It was so great to be able to go out last night and enjoy myself with the women in the Sophia network. Tracy Theemes is co-founder of Sophia Financial Group and a nominee in the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in the category of Education Training and Development. Last night’s event was a chance for us to meet with image consultants while supporting a not-for-profit organization called Servants Anonymous Society . The mission of SAS is “to offer safe, secure homes, education and addiction prevention programs, long-term support, hope and wholeness to female youth and women who have been sexually exploited and are homeless, and/or are at risk of homelessness and/or exploitation.”
I love learning about people and organizations like this who renew my faith in the the world.

Before surgery, I wasn’t able to use a neti-pot as the liquid wouldn’t pass from one side of my nose to the other. On the right, the liquid wouldn’t go to my mouth. I stopped trying to use the neti-pot when I started having nosebleeds. Today when I did my nasal rinses, I felt the right maxillary sinus fill and I dripped through my nose when I bent down. I guess I’ll get used to it. What will it be like swimming?

Yesterday, I finished post-op drugs. Today I got my haircut, had lunch with a friend, then saw my therapist, Myrna. It was a nice day.

I saw Dr Javer this morning and he removed the sponge and the splints in both sides of my nose for the septum repair. I have had no pain at all and didn’t even have to take Tylenol. The whole experience has been so positive for me and I am grateful to so many people for their support. Tomorrow is the last day for the post-op medications (Clindamycin and Prednisone).

Another relaxing day of resting and feeding my body while I heal. I have had no nerve pains or symptoms, just a little ‘soreness’ on my palate. I enjoyed a nice walk around the neighbourhood and did a bit of grocery shopping. I am looking forward to seeing Dr Javer tomorrow morning. How will I be able to thank him? I don’t really know.

Another good day. I had a lovely bath and enjoyed the nice weather. I have been gradually reducing the medications I’ve been on for nerve pain. It’s a relief to lessen the dose as the drugs made my legs, ankles and fingers swell.

In the morning, I had a bit of energy, so I decided to visit friends/businesses in the neighbourhood. I’ve had so many people helping me and praying for me. It was great to drop in and show them how well I’m doing.

Later on I went to see my visceral manipulation therapist, Herta Buller. Herta has helped me deal with stress and to pay attention to the importance of giving my body what it needs to heal.

Another day of relaxing and healing. The bleeding has stopped and there is a bit of congestion. The black string on my face is connected to a sponge that will be removed on Monday, April 23, six days post-surgery.

Anyone with trigeminal nerve pain knows how difficult it can be to do simple things that we all take for granted — eating, washing, and brushing teeth. I have had some of the most excruciating moments of pain in our kitchen and our bathroom. What a delight it was to do all of those simple things without any pain!

I could hardly contain my excitement with the possibility of living a pain-free life again!

I went to bed very happy as the surgery went so well and I was out of pain!!