Tuesday, August 3, 2010

. . . . . . . 14 Hours and Counting Down (and Rodeo Drive)

It has been a very long day, and it is only 5pm, here in California. Tolan and I left over 8 hours ago to go to my pre-op appointment, which ended up taking the entire day. We are exhausted. And, we leave in 12 hours to go back again for a much longer, harder day tomorrow.

The office was downtown Beverly Hills, in fact, we parked on Rodeo Drive. But, we didn't get to enjoy any of the glamour and glitz because we spent the entire day in the office. It was a much harder office visit than I anticipated. Getting fitted for the spring was an interesting process, the wire for my eye was literally right up against my eyeball, as they replicated the curvature for the spring. At different times, they also put litmus paper in both of my eyes, poked my eyes to see if my right eye is numb (turns out, I only have about 25% feeling in my right eye), and poked and prodded dozens of different ways.

It turns out that my kind of facial paralysis, with nerves 5, 7, and 8 being damaged, is significantly worse than just 5 or 7, both of which affect the eye. The doctor also plans to do a slight brow lift so that my right side is symmetrical with my left. A little plastic surgery anyone? That is why most people would go to a doctor in Beverly Hills, right? They will also have to cut and tighten my eye muscles to adapt to the new spring when it is implanted. So, the recovery will be much more than just my eye. I will look like I have been beaten up, but hopefully it will all be worth it!

The surgery will start at 9am tomorrow, though we have to leave here at 5:30am to be there by 8am. I have been calm the whole time, but my nerves are starting to get to me. It sounds like the procedure will be very long, lasting most of the day. Part of the time I will have to be awake so they can test to see if the "blink" works. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Prayers would be lovely, if you happen to think of us tomorrow. Someone in the family will try to post updates throughout the day. Thanks so much! I love you all!

6 comments:

Lana Schow said...

You are definitely in my prayers! I hope that this goes well!!! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

You will be thought of in our prayers..! Hang in there girl! It will be alright. Keep the faith!

Karen Liu said...

My dear friend,

I come back from Hong Kong to catch up on your blog, only to read you are having your surgery. You have been this amazing source of courage and I pray that Heavenly Father will continue to comfort and bless you and your family. Know that I think of you often and pray for you always!

Liu

Belinda Jackson said...

Jodi and Tolan, our love with you with the passing of Grandpa, what an amazingly, beautiful parting!And of course our prayers are with you for the surgery! You will be fine. Hang in there and know that you have the Lord on your side!!
Love you x

Stacie+Steve said...

Good Luck Jodi! You are in my prayers as well!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck. We will pray for you!