...staring straight back at me
This is EXACTLY how I feel whenever I look in the mirror. But I know in time I will recognize me again.
We are strolling to the past! I know, you should start expecting this from me though!
Speech therapy - we are still attempting to treat my dysarthria, or slurred speech.
Jess continues to struggle with her production of /p/ sounds due to her limited labial ROM (range of motion) and strength.
I will say that I was able to purse my lips together WITHOUT using my hands! I was then able to hold air in my mouth, or puff out my cheeks, for up to a minute and a half! Man, oh man! I can't even puff out my cheeks now! I was on fire! You will notice in a few months from this point, my entire world goes south, and my progression reverts backward. I know, I know. Dr. Clanton said POSITIVITY IS CRUCIAL FOR YOUR RECOVERY JOURNEY. If only he knew half of what I've been through, he would be in disbelief!
Now back to speech. I told her all about how I would prefer NOT to talk on the phone! I usually get asked to repeat myself! Phrases and sentences are definitely something we have been working on!
My therapist and I did role playing scenarios where she was the other person on the line in the event, I needed to make an appointment or order out some food. I completed my production of speech with 80% accuracy! I'll take it! She told me to let people know ahead of time that I suffered a TBI and strokes, so please be patient with me. I will say, it has worked with most!
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Now back to present time. Today's appointment went well! My doctor said that the bruising is on track with the healing process. The first doctor I saw wanted me to read letters on the board with one eye covered at a time. I think I did pretty well! He also looked at my chart and said that I was quite interesting! Mainly because of the 6th and 4th nerve palsies. He asked me when I had my TBI (traumatic brain injury) and I said May of '22!
My actual plastic surgeon doctor came in and asked me how recovery was going. I said it's great so far! They put a yellow stain in my eyes, and he wanted to look at me through the giant face scope. The first doctor wanted me to look left and right, but realized quickly that I couldn't do that. My plastic eye doctor looked into my eyes. He started with my left eye and then moved over to my right eye (that he operated on). He exclaimed, "oh my goodness!" I asked if that was a good or a bad reaction.
He stated good because the right eye, I had the surgery on, the cornea was clear! It looked great! My left eye's cornea looked like it was dirty and unclean. I'm thinking, he didn't say, that by his reaction I MIGHT be having surgery on my left eye in the future! We will see how it all goes. He told me that I HAVE to be vocal with others about having a gold weight in my upper eyelid. He stressed the importance of that!
Last couple of steps in my appointment today, the first doctor plucked my eyelash that was digging into my eyeball - because he didn't want to irritate the cornea - my second doctor took out the stitches in my eyelid! He said that he does a run of stitches so he can pull them right out; but with me he wanted to take it out by sections as he didn't want the wound to open back up. It hurt to the point I was tearing up!!!
He wished me the best of luck in the coming weeks and said he will see me in a few weeks!
As of right now, I STILL can't wash my face - not until Saturday, at least! He said he wanted mother nature to do her work and any goo or crusty that forms on my eyes/eyelid, to just leave it! No washing it out. He said that during the day, I can wear my glasses; but when I sleep, he wants me to wear the eyepatch. He also said that I can officially lay down to sleep!! I think that is the BEST news I've heard!!!!
Pictured below is my eyeball, but now that the swelling has gone down a bit you can REALLY see that my eyelids are sewn together.
Until next time!! (Fri-YAY)
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