Series of Events

1 November - My mom took me to McKadee Hospital for my jaw surgery. What a great way to start the month! My Aunt Tammy came to keep my mom company while I was out of it, and boy, was I out of it. It took them forever to actually get back there and then another forever to actually get my IV going and back into the surgery room. I first saw Dr. G. Shane Jessen back in July I believe and I have really liked him as a Doctor. He is very clear on what is going on and is sure to give you all possible options, along with his personal advice. I started with steroid injections into both sides, but this didn't really help. I continued therapy with David Paulson (also awesome) and had a splint guard measured and made to wear at night. The guard has helped quite a bit and has decreased my pain in the mornings. But I was just sick of the constant pain I was still having. All my jaw issues are due to my ice skating accident plus the water tubing accident that happened 6 months later from Nick's forearm colliding with my face.An MRI showed my left disc was displaced and he suggested we try scoping it. He performed the procedure on both sides, successfully cleaning out a lot of scar tissue that had accumulated. I was in a lot of pain after surgery, in completely out of it. They couldn't get me to wake up and I was throwing up. I felt awful...so at 7 pm that night, they finally decided to admit me over night. They wanted to get my oxygen levels up, increase my alertness and get my nausea under control. So my mom and Aunt Tammy left after hanging out all day, laughing everything including me...haha, they were just so tired and one of them had said "I hope your future husband doesn't walk by right now, because you look really bad!" As you can see, this was like 6ish hours after surgery! I slowly got back onto a regular diet and began to open more and more. I wish the surgery had been slightly more successful, but I can open much wider than I used to be able to and my pain has gone down quite a bit in the mornings. It still grinds and now pops a little, but nothing that has increased the pain. Now I am having to deal with the insurance, sending in an appeal because they have left me most of the bill, after they approved paying 80%...
8 days later - Jane, our dear sweet neighbor is a nurse and she came over to take my stitches out, 1 in each side was all! That was a lot easier then driving clear out to Ogden; and she did a fabulous job:)My dad worked non-stop on the bathroom right before Thanksgiving. He repainted everything, including the cabinets (after striping the wallpaper), removed the medicine cabinet and put up a regular mirror, mounted all my moms beach stuff and installed all new fixtures. He really is a handy man and is such a hard worker. It looks great and had it done in time for all of our guests on Thanksgiving day.24 November - I spent the morning staying busy. I got up early and created a freakin' awesome exercise ball workout (if you are interest, let me know), cleaned up some, got ready and then began working on my 'turkeys'. They are made out of oreo's, mini Reese's, whoppers, candy corn, & frosting. It took longer then I expected, it has been a while since I have done them, but they turned out super cute and tasted yummy too. The tables looked wonderful, my moms skills are amazing. We had 2 tables, one for the cousins and the other for the "old people"...hehehe.Dad cut the turkey, Gobble Gobble...Here is my mom with the quick cooking turkey, ummm...don't tell her I posted this bc it was before she actually did her hair and I don't think she realized this when I took the picture.Thanksgiving Dinner is served. So many delicious things to eat with family gathered all around. This year we had my parents, Nick, Aunt Chris, Uncle Mark, Olivia, her friend Christina, Jake, Aunt Sandi, Uncle Glen, his mom Donna Rea, Grandma and me. We were supposed to have quite a few more, but changed plans. Pie is the Best! Especially my moms banana cream pie! Delicious...and pumpkin too:) It is always hard to choose only one kind when it is Thanksgiving. Wouldn't you agree?I took my Uncles family picture while they were here. Aren't they a cute little family? I also took some of Olivia and her best friend that joined us this lovely day.Everyone is pooped out....not sure why Nick is, he didn't really help. In fact he showed up right as we were getting ready to say the prayer, maybe I just shouldn't ask...Anyways, Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. We had great company, great food and a lot to by thankful for.
-Peanut