Tomorrow morning my sister, mom, and I are headed to Boston. I am having the cross face nerve graft surgery Wednesday morning at the Facial Nerve Center of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary!! This surgery is the first step of two...Dr. Hadlock will be grafting a nerve from my calf and transplanting it to my face (crazy right??) its done by crossing it with the left good nerve and over to the right side where the nerve has paralysis. Then after about 9 months of healing (nerves grow approx. 1 cm/month) she will take a thin muscle from my thigh and attach the new nerve to it. The goal is to have the corner of my mouth that now droops (took before photos today to show future progress😊) go up to form a more symmetrical smile. I also hope it improves the nerve pain and numbness I always feel! Nothing is guaranteed (80% chance of success--and Dr. Hadlock is the BEST) When I look the in mirror now, or see photos of myself...my smile is what I am most self-conscious about. Its a daily reminder of my past because although Ive recovered, learned how to cope, move on, and forgive...my nerve wont ever change. I just wish I could smile as I used to... It was my favorite feature of myself. Its hard to explain to someone who hasnt experienced something traumatic by the hands of someone else. Im young and want to give it a chance, I know a lot of my survivor sisters understand💜 Im so nervous but also soo very excited for the possibility of improvement!!!! I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Boston, its all of my prayer warriors and angels that have gotten me this far. Its covered financially through the ROSE fund...I would never be able to do this without their support :) I will need lots of prayers please over the next few days and months as the nerve (hopefully) begins to regenerate and grow! I will keep you posted throughout the week...so if interested, stay tuned!! Thanks for the continuous love and support xoxo, Melissa 💜💜💜💜
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:00:17 +0000
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