Chicken, Bacon and Dumplings

Yes, another bacon recipe. But this was purely out of convenience. Meat was not part of our post-surgery shopping list. My poor husband has been eating meatless dinners or take-out. By the end of the second week, I felt better. I wanted to surprise my husband with a home cook meal. Mind you, I love to cook and have been watching the Food Network all day. My husband was content on what he was eating but I couldn't take it. We had some chicken and bacon in the freezer. I thawed them out and visited the trusty allrecipes.com. Typed in those two ingredients and found this recipe. It was perfect because it was something for both of us.

adapted from R. Swift's recipe on Allrecipes.com

Bacon Chicken and Dumplings
3 slices of bacon, diced
4 red potatoes, diced
1 onion, diced
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast - diced
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed
3 cups half-and-half

OPTIONAL Dumplings (while on this liquid diet this amount is too much, have yet to figure out size)
1 1/2 cups biscuit mix
1 cup milk

- Dice and season chicken with pepper and salt
- Cook bacon until crisp, set aside, reserve drippings
- Add onions to drippings, cook until
- Add potatoes and chicken and cook for 15 minutes, stir often
- Add broth and seasonings... salt and pepper to taste
- Stir in corn, simmer for 15 minutes
- Add half-and-half, bring to a boil

Soup is ready for those on the liquid diet. I originally made this with the dumplings and it soaked up a lot of the soup!

However, at this point you can add the mixed biscuit mix. After you combine the mix and milk, roll dough into small balls.
Drop into boiling soup, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered. Then another 10 minutes covered. Serve with crumbled bacon.

LEFTOVER IDEAS:
First night, I strained the soup and drank as is.
The next day, I placed it in the blender (picking out the chicken). Added more broth so that I can liquify it better. Warmed it up on the stovetop. Adjusted seasoning as needed.

And something for others in your household:
CHICKEN CROQUETTES with BLT SAUCE
I noticed there was a lot of chicken left. And with all the straining of the soup, everything was so thick! I hated to see it go to waste. I shredded the chicken and mixed it with the remaining thicken soup.
- Form small patties.
- Roll patties in flour (seasoned with pepper & salt)
- Dip patties into a mix of 1 egg yokes (or milk - that's all I had)
- Cover with dry breadcrumbs (mix of unseasoned breadcrumbs & dry parsley)
- Pan fry croquettes in oil
- Place cooked croquettes on plate, pour leftover BLT SOUP on top, be sure to add the tomatoes on top of the croquettes

One little note:
I made this at the end of week 2. I thought I was feeling fine. But I was exhausted the next day! So, best if someone else makes this. Or at least does the prep work. I changed the recipe to red potatoes with the skin. When you are recovering, you don't have time to peel potatoes!

BLT Soup

One thing about this liquid diet is that meals are rather uneventful. Smoothies and soups can be good but without texture and variety, it's rather boring. I miss texture the most. Without it, things start to taste the same. I refuse to blend a pizza or a hamburger. gross! But there must be easy and tasty soups out there that are reminiscent of "real" meals. I did a search and found the BLT Soup on the Food Network website.

Warning: Not exactly healthy (I think it's worse than the sandwich.) But we're not really counting calories at this time, are we?

adapted from Paula Deen on the Food Network
visit the website for the original recipe

5 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup diced green onions
1 tablespoons butter (optional)
3 1/2 cups chicken broth, heated
1 can of diced tomatoes
1/8 tsp nutmeg
dash of red pepper
1 cup heavy cream

- Cook bacon until crisp, set aside and place bacon on paper towel, reserve drippings
- Add green onions to drippings and cook until wilted
- Add butter (this is a Paula Deen recipe after all, but I think you can leave it out. Original recipe ask for 2 TBS)
- Add broth, nutmeg, red pepper. Heat to boil and stir often. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
- Add cream and mix well
- Strain, set aside to cool down, it's thin enough to drink through a straw

This makes a lot of soup, so share with others in your household. The original recipe adds a mix of 1/4 cup of mayo and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Top soup with spoonful of the mix and add the crispy bacon for garnish.

