3 months post TMJ op

A more positive post this time thankfully. I have started a new job which requires me to work for 1 hour, then have a few hours break, then work for 3 hours. My jaw seems to be coping well with this amount of talking as long as I take my Gabapentin each night so, despite the large amount of travelling involved in a split shift, I'm pleased that I can return to working in a school, even if it is in a very different role. It's been amusing as adults don't comment on my scars but of course children will come up to me and ask `what's that line?' or similar. My various scars dotted over my face, neck and body thankfully don't bother me so I'm really fortunate. I think it would be a real problem for someone more concerned with how they look, no matter how tidy the stitches and hence wound is.

I'm continuing to use the Therabite regularly throughout the day and am at 3cm opening nearly which is great. At the end of my 3 hours I can be rather sore and achy which makes eating and talking to the family tiring but I'm hoping that will go with time. Unfortunately it does increase throughout the week but as I say, hopefully that will pass.

On an unrelated note I had a funny conversation with my Doctor last week who informed me that he had just looked at the MRI scans taken early July (FYI having an MRI with a prosthetic jaw is rather uncomfortable!) and has immediately referred me to a surgeon. Apparently the horrendous shoulder pain in May & June was caused by severe arthritis in my neck at c6 & c7 and a bulge of some kind which needs addressing. I went to physio and now do those exercises as well regularly throughout the day which has helped immensely to keep the symptoms at bay and I did ask if perhaps I could avoid yet another operation by doing them but the Doctor thinks that unlikely. It would be sooooooo nice for a year to pass when I didn't have an operation looming.

So, to wrap up, having been told that I would need 6-12 months recovery from my operation, I'm doing ok. Pain is generally at about a 6 (although can get to 8+ after work or if I try to do anything which jolts me, including doing my teeth some days) and I seem to have found a job I like and is with kids but is manageable for my jaw. If only it was closer to my home it would be great (I spend a total of 2 hours a day commuting)! ;>