Michelle,
May I offer you some words of encouragement as I know that at this point in my recovery my mother and dad could have used alot of it as they were worried sick. I also had the feeding tube as my swallowing reflex was completely paralyzed and all swallow studies showed that it wasn't working at all and I even choked on my own saliva and the doctors would not even allow me to have ice chips in my yuck, dry mouth for 3 months. It was all I could do to brush my teeth without aspirating on the liquid. 3 months later after many failed swallow study tests I PASSED and the tube came out! I also had 6/6 complete facial paralysis with a facial nerve that would not respond to stimulation during surgery and with a grim diagnosis for improvement. I am 2 years post op on July 5, 2005 and I have current pictures posted somewhere. I am now at a 2/3 house brackmann and just now able to blink on my own although I still wear my external weight for extra help. I am still exercising those face muscles to get them stronger. Don't let her think it is hopeless. It's not. Another thing on her side is her young age. Although it is AWFUL that such a young girl has to go through all of this her age will play a huge factor in her recovery as we all know that younger bodies and minds heal quicker than us (shhhhhhhhhh...) 40 year olds...yes I'm almost there. Yikes. It is even documented in many facial nerve recovery studies that age, nutrition, intact facial nerve vs. cut facial nerve, etc. are things to consider when looking at recovery. She has been through sooo much and as I sit here and read your post it takes me back to when I was in a similar place. It instantly made my heart race as I read your posts. I really thought my life was over. I was 38 with two little kids. My vocal cord paralyzed, my swallowing paralyzed, my face paralyzed.......I felt ruined and worthless. Today 2 years later I am in a happy place and feeling much better. It wasn't a cakewalk as you already know since this is her second surgery but with the love of my family and kids I emerged from a very dark, suicidal grim life to a beautiful happy and God-filled life. My hopes for you and your daughter are that through your times of tribulations that it will bring you even closer and that someday she will look back on ALL of this and say...."whew. Glad that's over." I know that God has a special plan for this girl of yours and he knows that she has the will and determination to conquer this thing. I sit here and wipe away tears because writing this brings up so many emotions for me personally and tears for what you and your daughter must feel right now. It isn't fair I know....I asked a thousand "why me's" but REMEMBER....God has a plan. Stay strong, stay focused, take baby steps, have faith, have patience......sorry for that nasty, curse word......I hate that word and continue to be the GREAT mother that Chelsea is so blessed to have. Keep us updated and I will continue to pray for her recovery.
I remember how yummy it tasted to have flavored lip balm.........it was the closest thing to food that I could have. Go get her every flavor you can find. It will be a nice treat trust me!
Angie
