Keeping My Head Held High

It's been almost three weeks since I had surgery on my sinuses, and I'm not quite up to speed. Which is annoying the hell out of me.

Thus, I've been posting a bit less and have not been as present with my comments on all of your wonderful blogs. Hopefully, you'll indulge me for a couple more weeks as I attempt to recover my misplaced mojo.

During my surgery, the ENT actually inserted little balloons deep in my sinuses, pumping them up to enlarge the openings. If things go as planned, this should result in better drainage and fewer sinus infections.

He also determined my septum was severely out of whack and needed straightening.

Not my nose itself however, which was too bad. It isn't that I don't like my nose, but hey, if he had to crack open my face, the least he could've done while he was in there was lift my eyes, give me better cheek bones, or maybe some new, cute-as-a-button nose.

At my age, I would have taken whatever I could get.

But no, same old me. Same old nose. Let's just pray this improved one works better.

When they discharged me from the hospital, the nurses cautioned me not to sleep flat while I was healing, but to attempt to keep my head more upright.

Ha! They needn't have bothered. Due to years of sinus trouble and migraines, I've been sleeping nearly sitting  up since college.

Pillows are my friends. Lots of them.

My poor Ex. When we got married, he confessed he'd always envisioned his wife falling asleep with her head nestled snugly atop his chest. Not too much to ask, right?

But it was not to be. Alas, most nights he would look up at me, high above him on my mound of pillows, and holler, Good night up there!

Small wonder it didn't last, huh?

 

Comments

[PLRH]

For all the pain and suffering you didn't even get a cute little button nose? That's crummy. Well, I guess fewer infections and being able to breath does have their advantages.

Hurry up and feel better!

[Ocean Girl]

This post made me smile and made me remember of how my husband had to sleep upright, sometimes, when he had some very mild asthma problem, and when he did that, I had my head nestled snuglier atop his chest. Memories.

[The gold digger]

I hope you're feeling better soon. My mom had surgery on her deviated septum years ago and got a new nose in the process. I miss her old nose.

[Tracie]

I hope you are completely recovered soon.

I broke my nose in a car wreck when I was 16. I had my septum repaired and the doctor shaved a bit off the bump on my nose while he was in there just because he was awesome.

Too bad the septum is torked again and the schnozz....I don't want to talk about that.

[Michele]

This type of surgery takes longer to get over than the doctors would have you believe. Hang tight, it will be all worth it. It was for me. I also didn't get a cute little button nose out of the deal though the doc said he'd be happy to give me one. My insurance company wasn't as agreeable.

[Gropius]

Really hoping you're back up to speed soon. There's nothing more gross than having to take your time on the mend. Glad you're being patient with yourself so that you can heal well, and meanwhile, we're thinking of you with lots of love.

[Vincent]

I gave up milk in all its parts and bread. All the sinus and tube crap just stopped like a tap had been turned off. It is downright amazing to realise of what people speak when they go on about a sense of smell.
Odd all the same, you having the problem so bad being so near the sea, for normally when I'm near the sea it is the same as my own personal sinus lavage.

[Jan]

I sleep propped up on several pillows due to sinus issues as well. Fortunately, Beloved and I have been together so long that if I snuggled up against his shoulder, he'd just say, "Move over a bit, will ya hon? You're making me hot."

I remember when that was a GOOD thing. *sigh*

[Kristen @ Motherese]

I hope those balloons do the trick, Maureen, and that you're able to rediscover sleeping without a mountain of pillows propping you up!

[LPC]

Oh so sorry and sending you hopes for a speedier recovery.

[Sprite's Keeper]

My mom has always slept in an almost sitting position for so long, I've never seen her buried under the covers like my dad does. I'm like my dad, I burrow. When I have a cold or a sinus infection, I stay upright for as long as possible, but in the morning, no matter how stuffed I am, I will find myself buried under the covers again, usually on my stomach. :-) Feel better!

