A Smile Connects Us You And Me

Yesterday I saw Dr. Chira and she assured me that my joints are just stressed due to the arthritis. This is nothing that has to do with my surgery, just something that needs time and tender care to feel better. I just need to choose safe foods to eat and listen to what my body needs. The best news she told me is that I will be getting all of my bottom braces off next Wednesday!!! I am quite excited. She said she would take all of the braces off at one time, but with my highly sensitive joints it would not be in my best interest. The top will come off in August, giving my joints plenty of time to adjust to not having brackets on the bottom, and for Dr. Chira to go on vacation, and me go to a conference. WHOOHOOOOOO!! I am very excited! It was the greatest birthday gift I could have received from my ortho! Also, since I posted last, the feeling of the screws in my face has subsided. I think the feeling there also comes and goes depending on how much I push myself. I have to remember my...

Me, Dr. Mac, and Lindsay in NYC This picture was taken when I was in NYC and had the work done on my top canines. This was after nearly three hours in the dentist chair (my jaw is a bit swollen). My jaw buddy Lindsay met me at the end of my appointment, she is just starting out in the splint process (w/ Dr. Mac), and will be having a similar surgery to mine (probably)...Linds, you are a ROCKSTAR! Thanks Dr. Mac for treating us! We really couldn't be in better hands...as he has also had double jaw surgery with the same docs, I think he understands more than others might. Currently my joints are starting to become more angry, chewing isn't as easy as it was a couple weeks ago, and I have a lot more pressure in my ears. My energy level is also much lower than it was a few weeks ago, I am begining to feel like I did pre-op. My bite feels GREAT (teeth fit together just the way they should), but my joints just feel terrible. Ugh. I am also beginning to more increasingly annoyed...

Sorry for the delay on the picture! Last week was a bit of a roller coaster. On Monday I had the 4 bottom brackets removed, and on Thursday I went to NYC to see Dr. Mac to have my upper canines worked on. This picture was taken by Dr. Mac after my appointment on Thursday. Tomorrow is SEVEN MONTHS POST OP! Whoohoo! Here's hoping I remember to blog :) Still Smiling :)