The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and I can eat pizza again. All is well with the world.
Everything is going well! I have very few official restrictions on food now. For the past few weeks I was having regular jaw pain, which freaked me out, until I realized how many chewy things I was eating- crusty bread, veggie sandwiches, raw carrots, etc. So now I always have soup for lunch and try to have a soft food dinner more often than not, and the pain is gone. I have also discovered that baby carrots cooked in the microwave in water for two minutes are just as easy to toss in a bag for a snack as raw ones. Even though I'm so excited to be able to eat real food again, it's worth it to take it easy.
The rubber bands have multiplied. I now have the box in the front at night, with a triangle on either side. I was told that if I was willing to put up with hurting in the morning, I could put two rubber bands on the triangle and it would speed the process a little. After having my jaw split in 5 places... I can handle two rubber bands :) I can't wait until they all come off!
I really will put up pictures sometime soon! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the springtime!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
13ish weeks... I think...
Wow, gone are the days when I knew exactly how long it had been since surgery... "Only 28 days until I can eat! only 27 days..." Yikes, that was a disheartening time. But the good news is, once things start getting back to normal, time startes flying again.
There's not too much to report today. Everything seems to be healing well, and I'm allowed to, very carefully, use my front teeth. But I'm finding that I just don't know how- I've never been able to use them before! It shouldn't be that hard to figure out, right? But somehow it is... it's like totally unlearning the habits that I've always had that allowed me to eat. It's a weird experience!
I'm allowed to do more, too, I'm even cleared to run again (once the 4 feet of snow melts off!) Yes, here in Maryland, the world is very white. We've had more snow in a week than we usually get in a winter. I'm not sure I should be sledding yet, but I don't think that God would drop 4 feet of the white stuff during my birthday week and expect me to stay out of it! We've been having a blast. Perfect weather for long afternoons hiking up hills. I haven't once felt like I was in any danger of re-breaking anything, which is a relief. I'm not very good at being careful :)
It's been really good to see a lot of people losing the braces and looking great! A good reminder that this journey will be over eventually.
There's not too much to report today. Everything seems to be healing well, and I'm allowed to, very carefully, use my front teeth. But I'm finding that I just don't know how- I've never been able to use them before! It shouldn't be that hard to figure out, right? But somehow it is... it's like totally unlearning the habits that I've always had that allowed me to eat. It's a weird experience!
I'm allowed to do more, too, I'm even cleared to run again (once the 4 feet of snow melts off!) Yes, here in Maryland, the world is very white. We've had more snow in a week than we usually get in a winter. I'm not sure I should be sledding yet, but I don't think that God would drop 4 feet of the white stuff during my birthday week and expect me to stay out of it! We've been having a blast. Perfect weather for long afternoons hiking up hills. I haven't once felt like I was in any danger of re-breaking anything, which is a relief. I'm not very good at being careful :)
It's been really good to see a lot of people losing the braces and looking great! A good reminder that this journey will be over eventually.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
2 years in braces, 10.5 weeks in functional teeth
It's true. Two days ago marked my second braces anniversary. I'm pretty sure that's longer than either of Britney Spears' marriages.
It's been almost 11 weeks since surgery. I'm still eating everything by cutting it up really small and chewing it with my back teeth. There's a lot of things I can eat, but I'm still avoiding anything hard, chewy, or cruncy, like crusty bread or, sadly, Craisins, which I love. Salad is edible, but it takes me quite a while to eat!
The swelling is still going down, fortunately. I'm having a little trouble adjusting to the way my face looks now. I can't pinpoint what it is, but there's something I just don't like when I look in the mirror. I hate my smile right now. I get these funny lines in my face when I smile, and my mouth looks really wide. Hopefully it's just because of swelling and will get better, because, even though it was crooked, I liked my smile before. Did anyone else feel this way getting used to the new look?
The good news is, I'm amazed by how much better I feel. The terrible headaches I used to just deal with two or three days a week are gone. I haven't had one since the surgery. It's amazing. So yes, I definitely think it was worth it, and will think so even more in a few months when I no longer look like a chipmunk!
It's been almost 11 weeks since surgery. I'm still eating everything by cutting it up really small and chewing it with my back teeth. There's a lot of things I can eat, but I'm still avoiding anything hard, chewy, or cruncy, like crusty bread or, sadly, Craisins, which I love. Salad is edible, but it takes me quite a while to eat!