[Twenty Four At Heart]

I have to sleep with a mountain of pillows cuz of my arm/neck/back since the car accident. I sort of build a cocoon of them. I hope each day sees you feeling better!

[Mama Badger]

I used to sleep on multiple pillow to drain the goo, too, but lately I end up like Sprite's Keeper. Burrowed down practically underneath all the pillows!

Glad to hear that you're progressing. Are you at least feeling like there is an improvement?

[Jen on the Edge]

Oh wow, what a way to live. I'm glad you're recovering well and hope that pretty soon you can sleep normally.

[Lora]

It took a good 6 or 8 weeks for me to be "right" again. And the nurse said that I made a joke about my boobs being perkier when I woke up and made the doc blush!

Always the jokester, this one...

[Kristina P.]

I am so glad I don't have sinus problems. Does not sound fun!

[Maya]

It still sounds like a huge improvement! Me, I could never (even) fall asleep snuggled up. I need space around me, ha!

[Jason]

These kinds of sinus troubles sound AWFUL. I have a friend who has had a couple of miserable sinus surgeries---and her problem always comes back--with a vengeance.

Good luck to you!

[Kimberly]

That is so funny (the pillows,not the sinus trouble) because I do the same thing. I sleep with 4 pillows. It stems from really bad asthma and allergies as a kids. I have grown out of the worst of it to some degree but still sleep with four pillows. Guests are surprised when I have to pull out additional pillows for their sleeping convenience because the four decoratively placed on my bed are for ME!
I have a friend who has gone through 2 sinus surgeries. The first one didn't fix the problem where as the second one did. It seems awful, but if it will give you relief then it's hopefully worth it. Feel better!

[Gretchen]

Funny, I know a number of actor types who purportedly had operations for their "deviated septums", but amazingly came out of it with perfect little button noses. Hmmmm....

[Jen]

I have never had trouble with my sinuses but my mother has for as long as I can remember. She reminds me of Felix Unger. I hope you feel better soon and can snuggle with your husband one of these nights.

[SuziCate]

Been there, done that with the diviated septum...years of migraines and infections. Still get migraines but not as often. Here's to no more migraines and getting your mojo back!

[Penny (AKA Krista)]

Bah... if he had been worthy he would have propped himself up beside you! ;o)

I sure hope you are feeling better soon! Please take as much time as you need... we will wait ever-so-impatiently for your return. haha! Take good care of yourself!!!

[Patty]

Ouch, that sounds intensely painful. I hope recuperation is going well. And I hope your new sinuses work so well you don't even mind that the doc didn't do a little nip and tuck while he was in there. Judging from your picture, you don't need it anyway!

[Terry]

I hate not feeling good. I hope this makes breathing and your headaches better. If I had to get my sinuses worked on I would go in for a brow lift too! I need one so bad that sometimes actually have to keep my one hand on my left eyelid to see.

You are going to be breathing like a queen in no time!

[Vintage Simple]

Aw, dear..! I'm sorry. I hope you heal soon - I'd be totally annoyed too! In the meantime, please don't stress about blogging, okay? We'll be here. We want you to get better - so take good care of yourself and rest. (Do I sound like your mother yet??) ;)

Anyway. Feel better. Sending a big hug your way, avoiding the nose area, of course.

love,
-maria

[kathryn]

Patience, Grasshopper. Your body's gonna heal when it's damn good and ready...and being an impatient mom is not gonna make it happen any quicker.

Yes, it's reasonable to expect that you should breathe easier and have less sinus infections after all this. If it doesn't happen, give me the doctor's number. I've got a friend who will teach him a lesson....

[Erin]

Right there with you with the sinus issues. I have a lot of pillows...
I hope the mending goes quicker. hang in there.

[dreamfarmgirl]

I am your long-lost suffering sinus-sister. I am constantly trying to prevent sinus infections and battling sinus pain. I too sleep practically upright; I neti-pot constantly; I pop sudafed (the kind you have to sign for with your drivers license); hold hot tea cups or cold ice bags to my head, and have a magnetized eye cover. The worst part is that my daughter is now joining the ranks of sinus sufferers. I hope your surgery works!!

