results after mini face lift!

2 days after surgery

Hello!  Well, my last surgery went well.  It was on June 18th, so just a few weeks ago.  I cannot say recovering with a child at home is very easy, but I am very happy with the results even though I will be swollen for some time.  I actually feel pretty good about being in public as well as taking pictures.  Wow!  I am so happy for freedom!

2 weeks after surgery

16 months post op cross face nerve graft

Things have only gotten better! I was able to make it back out to Boston to see Dr Hadlock and team.  I was given a lighter eye weight, botox, physical therapy, and a plan for some other procedures I could benefit from next spring.  We will do a mini face lift, and also a procedure that will make my nasalabial fold more prominent.  It will be an over night hospital stay.  I will post pictures soon!

It has been over a year now!

Charlie-2 months

Well, It seems like just yesterday that I had my last surgery, yet it has been over a year and I also have a baby.  Crazy!!  Our little Charlie so much fun to have and he is 3 months today


My smile is getting stronger.  I can feel a lifting feeling in my upper lip and also a clenching in my cheek.  It feels SO good!  I am finally feeling human again, like I can share my emotions on my face.  Wonderful feeling!  I am actually OK with my picture being taken now.  This October I will be visiting Dr. Hadlock again to have an evaluation.  She will determine what nips and tucks need to be done.  I may need a mini face-lift and definitely need botox and filler to weaken my strong side.  Also, my eye weight is looking and feeling too heavy, so I will be getting a lighter or possibly no weight.  It seems like this process of making my face symmetrical is a long one too.  It will be around two years from my first surgery for the cross face nerve graft to the nip and tucks coming up.

I'd like to thank Susan for informing me of her surgeries and journey with facial paralysis.  I am glad I can help you through sharing my experience.

Don't mind the baby noises in the video :) 



Video of latest!

So I guess all of these facial exercises I have been doing are paying off.  I now can show two of my upper right teeth when I smile.  I guess I can say I am no longer fully paralyzed :)

click here for video

February 22, 2013

Howdy,



So, it has been a while.  I have been seeing and Occupational Therapist to strengthen what movement I do have and I am slowly getting stronger.  Unfortunately, I am unable to receive botox to relax the non-paralyzed and very strong  right side (non-paralyzed side), due to my pregnancy.  I have heard that I should not receive botox while breastfeeding too, so that is at least another 6 months after baby comes.  Bitter sweet because I am pretty excited about the idea of a baby and also love how the botox helps my strong side look less powerful and therefor helps to create facial symmetry.  So much to look forward to....  Why not now!!!! :)  Being patient is draining sometimes. :)

33 weeks with baby boy!

Who knows when I will post again, being that the baby is due April 5th, but I will.  Also, I will add a video of the movement I have gained.  For now, I will post a pic.

Adios!

Movement Has Occured 4-5 Mnths Post-Op!

I am excited to announce that my paralyzed cheek is moving!  Not much, but so much more than it used to.  Every day is showing a stronger muscle.  Now I believe the surgeries were a success!  The 80% chance has turned into 100% because I can feel the muscle tensing when I smile, yawn, flare my nose, etc.  Now, I just need to continue strengthening what movement I have, which is mainly in the lower jaw, outer cheek area from what I can tell.  It is really amazing to feel this movement, when I had nothing for three years.  Really, really great!  The Dr. told me that within the next 6 months I will see much improvement.  Again, I hope this success helps give hope to others suffering with facial paralysis.  Never give up trying to achieve what you deserve even if it means surgeries, pain, and much patience.  That is better then the feeling of hopelessness any day.

 

 

Been a While

Well, Hello!  It has now been four months post op from the second of two Cross Face Nerve Graft Surgeries.  Although things are slowly moving along, I have had a few hold ups. 

One, I found out I am pregnant.  What a process and I am finally over the first trimester, so I no longer have morning sickness, which is such a great achievement I feel.  I am now excited, rather than scared with these few months of soaking it all in.  Life was on hold for a few years and it feels good to take this giant step.
  
