There are lots of blogs out there chronicling peoples' trip through braces and jaw surgery. Some are graphic, terrifying, hopeful and some are just confusing. Well, tonight I came across an almost daily journal of a guy in Alberta who went through double jaw surgery somewhat like what I'll be going through in 3 short weeks (as of right now there are no plans for me having a splint). If you are interested in reading a candid and well written tale of jaw surgery, check out: http://doublejawsurgery.com/
(and it doesn't hurt that the guy is 100% adorable too!)
In other news I got my letter today from the Department of Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery today... one little sheet of paper to confirm that on February 3rd I'll be having my face rearranged (as it were) by my surgeon. I also have my pre-op day booked for the 25th of January. They tell me to anticipate a full day of hospital appointments. From what I've been told by others who've gone through it at this hospital, there is a lot of "hurry up and wait" where you sit in a waiting room for ages and the actual x-rays/measurements/impressions take an alarmingly short amount of time. I expect the ole Kobo will get a lot of reading time in on that day!
So now here I am with three weeks to go. Butterflies take flight thru my insides when I think about what is to come and I try and quiet them with careful planning and a heart full of hope. Or else I'm just like an ostrich with my head in the sand!
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January 13, 2012
January 8, 2012
The Countdown is ON!
Yep, here we go. Less than a month till the big surgery day. My freezer is getting filled with things I am blending and freezing for the coming days where I eat through a syringe. I have turkey dinner (from Christmas) and turkey soup too (blended smooth). I even included a couple meals of finely diced turkey dinner (turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas) for when I am able to start on small/soft meals again.
I been able to say so far, that I hadn't been nervous. Can't say that anymore. 2 nights ago, I had a panic attack. Actually, at first I thought I was having a heart attack, then I took a second and thought about what I was feeling and it became clear that the horror-show type images that were in my mind (about the upcoming surgery, bone saws, titanium plates, etc) and decided to just go to sleep and hopefully wake up refreshed.
Thank goodness, I did wake up feeling less traumatized, however really run down. I have come down with some kind of sickness... throat is swollen, my head is hurtin' and I just feel blah. Well, as long as I get all this out of my system before the big day I'll be fine.
I been able to say so far, that I hadn't been nervous. Can't say that anymore. 2 nights ago, I had a panic attack. Actually, at first I thought I was having a heart attack, then I took a second and thought about what I was feeling and it became clear that the horror-show type images that were in my mind (about the upcoming surgery, bone saws, titanium plates, etc) and decided to just go to sleep and hopefully wake up refreshed.
Thank goodness, I did wake up feeling less traumatized, however really run down. I have come down with some kind of sickness... throat is swollen, my head is hurtin' and I just feel blah. Well, as long as I get all this out of my system before the big day I'll be fine.
September 8, 2011
New Surgery Date
So it has been a few months since my last post.
New wires. Power chains. Push coils. Tender teeth. Soft foods.
But also camping, hiking, swimming, sun, family, friends. It has been an amazing summer. When my teeth are sore, my wonderful husband is more than happy to share meals with me that are easy for me to chew.
And so we come to today. I had a visit to the orthodontist this morning. As I'd had impressions take 2 days ago I knew I would today get word from my ortho whether he recommended moving up my surgery date or leaving it as is.
And the verdict is...
New surgery date of February 3, 2012.
It is only 2 months sooner than my original date, and it means I"ll be playing an abberviated curling season. It also means I'll be wired shut for my husband's birthday and Valentines Day which makes me sad only because we won't be getting our annual heart shaped pizza.
I amexcited anxious nervous curious about what lies ahead.
When you were given your surgery date, what feelings were you most aware of?
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New wires. Power chains. Push coils. Tender teeth. Soft foods.
But also camping, hiking, swimming, sun, family, friends. It has been an amazing summer. When my teeth are sore, my wonderful husband is more than happy to share meals with me that are easy for me to chew.
And so we come to today. I had a visit to the orthodontist this morning. As I'd had impressions take 2 days ago I knew I would today get word from my ortho whether he recommended moving up my surgery date or leaving it as is.
And the verdict is...
New surgery date of February 3, 2012.
It is only 2 months sooner than my original date, and it means I"ll be playing an abberviated curling season. It also means I'll be wired shut for my husband's birthday and Valentines Day which makes me sad only because we won't be getting our annual heart shaped pizza.
