Day 58: Trombone Frustration

Jaw- 3/10

While you are out of playing pick
up a new instrument! Ukulele
is always fun for me. 

Headache- 5/10

I have been trying to play my trombone the past few days. I am 8 weeks post op. I most definitely can play. But I am very frustrated. Months before surgery I could pick up any piece of music and play through it. I would play my trombone if I was having a bad day, and it would make me feel better. Now I feel like I have nothing. My teacher told me I was going to get upset. Well he was right. I know what I have to do. It’s just going to take time.

Tips for musicians:

1.                             Long Tones!- They are boring but they will help you. Work on playing with less pressure. This is the perfect time to perfect your embrasure.

2.                             Don’t push it- You need to listen to your body. I am only playing 5 minute intervals. Yes, it absolutely sucks. But it will help in the end.

3.                             Don’t give up- I have considered giving up. Switching my major and putting away my horn for good. Don’t do that. It is frustrating but you can do it!

My jaw pain went up because I played my trombone on and off for a bit tonight. I also tried to chew a bagel. I haven’t gotten that amazing feeling everyone is talking about when I bite into something. I can’t wait until I can experience this. One thing I have noticed, I’m not making as much of a mess when I bite into things. As for my headache, it obviously is still there. I am not sure why. I will talk to my orthodontist in a week when I see him. 

Day 54: Salad Spasm

Jaw pain- 2/10

Headache- 5/10

I thought I would go with the mirror shot. 

I would like to start out by apologizing for not making a post in a while. I have been taking mid-terms and away at my granny's because my grandfather is sick.  

I am eating much better than I was the last time I blogged. Tonight I had tender chicken. I didn’t have too much of a problem with that. I also tried to have salad. By salad I mean 3 pieces of lettuce on my plate with dressing. That was interesting. My teeth still don’t touch and my jaw decided to have a spasm while I was chewing. I am still getting very tired when I chew, but I know that will pass.

I started playing my trombone yesterday! It was quite strange. It was like picking up my horn for the first time. I mentally know what to do. Physically I don’t. Playing my trombone really shows how much my mouth has changed. Before surgery my embrasure was very high and awkward, now it’s a better feeling. I still hear a “double buzz”. But it is nothing like it was before I had all this done. So I guess I am improving!

Things are finally starting to go back to normal. I am happy about that. I am not so happy about my insomnia being back. If anyone has tips on insomnia let me know!

I woke up today and had my piano lesson. It wasn’t my best lesson. I was too tired to think. But my teacher asked to hear me play my trombone. He said my sound is there. But my air is very shaky. I am kind of afraid of playing still. My surgeon assured me that I wouldn’t mess anything up. But still. The fact that bone fusion takes 90 days and I am allowed to play worries me.

There is a close up
of my bite. See how things
are lining up?!

I still have headaches. That Is just because my orthodontist is still moving my bite around. But my jaw pain is almost nonexistent. My jaw only really bothers me when I try to chew. That’s if I have a spasm. I am also back to sleeping on my back! And sneezing is getting les and less painful. Things are finally looking up!

As for my ankle, it is just a very bad sprain. My orthopedic told me that it looks like I fractured it a few years ago and it wasn’t treated for. That doesn’t surprise me. This has been a LONG journey. I have a high tolerance for pain.  Ankle pain is nothing. 

Day 35: What's next?

Day 35: What’s next?

Headache- 6/10

Jaw pain- 4/10

Yup! I got colors this time! Might
as well enjoy it! :)
(look at all the elastics)

Saw my orthodontist yesterday. He said I am still swollen, but my bite is really coming along. My teeth aren’t touching so I got some new hooks in my mouth. I have to wear my elastics in the shape of triangles. I have two upside-down triangles in the back of my mouth. That will bring my back teeth together. I also have two upright triangles in the front of my mouth. That will bring my front teeth together. My orthodontist said he wishes all his patients would listen and follow the rules like I do. When I am all done he wants my picture on his wall in his office. I feel honored.

 I have been very bored. I am not like most Americans. I can’t sit down all day and watch television or play video games. I have to be moving. So I decided to go outside and play some soccer. I love dribbling the ball around. Well, it was kind of muddy and getting dark. I slid and tumbled. My left ankle got caught under my right led while my body was sliding in the mud. I lied in the grass for a few seconds, and then I tried to move. I couldn’t get up. It was so painful. It’s a good thing I had my cell phone because my dad was out there to help me within 30 seconds of our call. I went to the emergency room and got some x-rays. I didn’t break anything, thankfully! But I did badly sprain my ankle. Apparently sprains are worse pain wise. And they take longer to heal because you are dealing with muscle. I get a fancy splint and cool crutches! If the pain doesn’t go away in 4-5 days I need to go a specialist. I might have torn a ligament or something. It never ends! No chewing, no walking, what’s next?

My headache is still there. It isn’t going away. And if I sneeze, my day is ruined. That’s where most of my pain comes from. I had to do a half day at school this week because I sneezed. I think my body is starting to hate me.

Great news! My surgeon told me I can start lightly playing my trombone! It makes me very happy that he said so. I was afraid when he said that. My bone isn’t fused together yet and I can’t chew. How can I play? So I called one of my teachers and told him how I felt. He told me to wait until I am 6 weeks. And if my body feels good enough I can try. He even gave me an assignment. I am being very cautious about this. I am so worried I am going to hurt myself.

Oh yeah, my orthodontist said my swelling should be almost all gone within the next 4 weeks! I can’t wait until this is all over and done with!