tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80695283889417592412024-03-13T16:28:21.299-07:00A Jaw in UtahOn July 30, 2014 the quest for a better chin (and bite) was fulfilled. Recovery progress tracked here↓Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-5473500803800296402019-09-16T08:27:00.002-07:002019-09-16T08:27:38.433-07:00Advice for Future Surgery Forgoers*This post is dedicated to Eden. Good luck on your surgery girl.💞<br />
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*I wrote this post pretty shortly after jaw surgery, but did not remember to post it until now. I trust my past-self to have written accurate advice.<br />
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<b>Be brave- </b>Just because you've chosen to go through this whole process shows that you're one bad-a**. Getting your jaws sawed apart sounds like something out of a horror movie!<b> </b>Every single day you're going to have to do uncomfortable things. One day it may be attempting to eat from a syringe, it might be talking to someone you haven't seen in a while while you are still re-learning to speak. It might be getting an IV for the first time. It could be sleeping elevated. It might be making that transition from syringe to cup. It could be throwing up through jaws that are wired shut. There are so many things about this journey that are uncomfortable, and at sometimes it gets REALLY overwhelming. And it IS ok to break down and cry, because everyone does it at one point or another during recovery. When things get to be too much, and the hospital drugs are leaving your system, it is completely ok to break down and have a good cry, it's just not good to make a habit of it. Carrying on is the only way to recover, so you might as well be positive about it. For me, I adopted this saying:<br />
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If you showed this to anyone not going through this surgery, I'm sure they would think of things other than taking your rubber bands out for the first time, but for me, I've found the way to make it day to day is to put on my big-girl panties and do what I'm supposed to do, and eventually you'll make progress! And when you look at it, 6 weeks of discomfort is probably worth the rest of your life with a functional jaw!</div>
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<b>Sleep Elevated-</b> DO IT. It may be something you're not used to, and it may be uncomfortable, but it will help reduce swelling. For most of the first week I used a wedge pillow to prop myself up. I stopped sleeping elevated around Day 12... because I just couldn't stand it anymore. I would wake up a little more swollen than when I went to bed, but at that point it was either get a better nights rest, or be a little more swollen in the morning, and I chose the better nights rest!</div>
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<b>Supplies-</b> Luckily, I didn't have to buy a whole lot of stuff, because I already had most of it, but there is some things that you will need to go out and buy to be prepared for the recovery process. Here's what proved helpful:</div>
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<li>wedge pillow-- for sleeping elevated</li>
<li>button up shirts-- for at least the first two days, I wasn't brave enough to pull t-shirts over my swollen face, so I liked using button up shirts. I had button up pajamas which made me comfortable and cozy.</li>
<li>jaw bra-- for compression and ice-pack holding. The hospital provided us with this, and I don't know where we would've gotten it if they hadn't...</li>
<li>waterpik-- I already had this from previous rounds of braces, but it was seriously SO helpful to get at least some of the food unstuck from the deep dark depths of my splint. HOWEVER, I suggest you don't try to use it until you feel like your incisions can handle it, and even then use it on the lightest setting.</li>
<li>baby spoons-- b/c you can't open your mouth very wide at first</li>
<li>baby toothbrushes-- b/c you can't open your mouth very wide at first, and sometimes having Winnie the Pooh on your toothbrush can brighten your day!</li>
<li>nasal spray-- I DETESTED using this stuff, but I do really think it helped with my congestion</li>
<li>hydrogen peroxide and q-tips-- if you dip a q-tip in a little hydrogen peroxide and gently swab the inside of your nose, it can help dissolve unwanted blood clots. This was helpful the first 4ish days.</li>
<li>TISSUES-- I went through about 3 boxes in just the first week. I used them for drooling, eating, and nose drippage. So go buy a lot. And the travel sized packs are handy for your first trips out and about.</li>
<li>whiteboard-- for when you can't talk. I also liked using <a href="http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.php?sitepal">this</a> website.</li>
<li>entertainment-- for your sanity, find some TV shows to catch up on, some good movies to watch and rewatch, some books to read etc. etc. For the first day or so, the TV may act as background noise as you fade in and out of drug induced sleep, but it's still nice to have, and after that it's a real boredom buster.</li>
<li>vaseline-- I tried both vaseline and chapstick during the earlier days, and chapstick is virtually useless and hard to apply with numb lips. So vaseline, or aquaphor is the way to go. I believe 10/10 jaw surgery patients would recommend.</li>
<li>heat packs-- these are pretty important, because you are advised to use heat after the 48 hour-or-so icing period right after surgery, but I bought two that both smelled gross. One smelled like fried chicken, and the other smelled like melting plastic whenever heated up. I don't know what could've been done to avoid this, but I wish luck upon those on a quest for a normal-smelling heating pack.</li>
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Here's some of the things I bought that proved useless:</div>
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<li>squeeze bottles-- most of these require lip suction or biting to properly use, which is hard when you're not allowed to suck or bite in the early stages of recovery.</li>
<li>neck pillow-- I just didn't use this at all... but I've heard some people really liked having this around!</li>
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<b>As Far as Food Goes- </b>Get creative!<b> </b>It might seem like you're running out of meal options by the second day, but there are seriously ENDLESS smoothie and soup recipes out there! Jamba Juices were my best friends (<a href="http://pinnedbydani.com/2012/03/07/jamba-juice-recipes/">this</a> handy website has a lot of their recipes!). You can pretty much blend up anything too, provided you have a good blender and the right ingredients. I've heard you can blend up pizza, cereal, hamburgers, egg salad sandwiches, cake etc. etc. etc. The liquid diet period doesn't have to be miserable! Just get plenty of variety. Some of the things that worked for me:</div>
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<li>various fruit juices (pineapple, grape, peach nectar, <a href="http://www.bolthouse.com/products/beverages/smoothies">Bolthouse Farm</a>/Naked smoothies)</li>
<li>blended cereal (cereal and milk)</li>
<li>chocolate banana smoothies (bananas, chocolate milk. Sometimes some peanut butter.)</li>
<li>other smoothies (really. There are SO many recipes out there, or you don't even have to use a recipe, just throw some fruit in the blender!)</li>
<li>soup (if it was too chunky, I just blended that stuff right up)</li>
<li>pie shakes (pie, ice cream, and milk. SO GOOD.)</li>
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Then once you're good to move onto spoons...</div>
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<li>jello</li>
<li>pudding</li>
<li>more soup (you can even get some noodles in there! Ramen works if you chop up the noodles small enough)</li>
<li>milkshakes</li>
<li>slurpees/snowies/snow cones/slushies/shave ice/icees (these were my BEST FRIENDS)</li>
<li>smashed fruit (raspberries, bananas w/peanut butter, blended up strawberries etc.)</li>
<li>bread pudding</li>
<li>cake soaked in milk</li>
<li>muffins soaked in milk</li>
<li>banana bread soaked in milk</li>
<li>ice cream/sorbet/sherbet</li>
<li>cookie dough (just leave out the chocolate chips)</li>
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And if you're brave enough, you can try swallowing things whole. JUST MAKE SURE YOU CUT THINGS UP SMALL ENOUGH. Or you will choke and it will be uncomfortable and you could potentially die. But with this method, I was able to eat pizza, mac and cheese, smothered burritos, french fries, fish sticks, bread etc.</div>
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Also, learn to drink out of a cup ASAP. It will seriously make meals SO much easier.</div>
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Also, while going the syringe route, I suggest you have several spare. My bigger ones would get sticky, and not want to plunge anymore, so I suggest finding extra. My parental units couldn't find ANY at nearby stores or online or anywhere, so we wished we would've asked the hospital for more. But if all else fails, try getting them unsticky with a little vegetable oil, or crisco/shortening (if you can stand the taste, I couldn't...).</div>
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<b>STAY HYDRATED-</b> I didn't do too hot on this during recovery. I should really listen to my own advice, but anywho. Yes, drinking water can be hard when you have to pump it through a syringe and it takes you 10 minutes just to drink one glass, and half of it ends up dribbling out your mouth anyway, BUT, you will feel much better if you do your best to stay hydrated.</div>
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<b>Fiber-</b> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. CONSTIPATION IS NO FUN. Right after you get back from the hospital, start getting this stuff in you. Do yourself a BIG favor, and drink some prune juice, or find some kind of stir-in fiber supplement (I prefer Benefiber myself) or you will find a lack of bowel movements in your life. NO BUENO. </div>
