I have been waiting until the lump in the right maxilla goes away, to write. Unfortunately it's still there, but very slowly shrinking. The lump causes a lot of inflammation in my right cheek that I can feel. The size of the area of inflammation has drastically decreased, but is still really annoying.
In November, I returned to Florida from Washington. It was an ungodly hot winter in South Florida and apparently a very nice winter in Washington (my luck).
I tried to change my profession to being a custom landscape and wildlife photographer to escape the mental stress and strain that comes along with dealing with other peoples pains and problems as happens when you are a physical therapist (PT).
Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to keep going until it was successful. I still have my website www.dmhallphotography.com and my photos look amazing framed or on canvases, just saying..it's still a work in progress, but after working all day as a PT, still fighting the OM and trying to get back in shape, I don't have a lot of left over energy to work on my photography site.
So I returned to working as a physical therapist in Florida, but over the last year my left jaw lumps and pain have gotten worse. My left ear became the worst and felt like there was a knife in it fairly constantly. I had trouble hearing. The left side of my face frequently went numb, which made it hard to think and my left eye occasionally watered. I started using peroxide, alcohol and ASAP silver gel in my ears and the ASAP silver and Flonase in my nose every day. This combination worked to control the symptoms most days, but I was still feeling this overall increase in symptoms.
The job in Florida, did not go well. I won't get into details, but the hours ended up being much much longer than they should have been and the pay was salaried. In the end I wasn't making enough to pay the bills and didn't have time for a second job to make up for the difference. I also was perpetually worried and scared about how to proceed with my worsening jaw symptoms. As from past experience, I know that there is no help to be found in Florida.
My friends in Washington, at the last facility that I worked at, started texting me that they were short staffed and needed help. In a somewhat rash and rapid decision, I gave notice and returned to Washington. It made the most sense. I could work a decent ethical job and get the medical care that I needed by the competent and caring people that I already owe my life to.
Long story short. I followed up with Larry Ward at Comprehensive Medical in Kirkland, was put on holistic remedies specific to my needs and returned to Dr. Borneman in Anacortes.
Today, I am happy to say, I have had my 10th and 11th debridement surgeries. This was the 3rd time for my left posterior maxilla and mandible. It was aggressive and I think thorough. Usually shortly after the surgeries, my tongue roams lightly back there to remaining lumps and my heart sinks as I know the lumps weren't fully removed. This time, there are no lumps remaining !!!
I had an excess growth of bone that had formed under my mandible on the left. I could trace the channel up from the lump into my jaw. Since the surgery, this bony growth area is really really sore, so I am very hopeful that it will go away.
I am excited and hopeful that this journey (freaking nightmare) will be over soon!
In November, I returned to Florida from Washington. It was an ungodly hot winter in South Florida and apparently a very nice winter in Washington (my luck).
I tried to change my profession to being a custom landscape and wildlife photographer to escape the mental stress and strain that comes along with dealing with other peoples pains and problems as happens when you are a physical therapist (PT).
Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to keep going until it was successful. I still have my website www.dmhallphotography.com and my photos look amazing framed or on canvases, just saying..it's still a work in progress, but after working all day as a PT, still fighting the OM and trying to get back in shape, I don't have a lot of left over energy to work on my photography site.
So I returned to working as a physical therapist in Florida, but over the last year my left jaw lumps and pain have gotten worse. My left ear became the worst and felt like there was a knife in it fairly constantly. I had trouble hearing. The left side of my face frequently went numb, which made it hard to think and my left eye occasionally watered. I started using peroxide, alcohol and ASAP silver gel in my ears and the ASAP silver and Flonase in my nose every day. This combination worked to control the symptoms most days, but I was still feeling this overall increase in symptoms.
The job in Florida, did not go well. I won't get into details, but the hours ended up being much much longer than they should have been and the pay was salaried. In the end I wasn't making enough to pay the bills and didn't have time for a second job to make up for the difference. I also was perpetually worried and scared about how to proceed with my worsening jaw symptoms. As from past experience, I know that there is no help to be found in Florida.
My friends in Washington, at the last facility that I worked at, started texting me that they were short staffed and needed help. In a somewhat rash and rapid decision, I gave notice and returned to Washington. It made the most sense. I could work a decent ethical job and get the medical care that I needed by the competent and caring people that I already owe my life to.
Long story short. I followed up with Larry Ward at Comprehensive Medical in Kirkland, was put on holistic remedies specific to my needs and returned to Dr. Borneman in Anacortes.
Today, I am happy to say, I have had my 10th and 11th debridement surgeries. This was the 3rd time for my left posterior maxilla and mandible. It was aggressive and I think thorough. Usually shortly after the surgeries, my tongue roams lightly back there to remaining lumps and my heart sinks as I know the lumps weren't fully removed. This time, there are no lumps remaining !!!
I had an excess growth of bone that had formed under my mandible on the left. I could trace the channel up from the lump into my jaw. Since the surgery, this bony growth area is really really sore, so I am very hopeful that it will go away.
I am excited and hopeful that this journey (freaking nightmare) will be over soon!