Week 4 - Back to Work Take 2!

One more day to go but I think I survived. I really wasn't ready last week. I look back and even though I brought work home, I was pretty much useless. It's hard to get back into the groove of things... especially when you are weak and in pain. I'm still trying to handle my energy level while at work, but it's improved. I made sure to pack drink snacks. I will post what I made... since that was the whole point of me starting this blog! hahaha

PROGRESS:
Swelling: hmm.. it was 90% gone, but continues to shift around. Currently I feel it's worst today.
Sleep: terrible. I'm tired. I'm trying to avoid the Ambien. But I'm still having trouble sleeping and staying asleep.
Numbness: slowly regaining feeling which leads to slight burst of pain
Pain: see above. Taking more pain killers now than I did after the surgery

Back to Work

I went back to work this week (week 3). The swelling wasn't so bad that I felt I had to hide behind a scarf anymore. I thought I was ready. Unfortunately, my sleepless nights returned that weekend. I was exhausted on Monday. I was also hungry. My work provides lunch and I'm just a few steps away from the kitchen. The tempting smells that came from the kitchen...!

I also didn't pack enough for work. I THOUGHT I was prepared.
-- Ensure Coffee for breakfast
-- BLT Soup for lunch, quite hearty
-- Odwalla B Monster drink

But this wasn't enough. Not only was I tired from the lack of sleep, I started to feel weak. But I made it through the day. I left early... as in leaving right at 6pm (a full 8 hour day). Which is early for me, I normally work an average 10 hours, on a good day. But I've realize that I need to plan my meals better. Pack mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.

But the rest of the week didn't go so well. I went back to the doctor's and gave in to sleeping pills. Not wanting to rely on the pills, I didn't take it one night. Went back to work and felt awful. I had an orthodontist appointment earlier that morning and started crying. I was so tired! And the pain is starting to settle in. The numbness is fading and now I can feel the pain! My orthodontist said some comforting words about how all this takes time. Physically I may feel better but the emotions are hard to deal with. I had to leave work early. Luckily I'm able to work at home. My boss even asked me at the start of the week if I was doing ok. Again, I was overconfident.

Week 2 Summary

Swelling went down considerably. But it seems to go with gravity. It was still a little odd during the start of the 2nd week. Imagine seeing your upper part of your face appear normal and then, this pudginess at the jawline. The bruising never got worse. The worse bruise, however, is on my wrist. The area they had an IV in a major artery was so black and blue. It got worse and darker throughout the first week. It was sensitive to the touch.

My energy level was a lot better. So much so that on Sunday morning I decided to make a list of what I was eating and jot down the nutritional facts. I went through a panic when I realize that there wasn't much there! My husband made sure to add fruit and protein powder to my shakes, but not sure if that was enough. We neglected to by Ensure. I know... an important post-surgery drink, and we forgot! They even have a Post-Surgery section on their website! I've never had it before but was surprise that it tasted good - Coffee Latte, Milk Chocolate and Strawberries & Cream.

By mid-week, I felt a lot better... so I thought. I started cooking. My husband went back to work that week. My mom stopped by to help out. She left some delicious homemade chicken and beef stock. I didn't want it to go to waste. I also felt sorry for my husband and what he was eating. So, I found ways to combine our meals.

I overexerted myself. I was exhausted the next day. So make a note, even if you feel fine, don't push it.

Week 1 Summary

I was only in the hospital for 1 night. I know this isn't the best reason, but that's what I wanted - money-wise. I am writing this on the third week, and I have yet to receive the hospital bill. I was told a reasonable deductible fee when I spoke with the finance department. But I'm scared of the surprise hospital fees. The biggest headache of this experience was dealing with the insurance and trying to find out what is covered.

