DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Six Months Update

Now that it has been six months since the procedure, I think I am finally able to look back and evaluate the surgery and recovery more rationally.  In reality, it was torturous.  I am afraid to even go back and re-read what I put down here. I think my brain was in the defense mode. I honestly do not know where I found the strength to power through that challenge alone.

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Speaking My Mind

Now that the worst is behind me, I wanted to weigh in on the recommendations of La Jolla Mom as the rest of her readers.  Hopefully, my experience will offer some answers to the questions raised by her readers and followers. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Week 6 (July 15 - July 21, 2014)

Wednesday - July 16, 2014:

While working on this blog came to realization that I am on week 6 of Dental Graft recovery.  Things should be pretty much healed up.  And they are.  But they are not back to normal.  There is a new normal - tightness across the bottom front gum line, constant biting of lips and inside of cheeks, strange bumpiness of the palate, jolting paranoia about not being careful enough...

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Week 5 (July 8 - July 14, 2014)

Tuesday - July 8, 2014:

You know what things are getting better when other things that happen to you take priority and make you forget about the extreme or unusual or extremely unusual situation in your mouth.  I am finally more concerned with wholes in the walls, swollen knees, hair straightness, and maybe even the lack of male hotness in this ginormous city.  It's a good feeling. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Week 4 (July 1 - 7, 2014)

Tuesday - July 1, 2014: 

The bottom front gums are sore all afternoon and all evening.  Probably too much talking.  Eating pretty much all normal food, just nothing hard or crunchy or anything that sticks to the teeth.  Soup, green beans, grapes, etc.  Trying to feel around the front with my tongue - feels like something is stuck to the front of the teeth.  But I don't see anything.  Probably just plaque.  Using the Ultra Suave - not much removal going on with that thingy. 

Peachy Watermelon Smoothie

2 cups watermelon balls

1 peach

1/2 cup cottage cheese

6 oz peach yogurt

Handful of spinach

1/4 cup sugar free watermelon syrup

3/4 cup water

8 ice cubes

Blend for about 1 minute.  Makes about 40 oz.

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      Basic Smoothie Formula

Pineapple of Garden Variety

2 slices of canned pineapple

3 whole canned beets

1/2 cup cottage cheese

6 oz lime yogurt

1 cup pineapple flavored drink

Handful of spinach

1/2 cucumber

8 ice cubes

Blend for about 1 minutes.  Makes about 40 oz.  

One thing smoothies are good for is to use all the left over produce.   This is a very interesting flavor combination, but it is actually not bad at all.  A great way to get your vegetables in.  I don't know if I will ever be brave enough to make a purely vegetable one, because I do associate smoothies with sweetness.  But the beets in this one hit the spot just right. And the color is simply beautiful.  

RELATED CONTENT: 

      Basic Smoothie Formula

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Week 3 (June 24 - 30, 2014)

Tuesday - June 24, 2014: 
First day without the cast.  First day back at work.  Turned out to be super intense and busy.  By the end of the day the tissue felt raw.  Too much talking and running around trying to catch up.  With every sip of my beloved Diet Mountain Dew the tissue felt like it was about to came off.  Not painful, more uncomfortable.  Especially when laughing.  Also, by the end of the day felt completely drained.   No energy.  I guess I am not at 100% yet.  Something keeps bleeding every time I try to brush. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: The Story

As you may already know, I enjoy the benefits of retail therapy.  Shopping is what I do best.  I shop often.  I shop many venues.  I shop for many different things.  So I bought me some new gums...

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 14

No dreams about food.  Slept without the stent.  Everything is fine in the morning.  Ran with the stent in though.  Tried to be careful with the caulk, when wiping the sweat off the chin to not move the graft.  The check up is today.  Most of the stitches are gone from the roof.  Some sensitivity and discomfort with pressure.  Otherwise, the palate feels like it is almost back to normal, except one spot on the very front.  I think that's where I popped the stitches trying to brush a couple of days in.  Hopefully, it just takes a little longer to heal and it will be back like it was before.  The back of the front teeth feels weird.  I think it is some kind of substance that the doctor applied.  Should come off once I am able to start brushing there again.  No pain.  No bleeding.  Have to go back to work tomorrow.  Not really sure how I am going to work around the eating part.  Will probably just have to come back home to puree something.  It's best to have a plan - without a plan I end up either eating everything in site, or not eating at all. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 13

Dreamed about bacon last night, which is weird cuz I prefer sausage.  The day went fairly calm.  Nothing new.  No new stitches came out.  The caulk still in place.  No pain.  The palate still very tender, but took out the stent in the evening for over an hour.  Probably not a good idea as my tongue keeps playing with the threads.  Accidentally attempted eating without the stent, but everything seems to be ok.  Except lemon pudding should be left for pies and pies only.  I swear every time I try to brush up in there, it starts bleeding.  The stitches are so extremely close to the gum line - it's unbelievable.  I think one of them is right between my teeth.  Did the doctor really plan to cut that way?  Hmmm….    

