3 Years.

Someone recently wrote a comment on my last post (AUG 08)...and I realized that my 3 year mark...came...and went. I went back and re-read my entire blog.

WOW.

How things change! I was a wreck. But, I think that the whole experience taught me sooo much! Sometimes I forget how long the journey really was! So, heres a few pictures of me...three years and some odd days..post op!

Has it really been that long?

Well, its been a year and a 1/2 since my surgery! Its surreal to think about the whole journey. So, I guess I should update you on the last year and a 1/2 of my life... After getting the braces off in November life went back to normal...well..as normal as my life can get. I can't begin to explain the confidence that the whole process has given me! I don't have to constantly worry anymore about what people may be thinking when it comes to my teeth/jaw. To my friends and family I'm the same old me..but I feel ten times better about myself on the inside and its all thanks to my excellent dentist, orthodontist and surgeon. The only thing I can complain about...or laugh about...is the small area of numbness I still have in my chin/lips. I'm pretty sure at this point it'll be permanent, but I'm ok with it. It makes for interesting times when eating.

As always I love hearing from other Jaw Surgery/Braces people.. I check blogs every once and awhile and its always amazing to see the different transformations that this surgery makes! If anyone has questions about surgery, braces, etc, I enjoy getting emails!

Til next time..

The moment that made it all worth it....

I can honestly say that today was the day that made this whole journey worth it! Its amazing that its finally over! I really had no expectations going into the whole debracing thing. For me, the easiest part was having the brackets popped off. The not so fun part... listening to the scraping of the cement. Although my gums are pretty tender.. my teeth look AMAZING. I head to the dentist tomorrow for a cleaning and I'm sure they'll be excited to see the final product. I will post pictures when I get a chance. Good luck tomorrow Brandy!!

Updates..

Ah. I apologize my surgery friends! It's been sooo long since I last wrote. A few notable things that have happened since my last post:

In true recovery fashion... my infection came back! This time... as a skin infection. The OS put me back on antibiotics and last week was the first week that I have felt back to normal. The infection is GONE! Hopefully for good this time.

I had yet another OD appt where I was told that I would have to wear three bands at all times. WHAT?! The worst part... I have one right in the front! I guess he's fixing my mid line and I can tell you after three weeks of wearing these bands... it looks great! I would post a picture of the new look...but its ridiculous.

Last week I was finally able to get my teeth cleaned for the first time since surgery! I had canceled and rescheduled about three times due to the latest infection...so finally getting in the chair to have that done was awesome! The most hilarious part... at one point I opened my eyes only to see three of four of the dental assistants peeking in the room. My step-sister works at the dentist office and had showed everyone in the office the pictures of my recovery. They were all so surprised at how different I looked.

Something I have noticed, and I'm sure those that have had surgery know what I'm talking about, but people that have known me for more than 5 years don't really notice a change. Those that haven't known me that long definitely notice a change. I've been told that not only do I look different...but I talk different...and that I smile, a lot. However, I've also been told that I still, by habit, cover my mouth (not always) when I laugh or when I'm eating.

The best news of all... I HAD to ask the OD for a timeline due to the fact that I'll be deploying early next year. The LAST thing I want is to be wearing braces in the desert! Much to my surprise...he said that I would have them off way before then! So... I'm hoping Oct/Nov. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

What else... Oh! Its nothing to do with my teeth...but I'm going on a semi-spontaneous vacation! My good friends parents just moved out to DC and she'll be visiting them at the end of August...and she invited me to go out as well. So... we'll be doing the whole touristy thing there as I haven't been to DC since I was young. I think I'll appreciate it a lot more this time. Oh.. and for almost two days... we're taking a bus up to NYC!! I'm extremely excited about this because I've never been there! Again, we'll be going non stop with the touristy stuff...but the best part... I'll be seeing my first Broadway show! We bought tickets for Phantom of the Opera...how cool is that?? Soooo excited!

So... that's all I have for now..I hope everyone is doing well and I will TRY to update more often!

Its official.

I'm a terrible blogger.

Not that anyone really reads this anymore...because nothing exciting and eventful is happening anymore.

So...some quick updates since my last post..

Infection gone. CHECK!
Turned 25 :( CHECK!
Had an adjustment. CHECK!

The infection thing was an interesting time for me. I WANTED so desperately to feel good and healed...but it was holding me back. About a week after I had those screws and bone plate removed I had an appointment with the OS. I told him I was a bit concerned because right at the incision...well...underneath the stitches...it was really HARD. Thankfully I didnt freak out too much about it...because I guess its normal. I probably didnt notice it the first time...because my entire face was tender and swollen..rather than just one area. Its almost been a month since I had those removed...and there is still some hardness in that area..but I'm thinking its just scar tissue trying to find its place. So...I continue to massage it...and soften it up.

Next topic. Turning 25. There are pros and cons to this.
1. I lost my insurance. (Being a full-time student..fine...but being 25 and a full-time student.. no dice)
2. Car insurance went down.
3. I can rent a car without having to pay extra for being under 25.
4. I feel old.
5. It was one of the nicest days out. About 83. Pretty good for Wisconsin..

Finally, my latest adjustment. The OD was questioning whether to change my bottom wire as the right side of my face was still tender. I told him to go for it..and that I could handle it. I'm thankful he did. Numbness is a crazy thing...or else I have a new tolerance for pain...but I haven't had any of the normal adjustment pain. However, I do hope this last little bit of numbness goes away. Its basically my gums...and a little patch of my lower lip and chin. The rest of my face has returned.

So...what now? The waiting game.

I have a check up with the OS on the 29th...and then I'm thinking he'll give me the "I'll see you in 3 months.." After that I have yet another adjustment on the 15th of June. so...life is good..for the most part. Summer is arriving quite nicely here in south central WI...and I can't wait to break out the bikini! Oh...and I never went on my birthday trip...I'm hoping my best friend and I can make time this summer to do something...

Hope everyone is well...and sorry for the lack of updates. After surgery, life gets back to normal, and you slowly start to focus on things other than your face....its weird...because I've obsessed about it for years...and now...I'll have to put that energy into something else.

Staph infection.

Yep, thats right. I had a staph infection. I guess there are certain cases where infections are antibiotic resistant.

Apparently I am one of those cases.

Here's a good link to webmd that explains it all.

Other than that... I woke up bawling. Full on, rivers running down each side of my newly swollen face, bawling. I remember waking up (during surgery) and being able to feel what they were doing..so i started to cry because i couldnt tell them.

Or so I thought thats what happened.

I asked the doctor if I woke up and started to cry...and he was like...yeah.. you were waking up but we put you right back to sleep.

I think it had something to do with the IV ...because once again... I woke up with an extra bandage. So...I have matching bandages on my arms. He said that the one IV was failing...so he had to poke me again.

Needless to say, I was a big bag of emotions.

Once again, he had to go through my cheek to get certain screws out. So yeah... more stitches.

In other news. I am the proud owner of seven screws and a bone plate...that no longer reside in my jaw!

Surgery... #2?

Soo...looks like we're going through with taking out some screws. After being off of my antibiotics for 5 days...its already back...and ridiculously annoying. The surgeon gave me another prescription for ciprofloaxcin and then had someone from the office call to make an appointment for the actual procedure. They could have gotten me in this friday...but unfortunately its a guard weekend and in no way would I be able to go. So...next friday it is.

I was told that there would be no charge for the procedure...so thats comforting. I'm just glad that this whole thing will be over...and I'll be able to EAT by the time I go on vacation.

Yes, thats right...I'm taking a VACATION. I decided that since I'll be turning 25 in May... that I should treat myself to a Mexican vacation.