Worst. Blogger. Ever.

I really meant to keep on this blog, if not daily, but at least weekly. Sheesh...Well, anyway I am going to try to be better about it now.

I started splitting my tongue about 6 weeks ago using the fishing line method. IT IS PAIN LIKE NO OTHER!  The above photo is just minutes after the first binding. I did it at night before bed (with 6 pound test)  At first it was just kind of uncomfortable. The line felt snug and a bit odd. The tip almost feels numb. The day after was more unpleasant, but bearable. It starts to feel like when you have a rubber band on your wrist, and its tight. When you lift it it burns and hurts. Well you cannot lift the string to help the sensation. lol
The second night was a hellish torture! Despite Ibuprofen, I got about 2 hours of sleep. My sleep was filled with so many weird thoughts. By the time morning came around, I was ready to take a razor or scissors to the dang thing just to get it over with. :D Pure Insanity.

Above is a photo of my tortured tongue, with some fishing line poking out, that I had to pretty much dig out. A dull needle works really well for this. I was binding every 5 to 7 days. A friend who has a small split in his tongue gave me the advice to wait until it doesnt hurt, to change the binding. (It never really stops hurting, ever. So just gauge the time to less pain lol) The only thing about that is, that the skin regrows over the line and doesnt peel off/out, it has to be pulled through. So, if youre doing this, dont pull the knot, or the wrinkled line through your tongue after the line is cut. You may think that it is a no brainer, but sometimes you dont really think about these small things until every hair on your body is standing on end and you still have a lot more line to pull through!
Some other advice I had gotten was to put a bead through the line, and use your tongue to play with it. It kinda keeps the regrowth down. The bead is great advice, but I think that it is great for 2 things. 1-Finding that f'ing knot. It is so very hard to find when your tongue is swollen and sore. With the bead, it has the knot raised slightly so it is easy to find and to cut the line without cutting your tongue. 2- The knot is one of the hurtiest things going on, it DIGS in. At first I was leaving a lot of line at the end of my knot to find it easier, and to pull the line around so the knotted spot wouldnt be digging in, but it didnt matter. Around day 2 the knot section HURTS. The bead kinda eases that digging in feeling, and since its easier to move around you can actually find a somewhat comfortable spot for it. After cutting the line, I would eat a good meal. It still hurts to eat, but not as much. It becomes almost pleasurable.

These two photos show some progress.















My other problem was when I would rebind my tongue it would be hard to find the original split at the end, so I ended up making a new one, maybe even two. I then realized that the GOD AWFUL pain that shoots down your neck and makes your chest ache and makes you wonder why you have started this body modification in the first place is mostly the tip of your tongue!! I think maybe... ; )
About a week ago I took the binding out and I am going to cut the tip with a razor to get a good clean start. I know, I know....
I feel pretty masochistic because I actually miss the sensation and the pulling. I can feel the split and it does feel like an imaginary line is still bound around my tongue. It is split from the piercing up, about 1/4 if the way, and I can easily move my piercing really far up my tongue : D or rather  : 3
I guess my tongue is on hiatus for another week or so. I do not care how long this takes, I did at first. Now, I know it will get done and I will take my sweet time doing it!

Just about six weeks!!

My goal was to start the splitting tomorrow, since my piercing will be 6 weeks old. I feel totally healed and ready. I have a music festival to attend, so I am postponing until the 7 week mark. I'm still very excited and want it badly!

27 days

 I went and visited Tom at Bonehead Tattoo the other day and got the smaller barbell for my tongue. He said there is a little swelling left. It went in quite easily. He's a pro. It is so much better! That longer barbell was annoying and frightening! It feels like nothing is in my mouth compared to the other. Comfortable, is a great word for it! Eating is so much easier. I have also finally had my first kiss with it. Its strange and hot. It feels kinda sexy. A little secret. I still cannot wait to get it out though. I've been fighting the urge to see if I can thread the fishing line through the hole. :D I was thinking that it is probably better if I wait a week or two, but I REALLY WANT TO START!

19th day

My tongue piercing is pretty much totally healed!! I have no pain. It still feels so very weird with this barbell in my mouth. I also continuously play with it. Its a bad habit already. I still want it out! I love Tic-tacs and Lifesavers, but they are so weird to eat. The Lifesavers get stuck on the barbell and Tic-tacs are the same size, so I end up sucking on the ball of the barbell, it trips out my brain! As for eating its a little tricky still, but its easier.
This week I will get a shortened barbell and start the splitting soon after. WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I could squeal with glee :D

12th day

Day 12 is the first day of no real pain and I have actually found myself playing with the barbell in my mouth. Its kinda fun turning it one way, then the other. Eating is still tricky and I'm scared I'll bite it, but I am very careful. I dont think there is any swelling left and my piercer Tom says that he can give me a shorter barbell soon. I think the shorter one will be so much more awesome. The ball under my tongue is still the most annoying part. I also keep attempting to spit out the ball before eating something. It makes me laugh every time!
No real kissing is weird too. I'm pretty sure this is the longest Ive gone without it, since I've started doing it :D
  
I'm getting more and more excited about starting the actual splitting. The pain is a little addicting. The awareness of body parts that you take for granted is very enlightening and interesting. I am enjoying this process, and I'm glad I'm doing it. YAY!!!

One week

One week ago I started this process and things are going well. Its slightly annoying having this barbell in my mouth. I still have a little pain and eating is tricky. The white grossness of my tongue is almost all gone as you can see in the photo (there is a little in the back). I'm horrible at swishing with Listerine. I just drink some water and call it done (sorry Tom:)) Lately it seems so ITCHY!! The under side especially. I have 75% of the natural movement of my tongue back. I still cannot lick my back teeth, or fully lick my lips. Every morning when I wake up I feel like I have some sore taste buds on the edges of my tongue. I think I may keep pressure on it while I sleep or something, but I'm not grinding my teeth so thats a good thing.
Other than all that I'm happy with my decision to start this entire process.

Day three.

It's still weird.
Eating has pretty much sucked. It is uncomfortable to say the least. Being completely aware of everything your tongue does is bizarre. Every time you push food over to your teeth, lick your lips, everything. My brain is rewiring itself and I am getting used to this dang barbell. Today I ate with not too much pain, so I think I'm healing up just fine. Even though I keep forgetting to swish. I do drink a lot of water and I'm very big on brushing and flossing.
I still get the feeling that I am going to choke on occasion and I'm scared to death to bite it and chip a tooth or something.  My tongue also looks pale, so its grossing me out, it used to be so pretty and pink. I brush it and it helps, but yeah...I'm very much looking forward to getting this thing outta my mouth!
Gotta keep my eye on the prize :D