Happy Healing!

Well, I don't really have much to report, except that I am doing really well.  I am still limping a bit and my temple and inner leg ache, but that is it.  My beloved Mom and Cousin left on Saturday; what a great week we had together.  Adam and I offered for them to move in permanently, but they declined. :)

Even though my cheek swelling is still quite apparent, I feel so much more comfortable in public.  I'd rather have a stiff grin than frown anyday.  I even asked Adam to take a picture with me... Oh, what a great feeling.  So many little things are happening that make my everyday life so much easier.  Yay!

Till next time!

Home in one piece



View of Historical Beacon Hill from my 11th floor bed

Well, I made it home in one piece..  Barely though :) I am very achy and bruised on my skull, inner leg, and whole body.  What an experience and opportunity!  I was a patient at the Mass Eye and Ear Hospital until Friday morning.  The team of Dr's wanted to be sure my harvested muscle was allowing blood flow through and that everything was surviving in its new home.  If I am correct, the blood vessels and arteries connections heal enough in 72hrs that blood clots will not happen, creating a successful connection.   We listened with an ultra sound and the flow was there, yay!  My face was continuing to swell into Thursday, which was a concern, but the muscles stayed soft (not hardening and dying) which was great.  After a scare and slight emotional breakdown, my swelling miraculously started subsiding and has continued ever since.  Everyday there is quite a change and I already have better facial symmetry.  I am starting to look like me again!  Within a few months of healing the nerve should be able to start making a connection and that is when I would see actual movement.  For now, we want to be sure the muscle is happy.



Massive swelling-Thursday



Gracilis muscle drainage system :) 
Muscle is located on inner thigh--ouch!

location of implanted gracilis-between the purple lines

Thanks to the lovely staff at Mass Eye and Ear, my nurses were delightful.  Dr. Hadlock, Dr. Hohman, Dr. Tward, and Dr. Carter were so knowledgeable, supportive, comforting, funny, and just amazing experts at their profession and wonderful human beings.  Thank you for caring so much about me.  You may be my favorites ever!  Really!  Thanks to my sweet and dedicated family and friends for always being by my side, to help me grow.  Mom, Holly, and Adam, thanks for making this able to happen for me.  I love this time together.  This is what life is about.


Friday morning.  Swelling subsided,
leaving hospital.

Me today! One week post operation.  Looking better everyday

She did it!

Greetings to all Jill's fans:

Yesterday, June 4th, Jill underwent the second stage of her surgery.  The procedure lasted about 7.5 hours and appears to have been very successful. An ultrasound yesterday indicated good bloodflow through the new muscle, and this was confirmed again today.

Dr. Hadlock was able to use a muscle from Jills' leg that had two blood vessels.  This made the surgery a bit more complicated, but the added blood-flow will hopefully make the connection between the muscle and the nerve even stronger. 

As you can see from the picture, Jill is swollen but also symmetrical.  She says her face feels odd, but does not hurt.  Her leg, however, is very sore.  That being said, she told me that this recovery would be easier than her initial brain surgery--I will hold her to that.

I was truly amazed hearing her voice after surgery yesterday.  She sounded like the same old Jill; more concerned with me doing my chores around here than with the pain she was experiencing. 

She will stay in the hospital until Friday. The biggest concern after this process is preventing blood clots from interrupting the newly formed connections.  These few days after surgery are the most critical times where the doctors would be able to quickly address any clotting.  As of yet, that has not been an issue.

I cannot wait to have her back home, but I know she is in great hands out in Boston.  I cannot thank Marlene and Holly enough for taking such good care of her--before, during, and after.  Thank you, also, to everyone thinking of and praying for Jill.  She and I both appreciate it greatly.

-Adam