2 Months!

2 months down and 1 to go before the elusive first soft chew meal! In many ways, the 2 months have flown by, and in many other ways, it seems like the splint breaks have been a part of her and a part of her schedule for so long. 

Rebecca is doing great, and I have to admit that I am proud of her. This might be the most difficult thing we've faced in our marriage, but Bec has handled this surgery better than I anticipated both emotionally and physically. Is everyday great? Absolutely not. But, she has pushed through like the amazing, strong person she is. She takes care of the kids by herself while I am working, cooks meals for us even when she can't chew them, has kept the kids active throughout the summer months so they don't feel like their summer has been affected, and has taken on a new role of Secretary of the Grove Elementary PTO - because she is awesome and cares about our kids' education. She is crazy awesome, and I'm completely in love with her and proud to be next to her along this journey. 

Bec is nearly pain free. She is grateful that everything seems to be healing correctly so far. The 3 month appointment in St. Petersburg will help calm her nerves regarding the degeneration that had started in her jaw. Dr. Piper thinks that degeneration will stop and possibly reverse into some new bone growth. We might know at the 3 month appointment whether she will need an additional surgery after the orthodontic braces. We are hoping for no additional degeneration and no additional surgeries. 

Bec is doing great on her therabite exercises and is almost completely down on the last setting - 5. She has recently backed off more on the muscle relaxers. She is also getting close to 5, 1 hour splint breaks per day and only has 3 bands on each side. Here are a few updated pics with and without the splint:

Bec has experimented with lots of food and sticks mainly to soups or other food that can be easily swallowed. Food doesn't sound good most days, but not eating normally is the hardest around bigger groups of people. She has kept a positive attitude throughout, and I keep reminding her how close we are to the 3 months. 

Rebecca's support system with other Piper patients has been great. I'm so glad we met a couple from Seattle the day before Bec's initial consultation. Kathleen has been a constant support and a great friend throughout this process. Whenever Bec has a question, she can get ahold of Kathleen right away. Kathleen has provided great advice and great emotional support for Bec as someone who really does understand. Bec has also been able to keep in contact with 2 ladies that had surgery the same week she did. The Jaw Crew has been a great support system, and Bec has met friends through the process. 

I will update everyone after the 3 month appointment on September 15th. But before ending this post, I have to share a pic of Bec and a new member of the family that will help her through her bad days...