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

The Time Has Come!

Well, this is it!  The surgical procedure I have been dreaming of receiving for nearly three years is coming to me next Monday, June 4th, 6am at the Facial Nerve Center, Boston Eye and Ear Infirmary by Dr. Tessa Hadlock.  I am nervous, but also excited, and emotional (poor Adam) because I don't really know what to expect to see on my face.  But, then again, things can only get better.  I mean, I have no movement in my right cheek right now, so the surgery is kind of a no-brainer.  I am on the up-and-up! :)

Anyway, I think I have explained the process of surgeries before, but I will re-iterate.  I have already had a nerve grafted from my leg, then placed into my cheek.  This surgery entails taking a chunk of muscle from my thigh and placing it into my cheek hooking up the nerves and other tissues.  I will also be receiving a mini face lift where my nostril will be opened a little and my mouth lifted a bit.  I should see spontaneous/emotional movement within two months with improvement up to two years or so.



Baby Robin, 1 week old, in our bushes. So sweet!

So, I will have great company coming along with me on this journey.  The lovely Mama Marlene and sweet Cousin Holly.  They are super fun, supportive, and easy going.  Did I mention they get along great?  There are so many museums to visit, along with historical tours, great Architecture, and of course the Hospital I hear is AMAZING! :)  I am happy to have a posse of two to stick up for me while I am stuck in what I hope will be a great stay, with lovely nurses.  Maybe that means that I need to think positively, right? :)  I wish Adam, my husband, was coming with us, but he is in the midst of a crazy trimester in law school, so I'd rather he stay and get through school.
So, if you would like an update on how my surgery goes, I will have my Mom or Adam post here.  Should the surgery go smoothly (9hrs), an update should be up by the 6pm or so, east coast time.

Toot-a-loo! Thanks for all of your positive thoughts

Yay!

Cinco de Smile was a blast!  Thank you each and every person who attended or contributed in some way, shape, or form.  What a pleasant day filled with positive vibes.  I actually forgot that I had paralysis for the day and it was an amazing feeling.  After my next surgical procedure, I will most likely be able to have that wonderfull feeling everyday... Oh geez!  Of course, the healing and swelling will take a while to resume normalcy (apparently 2 months), but then I hope to be able to march back into life feeling confident....  Please!!! I hope!  Thanks again to all of you for your loving thoughts, prayers, words, and actions.

Spring has arrived here in Ann Arbor, Michigan!

Well, I have survived my second winter in Michigan.  I have heard the weather is much colder up-north, so I guess I will see in a couple of years when we are living in Petoskey.  We are excited to be up there.  Nature is everywhere and the great Lake Michigan is right there...  beaches and all.  It feels like the Sea and I am AOK with that!  Carol and Dennis, Adam's Parents, are letting us move into the farm house which is on 70 acres.  Oh Geez!  There are wild strawberry's, Morrell mushrooms, wild orchids, and tons of trees and a fun stream.  Steve and Amy once lived there, so we know what we are getting ourselves into. :)

I am ever so thankful to all my friends and family as well as people I don't even know who are supporting me through this bizarre and trying time.  My Mom, Michelle, Orv, and Melissa are having a benefit for me in San Diego this May 5th.  It is called "Cinco De Smile!"  I get to travel back to an area of great family and wonderful friends and I am SO excited.  They have also put together and helped with an online benefit called weallwearscars.com, which allows me to sell handmade items online and spread my story.  Since I am crafty and was an Art major, I have been inspired to make lots of things like mixed media art, jewelry-esque bookmarks, blankets, and other sewing.  I am a busy bee and I love it.

My next surgery is coming up.  June 4th is now less than 3 months away and I couldn't be more thrilled to go under.  Being that they are doing a static procedure which will lift the droopy mouth on one side, I will look more symmetrical whether the crossover nerve graft works or not.  It's all just another step closer to the new look I will be sporting for the rest of my years.  I just want to look incognito, you know, fit in with society and others around me.  I have never enjoyed being a person of attention, good or bad, and I don't want to be anymore.
 