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<b>Embrace Messiness- </b>Your mouth is numb and swollen, which makes eating and controlling your spit a struggle. Messes will happen! Don't be afraid to make a mess-- just imagine you are a one-year-old baby playing it it's first birthday cake! And don't be afraid to carry around a box of kleenexes with you everywhere. People will understand and it's a lot better than drooling on everything and everyone. If people don't understand, they'll just have to get over it.</div>
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<b>Be active-</b> This is something that requires you to listen to your body. Talking walks ASAP after surgery is important because it will help reduce swelling and your chance of a blood clot, but you don't want to overdo it. I remember the first week after surgery or so, just taking a shower for me really wore me out, because I was super congested, and couldn't breath through my mouth. So be active, but as your body allows you to.</div>
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<b>Be Patient- </b>This whole process is long and hard. Not even just the recovery process, but playing the waiting game pre-op is hard too. Sometimes, you don't want to be patient. But life is easier and happier when you are. So remember dear friends, patience is a virtue. And progress comes in millimeters (as we all know very well).</div>
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And hey, when all is said and done, jaw surgery is just a short moment of discomfort to improve your long-term comfort. You can do hard things. Go show your jaw who's boss.</div>
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-85076850916801456572019-03-20T12:40:00.000-07:002019-03-20T12:40:37.712-07:00Whaddup Nerds?<span style="font-family: inherit;">Long time no write am I right??? Here's a recap for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So <span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2015 I got my braces off. After getting them off, I noticed my jaw didn't perfectly line up and my orthodontist said verified that it had relapsed a teeny weeny bit but I tried to shrug it off... </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">¯\_(ツ)_/¯ perfection is overrated anyway right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer and fall of 2015 I started college... I didn't really think about my jaw. I was mostly trying to survive socially, academically, and mentally. It was a rough couple of semesters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">July 2016, I got a mission call! I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka LDS church or Mormon church) for 18 months in Orlando, Florida!!!! It was the best year and a half of my life!!!!! But while I was serving, I noticed more TMJ pain and more relapse. I was away from my family and didn't really have the time or desire to go and visit a dentist so far from home so my mom and I decided to just wait until after my mission to go and visit with Dr. Jenkins again about my relapse</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2018, I returned home from my mission and scheduled an appointment with my jaw doctor, Dr. Jenkins, within the following months. After our consultation everything made sense!!! Turns out, I have <a href="https://www.tulsadentalcare.com/blog/condylar-resorption-largely-affects-teens">cheerleader's syndrome</a>, AKA condylar absorption AKA my jaw joints are slowly disintegrating! Dr. Jenkins gave me two options: I could either have my jaw joints entire replaced, or we could do some type of construction on my top jaw and hope I wouldn't relapse again. The more favorable of the options was the TJR (total temporomandibular joint replacement lol) so we sent a case off to the insurance company hoping for approval. The insurance company did not approve the TJR, but they did approve the regular jaw surgery. I didn't want regular jaw surgery again, I wanted my faulty joints outta my body, but that was going to cost my family upwards of $40,000! So I've been trying to think of what to do ever since. The thing is, I'm fairly comfortable with my looks. I like my smile, I'm more comfortable with my side profile than I was pre-surgery. I've just been waiting for some kind of insurance miracle to happen to fix the functionality of my bite. It hurts to chew and my bite doesn't fit together really. Gracias a Dios, I think my insurance miracle might be here! My dad's company had to downsize, so they laid off 40% of the workforce, including him! So yeah, my dad's out of a job, which is sad, but he's on the hunt for a new one (and he's interviewed with plenty of people, so we're not nervous.) But when he gets a new job, we'll most likely have a new insurance company! Which means I have another chance to get my joints replaced! HALLELUJAH! But wait, there's more. My mom also got a job with the US Department of Justice, and she will start said job in the fall. Which means there's another chance for new insurance! Things might be looking up? We'll see man. Catch you on the flippity flip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">P.S. HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM THE LAST 3 YEARS OF MY LIFE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OUT ON</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Profile shot circa Mar. 2016. I don't really want to know what my profile looks like nowadays... although it's probably not as bad as I've dreamed it up to be:))))</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fish, Eldridge, went to the fish bowl in the sky. R.I.P.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I got my mission call to Florida! I got my call July 2016, October 2016, and returned home April 2018.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a missionary in Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a missionary eating Subway in Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a missionary celebrating my 20th birthday in a church in Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to help clean up the mess Hurrican Irma left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahkb36fG00A/XJKMh_RqJSI/AAAAAAAACn4/qPMhJy-9vwYfILdB0gi95YyOH5Ih85ANgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahkb36fG00A/XJKMh_RqJSI/AAAAAAAACn4/qPMhJy-9vwYfILdB0gi95YyOH5Ih85ANgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_7327.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hurricane clean up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family teases me because most of the pictures I took as a missionary featured ice cream...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to return home from the Florida Orlando Mission</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the plane to go home to Utah:( April 2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reunited with mis hermanos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amigos (I feel like you can see my open bite fairly well in this picture?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I TOOK THIS SELFIE TODAY! I'M WEARING A MONKEY-PATTERNED SNUGGIE! May I just say, I'm definitely not unhappy with my smile.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="goog_1965147200"></span><span id="goog_1965147201"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-79445060611561781572016-03-08T12:09:00.001-08:002016-03-11T07:13:01.811-08:00GO me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow am I the worst blogger ever or what?</div>
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So LAST MAY, I got my braces off :D (May 8, 2015 to be precise)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B4.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After. Glorious day 'twas. (Also, what is my hair doing in this picture? Ew smh.)</td></tr>
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It was a good feeling. For about .2 seconds. Right after I got them off I had a feeling my bite had started to slowly relapse.... I tried to ignore my bite... because my teeth and bite were better than they'd ever been in my whole entire life. I didn't bring my bite up at any of my follow-up appointments because I avoid confrontation like none other. So I tried to ignore the problem away... I celebrated by one year surgery anniversary by taking a million pictures <3</div>
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But today I had an appointment to get new retainers (because mine have already cracked and I haven't even had them for a year??) I somehow gathered the strength to bring up my bite. Dr. Christiansen said that yes, my bite had relapsed a lil' bit. Right now I have about 4mm of overjet and 10% overbite. AFTER ALL THIS TIME. MY FREAKING MOUTH. After countless teeth extractions, 3 sets of braces and one jaw surgery my mouth still isn't perfect. And there's ain't a whole lot I can do about it. Dr. Christiansen said that even if I did get braces back on so I could wear rubber bands and fix my bite, there's still a good chance my bite would open back up a teensy bit after I got them off. He also mentioned I might want to go talk to my surgeon, Dr. Jenkins, to see if he could offer an in-depth explanation of my relapse :/</div>
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Not gonna lie, I am a little disappointed. But. My mouth functions a million times better that it did previously, and I'm a million and ten times more comfortable with my face overall. So idk bro. Surgery and braces weren't completely for naught. I'll probably just have to wait 'til I leave this life and pass on to the afterlife for a perfect mouth :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Diego<3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#gotogirls #minus2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SAN FRAN IS DA BEST</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brothers love pictures. Merry Christmas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(New Years..)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*I DYED MY HAIR ANNND I'm not sure I'll ever go back to blonde. I love it sooo much*</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family selfies are a struggle.</td></tr>