Second, after three months of waiting,  I was not seeing or feeling any signs of improvement.   The swelling takes so long to subside and I was feeling tired, helpless, and defeated.  Is this really going to work, I thought?  Am I being fed all these ideas of smiling again when in fact, I will never?  So, with some research, I found a Rehabilitation Psychologist.  The process has been really helpful and I am learning to let my light shine and accept myself right now, at this part of the process because who knows if I will look better and when.  I have also had help to realize that I do look better than I did and I should be able to start living life like I used to to some extent.  If I feel normal and hold my head up high, others treat me more normal, and I leave the situation feeling proud of myself for being the happy go lucky person and not an awkward wierdo.  I have tried it out and it works. 

The Psychologist explained that I show some signs, not all, of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  It feels good to associate myself with a category so that I could understand my minds issues.  What I have been through in the last few years has been hard and I find it easier to find bravery knowing the associations to a traumatic life experience.

So, on to some pretty exciting news.  My cheek is twitching right near the corner of my mouth.  I also feel very faint movement in my lower jaw area.  I feel motivated again to do my exercises and I am hopeful that I will end up with movement.  Also, I have quite a bit of skin sensitivity in some areas.  If I rub my fingers down the paralyzed side cheek bone, I can cause this twitching to occur.  I can also feel slight pain on the non paralyzed cheek bone area when I rub the cheekbone of my paralyzed side.  I do not know how else to explain it.

Hope this helps someone!


4 mnths post cross face nerve graft

Slowly but surely..

jaw scar

cheek less swollen

Hi... I have some new pics to share.  I received an e-mail today saying that my blog and pictures have really helped a fellow human with facial paralysis.  That is awesome, cause I wasn't really able to find really good pics and info from someone who has actually gone through with these procedures.



Anywho, I am still swollen in my cheek, but am told by those who don't see me everyday that I am less swollen then before.  I have swelling and throbbing in my temple, but it's not noticeable.  I tried running... Ah, bad idea.  I felt really good as I was running, but afterwards I couldn't walk well because of a groin pain.  I was swingin' my leg for a couple days.  My scars are diminishing and I feel good. 

inner leg or gracilis scar

I had a bi-annual MRI which showed no growth to my little tumor and I meet with an Occupational Therapist tomorrow at UofM.  She will give me movements to try on this paralyzed side.  Even if I am unable to move anything, my brain is still triggering the info to my nerve and muscle.  Whatever helps right?

Other than that, all is well.  I am doing lots of art and cooking new recipes.  I made sauerkraut from scratch and am in the process of making Kombucha (fermented mushroom tea).   It's really good and really good for you.  I am focusing on getting tons of nutrition aka vitamins, minerals, probiotics from foods.

Talk soon!
Jill

4th of July... One month post op.

recent

2 years ago

 Good day!  I am posting a couple pics of my face now, and from a couple years ago.  I am happy!  Still swollen a bit.  Adam refers to my cheeks as chipmunk cheeks; he is right :)

An image of my gracilis muscle made it to the June photo of the month on the Sir Charles Bell Society website.  The site is set-up for medical professionals as a forum to exchange information regarding the facial nerve. My muscle was bizarre because that it has more blood vessels and arteries than the average person, or any person that they know of.  This was quite a worrisome issue for my surgeons in whether my transfer was going to take.  I have to say, it is quite interesting to see your own internal anatomy.


My Gracilis Muscle-Sorry if
it is too graphic :)

I hope everyone has a great July.  Adam is busy studying and I am busy being artistic in any way I can be inspired.  Needless to say I have a lot of unfinished creations.

Thank you for your nice notes of warm wishes and support.  I know this site does not make it easy to write a comment, but many of you have found a way via weallwearscars.com or through email. 

 Take Care

Art in the basement-keeping cool!

The Pug

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!