Nose is a Nose

I wasn't sure if I was going to write about this major event going on in my life right now, but you asked for it Mom! I made it so you don't have to see the pictures if you don't want to, you just hold your mouse over the underlined linked words and the pictures should show up.

For the last few years I have been getting sinus infections easily and often, I have horrible sinus headaches, and I just can't breath well out of my nose. So, at the recommendation of some friends, I went to see Dr. Neal, an ear, nose and throat and allergy specialist in town. He immediately noticed that I have a deviated septum, and suggested that I probably have allergies as well. After taking an MRI he found that the deviation goes up into my sinus passages clear up to my brain. There were four points that were touching the sinus wall which causes spots for bacteria to build up and infection to start. Once these points are blocked that is where the "vacuum" headache comes in. Dr. Neal said he could straighten me out and improve the quality of my breathing, of my life. He also said he could straighten my nose and deviated septum and make my nose smaller at the same time as the sinus surgery. This would mean extra surgery, recovery, changing my looks forever. Hummmm, what would you do?

This is what my nose looked like from below, and when smiling. Big and crooked, right? An opportunity was being handed to me to change something I have disliked about myself since I was in junior high when Harry Wilson broke up with me because his friends said I had a big nose. I wanted this! More than any small-straight-nosed person can imagine. I knew it wouldn't change who I am inside, or why my husband loves me, or who my friends are, but it would change how I think about myself. I have watched Extreme Makeover and wanted it to be me, I hated being told I look like the girl from Dirty Dancing who got her nose fixed! I was being given the opportunity to breathe good, to not have headaches, and to have a straight nose that didn't vear off to the right when I smiled. Again, what would you do?

The day of surgery came really fast and slow at the same time. I was very anxious and didn't know what to expect for that day or for the following recovery time. Next thing I knew I was on the table being poked by a student nurse and then I was awake and coming out of surgery. All I can remember about coming out is having to go to the bathroom so bad and trying to click the mouse in my brain on the "go potty" button. Ronda was there to take me home and baby-sit until Joe got home from teaching his night class. The girls were gone for the first two days with Lon and Ronda, then Heather and Travis - thank goodness for all of you. This is what I looked like the day after, sort of like a Nick Nolte mug shot.

So, here I am four days after surgery and I am sort of wondering what I have gotten myself into. I hurt, I am tired, and I look awful. My face is much more swollen than I would have imagined and I can't breathe. Tomorrow I get to start irrigating and hopefully that will help. Joe is taking care of me and now is pulling double-duty with the kids because I am pretty much worthless. I can't bend over, stay upright for very long, or lift. The girls are being really careful but it only takes one miss-step.

Twenty-four days until I am officialy on break.
Eighteen days until Pam and Fam are in Montana.
Fifteen days until Kyndra turns 5!
Eleven days until Grandma's hip surgery.
Nine days until my second post-op appointment.
Four days until I get the "chip" off.
One day until I can irrigate.
Five days since I have cringed looking at a picture of myself.

One day at a time!