Monday, September 17, 2012

Of Blogging Breaks and Surgery

Before surgery
It's hard to think that it's been nearly two weeks since I last wrote a post. My unannounced blogging break was due mainly to the fact that I had wisdom teeth surgery a week and a half ago, and I've spent the time recovering from that.

Having surgery and being in the hospital for the first time ever was exceedingly interesting, and very different to anything I could have imagined before. The hospital gown was frankly comical. It was like wearing a sack, kept closed with ties. And the hospital staff were nice, talking to me the whole way to theatre, explaining the process to me, and generally keeping me very calm.

Coming out of the anaesthetic was more like waking up from a sleep than anything else. In fact, I'd even been dreaming before that. And then I had to spend the next quarter of an hour reminding myself how to swallow, and how to tell the nurses that I was in fact perfectly alright. Though the constant taking of my blood pressure was annoying.
After surgery

And after that, I proudly dressed myself, even down to tying my shoe laces, which felt like such an achievement, and headed to the lounge to dribble custard down myself as I battled with a numb face. And then it was off home  for a week and a half of soft food, and armchair rest. Which included impersonating a pumpkin as my face swelled, wearing an ice helmet to combat the swelling, and talking non stop from the moment I left the hospital.

Now, the stitches are coming out, and I'm back to normal.While I can't say I enjoyed the experience too much, it's certainly been interesting. And I am now very thankful for the power of chewing. How I miss solid food!

Photos thanks to my Mum.

15 comments:

  1. Not fun. You have my sympathies, especially when I see that green jello in your hand in the second pic. Glad you're feeling better!

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    1. Thanks. I'm so glad to be feeling better and to be eating proper food at last. Eating nothing but jelly and custard sounds nice, until you try it.

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  2. Wow, having my wisdom teeth removed didn't involve a hospital! Sorry it was an ordeal for you. Glad you feel better and hope you're back on track soon.

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    1. Mine wouldn't have involved surgery if they'd been in a position to erupt. But sadly, they were stuck in the roots of my next teeth, so surgery wad the only way for me. Though I'm not sure I'm brave enough to have the out in a chair anyway!

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  3. OUCH!!! Not pleasant! So glad you are on the mend though. I saw a Dragonfly yesterday - thought of you and snapped a picture, sadly the pictures didn't turn out though.

    Jessicaa

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    1. That's so nice of you. It's a pity the picture didn't turn out for you, but maybe you'll get a good one another time.

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  4. I hope you have a quick recovery, Imogen! Do most people have to have wisdom teeth out in the hospital there? When I had mine out, I was put under like you, but didn't have to go to a hospital or anything even though I think we had a similar situation. (Mine hadn't erupted either!)Many prayers for a speedy recovery. :-)

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    1. I don't actually know whether most people have surgery in a hospital. I do know that our oral surgeon only works in the hospital when he's down here, but it might be different if we were in a city or something like that.

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  5. Wow. This sounds like an irritating process... At least your back up again and ready to keep going, right? :)
    Glad to have you back.

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    1. Thanks. I am back now, and it was a bit irritating, but thankfully the worst wasn't too bad, and it was all over very quick.

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  6. Shame that I don't have such good reasons for blogging absences. Glad to hear that you're on the mend though! Feel any drop in wisdom since the teeth are gone? ;-)

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    1. You were on holiday though, which is definitely a good reason for being absent. And I'm not sure I had any wisdom to lose. maybe I would have gained some had I been able to keep the teeth.

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  7. I hope you feel better soon! I look forward to reading more of your blog! :)

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    1. Thanks. I'm all better now thank you. And now you've reminded me I really should write a post!

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  8. I actually had my wisdom teeth out right about the same time as you. *blinks* that's funny. It's interesting, it must be different where you live, because I didn't go to the hospital to have it done. I went to this specialist who was all and all rather like a dentist- with a chair and everything. Anyways, glad to hear you're all better and I always enjoy your posts!

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