By the way, today is my Grandmother Mary Lou's 92nd birthday!  She was born in 1920 and I love to hear stories of her life and "how things were."  What a great blessing to know your Grandmother at the age of 33.  Did I just say I was 33?!?  How time flies.

I am off to do some yard work and take that furry friend of mine for a walk.  He has some energy to burn.  Have a great week! JJPC

Eye and Facial Nerve Updates



January 2011-eye is better



Hi!  It has been a while and I have been busy with my medical appointments, cooking, art, research and practice on environmentally friendly living, healthy living, running, crafting, sewing and spending time with Adam and Oliver.  



my newest 100% recycled art

Now that I have been accepted to Medicare, I am able to visit some great Dr's at The University of Michigan.  The system is highly reputable, so I am stoked to have such knowledgeable people helping me out with my brain, nerves, face, and eye.  In fact, I had my tear ducts cauterized in my paralyzed eyelid earlier this week.  The process allows moisture to keep my cornea from getting super dry.  It's hurts though... my only complaint.  Otherwise my eye is doing a better job keeping lubricated, so I believe the mission was accomplished.



Other good news!  My 2nd surgery for facial paralysis has been scheduled.  I am excited to announce the date is June 4th, 6am.  It's a minimum 3 night hospital stay, I hear.  I don't really like hospitals though, so we will see.  With my brain surgery, I was out of the hospital in 4 nights and I could not wait.  I was ready to jump out the window for freedom and sanity... :) :)  I guess I am a little antsy sometimes, hence my Miss Piggy reputation, but my husband keeps me in check most of the time.  Unless of course, I listen with my deaf ear ;)



Also, I had an MRI and my little 7mm brain tumor is stable.  No issues with that.  I was told that if it does grow the Dr would like to surgically remove the entire growth instead of radiate it.  He explained that since I have already lost my hearing and facial nerves, there is not anything else that can be affected by surgery.   Radiation on the other hand can have many unknown health issues that could pop up in the remaining 50+ years of my life.

Life has been great otherwise.  Adam and I are still running in this cold weather.  It can be fun when there is snow on the ground because you have more obstacles to bounce around.  I like to think that my running is promoting extra good circulation in my body and nerves.  It must be true because I can already feel the nerve axons growing to the end of my donor nerve.  I was told that things have moved along very quickly... Yes!!  In reality, all I can do is be in excellent health mentally and physically.



back side of my first rag
quilt for Rainee and baby
Mayson due in Feb.



front side of rag quilt:safari

Truthfully, it is a little crazy for me to have so many health issues, but that is how the dice rolls.  At least I am alive and well.  I have to remember that this is just a phase of my life.  

What happens when I get my facial movement back???? :)  I will go crazy in the "happy department" for the rest of my life.  How could I not?  It's the little things that have turned into really big things for me, so I feel that maybe I will appreciate so much more when I can just smile slightly.  For now, I am thankful for a lot of things such as life, love, family, friends, a creative mind, nature, animals, music, health care, and inner happiness.

For Now, JPC













The Holiday's are here! It's snowing!





Look who bonded while
I was gone......

  Can you believe it?  Pretty soon it will be Christmas, then on to 2012.  First though, Adam is about to write his final exams for the third trimester, which will also end his first year of Law School.  What an accomplishment!  I am so proud.  He does it so graciously too.  I have to say, I really like this "Going to Law School." 

 

Scar 2 weeks post op



My healing is going well.  It has been three weeks since my surgery and I feel back to normal.  My face is still numb around the incision and I have this interesting and tingly nerve feeling in my cheek. 

Otherwise, I  have been out jogging (weather permitting) without any annoyances from my leg.  At first, I had a lot of strange, shocking, shooting and uncomfortable nerve sensations, similar to hitting your funny bone, yet this was in my calf.  I'm sure the nerve in my leg was thinking... What the heck happened to me?? :) Why did I have to be sacrificed??  :) 





Post operation-right eye with new weight.  I am able

to wear make-up again.. Feels pretty good.