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Catch y'all on the flip side<br />
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-5912772710114427102015-04-23T20:20:00.002-07:002015-04-23T20:20:45.660-07:00TWO WEEKS MORETwo weeks until I get my braces off!<br />
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That is all :)Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-72481270712784679352015-04-14T22:15:00.000-07:002015-04-14T22:15:58.858-07:00AHHHHHHHI GOT A DATE TO GET MY BRACES OFF!!!<br />
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May 8 is the big day!!!!! So only 23 days, 9 hrs and 46 min from now. But it's not like I'm counting down or anything.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, me, me so excited.</td></tr>
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-19046821079448139742015-03-26T23:09:00.004-07:002015-03-26T23:09:50.942-07:00Day 239Guess who had an orthodontist appointment this week...<br />
ME!<br />
Guess who might get their braces off roughly 2 weeks...<br />
ME!<br />
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Yeah so at my orthodontist appointment Dr. C said that at my next appointment, in 2 weeks, we'll be able to schedule a removal date if everything looks good!<br />
And the thing is, I actually kind of believe him this time! My mouth feels really good! Everything seems to be where it needs to be!<br />
The first food I'm eating when I get my braces off is a caramel apple. I don't care if I'm allergic to sugar, I DESERVE IT. And then I'm going to get teeth whitener. Because I deserve that too.<br />
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Other than that, I'm lovin' my face!<br />
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I just got back from choir tour, which took place in DISNEYLAND. It's crazy, because last year for choir tour we also went to Disneyland, and I remember saying "This is my last trip to Disneyland with this jaw." And just so much has changed it's crazy.</div>
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So this next pic is from choir tour 2014. I'm the one on the far right...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour 2k14</td></tr>
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<br />Tour 2k15...<br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my cute friends:)</td></tr>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-55645086265971844762015-03-01T08:55:00.002-08:002015-03-01T08:55:53.812-08:00Day 213 - Life UpdateHere's a little life update for anyone that cares :)<br />
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So remember back when I got an <a href="http://isabelsmandible.blogspot.com/2014/12/day-153.html">endoscopy?</a> Yeah, well the results came back from that last month, and it turns out I'm allergic to table sugar (sucrose) and grain sugar (so like wheat, white rice, etc.) Yeah. So life's been pretty fun for the last two months or so... I've had to reconstruct an entire diet for myself because SO MUCH STUFF has sugar and grain in it, it's ridiculous. But on the plus side, if I don't eat grains or sugar, I no longer get super bloated, and my skin is relatively clearer, and I no longer have acid reflux problems! So I think it's worth it.<br />
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Second, I got accepted to all three of the colleges I applied to, so it's time to make a decision. I'm probably going to end up going to BYU since that's where I've wanted to go since I was a wee lass, and that's where everyone expects me to go...<br />
But I'm growing up! I guess that's the point I'm trying to get at. It's weird. And I really would like to get my braces off before I graduate high school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Growing up is sketchy.</td></tr>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-52908684313773860812015-02-09T23:42:00.000-08:002015-02-09T23:42:15.399-08:00Day 194First things first, throwing up with braces is absolutely AWFUL. 'nuff said.<br />
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So somehow I missed my 6 month mark? WHAT? MY LIFE. Holy cow, I absolutely cannot believe it has been half a year since surgery. Life is so normal now... my face looks great (and will look even better once I get these metal monsters off my teeth), I can chew, and I have feeling in the majority of my face (my gums are a little numb, and I have some numb patches on my chin). I'm so grateful for this whole experience I've been able to have. Jaw surgery was actually a HUGE trial in my life, but I've seriously grown so much from it, and if it had to be anyone's trial, I'm glad it was mine.<br />
Ok. I'm done being cheesy and cliché.Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-84176195936600626182015-02-03T19:35:00.002-08:002015-02-22T06:46:53.141-08:00Day 188It's been a rough few weeks. I've been eagerly awaiting my orthodontist appointment, which I had yesterday, but the appointment did not lighten my spirits. I went in thinking on what Dr. Christiansen told me at my last appointment which was, "Not the next appointment, but the next, we can probably get your braces off."<br />
But alas.<br />
My bite is still getting it's crap together and getting aligned, so I still have no end in sight. At this appointment, Dr. Christiansen said, "Not the next appointment, but the next, we can probably get your braces off." Deja vu, right? And what made me even sadder is that they said my next appointment would have been in 4 more weeks, but the Doctor is getting surgery, so it's in 6 more weeks.<br />
Guh.<br />
I just want to get my braces off before graduation, is that too much to ask? It's been 6 months and 3 days since surgery. I feel like it's about time.<br />
So yes. I'm a little sad. But at least I can effectively eat pizza right?Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-70891973828386257602014-12-31T11:53:00.002-08:002015-01-19T22:51:24.012-08:00Selfies of 2014Welp.<br />
Yesterday, I realized I hit my 5 month mark! (Whaaaaaaaaat?!?!???????????)<br />
Time flies when you're recovering from jaw surgery! Not really, but really.<br />
So in celebration of that, and in celebration of the New Year, I'm posting selfies from 2014! This is mostly for me. I'm just really proud of myself for making it through jaw surgery. Life has gone nowhere but up from there. It's just super crazy to see how much my face/mouth has changed in the past year!<br />
2014 was a crazy great year. I went to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Disneyland (twice!). I made so many unexpected friends through school, work, and even jaw surgery. I learned so much, and I can't wait to learn even more in 2015! And now I can do it with a jaw that works properly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eswIojeKJSQ/VKQyhZKZIVI/AAAAAAAABeo/Xkk--lJU2AE/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eswIojeKJSQ/VKQyhZKZIVI/AAAAAAAABeo/Xkk--lJU2AE/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This actually isn't a 2014 selfie... it's one of the last selfies of 2013. And all I have to say is wow. This picture just makes me realize how much I've changed since last year. And not just physically, but socially, mentally, and emotionally too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMA6Y5GoeAw/VKQyhLvQyqI/AAAAAAAABek/0ncuswSYHa8/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMA6Y5GoeAw/VKQyhLvQyqI/AAAAAAAABek/0ncuswSYHa8/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating New Year's last year. Woot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first selfie of 2014. What a gem.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disneyland with the bros.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLs-yQ8nu9s/VKQyfpBnR1I/AAAAAAAABeU/QJkgyuoRFwE/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLs-yQ8nu9s/VKQyfpBnR1I/AAAAAAAABeU/QJkgyuoRFwE/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing Studio C live! That's right, I saw <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHDDdpiYYz4">this</a> live.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZBRF1q71i0/VKQyiWQQE_I/AAAAAAAABew/MoVefPU1c4Y/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZBRF1q71i0/VKQyiWQQE_I/AAAAAAAABew/MoVefPU1c4Y/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to take a selfie with some otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Didn't actually work out too well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sv7Kkooosi0/VKQycplz2pI/AAAAAAAABeA/mRKQyQg9_vE/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sv7Kkooosi0/VKQycplz2pI/AAAAAAAABeA/mRKQyQg9_vE/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this doesn't necessarily qualify as a selfie, because I didn't take this picture myself (my mom took it), but this is one of the many times I got impressions done this year. And everytime I see this picture I'm just in awe of my lack of chin. Like, holy cow! There is NOTHING THERE.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prom day-date 2014. What dorks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom gave a talk at the Women's Conference at BYU this past year and this is her support team :) My family is pretty much the coolest. We almost take better selfies than Ellen DeGeneres. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shout out to all the people I work with. 'Cause they're some of the funnest, coolest, funniest, awesomest, nicest, best people I know.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki8oQskF_zc/VKQylBOURPI/AAAAAAAABfU/-HN4SGen1wg/s1600/IMG_5183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki8oQskF_zc/VKQylBOURPI/AAAAAAAABfU/-HN4SGen1wg/s1600/IMG_5183.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Pan Prom selfie. At work. Again, work is the best.