I Want Candy

Mmmm....mmmm....mmmm....mmmm...McNuggets!!

Yes, today was the day I finally had my long-desired Chicken McNuggets. It wasn't easy - I am truly out of practice when it comes to chewing. And (as you will see later) I do not have carte blanche to chew anything and everything I want. I got permission to TRY the McNuggets as long as I exercised prudence when it comes to further food choices. So another milestone in my ongoing recovery. And yes... they were amazing!

Yesterday, was a brutal day dentally. I visited the oral surgeon, who removed the braces (you know this can't be good when the kind doctor kept saying things like "Sorry this is so barbaric"). It took about 12 or so shots of lidocaine to fully numb my mouth (couldn't even feel my nose!) before he even began, so removing them was cake compared to that (those of you who get novocaine at the dentist know what I mean - right into the gums and the roof of the mouth). My mouth also only opens part way for right now, so navigating inside was a challenge and of course my jaw hurt wickedly from staying open the better part of an hour. Next up - extraction of the 2 lower front teeth, which went fairly quickly. Finally, he created a "temporary" bridge for the front using the teeth themselves. Of course, in the middle of doing this he informs me that he "hasn't done real dental work" in awhile, isn't sure he "has the competence to handle this hehhehheh" and hopes my real dentist "doesn't laugh at his work," all the while listening to the bonding instructions being given by his dental assistant. I had faith however, and he did fine, although, yes, I am still hurting today. And I must continue to eat mostly soft foods and liquids (no bagels, no steak, no candy...) until all the dental work is completed a few months from now, although I can now eat cold foods like ice cream again.

This was followed by a visit to my regular dentist for a check-up (one cavity, to be filled Friday) and the preparation of molds for fluoride trays, necessary while undergoing radiation. Again, the dentist and hygienist had to be engineers to try and get those trays into and out of my mouth, but they prevailed and did so with minimal discomfort to me.

The picture was taken yesterday, St. Patrick's Day (hence the wearing of the green). I figured you all could handle a few little scars and swelling and of course I wanted to show off that I am metal-free now. I still have some trouble speaking as a result of the numbness (not as bad as when the braces were on), usually with letters that require lips to be closed (b, p, m and f especially) since I can't quite do that yet, and don't know that I will ever be able to. However, most people (my doctors included) are able to understand me perfectly well as long as I don't use words like bubble, pepper, fluffy or marshmallow! On the upside - I am definitely drooling less without the braces!

Still a long way to go and it is hard to know what adjustments I will need to make temporarily or permanently. But a month past surgery I'm feeling pretty good about my progress AND my prognosis. I think I'll treat myself to Carvel tonight!