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

The pillow thing seriously sounds like me...I've always had to be propped up for one thing or another..asthma...bronchitis. Ear infection...yadda, yadda, yadda.

I hope things get back to normal for you soon!

[TC]

As I get older more pillows are better. I don't have sinus nerves or maybe I'm just brain dead but if I get a sinus infection I don't know it till I'm like dying.
I feel for you and the nose deal. You can see from some of my pictures, my nose is wide and prominent. You look all put together in your picture, I've taken pictures front on in broad daylight and been mistaken for the witch of the west.
My husband said God gave me my nose to keep me humble because otherwise I'd be so beautiful I'd get the big head. Nice thought? But does that mean I'm not beautiful to him? LOL

[PD]

Migraines, oh the misery. I've suffered since I was a teenager. Finally my primary doc recommended I see a neurologist (why did all these doctors wait until I was FORTY FRIGGING FIVE??!!!) and she treats me with botox shots in my skull. Honey, it works! I get about 15 injections in my head and shoulders every 3 months and I'm finally off the imitrex, yippee!! Headaches enormously reduced and I feel great. Highly recommended but you will have to fight with your insurance company to cover it.

Feel better soon and check into the botox. Added benefit... your head and neck will look twenty years younger ;-)

[Peggy]

I hope you're up tp speed soon. I just counted...I have 11 pillows on my bed! Takes up pretty much half of it.

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

If I'm looking at the right photo... you already have a nice nose.

Hope you're back up to speed in no time.

[TheKitchenWitch]

They couldn't give you a new nose, even with a deviated septum? Come on! Those kooks.

I had a deviated septum and they did the nose job, too. But dang, sleeping on my back for several weeks darn near killed me (I'm a stomach sleeper). Glad it's not an issue for you.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

[Smart Mouth Broad]

I would have lobbied for a new nose. Mine is ok but once they're already there, why not? Hope you'll be back at it and up to speed soon.

Hugs,
SMB

[Jane]

I'm so sorry that you're not recovering as quickly as you'd hoped. (For me, that would be immediately - I'm not a very patient healer!) Yes, I've missed your writing but I'd prefer that you were comfortable and painfree. Fingers crossed that your mojo kicks in soon!

[Braja]

Sinuses are troublesome things, no? I didn't realize you were going thru this, sorry to hear it Maureen and hope you're soon back to a better place than you were before, sinus-wise :))

[Mrsbear]

You poor thing! They cracked open your face. I think that would put quite a crimp in my bloggy mojo too. I can't even manage with the dog being infirm, much less having balloons installed in my face. Hope you're feeling better soon. Look forward to seeing your comments.

I personally cannot sleep on anyone's chest, I prefer face down on the mattress with my limbs out at all angles. Luckily my husband is okay with me not wanting to be touched during sleep. Seriously, no snuggling, no cuddling, I don't even like our feet to bump under the covers. lol

[Lynn]

Now now--what's wrong with your nose? I've been sleeping somewhat sitting since being pregnant. I found that I slept much easier that way. 3 pillows, usually. You should collect an average pillow rating or something.

I do hope you feel better soon. When your face hurts, it seems like it makes everything hurt.

[jessica]

I'm sure when you got married to your ex you had a lot of expectations that went unfulfilled so, it all evens out.

[Heather]

We will still be here, just a little lonely'er without you.

AND HEY! There is nothing wrong with your face! You are beautiful!

Hope you get better soon.

[Uppity]

My sweetie always assumed he and his beloved would sleep snugly and peacefully side by side each night -- and as it turns out, we actually have to sleep with a pillow between us to prevent him from kicking or whacking me in the middle of the night! So much for romantic fantasies. :)

[Casey]

Man, that sucks. I hope everything heals and you're good as new in no time. And I think you have a nice nose, don't go changin.