Higher resolution broken bone view

Tom helped me get a higher resolution image from the CT scan that shows the breaks really well before they were corrected surgically. You can easily see the displacement and the bones that are bashed into the sinus. No wonder it hurt!

Sunday, January 30

Today was my longest (in duration) trip from home since returning from surgery. Attended church services this morning and choir practice afterwards. Singing made my eye tickle, I suppose from vibration of the mesh plate that now is the floor of my eye socket. It will be interesting to see if that changes as the bone fills in around the mesh.

I can now feel light touch to the very corner of my upper lip as well as a little more of my cheek, and the bridge of my nose so that is continuing progress. Reading was easier today than previously. I can see the screen more clearly in front of me as I type this also, so that is encouraging.

Tomorrow the plan is to do some light tasks at the office and see how that goes, mainly some paperwork, year end tax related tasks, and some calculations of shared bills for the office. Hope to examine some new patient records and perform some treatment planning. Hopefully see a few patients, unless Tom and our assistants decide that I look too "scary" to do that. The need for precision and detail will be a good test of my progress. I am looking forward to it.

Saturday, January 29

A little more of my left cheek has sensation today. Brian went to teach and ski at Mission Ridge without me today. =-(

My eyesight is annoying me. An inconsistent tear film in the left eye leaves it a little blurry until I blink hard a couple of times. Unfortunately, I can't just close the left eyelids independently of the right (no winking yet) so have to blink both eyes, covering the right one so that I know when the left has cleared. Double vision is much reduced in front of my face, though if I am looking upward a person appears to have one of their heads at about their waistline. Brian said that if I went to the Ridge with him today I'd have thought they installed a quad at Chair 1, an over/under quad!

Sensation

Today I was able to discern light touch on my forehead above the eyebrow and near the hairline on the cheek in front of my ear. Upper lip, nose, and most of the cheek are still numb on the left side. I have started to have some temperature sensation in my left upper teeth.

Double vision still annoying, though I was able to read a little more comfortably today. I know Mary isn't going to let me go skiing with Brian until that is gone, so I guess he'll have to go to Mission Ridge without me tomorrow

Finished the last of The Lord of the Rings, extended version, DVDs today. Time to start on some Bill Cosby material tomorrow that Michelle & Hollis loaned me. I can't wait until vision stabilizes enough for me to read sheet music and get back to the piano.

Healing is a Process

Healing is quite a process--creative destruction. Damaged tissue removed and newly remodeled tissues laid down to make the repair. The body's recuperative powers are truly amazing.

Today I noticed that the incision at the left side of my nose is completely healed. Even as I looked into a magnified mirror I could not detect where the incision had been made--a testament to the skill of the surgeon (Dr. Craig Birgfeld) and the miracle of the human body to heal.

The three other incisions--one above and below the eye and the third inside the mouth above the lip--appear to be progressing well and healing without complication at this point. Vision is less than ideal--I wish I were able to go steelhead fishing with my brothers tomorrow, but somehow I don't think my casting would be very accurate! Besides, they'd have to interrupt their fishing every time I needed to tie on a new fly since I haven't gotten back yet the necessary visual acuity to thread the line through the eye of a hook.

Wednesday's Smile

Improvement continues

Improvement is continuing incrementally. Double vision is a little more noticeable today and vision a little blurred, but that's probably because the left eye is more open and I can see out it more today than previously.

Taking less pain medication. Reduced swelling = less pain, or at least that seems to be the case. Slept better last night so I'm sure that is having a positive effect as well. Have been able to read newspapers that stacked up while I was injured so enjoyed being able to see what's been going on while I've been somewhat out of the loop.