 So my aches, pains, and stitches have been removed or diminished at this point.  Just some scars left and a lot of internal nerve growing in my face.  Most importantly, I remind myself not to forget the powerful effects of a positive attitude.  This is a Dr. Hadlock order... Love her.





Old gold eye weight-droopy eyelid

 In regards to the new gold eye weight; my eye is very happy and in excellent condition.  The weight is lighter, placed more effectively, and doesn't make my eyelid droop.  What a concept!  Oh, I can also see a lot better and use less eye lubricant.




I am so happy to have finally found a Dr. who agreed with me that the old eye weight was problematic.  She understood and replaced the old 2gram with a 1.4gram gold eye weight.  Thank goodness!  I knew there could be a better outcome than what I had.  I am learning a lot about trusting my instincts through all of this.  If I could give any advice it would be trust yours.  I  have found that it is also very important to find a Dr. who has a lot of experience and specializes in what you are trying to treat.  So many Docs will say, "Oh yeah,  I can treat you,"  Or, "I have experience in this," when in reality, they don't.  They are looking for experience.



magazine trees

So, on to a more lighthearted topic, Holiday Decorating!  I used the unwanted base branches of Steve and Amy's Christmas tree to make a mini tree for Adam and I.  You wouldn't even know this tree does not have a trunk.  If you have a large tree in your Living Room, create this mini tree for the kids room, or the master bedroom.  What is better than one tree????  Two trees!!!  On top of that, this mini tree is price effective or even free.  Geez, I am a terrible sales person and I am not even selling anything...



Mini tree made of large tree branches



Speaking of free; I made Christmas tree decorations out of magazines thanks to youtube.com.  It's kind of like origami. 

I hope you have fun doing what ever you do this next few Holiday weeks.  Decorating, shopping, partying, studying, staying warm, moving, wrapping, reading, cooking, and so on, and so on.



JP-C





Home again

 

Boston

 

Hi.  Well I survived and now am recovering with a bruised body, as to be expected.  Thank you for all of your kind and warm thoughts.  Thank you to Carol and Aunt Lisa for being very kind, sweet, and gentle with me as well as getting me home quickly.

Dr. Hadlock mentioned that she was thrilled by the strength of my nerves, both in my face and my leg.  So, I guess I prepared my body well.  Now, Im just noticing odd pulsing feelings both in my face and my leg.  I am happily recovering with my sweet Adam and Oli here to wait on me hand and foot.

See the lighthouse in the water 

Back to bed for me.  First, I'd like to mention that Cape Elizabeth, Maine is beautiful and Thank you Aunt Lisa and Uncle Tom for having us.  What a great weekend escape! 

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Tom's home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Sea glass that Uncle Tom
and I found

Portland Head Light in Fort Williams

Post-Op Update

Good morning all, apologies for the belated post.

Jill, the trooper that we all know her to be, made it through surgery last night with no complications.  The reports I got were brief, but they were all positive.

The doctor was very pleased with the donor nerve taken from Jill's leg.  The connection of that nerve to her left-side facial nerve was successful, and the doctor seemed confident in the outcome. Jill also had the gold eye weight exchanged for a lighter, smaller one.  By changing the position of the weight Jill will have more comfortant and better symmetry in her right eyelid.

They gave Jill some anti-nausea medication to counteract the anesthesia which seemed to help her a lot.  She was in very good spirits last night when I talked to Carol, joking with the nurses as we would expect Jill to do directly after major surgery.

The doctor will be back in this morning to do a final check-up, and Jill could be discharged as early as noon today.  I cannot wait to have her back here, taking care of Oliver on my own has not been easy and she has a lot of leaves to rake.

I hope this was helpful, thank you all for your thoughts and care.  Jill has a great support system behind her.

Adam