When I went to visit on Wednesday, Granny was tired; her breathing still sounded like Darth Vader; but overall, she seems to be healing in her mouth and nose. The radiation naturally causes more mucous, actually A LOT more mucous, which can cause soreness if not rinsed repeatedly. The recommended rinsing is 8-12 times a day with a salt and baking soda mixture. Hopefully she will be able to keep up on her rinses for faster healing. She has stopped eating or drinking anything through her mouth due to the recent discomfort. She relies solely on her G-Tube (the feeding tube through her stomach).
As mentioned Granny is a handful when she takes heavy pain meds, and she is using small amounts again. She needs to have pain relief, but sometimes it's a little unpredictable. For example she demanded that Jean bring her some scissors the other day; she intended to cut that purple patch off her leg (her skin graft). Less harmful side effects include her applying tape up and down her good leg, talking to someone invisible, and reporting that someone is poking her quite often.
After we get through this healing period from the radiation, we will be following up with her original surgeon and also the dentist. Her next goal will be to exercise her jaw muscles in order to open her mouth wider. Currently she struggles to open her mouth wide enough to insert her obturator (mouth piece). Difficulty opening is common with her type of surgery. Again, the obturator is her mouth piece that works as a top palate, separating her nasal cavity and mouth. It is nearly the size of a golf ball on one side, which is sizable. The dentist will add teeth to her obturator, making it look more like her dentures. Then she will be able to resume chewing solid foods.
Although she has not resumed her normal daily life, she is coming along fairly well according to the doctors. It's alarming to us that she needs round the clock care, but everything is coming along as it should. The radiation can have some long term side effects, but there seems to be no damage to her eye, which was one of the worst possible side effects of this treatment. I personally looked inside her mouth and was pleasingly surprised at how nice & normal it looked. The surgeon, radiologist, dentist and nurses at UNC have done a beautiful job with Granny and I couldn't be more tickled with their work.
Additionally, I have received notes and encouragement from many of you, and I want to thank each one and promise to write as soon as teething baby will allow!
Love and Gratitude,
Ruthie
