It's Been SIX Years!

Hey there devoted blog readers. Today marks my 6th anniversary of having my double jaw surgery...what I fondly call, My Jawversary! I used to make this a night of copious amounts of food I couldn't eat before surgery, but this year I plan to celebrate in just giving thanks in how far I've come.

Head-butting Queen

Our daughter is now a year old, and gave me a nice head-butt to the cheek last week. I'm a bit sore and still a little swollen (I've been taking tylenol as needed, but have not been heating/icing as I should). I know this too shall pass, and head-butts during a tickle session from your toddler are probably one of the best ways to get hurt.

Without looking back at my previous posts I can't tell you how many screws and plates I have in my face, what was used to replicate bone in my face, or many of the other details. I think it's testament to how far I've come. My jaw pain does not control my life. The only doctor I saw for my teeth this year is my dentist. That's a record. I haven't just seen my dentist since 2006.

Some observations about where I'm at now:

• The cold still bothers my face (I'm talking 20deg F and below). Winter is coming, and I'm less than thrilled to be dealing with the cold and wrapping my face up; 
• Neck tension makes my jaw tense and gives me headaches (this isn't new, and I have strategies for coping with this);
• Being close to vibrations (such as loud speakers) still is uncomfortable;
• I can eat anything I want, but I avoid hard nuts like whole almonds because I have no self control and will eat them till my jaw hurts.

To those of you who may be reading this and wondering if you should get surgery yourself- I cannot answer that question for you as we each have unique circumstances, but what I can tell you is that having jaw surgery changed my life for the better. The years up to and the recovery afterword were absolutely the most stressful and painful years of my life. There were many times I wanted to give up. But now, six years later, I can sit here and tell you that jaw surgery saved my life. Continued thanks to all of my family, friends, and doctors!