6 weeks down (+ photos of healing)

This last Friday marked the sixth week since surgery.  It went by SO fast.  I went from being worried of the results to being worried that it may come back.  HA!  I traded one worry for another, not sure which one is worse…  I would have been worried of the actual surgery itself had I known how much it hurt.  I had read post after post of people saying “Oh, my husband had that surgery and he said it was easy”.  Yeah, well – I’m not a damn man and I should have taken that into account.  I think a reason why I was so sore was because the surgery took more than double the amount of time expected.  They were completely digging around in my pitter.

Anyways, the scars are healing up quite nicely.  I used the Neosporin type of ointment that the hospital gave me after the tape came off for about a day or two – but I didn’t want it greasing up my clothes, the couch or the bed.  Then I switched to tea tree oil and let me tell you, I love that stuff.  It’s a very strong smelling antiseptic and I swear that it has some sort of numbing quality to it.  The incisions started feeling just a little touch better each time it was applied.  

The hubs turned off our BBQ once and accidentally touched the underside of the grill – the underside of a 400 degree grill.   His forearm instantly started to blister.  As you may or may not know, he’s got some really nice, super colorful art on his arms.  I was so worried that the blisters would scab up, then ultimately scar up and just royally jack up his beautiful arm.  But we were quick on our toes and slapped some tea tree oil on it for a few days and now you would never know that he was even burned.  No scar at all, even when it seemed pretty evident that a scar was on the horizon. 

Here are some photos of the healing.  The incision on my back is the one that is taking longer to heal.  It has a tiny bit of the stitches sticking out through the middle of it.  You can kind of see it in the photos - it's right in the center of the incision.  It's slightly annoying, it almost feels like a thin guitar string, sticking out of my skin that catches on things like fabric, couches, clothing, etc.. Other than that, pretty much everything else is about the same. I’m still numb in my arm pit and running down along the outside/underside of my arm, which is still annoying because as I’ve mentioned – it’s numb but feels slightly like a bruise when touched.  With that being said, it still feels like I am shaving someone else’s arm pit – and I’m still not into it.  Though, my angry nerve is going back to it's regular old normal self.

Back in the sun

Back in shade



Left pitter in sun

Left pitter in shade

  I have had something new going on that is kind of bothersome.  When I reach over with my left arm, every now and then I get this sharp pain that runs from the top of the incision on my back right on up my neck.  You know when you move your neck some random way and it feels like you’ve pinched a nerve?  It feels like that, but from my back up to my neck.  I'm beginning to know the sensations right before it happens so I can stop whatever the hell I am doing so it doesn't fully happen.  It's actually slowed down; about three weeks ago it was happening as many as 5 times a day, this last week it only happened once.  Apparently the numbness and any nerve situation in that area is totally common.  But, whatevs!  As long as we are on our way to full recovery and I stay clear, I'm good to go.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Don’t Fry Day

Fried stuff that is good:

• Donuts (I’m totally picturing Homer Simpson: “mmmmmm, donuts”)
• Fried Chicken
• French Fries….and onion rings
• Calamari
• The list goes on and on.  Not sure if there is anything that isn't yummy when fried?  

Fried stuff that is NOT good:

• YOU!!!!! 

Today is “Don’t Fry Day” as declared by the National Council for Skin Cancer Prevention.  This lovely day is the fun Friday before Memorial Day and set as a reminder for people celebrating good ‘ole ‘Merica to be SAFE in the sun.  Chill out in the shade when you can, sport your favorite hat & sunglasses and of course wear your sunblock – and know when to generously reapply (every two hours would be standard, but reapply sooner if you're sweaty or getting wet).   Even though it may be a bit hazy this year, that doesn't mean you don't need sunblock. 

Be safe, respect the sun and don’t do something else that is stupid ~ DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!  O-kay, that’s all the harping I am going to do!

 

Have an amazing & SAFE holiday weekend everyone!

The results are in...

My sinuses, as anticipated, are totally fine.  Dr. ENT said that they look perfect, aside from my "pretty big" deviated septum and an "extra sinus" on my left side.  Apparently having an extra sinus cavity is somewhat common; about 10% of people have it.  It doesn't cause any issues, unless the cavity is large enough to block off the areas where it allows the sinuses to drain, which mine doesn't do.

So then what the hell is causing the headaches?!   I have no clue... 

She said that it could be tension headache, which would make sense if I just started getting these headaches after the diagnosis.  Stress can do a number on your body and headaches are no exception.  The problem is that I've had these headaches since I had my first sinus infection - over a year ago.  I have a headache almost every day.  Most of the time, they're not that bad, just a little dull ache in the front of my head above my eyes - where part of your sinuses are.  Other days, like this past Friday, was pretty bad. 

I've only had a migraine twice.  Once from a party-filled weekend in Palm Springs and then the other time was brought on by watching the Hubs play a video game (I think it was one of the Call of Duty games).  The first couple of minutes during the intro had a bunch of flashing lights and gun shot sounds... Oh mylanta, that was by far the worst headache that I have ever had in my life.  Needless to say, these daily headaches typically don't get anywhere near migraine status - which is a good thing - but that doesn't mean they're not super annoying. 

Dr. ENT said to keep an eye on it and if they don't get any better then to give her a call and she will be able refer me to a neurologist to have a scan that will focus on my brain.  I think I may just have it done anyways because as I've previously mentioned, I see these random, little, flashes of light every now and then in my peripheral; the last one that I saw just last Friday.  It's super tiny and just as soon as it comes into the picture it disappears.  It's almost like Tinker Bell is turning on/off a small flashlight towards me...don't worry, I'm not seeing Tinker Bell, too...that would be weird.  The flashing lights could be stress related or something going on with my eyes even; I've always thought it had to do with my strangely shaped optic nerve - regardless, it should also be checked out.

She also said that maybe I should look into acupuncture...  Based on what some of her other patients have said is that this is the only thing that seems to help them with reoccurring headaches.  I may forego the acupuncture and try out yoga first before paying to have someone stick me with needles.  I do know I need to learn to relax/destress, which is terribly hard for me to do.  Even when I think that I am relaxed, I'm totally not.  I'm a stress-ball, can't help it.  I like to think that I am cool as a cucumber, but on the inside I am stressing out about one thing or another and more than half the time I don't even realize it myself.  How's that for stupid?