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyY3oQpd9qo/VKQyuu3awMI/AAAAAAAABhM/CSZauemtio8/s1600/IMG_5793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyY3oQpd9qo/VKQyuu3awMI/AAAAAAAABhM/CSZauemtio8/s1600/IMG_5793.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first snowies of 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBAfELugWdw/VKQylSC6htI/AAAAAAAABfY/eNvS9ST7XXI/s1600/IMG_5220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBAfELugWdw/VKQylSC6htI/AAAAAAAABfY/eNvS9ST7XXI/s1600/IMG_5220.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun was in our eyes. Eeeee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pphoLYBbFm8/VKQy2UTXWSI/AAAAAAAABik/BmB8l2ena80/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pphoLYBbFm8/VKQy2UTXWSI/AAAAAAAABik/BmB8l2ena80/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevator selfie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6quDQpVMBKU/VKRWzwn1IsI/AAAAAAAABj0/MzeBuLIQlBM/s1600/IMG_5283.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6quDQpVMBKU/VKRWzwn1IsI/AAAAAAAABj0/MzeBuLIQlBM/s1600/IMG_5283.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin-work selfie :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSBkLmLefG4/VKQynNS9k4I/AAAAAAAABfs/Qwfxe0MUsxI/s1600/IMG_5369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSBkLmLefG4/VKQynNS9k4I/AAAAAAAABfs/Qwfxe0MUsxI/s1600/IMG_5369.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the faces I used to be able to pull before jaw surgery. Do I miss it? A little. I used to be able to make my whole chin disappear into my neck! It's a hidden talent I gratefully no longer possess.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy0xcwaBoqI/VKQynk8utPI/AAAAAAAABfw/gAZM0emX_ZM/s1600/IMG_5377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy0xcwaBoqI/VKQynk8utPI/AAAAAAAABfw/gAZM0emX_ZM/s1600/IMG_5377.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iv-SPukVhd8/VKQyobnzcsI/AAAAAAAABgM/25Hu0LE5sqE/s1600/IMG_5475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iv-SPukVhd8/VKQyobnzcsI/AAAAAAAABgM/25Hu0LE5sqE/s1600/IMG_5475.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my last true selfies before jaw surgery. I was at the surgeon's office and they had put wax over my braces to take my last impressions. So much fun!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHniRTZTQEU/VKQyirTe2kI/AAAAAAAABe4/T8bH2d7B3Og/s1600/IMG_3335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHniRTZTQEU/VKQyirTe2kI/AAAAAAAABe4/T8bH2d7B3Og/s1600/IMG_3335.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final supper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR9SsLno7Mw/VKQyjvbWH4I/AAAAAAAABfI/YOXLSTeAZog/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR9SsLno7Mw/VKQyjvbWH4I/AAAAAAAABfI/YOXLSTeAZog/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE LAST PICTURE OF ME BEFORE SURGERY. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I look so scared. Pretty sure this was taken just before I started crying. Also those socks are a spawn of Satan. I despise hospital socks with a fiery passion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8TKTcNw1pg/VKQyoXJu8II/AAAAAAAABf8/UzN3WCzLt5A/s1600/IMG_5500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8TKTcNw1pg/VKQyoXJu8II/AAAAAAAABf8/UzN3WCzLt5A/s1600/IMG_5500.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first selfie after jaw surgery. I don't know if I have that crazed look in my eyes on purpose or if I was just really drugged. Probably both.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEgSPAKRPA/VKQypTcBFZI/AAAAAAAABgI/s3Ybx3eVEa8/s1600/IMG_5502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEgSPAKRPA/VKQypTcBFZI/AAAAAAAABgI/s3Ybx3eVEa8/s1600/IMG_5502.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SE4SXMpezY/VKQyqOhk_8I/AAAAAAAABgU/DejbltHHAxw/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SE4SXMpezY/VKQyqOhk_8I/AAAAAAAABgU/DejbltHHAxw/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring my recovery process in how well I can produce a "duckface". </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB1zLkgOgYk/VKQyq3QNCvI/AAAAAAAABgY/nxrY9gZnFtI/s1600/IMG_5540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB1zLkgOgYk/VKQyq3QNCvI/AAAAAAAABgY/nxrY9gZnFtI/s1600/IMG_5540.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IBIFgGCWlw/VKQykDT6y_I/AAAAAAAABfM/M6gT_jG-oVc/s1600/IMG_3468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IBIFgGCWlw/VKQykDT6y_I/AAAAAAAABfM/M6gT_jG-oVc/s1600/IMG_3468.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookin' swollen, but classy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxyYrs4CKlA/VKQysUXCTzI/AAAAAAAABgs/FgbVHzoGSm4/s1600/IMG_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxyYrs4CKlA/VKQysUXCTzI/AAAAAAAABgs/FgbVHzoGSm4/s1600/IMG_5596.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first slice of bread after jaw surgery!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0reVPmOHqM/VKQytt6PT3I/AAAAAAAABg8/ubhQk1J_cU8/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0reVPmOHqM/VKQytt6PT3I/AAAAAAAABg8/ubhQk1J_cU8/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to get a picture of my splint before I got it taken out, but I just look like some kind of crazy alligator creature. I was too lazy to take my rubber bands out... no regrets.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhg7ZfQUBew/VKQytNVF2mI/AAAAAAAABg4/lC-bHUc056w/s1600/IMG_5615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhg7ZfQUBew/VKQytNVF2mI/AAAAAAAABg4/lC-bHUc056w/s1600/IMG_5615.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE SPLINT IS OUT. Easily the best day of 2014. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDrmPqYhQwM/VKQyt49ilCI/AAAAAAAABhA/2jbL7q__Gag/s1600/IMG_5660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDrmPqYhQwM/VKQyt49ilCI/AAAAAAAABhA/2jbL7q__Gag/s1600/IMG_5660.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">52 days after surgery I hiked 14 miles up/down a mountain. I dunno, I think that's a pretty great accomplishment.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-OpmJhNILc/VKQyuZOkOQI/AAAAAAAABhI/ihWho8R9a54/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-OpmJhNILc/VKQyuZOkOQI/AAAAAAAABhI/ihWho8R9a54/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPUzPFdZvlw/VKRCje0AQXI/AAAAAAAABjE/Yq03WlFdtSI/s1600/10641274_361441380697934_607291892161927588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rPUzPFdZvlw/VKRCje0AQXI/AAAAAAAABjE/Yq03WlFdtSI/s1600/10641274_361441380697934_607291892161927588_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was in my first play in since sophomore year :) It was unbelievably fun.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFLvfhvgKHo/VKRizlxFNcI/AAAAAAAABkE/5umqImyDsRU/s1600/997074_347950775376108_7668026597050195158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFLvfhvgKHo/VKRizlxFNcI/AAAAAAAABkE/5umqImyDsRU/s1600/997074_347950775376108_7668026597050195158_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nhNoHdojw0/VKQywZG0fVI/AAAAAAAABhg/WiEbaRniyh0/s1600/IMG_5958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nhNoHdojw0/VKQywZG0fVI/AAAAAAAABhg/WiEbaRniyh0/s1600/IMG_5958.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're in Hawaii. But you can't really tell.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dk-a_L_L4E/VKQyxBLMgVI/AAAAAAAABhk/zXSezH61ZkA/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dk-a_L_L4E/VKQyxBLMgVI/AAAAAAAABhk/zXSezH61ZkA/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dole whip in Hawaii. HEAVEN. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvnlrTNioCk/VKQyzj2jY5I/AAAAAAAABiA/A4USdcx5DR0/s1600/IMG_6096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvnlrTNioCk/VKQyzj2jY5I/AAAAAAAABiA/A4USdcx5DR0/s1600/IMG_6096.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAWAII. AH.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od_4HobUcoo/VKQy0ZwMh3I/AAAAAAAABiM/CXawXrNeDZk/s1600/IMG_6131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od_4HobUcoo/VKQy0ZwMh3I/AAAAAAAABiM/CXawXrNeDZk/s1600/IMG_6131.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Hawaii :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ukulele is my current pride and joy.</td></tr>
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2014 was fab. Mostly cause I can eat sandwiches less messily.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uo0JAUWijM">Happy New Year!</a><br />
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-41473052267314960812014-12-30T12:36:00.000-08:002014-12-30T14:17:19.251-08:00Day 153Yesterday I had my second surgical procedure of the year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy! (Or an endoscopy for short).<br />
It was great fun, let me assure you. They put me to sleep and stuck a camera on a tube down my throat to look at my insides!<br />
Long story short, for about the past 2 and half years I've been having digestive problems ranging from bloating to acid reflux, and my mom thought it might be related to some kind of dairy allergy, so I went to a gastroenterologist and after hearing about my problems he wanted to perform this endoscopy, which happened yesterday.<br />
My 24-hour prep for this was actually a lot more intense than my 24-hour prep was for jaw surgery. They wanted me to shower the night before, sleep in clean pajamas and clean sheets, not eat after midnight, but drink enough liquids to produce a urine sample in the morning.<br />
I was worried about producing enough urine in the morning, so I drank SO MUCH WATER before I went to bed. I drank so much water that my bladder acted as my alarm clock in the morning (which was actually a tender mercy, because I was supposed to wake up at 5:00am but my alarm clock didn't go off!) And then for whatever reason I was supposed to do the urine sample at home, so my mom grabbed a mason jar from the cupboard and I went in that. I was able to produce well over a full jar... the nurse was very impressed. And then she told us about this one time when she had a grandma patient who wanted her jar back after they had taken the urine out of it. Probably because she wanted to can some peaches for her grandchildren later. GROSS.<br />