I am
When you were given your surgery date, what feelings were you most aware of?
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May 17, 2011
Raw Broccoli
In my braces-less days, I loved raw broccoli. Plain, with dip... whatever!
I tried a piece the other day. It took HOURS to stop finding wee green bits in my mouth/laced through my brackets, and this is AFTER multiple brushings, water-pik-ing and rinsing with mouthwash.
So until these braces come off, I am a cooked broccoli kinda gal.
Chalk that up as another food that is (near) impossible to eat with braces on!
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May 5, 2011
How about a little S&M in my mouth?
On Monday morning, I got a power chain (bottom teeth) and 2 push coils (top teeth). It is now Thursday night and my teeth STILL HURT. I mean I can finally chew my food but still can't eat anything crunchy. I tried a granola bar at work today and lets just say it was not a successful snack.
But the power chain and push coils are designed to made teeth MOVE and that they do! When I told my husband what I had done at the orthodontist, he said the new additions to the braces sounded kinky. Then he saw me and said with the push coils, it looked like my mouth made a perfect electrical circuit. Hardy har har.
But the power chain and push coils are designed to made teeth MOVE and that they do! When I told my husband what I had done at the orthodontist, he said the new additions to the braces sounded kinky. Then he saw me and said with the push coils, it looked like my mouth made a perfect electrical circuit. Hardy har har.
But as I have 7-ish months until surgery I just need to suck it up and take ibuprofin for the pain and use wax on irritating brackets while dreaming of crisp apples and juicy corn on the cob!
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April 11, 2011
In limbo
Nothing to report.
Still braced.
I need to stop rolling around in my sleep as I often wake up face first in the pillows and I need to physically pull the inside of my bottom lip away from my brackets. Did you cringe when you read that? I cringe when I do it.
Next appointment is about 3 weeks away. Stronger wires? Shifting moalrs? Taking the wrong bus to the ortho's office (again)? Time will tell!
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Still braced.
I need to stop rolling around in my sleep as I often wake up face first in the pillows and I need to physically pull the inside of my bottom lip away from my brackets. Did you cringe when you read that? I cringe when I do it.
Next appointment is about 3 weeks away. Stronger wires? Shifting moalrs? Taking the wrong bus to the ortho's office (again)? Time will tell!
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March 30, 2011
Back from outer space aka. Remember me, I used to blog here
Hey. It's been a while. Hmm, a long while.
But here I am! Still braced. Teeth, they are a movin.
Last Tuesday morning I went to the orthodontist for another wire change. The week previous I had impressions taken to determine my bite's progress. In my mind I was hoping that he would look at the molds and say "hey, lets make that surgery date closer" but as the end of my appointment got closer and he didn't say anything. So I said to him, "13 more months of this huh?" And then he looked at the mold in his hands and said what I was hoping he would. Surgery date is going to be about three months sooner.
Gulp.
Yeah, it is what I wanted to hear and then, when I did, I felt my breath catch a little.
I guess in my mind, I have been fixated on April 20, 2012 as my surgery date since October so when the thought of it being sooner was a bit overwhelming for my brain. But then I thought about it. Pfft... I have already done reading and reasearch and I'll be game for whenever and whatever the ortho and surgeon throw at me.
Blender, food processor, mom's juicer... I'm good to go!
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But here I am! Still braced. Teeth, they are a movin.
Last Tuesday morning I went to the orthodontist for another wire change. The week previous I had impressions taken to determine my bite's progress. In my mind I was hoping that he would look at the molds and say "hey, lets make that surgery date closer" but as the end of my appointment got closer and he didn't say anything. So I said to him, "13 more months of this huh?" And then he looked at the mold in his hands and said what I was hoping he would. Surgery date is going to be about three months sooner.
Gulp.
Yeah, it is what I wanted to hear and then, when I did, I felt my breath catch a little.
I guess in my mind, I have been fixated on April 20, 2012 as my surgery date since October so when the thought of it being sooner was a bit overwhelming for my brain. But then I thought about it. Pfft... I have already done reading and reasearch and I'll be game for whenever and whatever the ortho and surgeon throw at me.
Blender, food processor, mom's juicer... I'm good to go!
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