The swelling is still going down, fortunately. I'm having a little trouble adjusting to the way my face looks now. I can't pinpoint what it is, but there's something I just don't like when I look in the mirror. I hate my smile right now. I get these funny lines in my face when I smile, and my mouth looks really wide. Hopefully it's just because of swelling and will get better, because, even though it was crooked, I liked my smile before. Did anyone else feel this way getting used to the new look?
The good news is, I'm amazed by how much better I feel. The terrible headaches I used to just deal with two or three days a week are gone. I haven't had one since the surgery. It's amazing. So yes, I definitely think it was worth it, and will think so even more in a few months when I no longer look like a chipmunk!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
8 weeks
I'm now 8 weeks post-op and loving having food again! I was telling a friend that I feel like I did after a summer of beans and rice (though delecious, not a lot of variety!) in Honduras. I might not even be hungry, but when I see food, I want to eat it, just because I can! I'm still technically limited to soft foods. However, I was told not to bite into anything harder than a french fry. Then I was told not to bite into anything with my front teeth. I am using this logic to declare breaking up Christmas cookies and chewing them with my back teeth totally legal. Other than that, lots of pasta, cooked vegetables, soup, and fish. I'm craving salad and pizza like crazy! I can't wait until February when I should be allowed to eat anything I want (within reason!)
I've been back at work for 2 weeks now. Friends, let me tell you, please be nice to your office staff. I've had record numbers of unhappy patients lately. It's hard for me to get through a full day because my job is so demanding. And even harder when being verbally abused several times daily. One man even made fun of the way I talk when he called in. I won't even tell you what he said, it was pretty offensive. I think I wiped the smirk off his face when I said, "Sir, I'm sorry if you're having trouble understanding me, but I just had major surgery and my jaw is broken. I would be happy to transfer you to another assistant if you feel that I'm not qualified to help you." Okay, I sort of exaggerated, but he deserved it ;)
I had my first ortho appointment today. It was fun. I love the compliments you get from people who understand what's going on! Then they got to the teeth, and that was less than fun! I did get my surgical hooks removed, YAY!!!! But then I became the proud wearer of not one but two powerchains across my front 6 teeth. One under the wire, and one over it. Also elastics that I'm supposed to wear in a box shape in the front. So I'll probably be back on the soup and applesauce diet for a few days, but so long as the soup doesn't need to go through the blender first, I am A-ok with that.
I hope that everyone is doing wonderfully!
I've been back at work for 2 weeks now. Friends, let me tell you, please be nice to your office staff. I've had record numbers of unhappy patients lately. It's hard for me to get through a full day because my job is so demanding. And even harder when being verbally abused several times daily. One man even made fun of the way I talk when he called in. I won't even tell you what he said, it was pretty offensive. I think I wiped the smirk off his face when I said, "Sir, I'm sorry if you're having trouble understanding me, but I just had major surgery and my jaw is broken. I would be happy to transfer you to another assistant if you feel that I'm not qualified to help you." Okay, I sort of exaggerated, but he deserved it ;)
I had my first ortho appointment today. It was fun. I love the compliments you get from people who understand what's going on! Then they got to the teeth, and that was less than fun! I did get my surgical hooks removed, YAY!!!! But then I became the proud wearer of not one but two powerchains across my front 6 teeth. One under the wire, and one over it. Also elastics that I'm supposed to wear in a box shape in the front. So I'll probably be back on the soup and applesauce diet for a few days, but so long as the soup doesn't need to go through the blender first, I am A-ok with that.
I hope that everyone is doing wonderfully!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
6 weeks
I scheduled my 6 week appointment for exactly 6 weeks after surgery, not wanting to waste a day! During my last appointment, they said I would need local anesthesia for the splint removal. I'm not sure why, but they never mentioned it and didn't give me any, which was fine. I don't really like those huge needles!
The splint removal started out easily enough. The OS just clipped each of the many wires holding the splint in. Pulling them out was more difficult and much more painful. They were really in there, so he was really pulling. And pulling my lip up and back, which was fine in a few spots but really hurt in some sensitive spots. (yup, the feeling is coming back1) A few wires were really tough, and the pliers slipped and slammed into my lips or gums. There were a few whimpers of pain involved, and I am not that type. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it any slower, because my opening was getting smaller and smaller as my mouth got tired. After a few minutes, they were done and I got to brush my teeth, thank goodness. Underneath the splint the teeth were really fuzzy and the gums were swollen. They felt like the skin after you take off a band-aid. Icky.
