May 20 update on Tim

Tim did have surgery on May 9.  It went well.  His jaw is wired completely shut, for now.  For the first week after surgery, he didn't consume very much food  -- more out of frustration than anything, I think.  I badgered him about it.  Geeshhhhh!  I have 2 food processors, a blender, and a Magic Bullet with 3 blades!  I've told Tim that I'll cook anything he wants - we'll just have to experiment and see what we can make work!  But, Tim hates the thought of having to water down his food with broth, milk, or juice, mutilate in a blender, and then strain it all through a wire mesh strainer so that bits don't catch in his wires when he drinks it through a straw.  All he has wanted is soup, and he hasn't eaten much of that.  His doctor and I both got on his case at the last appt.  We jokingly threatened to send him to a clinic for anorexia.
So, the day after his last appt., I made baked ham, gingered black eye peas, and turnip greens.  We processed each dish in the Magic Bullet and strained each dish into it's own seperate bowl. (We mixed the ham with water and apple juice!)  Tim went berserk.  He "ate" more at that meal than he had in an entire day since he broke his jaw.  He made all kinds of funny num-num, ooh-ahh noises.  (He's been drinking ensure and protein shakes, but it just isn't the same ..... ya know?).   I also made bread pudding with homemade bread for dessert for Tim.   He mixes it with milk in the blender -says it's GOOD!
 
I ran to the store to get milk yesterday and Tim asked me to get him some creamy peanut butter.  He loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (he prefers crunchy peanut butter, but that doesn't work right now.).  His lunch today was a big Magic Bullet peanut butter, jelly, grape juice, and whole wheat crackers shake.
He is adapting.  He's finally eating better, almost well.  It's a lot more work for me --- prepping the food and keeping the necessary kitchen equipment clean and at the ready all of the time.  I had a dr.s appt Monday, then Tim had an appt. Tuesday.   People are always calling to check on Tim.  With his jaw wired up, it is very near impossible for him to talk on the phone, so I field all the calls.  I'm tired; came close to a major crash but I could feel it coming so I slowed down and did only bare necessities for a few days.  I've been dealing with tension headaches, which are triggering more migraines.  Migraine was so bad yesterday afternoon that I had blurry vision.  So, when I cook, I make enough for two meals.  I can always freeze the leftovers and save them for the bad days.
Tim is very glad that I was on top of everything concerning his insurance and medical care.  He couldn't remember anything - I kept up with it all.  Even if he had felt well, he wouldn't have known what to do -- with the insurance representatives, in particular.  Yeah, I was a bit aggressive.  I made it clear when I though an insurance rep was out of line, or did not recognize the urgency of the situation.  (one rep told me that we could make an appt to discuss a referral for the surgery on May 12th, then it would take about 3 weeks for the referral to be processed.  I went a bit off on her).  My daughter wants to know what I did --- several job vacancies have been posted in the Ft. Campbell insurance referrals dept.  Tee hee.   All of those conversations are recorded.  Hey, I wasn't mean.  I was just honest.  Really, I'm kinda proud of myself.  When push comes to shove, I've still got it!  Thoughts and prayers from friends count for a lot.   Thank you.
Tim goes in for x-rays Tuesday.  If everything looks good, he may get the wires taken out  as early as next Friday.  The wires will be replaced with taut elastic bands for 2 weeks to rehab his muscles and ease him back into things without putting too much stress on his jaw at once.  
We are going to be okay, but we still have a ways to go.  Please keep praying for us.