Overall, the swelling was worse this week. I had trouble sleeping. I didn't buy special pillows to prop myself upright. My back aches. Not much pain in the mouth. Well, I can't feel anything...

DAY 1: Discharged at the hospital
The night nurse was pretty good at changing the ice packs every hour. They get warm rather quickly. Unfortunately, this resulted in waking me up every hour. Needless to say I didn't have a great night's sleep. But overall, I felt better. My overall pain tolerance during my stay at the hospital was a 4-7.

I was ready to go home. The doctor came in around 11am to check up on me. He wanted to make sure I was able to eat... ahem... drink on my own. "Drink like a fish," he said. Which I did. It was so nice to drink something. My throat was so dry! I opted for the apple juice. I tried the cranberry juice next, but way too tart for a dry throat. Later, the nurse walked me around the ICU ward to make sure I'm able to move around. I passed! I left around 2pm.

First Look:
In the car ride, I finally looked at a mirror. Eek! There were lines (tears?) on the right side. Very thin, but still shocking. My doctor warned this may happen because they have to stretch my mouth considerably. The jaw bra hid most of my face. It was at home I finally saw it. My face was so square! It was bizarre.

DAY 2: Return to the doctor
When I saw my doctor, the first thing he said was "Are you ok?" Apparently, I may have had a look of concern on my face. He observed the fact that maybe he didn't prepare me for the swelling. He did. Actually, his nurse did. She told me to expect the worse. And just when you think it is going down, it may stop. But don't worry, it takes weeks. And it will get to the point where you look normal to people who don't know you. Only you will know that it's not quite there. But don't panic... be patient.

So why was I so shocked? I think I didn't expect my face to take on a different shape. Like I said in the beginning of this blog, I didn't discover the ortho blogs until after my surgery. Seeing people's photos have helped tremendously! Seeing that people's swelling and bruising varies.

When they weighed me, it appeared that I lost 10lbs. I thought I was doing well. I ate a strained Chicken Noodle Soup that day.

DAY 3: So Weak
Juice and broth aren't enough to keep my energy level up. The doctor advised to take walks. Staying active helps with the healing. But I was way too weak to take a walk.

DAY 4: Finally Eating
My husband made a delicious Tarragon Mushroom soup (I'll post the recipe later) Didn't mean to make it complicated, but we had the ingredients and I didn't want it to go to waste.
One thing I noticed is that flavors are extremely intense right at this time. My senses are strong. Breathing through an oxygen mask over 24 hours at the hospital has made my sense of smell very strong. In the hospital I can smell everything. EVERYTHING. I don’t need to say more but various people helped me put on the jaw bra on my head. Not sure if it is completely due to the fresh oxygen air or the fact that I was in a sterile environment.

DAY 5:
Slight bruising is starting to appear on the right. Very minor yellowing. But the swelling and numbness is worse on the left side. I still can't fell anything on my lower half of my face. The peeling of my lips is more apparent when my lips are wet after rinsing. They aren't dry.

DAY 6: Doctor Visits
The day I will see my orthodontist and surgeon, my WaterPik stops working. My mouth feels gross. I can only brush the front teeth with my Winnie the Pooh Kid's toothbrush. I rinse with the the Chlorhexidine Gluconate Rinse - but this leaves a blue film on the braces. I use a Q-tip to clean up the sides of my mouth. But I'm a little scared to go near the surgery area. I can't feel anything and I'm scared that I may hit an area I shouldn't. Earlier this week, I accidentally moved my waterpik in the wrong area. Even at the lowest setting and through the numbness, it was painful!

I was taken off the elastics earlier this week. My initial X-Ray revealed that my alignment shifted. My surgeon feared that he may have to go back in and move the plates. Yikes! But he adjusted the elastics. They took another X-Ray (without that mouth piece to keep you straight) and things were in order.

I have a considerable amount of swelling on my left side, hence the shift in alignment where the cut appears.



