5w 1d

I was loitering around a couple of jaw surgery forums a couple of days ago ("loitering" around websites sounds a bit wrong really but that's pretty much what I was doing) when I read a really sad story about some 18 year old guy who had gone for the same surgery as I had in June of this year.  He had started a blog (what is it with people wanting to share surgical stories with the world?) and had posted some videos on YouTube prior to his surgery.  Unfortunately this guy passed away as a result of complications that developed during his operation.  God only knows what his family must be going through. RIP fella.

Serves as a bit of a reality check when I'm still concerned about a bit of swelling and soreness.  Infection has well and truly taken hold of the left side of my face and has caused quite a hard swelling along my jaw line.  The surrounding area is softer but is also swollen.  I also have this very strange sensation in that I can hear the fluid in the swelling really loudly in my left ear, but nobody else can hear it!  Visited the docs yesterday and now on a week long course of antibiotics.  Bloody typical.  England v Wales tonight and no Stella.  I can live without a kebab, but football with no beer?  That's like one of my blog posts without the moaning!

The mid-line between my front upper and lower teeth seems to have improved and is now pretty much lined up.  I'm hoping that when I go back to the dental hospital on Friday, they say I no longer have to wear the elastic band which runs diagonally across the front of my teeth.  I think the other bands will probably have to stay for a while longer though.

I have spent most of this morning playing "shops" with my little girl.  Spending time with the family is one of the positive things that has kept me going through the recovery period.  You can't get too down in the dumps when you are spending hours buying miniature jars of Branston pickle at £250.00 a time from a really bossy shop assistant.

Just a word of thanks to those of you who have been so supportive, it is greatly appreciated and your many words of encouragement has been a real help.