The procedure only took about 15 minutes, but I still had to get an IV and anesthesia. So that was fun. The IV wouldn't work in my right hand, even after a few minutes of digging around, but it worked right away in my left hand. And I also got some blood taken for blood work while I was asleep, so I woke up with three puncture holes in my hands.<br />
For the rest of the day, I had a headache, it hurt to swallow, my hands hurt, and overall I just felt crappy and sad (boy, anesthesia side effects are just the funnest thing in the world!). But it was still far better than jaw surgery recovery!<br />
I won't know if I have any allergies until I get the biopsy results back next week, but I do know my esophagus is a little messed up. It's lined with the equivalent of popped blisters. Bascially it's inflamed from acid reflux or whatever and so we need to figure out a way to fix it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My esophagus is the #2 in the upper right-hand corner</td></tr>
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All of my other digestive organs are lookin' good.<br />
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And this is still not as bad as jaw surgery recovery.<br />
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-55465868648009178632014-12-01T21:12:00.002-08:002014-12-02T13:50:31.687-08:00Day 124OH BLOG. I'VE MISSED YOU.<br />
An update is long past due. And this won't even be a full one, but I was looking through my past posts tonight and I got really emotional for whatever reason. I just realized all of the sudden how far I've come.<br />
Last night, I finished a college application, and there was an essay portion. The essay prompt was <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"What is one of the most difficult things you have ever done or experienced? What made it difficult and what did you learn?". So naturally, I wrote about my jaw-journey, because this is BY FAR the most difficult thing I've gone through. And I was pretty proud of my essay... here it is:</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><i>Puberty left me with an underdeveloped lower jaw. This resulted in two problems: one aesthetic (I had a receding chin), and one functional (only my back four molars touched making eating a difficult process). The only way to fix this was through surgery, so in October 2013 I got my third set of braces in preparation for a summer 2014 surgery. I spent the following school year with issues of self-esteem and self-doubt. With my deformed jaw, I didn’t feel good enough for anything or anyone— socially, I wanted to hide until I was “fixed”. I found myself counting down the minutes between each orthodontist appointment, desperate for any sign of progress. Finally my mouth was deemed ‘surgery-ready’ and my surgery date was set for July 30, 2014. After surgery, my mouth was wired shut for a week, and I was put on a liquid diet for six weeks; my mouth was too weak to chew anything. I was numb, swollen, and droolly. Even talking and breathing took a conscious effort. But it was worth it. Now, I have a functional bite, and a real chin! And I’ve learned some great lessons. I’ve learned the importance of kindness––that even if you don’t feel worthy, people will be kind. My self-esteem is improving. People may say looks don’t matter, but to each individual, looking good is important. I now know that it’s important to give others all the kindness you have, because you do not know what battles they may face. I’ve learned the importance of patience. That progress comes in millimeters. I’ve learned the importance of community— throughout this journey, I had an international community of internet-jaw-blog-friends that I could relate to, and gather tips from. Unity is strength. And finally, I’ve learned the importance of a good bite. Without one, you can’t properly consume sandwiches.</i></span><br />
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There was a word limit (and this was actually not my final draft, because it exceeds the limit), but because of the word limit, I didn't feel like I could fully explain what I learned. Especially what I've learned concerning physical appearance. It's just so complex and hard to explain! You live your whole life growing up with a deformed jaw. No one really thinks you look deformed because that's how they've known you, but you know you shouldn't look the way you do. Thus questions like, "But you look fine, why do you need surgery?" come up. You know you look wrong. Getting this surgery was 100% worth it aesthetically for me. My confidence has improved tenfold because of it.</div>
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Ok. That's all the thoughts I have the time for tonight. I have an orthodontist appointment this Thursday, so HOPEFULLY I can get myself to update again then! (I've been having issues with my bite opening back up which is scary...)</div>
Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-68112667074378774182014-10-17T07:59:00.004-07:002014-10-17T08:03:02.145-07:00Day 79It's been 79 days. Or 11.2857 weeks. Or 2.5944 months.<br />
That's just really crazy to me! I remember looking at blogs who were 2 months post op and having them say stuff like "Man time is just flying!" and I remember thinking how nice it would be to be at that point in recovery... and now I am! I no longer think about surgery everyday, which is something I never thought I'd be able to say!<br />
It's been a while since my last update. I apologize profusely. I never thought I would be one of those bloggers to leave people hanging for weeks at a time, but life just got really busy!<br />
Anywho. Having my splint out has just been the best thing ever. Seriously, such a confidence booster. I no longer feel like a lisping fool whenever I talk.<br />
Learning to chew again hasn't been so fun though.<br />
I can't actually remember my first meal without my splint, which is kinda sad. I wish I would've written it down somewhere... but alas. When I first got my splint out, Dr. Jenkins told me to continue eating soft solid foods til six weeks, and then I could move onto harder things, but to hold off on super hard things like apples and carrots and such til 8 weeks. To be honest, I still haven't tried apples or carrots. The hardest thing I've eaten is probably... toffee? But crushed up, so I didn't bite any off with my front teeth, I just chewed with my back teeth!<br />
Speaking of front teeth... having them properly aligned is pretty much the best thing ever! Sandwiches and pizza are significantly easier to eat now! I still struggle a little, but I think it's just cause my whole life I've gotten used to not biting through things all the way, and now I'll just need to teach myself to bite all the way through food. But seriously, SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE. I've noticed I'm actually able to leave teeth marks in bread now, and I wasn't really able to do that before.<br />
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At my latest orthodontist appointment, I got to take a good look at a panoramic x-ray of my face! So much metal. But it doesn't freak me out... maybe it's just because I've accepted it? Maybe because I haven't really taken the time to internalize it yet? I don't know. But it doesn't phase me. Mostly I just avoid touching my face where the plates are supposed to be, but I'm pretty sure I've felt them a few times.<br />
And Dr. Christiansen was telling me there wasn't a whole lot more they could do to fix my teeth with braces! That's saying a lot, because he's a real perfectionist. So maybe I'm getting my braces off soon? I've learned not to get my hopes up though. I have trust issues with orthodontists.<br />
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I also had a dentist appointment last week, and the hygienists were so funny! I told them I'd gotten surgery and immediately my hygienists took me to get an x-ray. I wasn't supposed to get one that day, but she told me she just really liked looking at stuff like that and that I wouldn't be charged for it so I just went along with it! And I got to look at it all through my appointment.<br />
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In the world of numbness, pretty much all of my gums are completely numb. And the right half of my lower lip and chin are still partially numb. I can't tell if the feeling will ever completely come back, because they've been partially numb for probably about a month? But it's whatever.<br />
As of late, a lot my teeth have been super sensitive, which I know is probably just nerves and stuff waking back up so I'm just dealing with it.<br />
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My lips don't meet when I'm completely relaxed. It's kind of been bothering me, since it was the same way before surgery. It was a lot worse before the surgery, but still. I hoping this will change over time, because I remember reading someone's blog with the same problem and they said it eventually resolved itself.<br />
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I've still had people not recognize me... or not realize I was me. I've gotten better at explaining though, so that's good.<br />
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Also, I got another look alike! I was at dinner with a bunch of my cousins, aunts, my grandma, and my mom and my Aunt was complimenting me on my cute nose and cute cheeks and stuff and she said I look like a Campbell's Soup kid!<br />
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That's exactly what I was aspiring to look like when I went into this surgery! I'm so glad people are finally seeing what my vision was!</div>
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I don't have pictures of my actual face at this very second, but as soon as I get them, they'll be up here!</div>
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Well folks. That's all for who knows how long.</div>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-5925877012452923022014-09-04T20:06:00.001-07:002014-09-04T20:06:46.865-07:00Day 36Guess what.....?<br />
