Thirteen

1. My jaw is getting better. Headache has essentially subsided - it only hurts after chewing but I got quickly got tired of the soft diet.

2. Weekly Fall is the Best Season Remark: Sandals are put away for the next 6-months. No more obsessing over cracked heels (I do still get my pedi’s, I just don’t worry about what my “ugly runner’s feet” look like)

3. I’ve worked out TWICE this week (after nothing last week, or the week before, or…). Granted it is still transition time so those workouts were 40 minute spin, 45 minute run. And tonight will be another 40 minute spin. This weekend will be an hour run and a two hour bike ride (weather permitting).

4. I’m 37 years old and I still feel like a little girl playing dress up when I have to wear a business suit to work.




5. While I was laid up with the Worst Headache Known To Man I managed to finish two of the books I was reading and have started another. I also watched 4 movies, way too much Food Network, and almost caught up on my DVR shows.

6. I did not win the chili contest. I was robbed! The guy that did win said he actually voted for mine, as did another person that entered a chili. Oh well – I tasted all of the entries and there were some good ones but I think mine was the best.

7. Here are pictures from my cubicle contest (also did not win) of my Team Z paraphernalia. I did get asked a couple times “what’s Team 2”?



8. The guy in the cubicle next to me has his (annoying) cell phone ringer on AND an alert that goes off every 5 minutes when he has a voice mail. And he’s never at his desk…BEEP!

9. I wore my contacts for the first time in a LONG time yesterday and I loved them until about 4:30. Dry, itchy eyes - drops would be a good idea.

10. I re-read my Ironman Race Report last night…and got teary eyed remembering that AWESOME day! This is still my favorite picture...look how happy I am coming to the finish line!

11. BEEP!

12. I haven’t mentioned it lately, but Dude is the greatest! *SIGH*

13. I just realized I have my (annoying) cell phone ringer ON and I’m rarely at my desk. At least it doesn’t beep when I have VM! (And people rarely call me)

Jaw Update

Not broken, cracked, displaced, or fractured. I have a Hemotoma - otherwise known as a bruise.

What does bruising cause??

Swelling for one. An excruciating headache for another. Additionally, the jaw hinge is set rather close to the ear canal (5mm) - hence the hearing thru a vacuum that I'm experiencing. It's also against the sinuses - hence the headache/sinus pressure. The sinuses are against the eye socket - hence the feeling of "droopy eye".

I'm on steroids now to help bring down the swelling. It took almost 24 hours for me to convince myself to take them since I tend to get "puffy" when I'm on the 'roids. And considering I haven't exercised in, well, oh let's just say a very long time, puffiness is imminent.

I'm also on 800mg Motrin for the pain. Want to know what that does to me? It makes me clench my teeth which is the opposite of what I need to do! So I'm not taking it very often and when I do I have to make the concerted effort to not clench.

Eventually I'll be fitted for a night mouth guard to prevent grinding/clenching. Yeah, I know, uber-sexy! I wonder if it comes with a floor length flannel night gown.

Hopefully, fingers-crossed, rub the lucky rabbit foot, the 'roids will kick in, the swelling will dissipate and I'll be back to my jolly self in no time.

In the meantime, (I SWEAR I'm going to the gym after work tonight)

Day Three

Of the worst headache known to man.

I told you how my jaw was out of alignment. I went to the Doctor on Friday and was told it wasn't displaced probably just some swelling. She prescribed prescription strength Naproxin and recommended ice packs. In two words: NOT HELPING.

I'm not a Doctor but I watch A LOT of them on TV. Seriously, I was a huge ER fan in it's hey-day. I don't miss Grey's Anatomy. I even occasionally watch House. Between that and my unlimited access to the internet I have diagnosed myself with a Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw.

Common symptoms of TMD include (I've bolded my issues):
Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak or open your mouth wide
Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain)
A tired feeling in the face
Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
Swelling on the side of the face
Other common symptoms include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches and hearing problems.

So tomorrow I'm making an appointment with my dentist.

For now though, I need to get out of this house! I hurt but I am BORED!!!!!