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 12

Messed something up in there again while trying to brush.  Minor bleeding.  I should just forget about brushing that side all together.  Otherwise no news.  Long threads are still hanging off the roof of my mouth.  Caulk still solid against the front teeth.  Uneventful rest of the day.  The sucking motion still feels uncomfortable, but not painful and does not cause bleeding.  Highlight of the day - White ChocolateCoconut Fluff.  Delicioso!  Even with water instead of milk I really didn't miss real food today.  :D  Got a care package from my sister The Bestest - definitely cheered me up. Tried to be extra careful brushing and flossing.   The palate feels better.  Still very soft, but not as tender and not painful.  Definitely something is missing under the top layer.  Quite a few stitches appear to be gone.  

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 11

Not much change.  No pain.  No bleeding.  Stitches at the donor site are starting to dissolve - a couple came out when I brushed this morning. Long threads hanging down.  Palate feels less tender.  So smooth, like I have new baby skin.  Hopefully, everything is only uphill from here.  Soaked up some cereal.   I like them soggy anyways.  Super yummy AppleCaramel smoothie.  I am really perfecting all these recipes - the book will be in stores any day now. ;)  Tried to make myself chew cottage cheese.   Annoying how it gets stuck everywhere, even in the caulk.  Caulk still in its usual place. Keep trying to pull on the bottom lip to look at the recipient site - not a good idea.  The gums under there look dark, like they are super bruised.  If the doctor does not let me stop wearing the stent on Monday, this recovery maybe harder than I anticipated.  But overall, it was a good day today.  

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 10

Didn't have to elevate the head last night.  Tried running this morning.  The caulk was moving uncomfortably.  Made me afraid that it may move the graft.  Also the site felt a little sore this afternoon.  Maybe too soon.  Otherwise, things seem to be the same - no pain, no bleeding, caulk still in place.  Tried brushing the outside of teeth in the morning.  Tried looking at the palate, but can't really make out anything up in there.  Plus, I don't own a mirror that would fit in my mouth.  Feels very tender.  Stitches are still in there.  Kind of hurts to move my tongue too much.   Peppermint Mocha Frap is delish.  For lunch - pureed cauliflower with tofu, kefir cheese and garlic flavor cube.  Definitely getting my veggies, but need to get more creative about the protein.  Hmmm…  Brushed the outside of top row and flossed in the evening.  Maybe will try to brush on the inside tomorrow, even if only on the other side.  

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 9

No bleeding during the night.  More intense workout today.  Everything seems to be ok.  No pain.  Can't wait for the caulk to fall off.  Maybe if I talked more, it would fall off faster.   I can talk - huge lisp.  Joke of the day - all these contraptions may just cure my accent.  Tried to chew oatmeal again - seem to be doing  better, but not particularly liking all the flakes stuck in my teeth and in the stent.  :( Trying to think of something creative to puree for lunch.  Hey, at least I am getting my vegetables!  Constantly hungry - consciously trying to make myself wait at least an hour between eating anything.  Still trying to be very careful with everything.  No painkillers.  Saw a little blood after flossing - the stent promptly went back in for the rest of the night.  Things seems to be fairly calm today though.  Makes me a little more optimistic. Full recovery take 6 weeks.  That is a very long time, if it is consuming this much of my being.

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 8

No bleeding at time of waking.  Very light work out - no blood.  Hopefully, things are getting better there on the top.   The bottom lip almost does not hurt anymore.  Only when touching or making sudden moves.  Caulk is staying put solid.  Working from home today - didn't feel comfortable bringing my faithful blender to work.  Should be ok to talk.  But going back to being extra careful.  Would hate for blood to start gashing out in the middle of a meeting or something. :D  Bonus: wore ankle weights all day - maybe burned additional half a calorie.    Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie was delish.  But still eating weird foods.  Pureed boiled carrots with tofu and kefir cheese for lunch.  So afraid that the palate will start bleeding again.  So afraid that something is not healing up right up there.  Will be messed up for forever, like my lip.  Hopefully everything is ok and all I need is time to heal up.  My sis is the best.  Can't talk to anyone else.  No bleeding at night.  Didn't eat any crazy or thick foods.  Got so paranoid - keeping pocket mirror by my side at all times to make sure there is no blood.  So didn't brush, but flossed.  No painkillers all day.  Very mild throbbing in the face, but still keeping head elevated. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 7