My weight went up since my last visits (damn!) due to the added protein in my shakes. When asked how I was doing, I told my doctor that I had trouble sleeping. I declined a prescription for sleeping pills. My trouble sleeping was due to discomfort. My back ached considerably. The Codeine made me feel nauseous. He prescribed a muscle relaxer, which helped.

Nutrition Links

A few links regarding pre- and post-surgery nutrition
Speed Your Healing With A Good Diet & Supplement Plan
Post-Surgery Diet and Nutrition
Vitamin & Mineral Guide

Surgery Summary

6:00 am: Checked into the hospital, asked questions, did paperwork, IV inserted, changed into complicated hospital gown
8:00 am: Surgery, I believe it started on time as scheduled
11:40am: Woke up in Recovery Room. The nurse proceeded to place the jaw bra around my head. She was the only person that knew to move my hair back. The main thing I remember is that my throat was horribly dry. But, of course, nothing could be done about that. I don't remember feeling pain. I just remember slowly being aware of everything going around me. Eventually I was moved to an ICU room. My mom and husband coming in shortly.

I slept and slept. I can hear my mom say, "Oh, she's still groggy from the anaesthesia." But in reality, it was easier to sleep. I can avoid the discomfort of the IV, tubes, wires, etc. on me. I couldn't really move. Every time I had the ice packs/ jaw bra switched out, I couldn't pull my hair back. My hair stuck out. And the problem wasn't vanity, hair not neatly pulled back causes the jaw bra to slide. It wasn't always a problem and I just dealt with it. But in the middle of the night it slipped off. So, note to others: bring a soft headband or hair elastic band.

My husband stayed with me all night, holding my hand as we slept. When I woke up in the middle of the night, I kept worrying about him. I forgot to pack a travel neck pillow for him. We were not sure that he was even allowed to stay... especially since I was in the ICU Unit. But he was allowed to stay.

Pre-Surgery Summary

April 2007: Joined the World of Adults with Braces

I was told about 10 months until the surgery. Come December, I realized that it wasn't happening. Later I was told possibly May or June 2008. Not happening. I was frustrated and disappointed. I finally realized that if they haven't marked your face up just yet, the time is not near. I finally saw the surgeon in October 2008. I was marked up like a plastic surgery patient. Measured to confirm symmetry and facial feature placement. And alas, I was finally told that they were ready. I just need to pick the time that's best for me. And the good news was that with the success of the braces, they now see that I only needed 1 jaw done as oppose to both! This was great news both in the obvious way and financial way. The estimated cost was sliced in half!

classic moment in the waiting room: I was alone in the huge waiting room when a 10 year old girl walks in. Of all the empty seats, she sits right next to me. I didn't really pay attention but later realize that she was staring at me. When I looked up she bluntly asked, "Are you a teenager?" It took me by surprise. A straight-to-the-point and curious tone to her voice. I just smiled and politely laughed. "Far from it" I said. It was so refreshingly innocent and sweet. Oh, to be young and say what's on your mind. :) Turns out she was going to get her braces put on that day and she had lots of questions.


March 2009: Week prior to the surgery:

Once I found out my date, I made it a point to eat foods I will miss and visited restaurants I wanted to check out. I was told to prepare for a 6 week liquid diet, possibly graduating to soft foods within that time. My surgeon was going to avoid wiring me shut as much as possible. My culinary good eats tour throughout LA involved Creole shrimp po' boys, Korean BBQ, sushi, Mom's homecooking (Filipino), my father-in-law's homecooking (Italian), French, Italian (Osteria Mozza), wine-tasting, etc. It needn't be fancy... just a variety. This is also a time to be social. I worried that for the next 6 weeks I will be an antisocial homebody. (but less spending is good, right?)

