Friday, September 14, 2007

I'm Free!



That's right. As of yesterday morning, my jaw was finally unwired. For the most part, it was an okay experience. It felt a bit strange to be put to sleep again-- the nurse started an IV, attached me to all sorts of machines, and hooked my up to the oxygen again-- it brought me back to those days in the hospital. The dentist came in and we started chatting and the next thing I remember is walking up the stairs of our building to our second floor apartment. According to Doug, I was awake in the room when he was called back in there to talk to the doctor. Apparently I even tried to be part of the conversation, although they didn't understand a thing I was trying to say (I had a lot of gauze in my mouth at that time). Somehow, I walked out of the office, down the stairs, and to the car and don't remember a thing. A little creepy, if you ask me.
It sounds like the doctor is pretty optimistic about how things went. While I was asleep he tested the strength of my jaw and found that it was healing well. My bite lined up well too, so he's thinking that I will not need to have any more work done if I don't want it. We'll see him again next week, but it feels like a small answer to prayer. Yesterday Doug and I decided that we were going to celebrate this small step of progress in the journey of recovery. Even though it's difficult to put the painful thoughts and memories aside for a while, it was nice to just be encouraged and focus on the positive for a few hours.
If there is anything I've learned from this experience, it's to not take the small things in life for granted. Eating every meal though a straw for 6 weeks certainly teaches you this lesson, and there have been so many other realizations of how much we take our health and independence for granted every day. I remember so clearly how important those small steps have been to me throughout the past few weeks. Drinking my first glass of water after 3 days of no food or drink was glorious (I asked for it in the helicopter and was told to wait until we reached the Calgary hospital-- little did I know that it would be days before I'd be allowed to drink it!). I wept during my first shower in the hospital-- after 10 days of having someone else bathe you, taking a hot shower on your own is incredible. I can still remember how remarkabe it was to pick up my baby for the first time on my own without having to wait for someone to lay him in my arms-- finally I felt like a mom. The first time I was actually able to dress myself without help I ran into the kitchen to show Doug my accomplishment like a toddler anxious to show their parent their latest trick. Yesterday I actually shed a few tears the first time I realized I could lick my lips without having teeth in the way! Small steps often feel the most significant during the journey.
Thank you everyone for praying for me and my broken jaw. I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am to have this part of the healing process almost over.
For those of you who are curious, the first thing I ate was a piece of toast. Not too exciting, I know, but I sent Doug to McDonalds for me not long after. (Don't tell my oral surgeon).


Why not throw a few pictures of the little guy in? These were taken just this morning. He's irresistibly cute while sleeping.



33 comments:

{ as we know it } said...

I cried with joy as I read all the 'small' steps you've taken and how each one has not been taken for granted by you.
I am SO glad it went well @ the dentist ... and yes, I'll agree that it's a little creepy that you don't remember anything till you got home! That'd be a weird feeling.
You're little guy is irresistablly cute ...
Love, Lindy

elisa said...

You left tears in my eyes after reading all that you've come through...I think about the little things that I might complain about and stop myself - I realize how selfish I'm being. I love your enthusiasm toward your mouth, I agree that it's a step toward recovery definately! I love you guys and Caleb looks like he loves his home - how precious!

Michelle said...

Praise God that you are one step closer on the road to recovery! I'm sure it feels like you still have such a long way to go but enjoy the progress you have made! Caleb is sooooo cute!! Nothing beats the beauty of a sleeping baby! Prayers with you as you continue on your journey.

Trev and Rebekah said...

I love this post. First of all congrats on being FREE. What a reminder to be thankful for the small things. I also don't doubt that these last number of weeks though hard have also been good on your marriage in that you appreciate eachother more. Not that you didn't already but you realize how glad you are to have the other person around, right?
I love it when little babies sleep with their arms up by their head. So cute!
I am so glad that you were able to celebrate. When Trev told me that's what Doug said you were doing it was exciting to hear. I hope that things will only get better from here in regards to your physical healing.
Thanks again for the reminder to be thankful. I think we take so much for granted without even knowing it. Have a great day Elissa!

Amber said...

Caleb is so incredibly precious! Those pictures are amazing, what a cutie!!

It was exciting reading about the accomplishments you have got to experience and how you have been celebrating what most people take totally for granted....we have been praying for you and will continue to pray. May God continue to heal you and work in your lives and be with you every single step of the way.

I've said it before, but it is amazing how God can put a family on our hearts that we barely know (we've only met Jamie & Erik & the kiddies) and nudge us to pray every single day. It has reminded me that as believers in Christ we are one big family. Blessings to you today.

Leanne said...

I'm reading a book right now that speaks of finding out what true joy means once you've walked through fire. I've come to realize that all those little steps - (oh, I remember that first shower after bed rest!) - are part of the journey to realizing the depth of emotion that joy is. There is nothing trivial or frivolous about it. And the journey is achingly bittersweet sometimes, awful and painful other times.
I am deeply happy that your jaw is free...glad that you're rejoicing this step...happy that you indulged in the McD's :) Still praying.

Megan said...

Hi Elissa, You probably don't know who I am but I have been keeping updated through blogland. Also I have been praying for you and your family. I am so happy to hear that all went well and that you can now finally eat without using a straw! OH the small and most significant joys in life.

Charlotte said...

So cute! and I'm so happy for you that the wires are off! brought tears to my eyes as well :)
praying for you still and praising God for his faithfulness.

kelly ens said...

So happy to hear the news about your jaw! how wonderful that must be!
Thanks for including pictures of Caleb - he's so precious and pictures of him are always great to see!

