Back in September I had major jaw surgery. Everything went perfect, and I healed well. Beginning Sunday night and most of Monday the left side of my lower jaw began to swell. I thought it was braces related so I did not think to much of it. Then it became necessary to live on Advil and I knew something was not right.
When I woke up Tuesday morning I was in extreme pain and crying to my husband. I called my regular dentist thinking it was something to do with a tooth. He saw me right away Tuesday morning, took some X-Rays and then I heard the words, “Oh Laurel” you either have a abscessed tooth, a tumor or a dead tooth back there. He said I should go see the Dr that did my surgery last September. But he gave me some antibiotics and pain medication. The pain medication was very much needed and I was taking it EVERY FOUR HOURS. My surgeon could not see me until Wednesday. I went in Wednesday morning, and he was looking at the X-Rays, he took more X-Rays, and he was “fluttering” about. I was getting more and more nervous. Finally he said, “Laurel I really don’t know what it is, I am going to have to have to put you under and clean the area out and looking inside.” Now I began to panic. My first question was, “my face is going to swell again, huh?” I know the important things in life. I came home totally shell shocked. What is going on? I even asked the Doctor in a kind of joking manner, it isn’t cancer or anything right? And with his face serious he said, “Laurel I don’t know what it is?” Ok, I am all for Doctor honesty, but this shook me up.
So I went home and cried, cleaned my house and fretted. Cried to Mom, cried to sister, cried to hubby, but as the night wore on I was feeling more at peace and I knew it was because of the people praying for me.
I was up early this morning praying for peace. Manly man took me this morning and on the way there ALL I FELT WAS PEACE. Manly man kept looking at me waiting for me to freak out or cry (because that would be my M.O.) But I was totally at peace, and I KNOW it was because of all the prayers.
The surgery went quickly. I have been sleeping most of the day. They believe what happened was that I had a small opening in my gums from the surgery, that finally closed up and in that “hole” I got some food caught and there was no where for stuff to drain out of, so it caused an infection. They did send some stuff off to be tested to make sure it is just an infection, but the Doctor is pretty sure.
My face is a little swollen on the left side; I can only have smooth food (mashed potatoes, puddings tonight) and then tomorrow “lumpy smooth food” like Mac & Cheese, etc. Then I should be good to go. I am up for a little bit and then take a nap, but as the hours go by I am feeling more clearer headed. The pain medication works wonderfully.
This is probably more than you want to know, but the support you poured on me was unbelievable and I FELT IT. Thank you so much.
