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.