The Mumps: Day 7

So, technically I still have the mumps but the swelling is really going down. With that being said, I've decided to stop posting photos of myself. You're welcome!

The pain has primarily gone away but I still can't manage to chew without causing excruciating pain for myself. I'm starving! Living on soup for a week, you'd think that I've lost tons of weight but I've only lost 1kg. Which, I suppose, any weight lost is good!

I'm still a bit self conscious, though. I'm embarrassed to go out into public. I wear a surgical mask anytime I have to go outside and face the big, bad, judgmental world. I am starting to recognize myself again which is the best part of the healing process.

The Mumps: Day 5 & An Earthquake

Last night the swelling started going down. I can start to see my jawline again! I'm still a few days away from normalcy but every little difference is great. Today's mugshot:

Also, if you haven't heard...Japan had a major earthquake/tsunami today. Luckily, I'm pretty far north from the epicenter but I definitely felt it. Some of you may not know this but I'M TERRIFIED OF EARTHQUAKES! In my head, I imagine the Earth opening up and swallowing everything whole. Is this irrational thinking? Yes, but at least I admit it. Anyway, I was laying on the couch (healing, of course) watching TV when I noticed the tapestry on the way across from me was shaking. I thought it seemed odd so I started looking around the rest of my apartment to see if something else was shaking. In fact, pretty much everything was shaking, so I started to panic (see above capital letters). I went outside in my pajamas and called my husband. The neighbors probably thought I was crazy! This happened four times today but, luckily, no major damage up here and everyone is alright!

The Mumps: Day 4

Yesterday ended up not being so bad. Most of the pain was gone, except for sporadic ear aches. The only "real" problem was that it seemed to be spreading to the other side of my neck. Well, I woke up today and both sides are completely swollen.

I have found that the hardest part of this whole thing is staying positive. I'll go several hours without seeing myself and feeling almost no pain, then I catch a glimpse of myself and the self-esteem spirals down. I still hope that it will eventually go away but when it lasts this long and seems to be getting worse, it's hard to think that things will go back to normal. The irrational thoughts can begin to consume me. All I can do is just go to bed every night and hope that tomorrow it will be different in a positive way.

The Mumps: Day 3

So, I woke up this morning and thought that it didn't look to bad. In fact, I was feeling pretty good about it but by the time my husband came home from work (a couple hours later) it had gotten worse. I hadn't even realized that it had spread to the other side of my face. Now I look like I'm wearing a complete fat suit, you know, the kind you see in the movies!?! Check it out!

Just when I thought I might be doing better, it gets worse. Well, we've decided that if the swelling hasn't gone down by Friday, we're going back to the doctor. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update!

The Mumps: Day 2

So it's my second day with the mumps. I'm not allowed to go anywhere, so I'm stuck at home by myself with my computer. I woke this morning in more pain and more swelling.

I did take a shower today, though, and fixed myself up a bit (even though I can't go anywhere). I just didn't want to sit around feeling gross for another day. I feel like the swelling is spreading. Today there is much more swelling around my throat, making it much harder to eat. It seems that I will be on a liquid diet for the next few days. At least until the swelling and pain go down. I'll keep everyone posted on the Mumps Saga!

I can't wait for my husband to bring home popsicles!

The Mumps

Well, it appears that I will have more time on my hands. I have come down with a case of the mumps and I'm miserable. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't talk. It seems that I can't do anything without causing myself more pain.

I am sure you are asking yourself, "Didn't you get vaccinated as a child?" Yes, I got all my shots! but in the past month, there has been a kind of epidemic of the mumps happening at my school. Around 80% of the kids have had the mumps at some point or another. I suppose it's the teachers' turn to get them. I do not wish this on my worst enemy!

Typically, I wouldn't show a picture of myself looking so "dirty & grimy" but you've got to see this!

  

             Before                 After (notice the left side of my face)