I’m sure some of the blessings from the past week will show up on my annual thankfulness list, but I’ll just jump the gun now and say that…you guys! I am so loved and cared for, and I am reminded of that whenever my family or I go thru something that is hard.
Everyone has been just so kind to me since my surgery (nasal surgery to help me breath properly, in case you missed it.)
Friends have driven my girls to their classes, invited Sonia and Zoe over for playdates, and brought me meals and chocolates and cookies.
(Chocolates and cookies are, as we know, very healing.)
My kids have pitched in around the house (especially Lisey!), and have gotten me lots of drinks and ice packs.
(Sonia made me a little bunny. 😉 )
I am sleeping and feeling better day by day, and my facial swelling has finally started to go down, which is lovely. I spent a few days looking like a large chipmunk. 😉
I’ve been laying low this whole week, and probably won’t venture out much until Monday, when I am promised that the nasal cast and splints will be removed. Yay! I am very, very excited to try proper breathing for the first time in decades.
I’m sure some of you are curious what a nasal cast looks like (I would be!), so here are two links to what I currently look like, puffy face and all. That way, those of you who want to see can see, and those who don’t can refrain from looking at the links. 😉
Oh, and one more happy thing to share: I am now off of the prescription painkillers! I was grateful to have them, but I am even more grateful to not need them. They work really well, but they also put me in kind of a mental fog, and I’m glad to be able to think more clearly now.
Thank you so much for all of your kind words and well wishes and prayers. You have all been so sweet to me!
Jennifer
Monday 21st of November 2016
Honestly, you look great! I have seen many that have had similar procedures not fare so well so good for you. Not to discount your pain in any way though. I bet it's been sorta rough at times. I wish continued healing for you.
Kristen
Monday 21st of November 2016
Yes, I am lucky that I didn't bruise very badly. I met another patient today who had her procedure the same day as me, and she had way more bruising, but almost no pain. So interesting how our bodies all react differently to things!
Beth
Monday 21st of November 2016
Glad to see things are progressing. Of course, it's Monday now, so hopefully you're getting all that stuff off/out! I clicked on the links-couldn't resist-and I have to say, the cast wasn't at all what I was expecting...I was picturing a colored cast that people could sign, lol.
Kristen
Monday 21st of November 2016
Yes! It's all off/out now. So glad.
There's a picture on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefrugalgirl/?hl=en Not of the removal! But of my nose post-removal.
SandyH
Monday 21st of November 2016
Ha ha Beth, me too...I didn't know how in the world that would work, but I'm relieved it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. You look great, Kristen!
Kate
Sunday 20th of November 2016
I love the pink streak in your hair!
Kristen
Monday 21st of November 2016
Thank you!
Ani Mia
Sunday 20th of November 2016
I have had this particular surgery and the lovely cast and splints so I understand how you are feeling. It may be gross, but let me say you will be stunned by what they pull out of you nose and then you will understand why you feel overstuffed right now. They called them rhino rockets at my surgeons office. Also, your skin will feel as if you could wash it 20 times; however, all cancelled out by the fact that you can breathe and not attract strange amounts of attention. I wish you well with your continued healing:)
Kristen
Sunday 20th of November 2016
Overstuffed is a good word for it. And it feels like the splints get more and more uncomfortable the more my nose swelling goes down. I imagine as my nose shrinks, it presses harder against the splints.
Tomorrow morning cannot come soon enough!
Joyce
Sunday 20th of November 2016
I too was expecting more bruising. You're still s cutie pie. Glad you're healing well. Good luck on Monday.
Kristen
Sunday 20th of November 2016
I thought it would be worse too-I was told to expect black eyes. But I guess the blackeyed pea ice packs did the trick and prevented crazy bruising.