Knowledge is power...

Lot's to tell you today, although I'm shattered so I'll forget at least half of it...

Went to see the Wizards of Maxifacialism today. Came away feeling good. Had a few things shoved in me (weh hey), some taken out, and a reality check that settled my racing mind.

The flap first, because it's all about the flap. Bottom line is that long term prognosis is fine, which is really the most crucial thing. I've returned home today in the same state I was in this morning, no 'work' done in my mouth, but after a good look, a prod, some suction, a camera up my nose and me yanking the nose feed out, the summary is that right now it would be futile to try to close the hole after 2 attempts have broken down. The tissue is still too agitated from the 2 opearations and undoubtedly I'd be back in the same position as now in a few days time. So, to get me up and running, able to eat without losing half the food up my nose and talking again I'm going to have a temporary obturator made that'll bridge the hole that I have now. The hole is much smaller than it was originally, so the obturator won't be as cumbersome. No teeth either because the bone graft is insitu. The flap is healthy, and looking good bar the defect along the posterior margin (I think that's what it's called), or soft palate. I'm back in 2 weeks for impressions to be taken and a denture to be made. That'll give me my chat back, which will go a long way towards a happy Jez. 

After that I'll go in for another operation to stitch me up once and for all. I suspect that'll happen in the new year now, but as long as my quality of life is reasonable until then I'll be OK. Bottom line is that there has been a set back, it'll mean making compromises in the short term, but ultimately the mission will be completed succesfully. 

It's mad sitting here in the house in Bristol. All sorts of thoughts going through my mind, wondering what's happening and if the whole experience has been a waste of time. Then, I go see the Wizards and they settle me down, give me the facts and I'm right as rain again. It's a shame they're so far away, because I could just go see them for a morale booster if they were local. Knowledge is power....

Then there's my leg. Blimey, finally got to see the whole thing today and it's kinda beautiful if you like that type of thing. When the dressing came off the graft site, Fi took one look, went deathly white and had to sit down. It's odd looking, so I'm going to add a couple of pictures so you can see for yourselves. It's healthy though, which is the main thing. My tattoo has been lovingly restored too, check the pics. Removing the staples was fine until one of them sent the most mental pain into my foot. I can only assume the staple went through a nerve or something because it was about 20cm from where the pain hit, but trust me it absolutely killed. I screamed like a baby, but as Francesco pointed out, my screams couldn't be heard out in the corridor because I have no voice really... 

Got home tonight and decided to move the dishwasher (that's not Fi) ready for the new one that's arriving tomorrow. DIY isn't my forte, I'll be honest. Unscrewed the water pipe at the back of the machine and realised the water was still pumping down it! Total carnage, soaked me, Fi, the whole kitchen and everything within range. Couldn't find the stop tap for toffee, we've hunted everywhere for it and nothing. Luckily my best mate lives up the road and showed me how to turn off the water for the dishwasher in about 10 seconds. You live and learn! The kitchen is like a bomb site, but it was fun, kinda...

All told, a good day really and this time I'm determined not to get my head in a pickle before my next appointment. It'll be fine, I just have to learn to be more patient and have faith that everything will fall into place as and when they need to. If that's in a month or 2, so be it. Come on Karma, bring me some love and joy, you owe me...

I just wish I could have seen our faces when the water was shooting out of the pipe and hitting the ceiling, would have made us £250 on You've Been Framed without a doubt! 

One Love

Jez

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