The splint is OUT.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I seriously almost cried tears of joy when I saw my teeth touching for the first time.</td></tr>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-19712000673130130782014-09-01T20:25:00.001-07:002014-09-01T20:25:10.139-07:00Day 33Currently Singing: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yop62wQH498">"Tomorrow"</a> from Annie. Except I'm replacing most of the times it says 'sun' with splint.<br />
Ex: "The [splint] will come out tomorrow!"<br />
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I CAN'T WAIT.Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-78739629579697869792014-08-31T20:56:00.000-07:002014-09-01T14:37:55.674-07:00Day 32The one month mark has come and gone :) And it feels so good! I can't really believe I've made it this far.<br />
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My lower lip feeling is starting to come back! I noticed just today when I was washing my face. BTW, still not a fan of washing a numb face. Even though I've been doing it for a month.<br />
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I have not experienced any of the "jaw spasms" I've heard about on other blogs. I'm not complaining, because from what I've heard, they aren't very fun to experience, but I just think it's a little weird.<br />
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I GET MY SPLINT OUT THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. I can't contain my excitement, so I try not to think about it. I'm also planning on racing my first XC race of the season that day, which should be interesting. My goals are to not faint, and to get a time under 30 minutes. That's all I ask of myself.<br />
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In the past month, I've gotten a few "celebrity look-alike" assessments from friends/family. So far I've been told I look like...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzIxQqYuTKg/VAPjHekQmUI/AAAAAAAABYk/9dFH0Sd0XCQ/s1600/amanda-seyfried-golden-globes-2013-red-carpet-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzIxQqYuTKg/VAPjHekQmUI/AAAAAAAABYk/9dFH0Sd0XCQ/s1600/amanda-seyfried-golden-globes-2013-red-carpet-13.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda Seyfried...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pi4vefuclMo/VAPjHcUkQXI/AAAAAAAABYU/d8x0P59GtfY/s1600/elle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pi4vefuclMo/VAPjHcUkQXI/AAAAAAAABYU/d8x0P59GtfY/s1600/elle.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elle Fanning...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KbzhlSKOfQ/VAPjHZsUn7I/AAAAAAAABYY/sQFhcrHj3lU/s1600/shai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KbzhlSKOfQ/VAPjHZsUn7I/AAAAAAAABYY/sQFhcrHj3lU/s1600/shai.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Shailene Woodley</td></tr>
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This has made me oddly happy, even though I don't really see myself in any of these girls. I've never ever been told I looked like a celebrity, and I feel like that's mainly because there are no celebrities with recessed chins.<br />
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And I wish I could go on a big huge rant about my feelings, but angry rants aren't really my thing. I'm not a very angry person, and I'm not so great at articulating things that I feel strongly about, so I'll just say this:<br />
If you go on pinterest and look up "normal quotes", stuff will come up that say things like, "Normal is overrated." and "Normal is boring." and "Don't be normal.". Throughout my jaw journey, I've thought a lot about quotes like this. I know they're mainly referring to emotional/mental things like motivation, potential, and achievements, personality, acceptance etc. but is normal really so bad? For the past year or so, I've been wanting so badly for my jaw to be "normal". For the past month, I've been wanting to get back to "normalcy" which includes chewing, no swelling, no numbness, not lisping, and not drooling. So no. Normal is not always overrated, or boring, or bad. Normal can be good.<br />
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-21174893956598823502014-08-28T22:01:00.000-07:002014-08-28T22:01:59.734-07:00Day 29This post should be titled "Day 29 a.k.a. ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE" Because I had a really good day.<br />
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School just went really well, but then I had my 4 week post-op check-up aaaaaaand I got some good news!<br />
First, I can start chewing really soft stuff, like soft bread, noodles, soft ground beef etc. The first thing I bit into with my new jaw was a fish stick. And my dad got a Costco chocolate cake to celebrate! Chewing is weird man. I can't remember how to do it. I keep biting my cheek! Nevertheless, I've been singing "I can chew, I can chew I can chew!" all day to the tune of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEjZPkZ1kz8">this song.</a> (Peter Pan has a special place in my heart.)<br />
Second, I can blow my nose. And I tried this when I got home, but I was really scared to. And I couldn't really remember how to do this either, I felt like I couldn't blow hard enough! And my ear got plugged up when I did! But I'll relearn.<br />
Third, I only have to wear 2 elastics now! I was wearing three, one in the shape of square on my four front teeth and two on either side of that, and I no longer have to wear the square!<br />
Fourth, I GET MY SPLINT OUT IN 5 DAYS. This was the happiest news I've received all year! September 2. (This means it'll be out in time for auditions for my school musical. Which is way good.) Gah. I'm just so happy about this. Only 5 more days of talking stupid!<br />
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Funny story: tonight I was at work, being an usher, doin' my usherly duties by showing people to their seats, and this guy came up to me and said, "Can I see your elastics? I'm an orthodontist." And I was like, "Um... uh... yeah?" so I showed my elastics the best I could, and then I explained I'd just gotten jaw surgery, and we talked a little longer about my orthodontist, and what they did to my jaw and such until he went to his seat. It was just kinda weird? I've never seen someone so interested in my braces besides <u>my</u> orthodontist!</div>
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Also, my worst fear has come true (more than once) I have drooled in school. It hasn't been anything too bad, I usually catch it before it comes to the worst, but drooling just isn't ideal. </div>
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Farewell blog, for now. Til next time!</div>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-85090409729237854112014-08-27T22:06:00.001-07:002014-08-27T22:11:32.807-07:00Day 28 a.k.a. 4 WEEKSI'M SORRY BLOG AND BLOG READERS. I really haven't meant to stop posting, school is just being all school-y and keeping me busy, so blog posts are probs gonna be on the down low from now on.<br />
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Sooooo 4 weeks. 2/3 done with the healing process! Mostly I'm sick of this splint. It's inhibiting my motivation to talk to people. And my family has tried to imitate my splint talk. They laughed. I didn't.<br />
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As far as numbness goes... My upper lip feeling is partially back. My nose feeling is partially back. I can feel my nostrils! And the feeling under my eyes is slowly coming back. The right half of my lower lip and right half of my chin are still pretty numb even though I feel tingles around that area all the time :\<br />
<br />
My stitches are dissolving... yup.<br />
<br />
In the past week, I went back to work, and all the patrons understood my splint-speech! My first day back I only worked an hour and a half, but my second day I worked 7ish hours probably? And it went ok. I brought a smoothie to "snack" on, and it got me through day.<br />
I ran 4 miles! On day 23. It was great. I'm so much slower that the rest of my XC group though. It kinda stinks. And I'm still not pushing myself very much. 2 days ago, my team was doing a hill workout, and I decided to sit most of it out, because it was blazing hot, I was a little on the dehydrated side, and surgery and stuff. ALTHOUGH, today I did most of a track workout. I felt so accomplished (even if I was slow).<br />
The other day in Drama class, our teacher chose a few people to read off short little monologues (about a paragraph long) and I was one of those people! I HATE MY SPLINT. That's all I have to say. The auditions for the fall musical are September 2, and I'm thinking my splint won't be out by then, so I've already explained to my drama teacher that it'll be out in 1-2 weeks, and that I CAN sing with it in, it's just difficult to pronounce things. Especially things with s's in them. We're doing Pirates of Penzance. I'm sups excited.<br />
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Welp.<br />
<br />
