Day 24!!

I can't believe I just titled this post as "Day 24"! Time has been flying by these past few weeks. I think I mentally over-dramatized this entire ordeal, therefore I can't get over the fact I'm pretty 'normal' at the 3 week post-op date. I've had a ton of progress with eating this week. I graduated from chicken-noodle soup to Spaghetti O's, Beefaroni, and I even scarfed down spaghetti on Wednesday. I know I was told to stick to blenderized foods, but it's either eat what I can with a spoon or don't eat at all. The "don't eat at all" method got me down 16 pounds in 2 weeks, so I'm sticking to what I can with a spoon.

We went to a picnic at my dad's fire station last weekend. They had grown men, a grill, and fresh ground beef. This is a recipe for awesomeness if you like to eat. This is a recipe for torture if you physically can NOT. My most fabulous dad made a special trip to the kitchen to warm up Spaghetti O's for me. I had to sit at the table by myself while everyone else was loading their plates with 3000 calories. I felt like a child being punished. I really felt like a child when I started laughing and spit Spaghetti O's all over the table!! My mouth is still numb and sometimes I forget that. When I eat lately, I make everyone eating with me sign a contract that says, "While you are dining with Kristin, it is your civic duty to inform her of any and all spills, crumbs, or stains that occur on her face. While it may be hilarious to let her go through the day with green birthday cake icing on her numb, lower lip, by signing this contract you forfeit your right to let this happen".

I went back to work Monday and today is my last day here. I have to report Monday to a real-life school district where I'll be employed as a real-life school teacher. I had no idea that I would feel as good as I have been, that's why I decided that I could hack going back to work as quickly as I did. Believe it or not, daytime TV and naps are not really my thing. Okay, that's a lie. Long periods of time of nothing but Home Improvement marathons and sleeping half the afternoon away is not really my thing.

I've popped 2 smaller bands this week and I managed not to freak out when they popped my cheek. I had a major fear of that, but I managed to overcome! Brushing, eating, spitting, (when I brush...not while I'm chewing tobacco) and talking have all improved this week...surely Dr. Miller will let me go "soft-foods" when I visit next week. I already have major guilt for "cheating" with the foods I've been eating, so how hard will it be to let me be reintroduced to potatoes, vegetables, pastas, etc. I know it's still weeks before I can handle chips and salsa, but that day will be here before I know it! I'm sure Los Cocos' financial books have seen a horrible set-back since July 28th...hahaha. Wish me luck for next week and I'll keep you posted!