Two more days!

As Friday the 24th approaches, I am getting more and more nervous about my upcoming procedure! I am trying to relax and think how long I have been waiting for this day, so that is helping a bit. I am very fortunate I have not had a headache or any other aches and pains, as I can only take Tylenol this week in preparation for the surgery. Which as many people know, does not do much when you have a migraine! :) I received a call yesterday from the surgery center. The nurse asked me questions about what meds I take, if I am allergic to any medications etc...She also went over what time I needed to arrive on Friday (6:30am!!!) and what I was to wear. I am not allowed to wear jewelry, makeup, or hairspray! Not that I would anyway...who cares who sees you like that when the lovely bandage and splint on my face is the first thing people see! I will more than likely post on Friday morning before I head to the surgery center with some pre-surgery thoughts. Until then, I will be trying to relax and turn my nervousness into excitement!

A little bit of history...

Of course when mentioning "history" in the title of a post, one must use a sepia toned picture to illustrate this point. :) Rather, this picture of us shows a good side view of my nose and why I wish to have this surgery. I was not born this way, and have accepted my nose after many years of struggling with the fact I was different. I love how the unique shape and size sets me apart from others and fits my personality. I love to work out and running is a favorite pastime. I have had difficulties breathing through my nose for as long as I can remember. I distinctly hear my grandmother's voice..."Sarah, close your mouth when you chew!", my grandmother not realizing I could not breathe through my nose as I was eating! I finally consulted an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor a couple of years ago and had a nasal exam. This is where I was told I had a deviated septum. This causes breathing problems, especially the side in which the septum is deviated the most. It turns out my left side was almost eighty percent blocked! I was afraid of surgery, so I thought I would just learn to live with this and accept the fact I would not be able to breathe. After much rumination, I finally decided to take the plunge. My husband is currently on deployment and I realized that this would be a perfect time to finally get this taken care of. I did some research as to what a septoplasty really was and found out it was major surgery! I figured if I was going through all of that pain I might as well get the telltale bump taken off at the same time. This lovely bump was a result of an accident I had when I was about twelve and ran into a wall. It is a long story, but I believe that this unfortunate occurrence caused my still-growing nose to change into something it never would have otherwise. I decided to consult Kaiser Cosmetic Services here in the Sacramento area and went in for my consultation. The doctor did confirm I had a deviated septum. I happily found out that Kaiser (my insurance provider) would cover the necessary part of the surgery--the septoplasty--and I would be responsible for the other portion. This was something I could not turn down! So here I am--exactly 5 days before surgery...excited and nervous all at the same time! I will be posting on the days leading up to the 24th, as well as the days after surgery. This will give a good perspective on bruising, recovery, and any other interesting things I might encounter.