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