Lasts.

6 1/2 weeks. Its hard to keep focused these days on the simple things in life because I'm soo focused and excited for this surgery. These are the times when you think about "last's." Like... the LAST time my extended family will see me with this crazy jaw at a family gathering. The LAST new years I'll have with pain (it's lessened since I started wearing my splint)...etc. 6 1/2 weeks may seem like a long time for some...but for me...its nothin. At this point I don't think that most of my friends and family really realize how scary this really is to me. I try to sound confident in the sense of me being prepared for it...but I'm scared S-less. You can only do so much research and or be told by your surgeon & ortho how things will go... its one of those things you have to experience for yourself. I keep telling myself that soo many people have had this done...and if they can do it.. I can too. It'll all be worth it at some point....right?

On the job front.... I FINALLY got a full-time position. Its the one I didn't really want...but that has all changed. I'm actually very excited about it! Plus... I won't be going to Mississippi until fall '07 for training.. things are definitely falling into place.

Impressions..

Went for yet another ortho appt yesterday... the first of three for December. Impressions were taken (always enjoyable...) and I now have a power chain on both my upper and lower teeth. Needless to say it was back to ramen and water for lunch and dinner. Next wednesday we are looking at the models and I believe thats when I get my splint (I could be wrong). Its all starting to take shape! 66 Days! I'm pretty sure my co-workers are getting sick of the random surgery jar gin I throw at them...but its hard to contain my excitement! Other than the usual stress of my jaw issues I'm extremely exhausted... For the past 2 years my job has been temporary...and there have been times where I wasn't sure I'd have a job in a few weeks but somehow its always seemed to work out... I'm not so sure this time. The stakes are up because I'm actually an asset (from what i'm told) to my unit. It's sad that your talent can only take you so far and that others are in control of whether you continue on... I've applied for a job that I don't necissarily want..but if it keeps me employed..thats what I have to do. Unfortunately it's not in my career field and I'd have to re-train in Mississippi for 3 months! In the middle of all this jaw stuff.....perfect. However, another job was posted yesterday that I feel I'm qualified for but its at headquarters and they always seem to have someone in mind..but have to go through the actions so that its "fair." I want to make my application stand out so that even if they do have someone in mind...hopefully my experience and talents speak for themselves and get my name out there. Oh.. and I'm in my final "semester" of school... When I graduate..goodbye insurance. Life, gotta love it. A good friend of mine sent me this quote today and it really hit me...

"Everything is always OK in the end. If its not OK then its not the end."

Thanks KC.

Well... its time to let loose and spend some time with friends..watch some Grey's.. and attempt to stay positive until surgery time!

-Larks