Here are pictures!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Og5mUwwZLrw/U_621niLdlI/AAAAAAAABVU/HeErfqbH0us/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Og5mUwwZLrw/U_621niLdlI/AAAAAAAABVU/HeErfqbH0us/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22 front relaxed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnSwiq0OnMk/U_6201I2thI/AAAAAAAABVk/wyTw3Qq8nxc/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnSwiq0OnMk/U_6201I2thI/AAAAAAAABVk/wyTw3Qq8nxc/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22 front smiling</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3Ugpd24NZk/U_621F6rdjI/AAAAAAAABVQ/udwopMsYsa8/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3Ugpd24NZk/U_621F6rdjI/AAAAAAAABVQ/udwopMsYsa8/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%234.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22 side</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XskYntPj9Pg/U_6207m9VqI/AAAAAAAABVM/c2RSrBpOMdo/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XskYntPj9Pg/U_6207m9VqI/AAAAAAAABVM/c2RSrBpOMdo/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-21-14%2Bat%2B8.33%2BPM%2B%235.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22 other side</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hRDpVjuDC3c/U_63NdfiuZI/AAAAAAAABV0/fA6bdmsKzFo/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.16%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hRDpVjuDC3c/U_63NdfiuZI/AAAAAAAABV0/fA6bdmsKzFo/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.16%2BPM.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25 front relaxed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wuhzkWCcs/U_63M0niviI/AAAAAAAABVw/2RDKfcawKsE/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.16%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wuhzkWCcs/U_63M0niviI/AAAAAAAABVw/2RDKfcawKsE/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.16%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25 smiling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-9bhircnlA/U_63NQxcnGI/AAAAAAAABWE/aG_ePLmaIFA/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.17%2BPM%2B%236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-9bhircnlA/U_63NQxcnGI/AAAAAAAABWE/aG_ePLmaIFA/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.17%2BPM%2B%236.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25 side</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fSMkZLzk7g/U_63NzJrPaI/AAAAAAAABV8/1BaGE2U1UHs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.17%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fSMkZLzk7g/U_63NzJrPaI/AAAAAAAABV8/1BaGE2U1UHs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-24-14%2Bat%2B8.17%2BPM.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25 other side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7N62XWSBeOU/U_63ssOTk5I/AAAAAAAABWc/gHymF9m9vHM/s1600/IMG_3479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7N62XWSBeOU/U_63ssOTk5I/AAAAAAAABWc/gHymF9m9vHM/s1600/IMG_3479.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28 front relaxed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIOYNYEZTek/U_63t5wbnbI/AAAAAAAABWk/3sSNLmcrPac/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIOYNYEZTek/U_63t5wbnbI/AAAAAAAABWk/3sSNLmcrPac/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28 front smiling (still so lopsided. Dear swelling, go away)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBGADFtRNJI/U_63st5qwRI/AAAAAAAABWU/HVo565BpWHQ/s1600/IMG_3480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBGADFtRNJI/U_63st5qwRI/AAAAAAAABWU/HVo565BpWHQ/s1600/IMG_3480.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28 side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqAdaLHFV2Q/U_63sq7ZsjI/AAAAAAAABWY/Qqe0JjlmL00/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqAdaLHFV2Q/U_63sq7ZsjI/AAAAAAAABWY/Qqe0JjlmL00/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28 other side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, for a 4 week post-op check-up. He said he's going to remove the rest of my stitches, and most likely give me the ok to chew soft things! People keep asking me if I've planned my first meal I'm going to bite into, and to be honest, I haven't really thought about it. BUT now I've given it some thought, and my dad has agreed to buy a Costco chocolate cake as soon as he gets a call that confirms I have the go-ahead to chew! And I might get a Cafe Rio burrito for dinner. My mom thought I should get what I had for my last supper, but that was a Cafe Rio salad. And I can't imagine me chewing lettuce very well with my splint in, so burrito it is.<br />
I WILL TRY to update tomorrow, since I have an appointment and that qualifies as blog-worthy news, but we'll see if that actually happens.Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-30493798729809522712014-08-20T20:23:00.002-07:002014-08-20T20:23:49.271-07:00Day 21 a.k.a. 3 WEEKSYo yo yo blog world! It's officially been three weeks since I got surgery! Which means... I AM HALFWAY THROUGH THIS HEALING PROCESS. Hecka yeah.<br />
<br />
Today in choir... we each had to sing a little solo. It was just like a sentence of a song, but everyone was freakin' out and I was just kinda like "AT LEAST YOU DON'T HAVE A SPLINT IN YOUR MOUTH." I'm over it. Only 2-3 more weeks of this thing. A few days ago, I had chunky peanut butter, and got a couple peanuts stuck up there. One came out today, but there's still one left and I hope it comes out before the surgeon takes it out... or that could get really awkward and gross.<br />
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My cross country team's first race was today! I was not feeling up to running my guts out, so I went and supported by cheering my guts out. Even with my splint.<br />
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Um. So none of my stitches have come out. I'm not that concerned though, I remember my stitches taking a long time to come out when I got my wisdom teeth out too.</div>
<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-3724012449234462072014-08-19T19:56:00.001-07:002014-08-19T19:56:21.903-07:00Day 20HOLY COW. Day 20. We've stepped it up a level! AND TOMORROW IS 3 WEEKS. However, I feel like it's been months since surgery. Time is anything but flying.<br />
<br />
I started school today. I got lots of comments like,<br />
"Wow! You look so different!"<br />
"Your hair is so cute!"<br />
"How long does it take for the swelling to go down?"<br />
"You barely look swollen at all!"<br />
"How's your face?"<br />
"How's your jaw?"<br />
"Does it hurt?"<br />
<br />
And most people were able to recognize me! Yaaaaaaaay.<br />
<br />
I spent most of the day hating my splint. I feel like I talk like a 7 year old with a pillow in my mouth.<br />
<br />
I DID NOT DROOL. I am seriously so scared this is going to happen. I have an emergency mini-pack of kleenexes stashed in my backpack just in case.<br />
<br />
Luckily, I was able to go home for lunch. So I ate leftover ramen noodles (If you chop them up enough, they're pretty easy to eat!) and mashed potatoes, and cut up steamed broccoli.<br />
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I ran one mile today at cross country. Our first race is tomorrow, and I'm debating on whether I want to participate or not. Our races are 5Ks, which I easily ran last Friday, but at races you're kinda supposed to push yourself and I'm scared to push myself. I would really hate to faint in the middle of a race... but eh. We'll see.<br />
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You get crummy laptop pictures again, because the only person home is my brother, and I don't trust his photography skills (sorry Henry).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that I have a chin now<br />eeeeeeeeeeeeee </td></tr>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-13800890362067217382014-08-18T21:58:00.000-07:002014-08-18T22:02:46.033-07:00Day 19School tomorrow. Not looking forward to people not recognizing me or the splint-tainted talking. <strike>Or facing the consequences of the summer homework I didn't do.</strike> I AM looking forward to seeing friends I haven't seen/really talked to in 3 months, and to feel productive again!<br />
As a final summer treat, my family went out to eat at a mexican restaurant, and I ordered a smothered burrito, which was pretty easy to cut up in small pieces and swallow whole until I didn't cut a piece small enough and started choking. No heimlich maneuver, but it was pretty scary. And it made me kind of angry, usually when you choke on something you just tell yourself "Better chew better next time!" but this time it was "Better chew better next time... OH WAIT. I CUSSING CAN'T." Dumb jaw. Cut your food up folks.<br />
Sorry, you get meh-quality laptop pictures from a weird angle, because I've stayed up too late doing last minute summer homework...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzntcCEY444/U_LY1ldJGFI/AAAAAAAABSs/hOrPZ7jAozI/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-18-14%2Bat%2B10.50%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzntcCEY444/U_LY1ldJGFI/AAAAAAAABSs/hOrPZ7jAozI/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B8-18-14%2Bat%2B10.50%2BPM%2B%232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smile is a little lopsided because of swelling and such. Thank goodness for school picture retake days.</td></tr>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-55377117491037412662014-08-17T20:24:00.002-07:002014-08-17T20:27:33.050-07:00Day 18First things first-- I'd like to make a shout out to my 12-year-old brother, Henry. I just found out he reads this thing. This picture is dedicated to you and your crocs.<br />
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Now back to me and my jaw!</div>
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I can't remember if I mentioned this-- but yes, my surgeon told me no nose blowing, and to only sneeze with my mouth open til further notice. So yeah. I sneezed for the first time since surgery today. It was scary. It all happened so fast, I kinda forgot to open my mouth when it happened. I mean, I think it was half way open, so hopefully nothing was thrown out of whack? Everything feels fine so I think it's all good.<br />
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I also went to church today, and saw a lot of people I haven't seen for a while (because of a friend's LDS mission farewell) and my new face was received very well :) AND EVERYONE recognized me! Such a good feeling! But I still feel really stiff. I don't know if that's because I'm still numb or what, but it would be nice if that feeling would stop. And talking is still a struggle, but I'm over it.<br />
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School starts in two days, so that should be interesting... I have no idea what I'll eat for lunch. Or how I'll deal with people mistaking me for my nonexistent sister left and right. Or how I'll survive the day at all, but I'll make it work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just really like my new hair!</td></tr>
