Well, it has been just over a year since my TED surgery….and I can tell you that I am glad I had it done, and would recommend it to anyone. That is not to say that there are not drawbacks…I am STILL numb on both sides of my face. The left side is the most, with numbness that stretches from my upper lip to my eyebrow….the nerves around my eye are still sensitive, and it’s almost impossible to put on eyeliner without extreme pain.
I have received some very touching e-mails, and I”m glad to know that this site is helping people facing TED surgery. I’m looking into putting this blog in a different, easier to navigate format soon….
Wanted to pass along a couple of quick pre-surgery tricks for my new friend, Sarah. These three natural extracts I believe helped keep me from bruising and sped up my recovery time considerably. My doctor was amazed, and asked for the list!!
Take arnica montana…..available at most health food homeopathic areas (Boiron makes it). Take it as directed a full week before and after surgery to help with healing and bruising.
Bromalain (known as the papaya enzyme). This should be taken a week before as well, as well as during the healing process to help with inflammation. This should be taken on an empty stomach.
Monavie is also excellent to take 2 weeks before and after surgery because of it’s high antioxidant properties. I like it so much that I am a distributor: mymonavie.com/pdx
I used your advice (thank you!!) re: Arnica Montana, Bromelain (don’t have the Monavie but something similar) when I had my four wisdom teeth out this summer and all went quite well…for my age (44) apparently!!! In my mind it was a tester for the upcoming decompression surgery which I am very anxious to have but nervous as heck the same time. When I mentionned those things to the doctor who will be doing my surgery he said they have kits similar to that for the patients before/after surgery.
I still can’t believe what a strong person you are for all you have been through. Just this eye disease can be very depressing and no one can understand unless you are going through it yourself. Have double vision 24/7 on top of that. Anyway I guess it is like that for any illness and I “often” think of people with worse illnesses or problems.
Thanks again for all your help …I will continue to check and refer back to your blog as I have been since my father passed away two years ago and this whole eye disease really kicked into gear.
Take good care….
Sarah
:):)