So, during my last final days, I was done. I wasn't craving anything special. I was ready! While getting my post-surgery grocery supplies, I was inspired to cook one last meal. I was planning to make a Tarragon Chicken and Rice with Brie. I had my husband open a good wine (my last alcohol beverage for awhile - don't worry this was still 2 days before the surgery). Then I realize that I was missing an ingredient. What to do!? We went to Wendy's. I had a burger with cheese with a side of fries... paired with a 2005 Sea Smoke Botella Pinot Noir. It was an unintended Sideways moments sans the styrofoam cup.

As I write this (Day 16), I crave potatoes. Not just fries. I can have potato soup, but pureed potatoes are not the same! I remember those Wendy's fries more that the delicious Seared Ahi Sandwich I had the next day.

Slurp, Slurp

DAY 15

I am still eating my meals through a straw. From what I've read, the timing varies. I used the Dinner Through A Straw Bags (or Zip-n-Squeeze) for the first 2-3 days. Since I was allowed to use straws, they were no longer necessary. You see, I am TERRIFIED that I may accidently chew (out of habit). Hearing the horror stories, I don't want to complicate things. If this happens, as my doctor warned, they would need to go back in... and maybe in the office and not at the hospital. Yikes!

I've been wearing elastics 24/7. Straws are just easier. I am still numb on my lower left side and lower lip. My lips were peeling like crazy for the past 2 weeks. Continuously to the point that I didn't know when it would end. I couldn't feel anything but I can tell my lips were peeling too rapidly, revealing some raw skin. The doctor and nurse recommended A+D Ointment and Aquaphor. I used A+D primarily. It seemed to work. It continued to peel, but the ointment seemed to sooth the raw skin. I later tried Aquaphor. Big mistake. I *think* and I can't be completely certain, I developed an allergic reaction. My lips were swollen again and I developed tiny little bumps on my upper lip. My upper lip was fine. My lips were so sensitive at night, that the slightest touch was painful. I returned to yet another pattern of sleepless nights.

So, I am sticking with my trusty straws. Today, I attempted to use a spoon. It worked but it involved a lot of slurping. Very messy.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

I noticed that everyone heals differently. Swelling was worse in the first week. I resembled a Cabbage Patch Kid. I was not wired shut and was allowed to drink through a straw the day after surgery. I was on a clear liquid diet for the first 2 days. I grew weak and lost about 10 lbs, in 2 days. The doctor warned that he will weigh me on every visit and does not want me to lose any weight. Honestly it doesn't look like I lost that much weight, Cabbage Patch Kid face and all. And I thought I was doing well when it came to "eating." I drank broth and juices. My husband, not wanting to get in trouble with the doctor, proceeded to make sure he fattened me up. *groan* I think it worked. On my next visit, I went up 3 lbs.



I made the Carrot Cake Smoothie on Day 9.
Throw everything in the blender. Mixing the ice cream and cream cheese first helps eliminate floating chucks of cream cheese.

1 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Carrot Juice (with Omega 3's)
1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
2 TBS whipped Cream Cheese
1 scoop of Protein Powder
dash of Cinnamon
dash of Nutmeg
1-2 Cinnamon Graham Crackers

Introduction

Hello! I had jaw surgery 15 days ago. I discovered the oral surgery blog community AFTER my surgery. I wish I had discovered them earlier! It's too late to start a blog on what I went through but I thought I'd create a place to share what meals I had. I love to cook and miss it dearly. A girl can only have so many smoothies and broth soups before she goes crazy!

On March 21, 2009, I had Mandibular Horizontal Hyperplasia and Mandibular Bilateral Sagittal Splint Ramus Osteotomies - lower jaw surgery to fix an overgrown lower jaw. I've had a jaw problem for years. In 1994, my jaw locked while yawning. This began a series of almost-annual visits to the emergency room to get it fix. I first saw an oral surgeon in 1997 and again in 2001. I was told that my lower jaw continued to grow. At the time it was minor. My bite and profile wasn't a problem. I did not have an underbite at the age of 25.

Fast forward to 2006, my last visit to the emergency room, I was given a recommendation to an oral surgeon and so my journey began.