He took a look and, unfortunately, had fairly mediocre news. I had a 3 piece Lefort, so the bone attached to my front 6 teeth is one piece, and the back teeth on either side ae pieces two and three. The front section is not healing to the back ones as quickly as it should be. When he pressed on one tooth, I felt the whole section move just a little. So I have to be very careful with those teeth. No biting anything with them. He asked if I could remember that and I laughed. I've never been able to use those teeth for anything, so there's no reason why I would try now!
I've also had some relapse, but nothing to worry too much about yet. It can probably be corrected by the orthodontist. I'm glad he told me, but that is definitely not something I can put off worrying about! I do not want to do this again!
He confirmed that I was not to eat anything harder than pasta until my next appointment in February, and I was on my way.
I have to say, there are some things that really disappointed me. My bite is awful right now. I can only touch the very back molars on the left side. Before surgery, I could at least touch two molars on each side! I guess it has to get worse before it gets better. My orthodontist can't see me until January 5, which is too bad. I want to get started as soon as possible! Also, I still can't close my lips or talk very well, and I'm still drooling. He said that that will get better, I just have to get the muscles re-acclimated. I would like them to re-acclimate, like, last week. I'm supposed to go back to work Monday, and I can't work while drooling or not talking.
We went to Noodles & Company for dinner and brought it home. I got my favorite, pesto cavatappi, with sauteed tofu. I cut everything up really small and stuck it in the back where those two teeth meet. It took me an hour to eat a third of my small order, but it was delecious and felt really good to be eating like an adult again. A very slow, messy adult, but an adult nonetheless.
As for everything else:
Pain: Very manageable. It's bad in the morning, but a few advil takes care of it.
Feeling: My mouth is getting feeling back, and it's pretty uncomfortable. It feels like it did when I first got braces- all my teeth are really sensitive. I'm very aware of them all the time. My top lip is most of the way back, my bottom lip is still getting creepy crawly feelings but nothink when I touch it. My chin still has nothing except for the occasional phantom itch or shock of pain.
Swelling: Still swollen, but not terribly. Once I can close my lips I think I'll look fairly normal. Please, please let that be soon!!
Drinking: Without the splint, I can drink, but I'm not that great at it! I lose some off my lip fairly frequently. So much for taking a Starbucks break during my Christmas shopping tomorrow.
Well, Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you're all doing well, wherever you are in the process and have a great holiday!
The splint removal started out easily enough. The OS just clipped each of the many wires holding the splint in. Pulling them out was more difficult and much more painful. They were really in there, so he was really pulling. And pulling my lip up and back, which was fine in a few spots but really hurt in some sensitive spots. (yup, the feeling is coming back1) A few wires were really tough, and the pliers slipped and slammed into my lips or gums. There were a few whimpers of pain involved, and I am not that type. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it any slower, because my opening was getting smaller and smaller as my mouth got tired. After a few minutes, they were done and I got to brush my teeth, thank goodness. Underneath the splint the teeth were really fuzzy and the gums were swollen. They felt like the skin after you take off a band-aid. Icky.
He took a look and, unfortunately, had fairly mediocre news. I had a 3 piece Lefort, so the bone attached to my front 6 teeth is one piece, and the back teeth on either side ae pieces two and three. The front section is not healing to the back ones as quickly as it should be. When he pressed on one tooth, I felt the whole section move just a little. So I have to be very careful with those teeth. No biting anything with them. He asked if I could remember that and I laughed. I've never been able to use those teeth for anything, so there's no reason why I would try now!
I've also had some relapse, but nothing to worry too much about yet. It can probably be corrected by the orthodontist. I'm glad he told me, but that is definitely not something I can put off worrying about! I do not want to do this again!
He confirmed that I was not to eat anything harder than pasta until my next appointment in February, and I was on my way.
I have to say, there are some things that really disappointed me. My bite is awful right now. I can only touch the very back molars on the left side. Before surgery, I could at least touch two molars on each side! I guess it has to get worse before it gets better. My orthodontist can't see me until January 5, which is too bad. I want to get started as soon as possible! Also, I still can't close my lips or talk very well, and I'm still drooling. He said that that will get better, I just have to get the muscles re-acclimated. I would like them to re-acclimate, like, last week. I'm supposed to go back to work Monday, and I can't work while drooling or not talking.