Yvonne said...

So happy for that you are able to experience moments of joy and that you are free! Glad that this prayer was answered for you. Caleb is such a sweetie - praying for you and celebrating the little things with you.

Lindsay said...

yay! that is wonderful news! I have been praying faithfully for you everyday! I am very happy to hear that your jaw is recovering so well. I love the pictures of sleeping Caleb - he is ADORABLE! :)

The W's said...

I hope you don't mind that I leave a comment. I always feel a little funny doing this when you don't really know the person. I have found your blog through others that I know. (I have been following your blog for a while now). I was deeply moved by your recent posts. You and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers. I know that a lot of words and phrases may just seem like cliches right now. I cannot imagine or try to understand what you have gone through and what you're going through. Know that there are many people who don't even know you who are praying so very hard. Celebrating your amazing steps to physical recovery and praying for continued recovery and emotional healing.

Dori said...

Elissa,you are positively a radiant light! Through all the chaos that has occurred the Lord is using you and the rest of your family is ways you could never believe! Your optimism and thankfulness in the "little things" you are accomplishing is proof to both how strong you are and how strongly you depend on the Lord! You are a beautiful woman and I am so proud to know you!
Lots of love,
Dori

Rick and Sandy said...

Wow! God IS good...what an amazing testimony, Elissa.

Caleb is absolutely adorable...precious, so very precious.

We are rejoicing with you!!

The Friesen's

Jacqueline said...

Yeah we are so thrilled for you we will continue to pray for your recovery and strength
love Paul and Jacqueline

Ej said...

Great news and Caleb looks adorable. We're still praying for you and I hope you enjoyed the McD's ;-)

vic and Anne Toews said...

Hi. I'm at Gr&Gr's, learning how to add a comment, as yesterday's went "astray". Shirley

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for these latest updates! I started reading the first one at work, and quickly realized everyone would wonder why I was sitting at my desk crying. Thanks for being so honest with how you're doing. Caleb is absolutely beautiful...I can't wait to hold him! We love you guys!
Auntie Linda (for B, J and D, too)

vic and Anne Toews said...

Dear Doug and Elissa
Gpa and I were just so pleased to read the up-dates, and are esp. thankful that you can rejoice in the "little" things God has given you to rejoice in, and for the positve thoughts you potray. It is an answer to our many prayers for you. And your little Caleb- what a precious gift, and we are so thankful for the healthy baby that he is, and for the"home" God has brought him into. Many blessings. Gma/Gpa T.

Kirsten said...

It was so great to see you guys this week-end, and enjoy together some treasured "tastes" I am so glad that you are free now. Thanks for letting me cuddle with Caleb, and feed him :) I have to say that he is really cute, not only when sleeping, but awake as well. What a treasure he is. I continue to pray for you all.
Love Kirsten

Mac said...

Elissa i'm so excited for you! Yay for small steps and being able to eat solid food again!! Such an answer to prayer :) look forward to celebrating more small steps with you via the blog world!!

Vanessa said...

Thanks for sharing the little steps with us-i was excited to read about the progress happening with the jaw and the other little steps! And Caleb is definitely so cute!

Kelsie-Lynn said...

I am so excited for you that you are finally free!! I can only imagine how hard that has been. We are praying for more miracles. And I think Caleb is one of the cutest babies i have ever seen. What a sweetie! Take care.

Bonnie said...

We're praising God along with you on these "firsts!" It warmed my heart to read this post and see the exciting steps you're taking on the road to recovery. I'm continuing to pray for you!
Caleb is absolutely precious! I'm so glad you can hold him in your arms & enjoy motherhood. He's perfect.

Mac said...

Caleb is so absolutely adorable!! Just like his good looking parents!

KDees said...

What a beautiful reminder to take joy in the small and simple things (which end up being the BIG things). Your descriptions of those "small" things gave me shivers! You have such an amazing perspective! And, what a great description of Caleb - "irresistibly cute"! I'm so glad you are healing and that God is answering your prayers, big and small!

The BG's!! said...

Oh Elissa,I am sitting at my computer rejoicing with you over your accomplishments! I am praising God for the steps of healing you are taking. This is only the beginning of what God can and will do to bring you through all of this. We won't stop praying for you all. And by the way, Caleb is amazing! I can't wait to hold him someday!! Love you, Rachelle

Keith - Kristen said...

So glad to hear that you are seeing a light at the end of this recovery tunnel. Your son is gorgeous. What a precious little man.

Denita Dyck said...

eli and doug (and caleb!),

intentional celebrations- glad to e-witness your moments of joy amongst the rampage of all your other feelings, questions, and struggles.

i think and pray for you often.

love you, denita

Anonymous said...

Small steps are big steps when recovering and I'm happy for you and your family at the progress you've made. Your son is beautiful and very loved I'm sure.

Leanne said...

Still thinking and praying for you. I hope you are doing all right.

Adrienne said...

Hey Elissa~
I was your trainer at Apollo and have been praying for you ever since I heard about the accident. My heart is so sad for you. And I rejoice with you over what God has already brought you through. You have such a beautiful son! I am so grateful that your surgery went well! I will continue to pray for you as your not only heal physically, but also emotionally. I wish healing was a quick fix, but it never is, but praise the Lord we serve a God who is with us every step of the way, he will never let us go! I read this quote in a devotional by Corrie ten Boom:
"My life is but a weaving between my God and me. I do not choose the colours. He worketh steadily. Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride. Forget He sees the upper and I the underside. Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly. Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reaon why. The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand. As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned."
Love Adrienne

Dianna said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you're making special memories with loved ones.