthulhu
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:18 pm (UTC)
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Heh, I go in for outpatient surgery on Friday.

Good luck with yours.
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From:[info]chalepa_ta_kala
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:45 pm (UTC)
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You too!
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From:[info]ayoub
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:22 pm (UTC)
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Good luck!
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From:[info]makellan
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:43 pm (UTC)
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Sounds like you're in good hands.
At least you won't have to have scars on your hip for the jaw surgery.
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From:[info]chalepa_ta_kala
Date: June 2nd, 2008 10:51 pm (UTC)
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And it won't be a bovine bone graft, or from a cadaver. Whew.

On the other hand, I was hoping for a bionic chin or something.
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From:[info]makellan
Date: June 3rd, 2008 03:49 pm (UTC)
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A friend once walked into my shadowrun game and announced that he was part cyborg and part undead. As he was playing a cyborg, I understood that part, but I questioned him on the undead part while reaching for his character sheet. He then mentioned that he wasn't talking about his character and got our full attention.
Apparently he'd just had knee surgery where they added metal screws and cadaver ligament. I gave him XP.
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From:[info]chalepa_ta_kala
Date: June 22nd, 2008 03:17 am (UTC)
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Your gift in action: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoutingboy/2591661699/.

Thanks again!
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From:[info]jedusor
Date: June 2nd, 2008 06:53 pm (UTC)
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Wow. Good luck!
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From:[info]serenejournal
Date: June 2nd, 2008 07:51 pm (UTC)
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My maxillofacial surgical team seems competent, which bodes well, since my head is, you know, where I keep all my stuff.

*grin*

Best of luck, and I hope your surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible.

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From:[info]juverna
Date: June 2nd, 2008 08:35 pm (UTC)
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I just know that all will go smoothly. And you have the support of a loving family around you. Yay! *hugs*
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From:[info]scazon
Date: June 2nd, 2008 10:49 pm (UTC)
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Best of luck to you! I hope to see you when I'm in the Bay Area in not too long.
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From:[info]as2
Date: June 2nd, 2008 11:01 pm (UTC)

(Unsolicited) Advice from a Former Patient

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1. Be sure you have a cool mist humidifier for post op.
2. Be sure you have oodles of QTips and peroxide. My nostrils were ick post op and this was a lifesave (sorry to be gross - but really, it's among the most valuable advice I can give you).
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From:[info]as2
Date: June 2nd, 2008 11:03 pm (UTC)

Re: (Unsolicited) Advice from a Former Patient

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Oh - and of course, best of luck to you. Look for me online if you're home and stir crazy post op. Contact me with any questions.
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From:[info]chalepa_ta_kala
Date: June 2nd, 2008 11:08 pm (UTC)

Re: (Unsolicited) Advice from a Former Patient

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Excellent advice, thank you! I'm finding it very helpful to talk with those who've been through a similar procedure.
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From:[info]winterredwood
Date: June 3rd, 2008 05:27 am (UTC)
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Good luck! We like your head and all its stuff- the doctors better treat you well! :)