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Word to the wise- don't eat chunky peanut butter with your splint in. No bueno.<br />
<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-67864042658601893642014-08-16T20:39:00.000-07:002014-08-16T20:39:18.555-07:00Days 16-17I apologize. I missed another day. And a day I actually had stuff to say too!<br />
Anyway, here it is:<br />
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Day 16<br />
I did end up going to cross country practice again, and with much more success than the previous day! I ran 3 miles and didn't feel light-headed at all! I seriously feel so accomplished. I think the difference between this day and the day before was that the day before there was all sorts of drills and jumping and stopping and starting and it was just too much, and this day this day, I just ran (and did a few wimpy push-ups and sit-ups). The biggest struggle, was my runny nose + numb upper lip combo. I was so worried I had a snot trail coming out my nose that I couldn't feel. I was also worried that I was drooling, so I was wiping my face constantly.<br />
However, I do believe my nose and chin are regaining feeling! My lips and under my eyes not so much, but they'll get there eventually (hopefully).<br />
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*Photos taken at an outdoor theater, and the lighting is not so great...<br />
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Day 17 a.k.a. today</div>
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I've had the strong desire to chew today. My family went out to eat tonight, and I ordered fish and chips because I figured the fish was soft enough to mush with my tongue and I could break up the french fries small enough to swallow whole. Don't get me wrong, it was going great, but I was so tempted to just stick a whole french fry in my mouth and start chewing! I resisted the temptation though. Just 11 more days until I have permission to chew again (barring any complications).</div>
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I have mastered the art of drinking through a straw! Dr. Jenkins gave me permission to start at my last appointment, but it's been a little rough since then, until today!</div>
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-13522889469712064192014-08-14T19:33:00.002-07:002014-08-14T19:34:57.649-07:00Days 13-15Blog! It's been a while! I didn't mean to stop posting, it just kinda happened. I was busy and tired. So now we're backtracking.<br />
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Day 13<br />
At 7:00 in the morning, I went to cross country practice, just to visit. Someone asked if I was Isabel's sister, so I had to say "No, I'm Isabel!" but with my splint it sounded more like "No, I'm Ishabel!" I also talked to my coach, and she was super understanding and stuff :)<br />
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I had my two weeks post-op appointment with my surgeon! He said everything looks good... There's still swelling to go down, and that my swelling is a little lopsided. But my teeth are fitting perfectly into my splint and I can stop my salt water and medicinal rinses he prescribed. My splint will come out at 6 weeks, but he said if it's really bugging me it can come out at 5 weeks. He also said I can start chewing in two weeks! Booyah. And he asked me if after I finish this whole process he could take my picture for his website! I'm gonna be famous! Woot woot. That was pretty much it.<br />
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I chopped off all my hair too! I don't know why I didn't do it a long time ago, I feel so free! And my mom likes it, because she doesn't find my long hair all over the place now!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the only photo of my face I got this day :\<br />
No profile shots...</td></tr>
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Aaaand then I kind of had my first night back at work. I work as an usher at a community theater, and every time we open a new show we have a meeting, and get to watch the show. That was one of those nights! It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone there, but afterwards I WAS EXHAUSTED. Part of it was that I couldn't fall asleep 'til 2:00 a.m. the night before, but it was also a long day, and I'm still getting my energy back. HOWEVER, I felt very productive considering for the past two weeks I've done nothing but sit at home and catch up on my TV shows.<br />
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Day 14<br />
I started the day off thinking "Where's my hair?" and then I remembered it was gone.<br />
I took my little brother to swimming lessons this day, and then met my cousins to go shopping afterwards! We ended up going to a thrift store, an army/navy store (don't ask...), and the mall. At the mall we decided we were all hungry, so we went to the food court, and I was able to find no-chew friendly options for me, and I ordered all by myself! No translator needed. And no drooling either!<br />
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This was another long day, after which I ended up pretty tired. And 'twas another day that I didn't get any pictures :(<br />
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Day 15 a.k.a. today.<br />
Today was relatively calmer... ish.<br />
I went to cross country practice today to actually practice, except we didn't go on a run today, we did plyometrics, which was probably a mistake. We ran a 1 mile warm-up which went fine. It just felt weird, because I felt like my cheeks were bouncing the whole time. Then we started doing plyos, and I started to get more and more lightheaded 'til I finally told the people around me that I couldn't do anymore, and sat down until I felt good enough to walk over to my coach and tell her what was up. Again, she was super understanding which was so nice! It was just frustrating, because I feel so energetic sitting at home all day, but I get so easily tired whenever I do the smallest bit of activity! Gaaaaaah. It's only getting better though. I just have to take it easy.<br />
I got mistaken for my non-existent sister again today. One of the coaches asked me if I was new, and I had to say "No... I'm Isabel!" and she said "Ooooooh I didn't recognize you with your haircut!" and I just went "Haha yeah..." and continued to do my stuff. I have a feeling I should get used to encounters like this. BUT IT'S SO AWKWARD.<br />
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After cross country, I felt slightly discouraged. But when I got home my mom said my swelling looked a lot better! And I only did about 45 minutes of exercise, so this is something I'm going to keep doing. Even if I'm worse than I was at the beginning of the season, and slower than eeeeeeveryone else.<br />
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I had an orthodontist appointment today! Everyone there said I looked good. My orthodontist didn't really do much, because I don't think he can do much with my splint in my mouth. I just have another appointment in 3 weeks.<br />
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I also had to go take a test at a testing center for an online course I took this summer. The only reason I mention this is because I had a little trouble keeping my mouth quiet. It's hard to swallow your spit when you're still re-learning to use your mouth. I tried to keep my slurping as quiet as possible, but there were several weird noises coming from my mouth throughout the test, and I just hope the other people testing there weren't too bothered. eheh.<br />
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That's pretty much all for today!<br />
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I have no idea how often I'm going to keep posting, so we'll see. Things are slowing down!</div>
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<br />Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8069528388941759241.post-37402153180578050422014-08-11T21:25:00.001-07:002014-08-11T21:25:34.983-07:00Day 12S.O.S. MY SPLINT IS TURNING ORANGE. And I don't know what to do about it. It's just so full of noodles and such and I'm cleaning it the best I can, but eh. Right now I would give everything in the world for it to be removable, but that ain't gonna happen.<br />
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Today I went to my school to clear up some registration stuff, and I saw a lot of friends who haven't seen me for 3 months. It was pretty exciting. They all asked how I was doing, and all I really had time to say was, "Good, except I can't talk very well!" Then I'd have to move on to take care of other business, but it made me a little less nervous about having to go to school with this darn splint in my mouth.<br />
I also had two friends (Mannon and Natalie) come to visit me! They brought me some chocolate milk and jello, and a Spongebob coloring book, and we played this game from the 80's called Heartthrob.<br />
It's a gem.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*image from Google</td></tr>
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Last night, I slept un-propped up for the first time. I woke up a little more swollen than usual, but the swelling went away fairly quickly, and I felt like I slept a little better than usual, so I think it was worth it!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom wanted to get the mountains in the background this time, but wasn't very successful. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't look too closely, because you might see my orange splint. Blech.</td></tr>
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Tomorrow, I have my two week post-op surgeon appointment, a haircut appointment, and my first(ish) night back at work! Aaaaand I'm going to try to make it to cross country practice just to visit.</div>
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Yeah buddy.</div>
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Isabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04170585241488271881noreply@blogger.com0