Woke up with no pain at all.  Remembered that I have a toothbrush with a tiny head, decided to try brushing again.  Completely messed something up - the blood just started gushing out.  Put the stent back in.  Blood pooled in it, making me look like I had just bitten into someone's neck.  No pain though.  Laying off tooth brushing for awhile.  All my grooming habits are down the crapper.  Made a super awesome Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Frap as a consolation.  The teeth are aching.  Feels like they are moving.  Still can't figure out how to chew with these contraptions in - pureed soup.  The sucking motion made the wound on the palate open up again.  I must have majorly messed something up up there.  Blood all over the bathroom.  I am kind of scared to press the gauze against it though - what if the stitches get caught in it and get ripped out?  I suspect I am already missing enough.  Everything I do causes it to bleed.  Is it because I lifted weights today?  Too much effort?  Should I wait a little longer to start exercising again?  The handout said three days.  Why do I never follow doctor's orders?  Didn’t take any painkillers today at all.  Figured that if I am in too much pain tomorrow morning, I can take one of the horse pills again.  Finished up all the antibiotics. The back of the front bottom teeth feels really weird.  Rough.  Because of the deep cleaning?  I think I am missing a lot of gum tissue there too.  I thought the doctor would replace it there too.  After I laid my head down to go to sleep tonight, the blood started gushing out all over the place again. Put pressure on it.  Blood just dripping off my finger.  So much - I started contemplating who to call first: the doctor or 911.  Cleared up after about half an hour.  Had to sleep practically sitting up again.  Will this ever get better? 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 6

Slept on my regular pillow - felt fine without elevation.  Since no throbbing in the face, decided to wash my hair.  Too much pressure when  bending over.  Yes, I haven't washed it since Monday.  Thank God the headbands are back!  And I haven't worn any makeup all this time either - too painful to touch the face to clean the paint off.  Breaking out like crazy.  The palate is still bleeding this morning. Feels like one of the stitches must have popped out.  I think I probably did it with the toothbrush.  It is so close to the front teeth.  But the stent seems to hold it up and together pretty well.  No blood is pooling in it.  I would probably pass out if I actually had to use the gauze they gave me to stop the bleeding.  I have no caregiver tendencies whatsoever.  Interestingly not much pain, just soreness.  That doesn't even count.  More liquid foods for me today. The bottom looks the same.  No blood.  Can see the stitches peeking out from under the caulk.  Doesn't look like it is planning on coming off any time soon.  Oh well…  Still painful to touch the front of the lip.  The one tender spot on the top is still bleeding in the evening.  Kind of a lot.  But if I keep the stent in, it seems to calm it down a bit.  Not really painful though. 

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 5

Still had to elevate my head somewhat.  Woke up really sore.  Some blood under the stent, probably because of brushing last night. Gonna have to wait for the stitches to dissolve to brush that side.  The face seems to be less swollen today.  I think the pain is only at the actual areas of shots and incisions.  Still cannot chew with the stent in.  Tried to eat some silken tofu, but only kept smooshing it against the stent and swallowed in chunks.   Still pureeing everything.  Canned pears with tofu anyone? Stocked up on more pudding.  Good news - I can use the straw with the stent in.  Feels ok.  Weirdly just noticed some yellow bruising on the right side of my face in the coffee shop mirror.  Very slight, no one probably notices it.  The barista could not understand anything that came out of my mouth.  The Mint Chocolate TomNccino was ridiculously thick.  Should have eaten it with the spoon.   Hopefully, the palate healed up enough to not pull out any stitches.  My lips and tongue are super deformed inside.  Tried to go without the stent for a long as possible today.  The palate is still swollen and feels all cut up.  I can feel the incision and stitches from the very front of the mouth to the very back.  Super close to the teeth.  Started bleeding pretty bad at night. Not exactly sure what caused it.  Probably eating without the stent (it was only jello!).   Maybe going without it was a bad idea.  Will keep the thing in for another night.  So much for being adventurous!   Feels like the caulk is starting to disintegrate on the left side.  Let's hope the situation is better under there.  It still hurts to move the lower lip, like pursing lips together.  Another addiction I am mourning - chewing gum.  :(  Before this ordeal I could friggin' chew up a pack in one sitting, especially if trying to concentrate really hard.  Yes, a pack of 15!  Maybe this endeavor will cure the nasty habit.  

DENTAL GRAFT DIARIES: Day 4

A little more sore in the morning.  Don't see any blood.  Gaining weight like crazy. But if I don't bother the face - just sit there with my tongue resting on the stent - it does not hurt much anymore.  I think I am gonna be ok.  All this is just an excuse to not talk to anyone and to eat ridiculous food.  I think the chin hurts so much because the doctor also cut off the membrane and sewed it to the inside of the lip.  And that part is not covered by the caulk, so I am really feeling its every move.  Tried eating cottage cheese and chewing it in the back - big mistake!  Of course it got everywhere and I was trying to get it out with my tongue.  Caught myself prying the caulk out - OMG!  Definitely feeling the hot in the back behind the stent - the wound is going back that far.  Tried to brush gently the top row for the first time - made something bleed.  But I think I am healing up pretty well.  I just need this caulk to stay in place for another day, and then I can be a little more "adventurous".  But already can eat jello without the stent. Yay!  Must be the caulk that's making everything taste like plastic.  Cut down on painkillers today again - only took 400 mg for the second dose and 200 mg for the third.