All Done! Time to go home!

I had my follow-up appointment yesterday, and it's official: I'm done with this mess! I have another follow-up at the end of November, but this weekend I can go home to Vermont. And once I'm better, I can go back to work and we can pick up our lives where we left them back in May. Yay!

My voice is still normal, although slightly froggy, especially today after all that talking yesterday. But the doctor said that's normal, although I won't get the range back. No opera singing for me, folks.

I look forward to seeing all of my family and friends back in Vermont!

Ouch.

I slept through the night, but waking up eight hours after my pain meds wore off was not fun. I am definitely in a lot more pain today than yesterday, and my voice sounds froggy, but the rest of me feels good, which is much nicer than the last surgery. Hopefully I can feel a little better so I can eat something more substantial than ice cream.

Looking forward to FINALLY going back to work in a few weeks!!!

Surgery's Done!

My surgery lasted about four hours last night, they ran late and had some trouble getting my vocal cord in the right spot. It would sound good, so they'd secure it, and then it would sound like nothing. I got a little worried, but in the end, I sounded like me!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, I do still remember the whole thing, but with the nice drugs they gave me, it didn't seem so bad.

So I am not in nearly the pain they thought I would be, and as for now, my voice sounds like my voice. It may get hoarse after the steroids are done, but it will come back to better than it is even now. I am already eating all things soft, and plan on moving to more normal foods in a few days.

I just want to say that I am so grateful for all of the thoughts, prayers, etc that have been sent my way. I look forward to finding out the positives this difficult time has brought into my life!

Surgery Today!

After a wonderful anniversary in NYC yesterday (and a doctor's appointment) I am gearing up for surgery today. My doctor yesterday said while it will take a while, all of the changed I have noticed from the first surgery will disappear over time, with the exception of my ear remaining closer to my head. Which I am fine with.

We are heading out around noon today, we have to be at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary around one forty-five, and surgery is at four. I am really hoping for some medication to help me stay calm and care-free as I listen to them operate on my throat (ew!). And they better put up a barrier, because I certainly can't watch this. (ew again!)

I am looking forward to having a more normal, hopefully more me, voice, complete with the ability to talk loudly enough to teach!

Dan will update you all next, and I am (unfortunately I think) headed back into the land of oxycodone. Thanks everyone for your care and support!

Getting Ready

After weeks of back and forth, my surgeon's office still does not have the paperwork it needs from my gp's office. But that will most likely be straightened out today, as I have to go to my gp. I've had a cold for about five days, and actually am mostly over it today.
However, I woke up very SWOLLEN. I'm concerned I may be infected, or something is wrong, and I do not want to drive five hours down to NJ, another hour into the city, and be told, sorry, no surgery for you. So instead we are adding a doctor's appointment to our list of things to do today.
I am really hoping they say I will be able to go through with surgery. I will be very disappointed if I have to wait longer, especially since my surgeon is booked for months in advance. Hopefully, this is God's way of helping me be thankful for the opportunity to have surgery now, instead of being anxious about it. The more challenges in getting something, the more you appreciate it.
I will keep you all updated!

Here we go again...

Thank you everyone for your support over the last few months! I currently have these symptoms left over from the surgery:

-Horner's Syndrome
A condition in which my right eyelid droops slightly and my right pupil is constricted. The right side of my tongue and bottom lip are weakened, as is my right shoulder muscle.

-Complete numbness in my right earlobe, and topical numbness of the area surrounding my right jawline.

-Indentation around the back my right ear where bone was removed.

-A hoarse and sometimes non-existent voice.

-very slight first bite syndrome, which can best be explained as an extreme bitter reaction on the right side of my tongue to the first bite of any non-bland food.

-A scar that I am proud to wear as my proof of having major surgery and surviving such a long, drawn-out ordeal!

All of these things are a wonderful trade for no longer coughing or throwing up!!!

We are currently looking forward to October 13th, two weeks from today, when I will be returning to surgery for a type I thyroplasty. This procedure will medialize my right vocal cord and place a prosthetic into it to keep it in the proper shape. I should expect a voice close to my own, with the ability to control pitch and volume. (Yay!)

This should mean I can get back to work after a recovery of about a month, which is the one thing I have not yet been able to do.

Vermont

Home sweet home!

Dan and I arrived yesterday late afternoon to find our apartment filled with banners, food, and gifts (Thank you everyone!)

My friend Shannon also magically brought one of our dead plants back to life! Now if we could only keep it that way.

Recovery continues, and I am doing well, although my voice isn't getting any better. I am so sad to not be going back to school tomorrow! I hope everyone has a great first day!