It must be the weekend. I had about ten PM's and emails asking me for an update since yesterday morning, so.......

The recoup is going well. Far better than when the other side was done in 2005. I can turn my head about thirty degrees each way and the same up and down without any pain, as long as I don't do it too often. I still have to lay semi-prone and rest my neck every hour or so unless I am just sitting. Otherwise, when the pain does come, it takes a while to sort out. I can even lift my head without the aid of my arm if I am not sitting back any more than about twenty degrees. Glad I bought that Lazyboy recliner-rocker on sale in October just in case. Sleeping on the couch propped up with pillows is a drag. Especially if ya roll over while asleep! That is my story and I am stickin to it.

I did have a copule of days of frequent dull and sharp pains but these eased yesterday. Now they are sporadic. The itching from the incision, from the staples and from the "dripping" of the Polysporin (antibiotic ointment with a consistency of vaseline) and from the now nine days of beard growth has been driving me nuts as I can't scratch near the incision. Plus, due to nerve damage, it isn't easy to figure out where to scratch. Hehehe... sometimes, the pain from the incision under the ear feels like someone has me by the top of the ear with pliars. Wakes ya right up!

Got the staples out Friday. Only a dozen staples this time and the nurse only pinched me once. Just one spot with a half a drop of blood. And, she was pleasant!! Could have been that it was her last working day before two weeks vacation.

No progress with nerve damage and scar tissue from the Nov 23 operation. But, combined with the nerve damage from the Dec 14 operation, the left side of my face is "consistent". The mouth, cheek, eyelid and forhead all "doop" or "not move" in unison. Hehehe... I can only look surprised if you are standing to the right of me. The doc said, "Hey, in Hollywood, they get botox for that." Somehow, that didn't make me laugh... well, maybe a half a laugh.

So, one week down. One more to go being housebound. Then another four with no more than walking, light meals, dishes, etc. I might even be able to sleep in my bed by then. We will see about the scar and nerve damage as time goes on. Might heal, might not. Thank goodness I am good-lookin to begin with.

Thanks again to all who posted, PM'd, emailed, chatted... each has been a source of comfort and has lifted my spirits. And, the comments and jokes have raised my eyebrow more than once.

Merry HOHO!!!