We went to Noodles & Company for dinner and brought it home. I got my favorite, pesto cavatappi, with sauteed tofu. I cut everything up really small and stuck it in the back where those two teeth meet. It took me an hour to eat a third of my small order, but it was delecious and felt really good to be eating like an adult again. A very slow, messy adult, but an adult nonetheless.
As for everything else:
Pain: Very manageable. It's bad in the morning, but a few advil takes care of it.
Feeling: My mouth is getting feeling back, and it's pretty uncomfortable. It feels like it did when I first got braces- all my teeth are really sensitive. I'm very aware of them all the time. My top lip is most of the way back, my bottom lip is still getting creepy crawly feelings but nothink when I touch it. My chin still has nothing except for the occasional phantom itch or shock of pain.
Swelling: Still swollen, but not terribly. Once I can close my lips I think I'll look fairly normal. Please, please let that be soon!!
Drinking: Without the splint, I can drink, but I'm not that great at it! I lose some off my lip fairly frequently. So much for taking a Starbucks break during my Christmas shopping tomorrow.
Well, Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you're all doing well, wherever you are in the process and have a great holiday!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The other day a college friend came and picked me up for a walk around the mall. At one point, I saw a childhood friend, one of those that you don't necesarily keep up with, but always run up and hug when you see them. I looked at her, she looked at me, smiled, and looked away. It was a bit uncomfortable- did I want to go "introduce" myself? I decided against it, considering that I'm still not looking so hot and still not being understood by people outside my immediate family and close friends. But it was an odd feeling, not being recognized by someone I've known for years!
In other news... two and a half days until I can talk, (sort of) eat, and (hopefully) drink from something other than a syringe! I can't wait. I hope all of you with recent surgeries are doing well, and if you're in my area, enjoying the snow!
In other news... two and a half days until I can talk, (sort of) eat, and (hopefully) drink from something other than a syringe! I can't wait. I hope all of you with recent surgeries are doing well, and if you're in my area, enjoying the snow!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
5 weeks
Finally I can show you results! So here I am... come on lips, close already! Looking like a monkey is only cool for so long! My nose is definitely looking wider, but I can breathe so much better that I really don't care! And... I have a chin! I'm just so amazed looking at profile pictures. I'm so much more comfortable with the way I look! I had a rule when I was driving people- whoever rides shotgun is not allowed to look at me. I hated people seeing my profile, so I would wind up driving with one eye on the road so I could turn towards them while they were talking to me! Now that rule doesn't need to apply, which makes me so happy.
So, at week 5:
Pain: is the worst in the morning. I have a lot of pain right where the cuts to the bone were made. Also some in the joints. It edges towards bad at night, but it's definitely worse in the mornings.
Feeling: I have most of the feeling back everywhere but my mouth, my bottom lip, and just below my lip. I'm starting to get feeling back in my mouth. It feels like my teeth are really sensitive. I'll probably be glad to have anesthetic to get the splint out next week!
Food: Ick.
Drinking: I have switched into overdrive on Operation Learn to Drink Like a Normal Person (not from a syringe.) I am trying like crazy to drink from a cup, but since I can't close my lips, I typically dump half of the water in my lap and choke on the other half. I'm starting to get a little nervous that I might be drinking from a syringe for the rest of my life. Can't you just picture me at the office Christmas party, sipping my martini through a syringe? I can. Also, I can picture a ton of weird looks coming my way. Not pretty. COME BACK, LIPS!! Anyone used to watch Veggie Tales remember the I Love My Lips song?
Etc: I can finally laugh again! My brothers are very, very funny, and for the last few weeks I've been doing this "Haha,ow,hahaha,oww,hahahaowwwww" It hasn't taken much to make me laugh until I cry!
Oh, and since my mom has been dragging me out a lot more, a lot more people have been trying to talk to me. Since I can't really talk, she usually jumps in with "she had surgery on her mouth." which naturally prompts, "Oh, yeah, I had my wisdom teeth out years ago. Let me tell you..." Meanwhile I'm all set to mumble, "Yeah, I had mine out years ago too, and let me tell YOU, that sucked a lot less than this!" Of course, it would sound more like "eeh, iha ine owears gotoo" and nobody knows what that means. But anyway, it reminded me of this clip:
Don't worry, fellow ortho patients. We will ALWAYS be able to beat a 4 wisdom tooth story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)