Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Snap, Crackle, and POP!

As I recover from surgery I have experienced any number of odd sensations.

From an almost immobile jaw to just a numb one. I still have a little left right in the front of my chin and just underneath, but it is fading fast.

There is still just a little tenderness in my nose but I don't notice it too much unless I bump it and even then it doesn't hurt too much.

Everything else is gone.

But...

...You knew there was a but there didn't you?...

...The outstanding thing has been the top of my head. Mostly this was due to the fact that I simply didn't feel much of it. So it wasn't much of a bother.

That has all changed,

Or at least starting to change.

Now I should explain that I have heard it will take anywhere from six months to a year and a half for feeling to return. Yet I was to look for or experience sensations at some point. Things like itches I can't scratch, pokes or twinges of feeling, etc.

Let me tell you this. The last few days has been nothing short of interesting. Nothing painful mind you, but I have had mildly tingling sensations, fairly constant, at or near the incision. The really fun part are the large crackles of feeling that erupt over the entire top of my head. I would say it is like pop rocks candy fizzing, popping and crackling right under the surface of your skin.

You just pause for a moment while the fireworks happen and then just move along with what you were doing.

I would compare it to a brain freeze moment, you know where you eat or drink something a little to fast and you get that rush of feeling up the back of your neck. Only this is across the top of your head. It is quick, virtually painless but interesting and freaky none the less.

Though as mentioned it is a different sensation you just need a moment to let if fade.

Craziness, yet I can't help that this has to be good sign of healing and only 14 weeks out.

All good news as I am currently trying to get the second part setup and scheduled for later this year. Feelings like this usually mean the blood flow is returning well to the area in question and this is super important for moving some hair follicles around later this year.

In the mean time there is nothing like you own personal fireworks show at any given time to keep you on your toes.

8 comments:

Cynthia Jane said...

Hi Kelli,

Keep the fireworks coming! Very good news. Hope all continues on target.

Will continue to pray for a speedy and complete recovery.

Hugs,

Cynthia

Gina Lee said...

Isn't surgery fun? It is like getting to know your body all over again! Nerves growing back can cause really weird sensations like someone touching you when there is nobody there. But the body eventually gets it right. So sorry to hear about your delays. Life is just complicated sometimes. Sigh...
Miss you a lot! Gina

Kelli Bennett said...

Lol and it is getting even weirder Gina. I am now feeling parts of my head but not all of it yet. Making for some interesting sensations especially when I am doing my hair.

Cassidy said...

Interesting. I had the exact same sensation several years ago after having acupuncture to relieve a nasty ear infection (nasty as in total hearing loss in one ear and 50% loss in the other). I was walking down Fifth Avenue in NYC when the infection finally cleared. And it was like Rice Krispies were going off in both ears. And it continued for several months. As you said, it wasn't painful, but it was very, very weird. ;c)

Really enjoy your blog, btw. It's been very helpful - and inspiring. So thank you!

Kelli Bennett said...

@Kelly

Wow thank you so much for the kind words. I don't ever think of myself as an inspiration but it is cool to think that it reaches some people.

Cassidy said...

You're very welcome. :c) I'm just getting started with my blog (and with transitioning, actually), and I'm amazed that people are actually reading it as well.

BTW, I'm a fellow music nerd. Are you familiar with PJ Harvey? I think you'd like her. Her latest album, Let England Shake, is stellar. I also love the new one from Fleet Foxes. Definitely worth checking out!

Kelli Bennett said...

@Kelly, Awesome I am so going to check them out. I'll try listening to anything once.

And good luck. This is not an easy journey to say the least but it can be done.

Cassidy said...

Thank you, Kelli. Actually, it was reading blogs - including yours - that made me realize "if they found the courage to do it, then so can you." And here I am. :c)

On a less serious note, here's Fleet Foxes in concert:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111379436

Full disclosure: I was at this show. :c) I'd also check out Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings Machine. He is the best guitar player I've ever seen - and I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan. :c)

NPR's music site is a goldmine, btw. I could fill an entire TB external drive with free shows. Have fun!

== K