It was in December that I went to the dentist for a routine check-up and cleaning. Unfortunately, since I had not been to that dentist for a cleaning, they had to take x-rays. It was then that the dentist informed me that I had a cyst in my lower, right side jaw. YUCK! I had the cyst in the same area ten to twelve years ago, so it wasn't too traumatic. Still though the thought that it was there and it had come back and I would have to have it surgically removed didn't excite me.
I walked out of the dentist with no teeth cleaning and a heavy heart. Not my idea of a good day. It was done though, and not much that I could do about it.
The dentist recommended that I go see a Maxomillfacial surgeon. WHAT? He sent me to a young man, good looking too, that seemed to know everything about what this was. He was well informed and left me alittle more comfortable. He impressed my mom and I. He did tell me, however, that he would have to surgically remove the cyst, and it was possible that he might have to break my jaw. A broken jaw meant that I would have to have it wired shut for about 6 months, or was it 6 weeks. Either way, there was no way I was going to do that. I cannot live on liquid diets alone. I need my meat!
That surgeon took better x-rays that showed the cyst and how big it was. He then suggested that I go to Kaiser to get a bone density scan. He wanted to see how much bone I had left in my jaw. Ok scary!
Off to Kaiser, I went. Unfortunately, the Maxomillfacial surgeon I had to see was in Hollywood. I remember the first day. I walked in expecting to see a man and I was greeted by a young woman who was probably younger then I and was about as tiny. She was a beautiful girl too. She was an angel. She must have sensed my fears because she was very detailed about what it was growing in my jaw and the procedure she would perform. At one time she asked if I had questions, and I stepped up and told her that others had told me that they would have to break my jaw and then wire my mouth shut. She responded with a very affirmative, "There is no reason to have to wire your mouth shut! I will not do that and if the bone is thin, then I will simply put a plate in the jaw bone!" Relief was probably felt a hundred miles away from everyone. I know that God was smiling down thinking that He had done a good thing for me.
The preop appointment was a dud. I mean come on...what was the purpose? I simply went to the doctor I had already seen, she told me the samething, and then off to see admitting. They did draw blood, and gave me pre-admitting instructions. There was no way that I was going to stay in the hospital. Hospitals in my opinion are for sick people, and I am not sick. At least not physically...LOL! It amazed me since on that day that I went, the department of pre-admitting that I was in, promptly closed their offices at 12PM-1PM for lunch. My mom and I sat in the waiting room to be called to my next station. Not at anytime did a doctor or nurse come out and say that at 12, they all go to lunch for an hour. It was up to us to sit there and wait or go get something to eat ourselves and come back. A nurse came out and my mom asked her if we had to wait. She was extremely rude and said "Yeah, we have to eat! I would suggest you sign in, and go eat!" Something to that extent. Really? I was just amazed that they didn't even inform us, but just left us sitting there.
The day of the surgery was stressful. I waited and waited for the day to come and once it did two things went through my mind. (1) Glad it is here so I can get it over with (2) Do I really have to do this? I woke up that morning bright and early with knots in my stomach. I don't think it was as much the procedure to remove it as it was the idea of being knocked out and waking up in a hospital. YUCK! I had the procedure done 10-12 years before, but it was outpatient in USC Hospital. It was no big. Evey single nurse that was there was kind and gentle. The nurse, Alex, who took me in to prepare me for surgery was so gentle. She made sure I was warm and comfortable. When it came time to insert the IV, she numbed the area first then did what needed to be done. I didn't feel a thing. The operating rooms now have warming blankets, warming tubes to connect to your gown which blows warm air through a tube onto your body. WEIRD! They even give you socks now. :) I was then asked if I wanted to watch T.V. Alex pulled over a computer like screen over my head which was connected to the back of the gurny, and I selected the Today Show. I got to watch t.v. How cool is that? It was then the waiting began. I think that is what gets you is the waiting. The surgeon finally came in and talked to me and reassured me that it was all going to be okay. From then they took me in to surgey a half hour early and to be honest, I don't remember a thing. The anasticologist gave me a sedative and well the rest is history until I go to post-op. The surgeon did tell me it would take about two hours and that it did. After the surgery, she talked to my mom who was waiting for me and told her that she did not have to remove my back moral, didn't have to put in a plate, and did remove the whole cyst. She said it was real easy to get out and at the top so she didn't have to dig.
Recovery, isn't the greatest. I do love to eat and am finding that although I love El Pollo Loco, I am becoming sick of it. I have had the mashed potatoes, the chicken noodle soup, but give me a burger from the Habit. 2 more days of soft food. I am swollen, but it looks like I got my wisdom teeth out. I am sore, but nothing that advil can't help. I was given vicodine, but in all honesty, Advil works way better. Go figure that one. Yesterday, I had a lot of visitors who brought me love, food, and friendship. It was nice. I did love it all, but I hope this will not have to be repeated in ten-twelve years.
