The Day of a Thousand Bites

Good-bye solid food. I will miss you.

Today was my last day, the mighty crunchfest ended about an hour ago (midnight). I enjoyed La Madeline pasta for lunch (I usually get the soup/half sandwhich deal, but I'm abstaining from any of the "S" trinity: Soup, Smoothie, ..ssslliquidfoods? That's my new word. yes. Sliquidfood.

Anyway, my mo-mo, dad, and adorable little brother clay came down and after much consideration, tex-mex was the cuisine of choice. [I personally felt like asian food, but this is a democracy, besides, I'm always happy with mexican food]

At dinner, there was much laughter and munching. My family was patient with me as I slowly chewed my way through the meal. (Just wait, if they think I eat slow now...) After dinner, everyone donated their left-over chalupas to the Feed the Kelley Fund. And I tried my best to gnaw through what was there before the clock ticked 12:00am.

What happens if you feed the Kelley after midnight? Who knows, but the doctors said so.

Oh wait... THIS might happen:
Yeah, that's not a good idea. Keep me away from water, too. I might multiply.

Anyway, so if I don't have the chance to post a few final words before surgery, you'll be hearing from my mo-mo over on her blog.
See you on the other side!!
-Kam

YAY Confirmation!!

I got the call - I'm approved by insurance for jaw surgery! However, insurance denied coverage for genioplasty. But that's ok, because I didn't really want it anyway.

I had a final visit to Leibold and Largent today. I wanted to firm up somethings and ask a few more questions before surgery.

ALL my anxieties are extinguished and I'm feeling great and ready for surgery.

Leibold said I was an excellent candidate for the neck liposuction and that, although subtle, it would give me an excellent final result. And personally, I'd be MUCH happier with that than genioplasty.

Also, since the lipo or genioplasty wouldn't be covered by insurance anyway, the lipo costs half as much and the genioplasty would. EVEN BETTER!
Now, since hospitals & insurance are jerks, they would charge for any hospital, anesthesia time, and surgery room time for a procedure not covered by insurance. So, it would be cheaper for me to go back, about 3 weeks later, to get the additional procedure done at the Dental school (where the surgery room & anesthesia is a small flat fee) than to get it done the same time as jaw surgery and the hospital charge by the minute. hundreds vrs. thousands? I think the choice is simple enough.

So, the family is coming in tomorrow, then 6 am Thursday it's off to Surgery-Land!

A big shout out to Lori who got her surgery yesterday! I hope everything went without a hitch, and hope she's healing well!
Also, Michelle, Rachel, and I have started a little recipe blog called Jaw Dropping Blends, it's still being put together at the moment, and I'll be starting on the header graphics soon. So, check it out!

the end to a stressfull day.

Incoming rant/thingy:

Yesterday at the splint fitting, Largent had mentioned not doing the genioplasty after all, I was relieved a little bit, because instead of a bigger chin, all I wanted was just a little more definition in my neck. He mentioned how I had a little excess tissue & fat in my neck and that they remove that "All the time" ("We do this all the time" is like their motto)
I was really happy, and my hopes were really high for a moment before they came back down.
"We'll just do the top jaw and if we decide to do the genioplasty or any kind of lipo, we can always do that another time"
Well. I feel very anxious that this is the only chance I'll ever get to get this right. Hospital stays and operating room cost a LOT. Almost as much as the surgery itself, so the chances that I can go back for anything is like, non-exsistant.

So, my mom says to call them and see if I can consult with them a little one more time.
Instead of sawing bone and moving my chin forward, I would be more satisfied keeping the chin I have, but with the extra tissue removed, I think it would give the illusion of a more defined jaw/neck line. Now, that isn't covered by insurance, but I'd be much more secure with it than different chin. If the cost is ridiculous than it won't happen, but if it costs as much as the genioplasty covered or cheaper, then I would like to go forward with it.


In OTHER news. The underside of my tongue feels a LOT better. Last night hurt like crazy, and it felt swollen, but after I woke up the next morning, it felt fine. It only hurts a little if I move my tongue to the other side of my mouth to try to pry food out my my braces or something, but otherwise, I'm good!
I made a mini-lasagna tonight. Yummy yummy! Mom would be proud (she makes the best lasagna)

Splint Fitting Day

Well, today was splint fitting day! I walked in to the office and was quickly seen by Dr. Largent, and he showed me were my teeth were going to be, but before he could fit the splint, he had to file down some of my teeth so that they would fit together properly after surgery. No biggie.

...right?

Well, other than a little bit of sensitivity here and there, and the smell of teeth smoke, it didn't hurt. That is, until he accidentally slipped at the very end and cut into the soft veiny underside of my tongue.

Then the floodgates opened.

Although I only let a couple tears pass in the office, I went to the restroom afterward and saw my mouth filled with blood. And burst out in tears. Like, not only blood was spilling from the cut in my mouth, but so were anxiety, fear, sadness, overwhelming grief. I was embarrassed that I was so upset, but it caught me off guard, and that hurt more than the pain.

I went to get a sonic slush afterward (Route 44 Lemon, no peel is my signature order) since it was happy hour (half off drinks). My mom must be psychic, because when I told her over the phone she said:
"Well, you should go to Sonic and get a slushie"
*sluuuurrrrrpp*
"Oh, haha, good you got one!"

But maybe when I was talking to her over the phone some of the anxiety spirits flew through the lines and got her, because I know this whole thing isn't easy for her ether. I love you, mo-mo, don't be sad :(

My fear

It's not the jaw surgery I'm most afraid of....

It's the chin.

At the consultation (yes, I've still got jitters from the last consultation) there was a little confusion toward the future of my chin. It's still pending whether they will do anything with my chin or not, and it's been "maybe", "we will bring it forward", "we will move it back". My poor heart, I don't think I can take it. It's less than two weeks before surgery, I don't want the chin thing to be decided to day of, the day before, or during surgery. I don't want to wake up with a chin I wasn't prepared for!
It's like the surgical hooks "more is good, but if not we'll get by" no, no, no... I just want a "YES genioplasy is necessary for an even appearance" or "NO it is not and you don't need it". No gray area, just a black or white answer.

jittery jittery jitters... aaaahh!! :P

Mo-Mo Weekend!

Today I had my pre-surgical work up. I had new models made, blood work done, and all the paperwork was signed and sealed. And who came to do it all with me? My mommy!
My mom, and littlest brother, Clay came to visit me sunday-tuesday, and the time flew by soooo quickly.
Mom was a huge help, making sure I had the essential post-surgery items, and everything I needed before surgery. (we even got matching pjs, so that I can heal in style with my mo-mo!) ;P

My brother insisted I get a little bell so I can ring when I need assistance (he's so cute), I got a mini-dry erase board so I can write/draw silly things at the hospital, we also got frozen juices, soups, and other things so that I can "eat". (The hunt still continues for the cold spa mask and I'll be adding Rachel's new best friend to my wish list) So, I think once the big day comes around on the 24th, I'll be ready!

The pre-op visit went pretty smoothly, but now I'm starting to think "did he forget this? or that? How will this affect surgery?"
Like, for example, the measurements. I know almost everyone had strange measuring devices attached to their heads on the pre-op work up.. but he didn't do that, although I thought he said he was.. so I hope he didn't forget.
Or, He made a comment on the number of surgical hooks my orthodontist put on me and said something like "I guess we'll get by with this" (As my brain is screaming "Wait!! I can go back to the ortho and get more hooks! Don't "just get by" aaahh!")
Also, I really was hoping to learn my blood type, since I couldn't donate blood to myself, and I wanted to know which parent would have to donate to me in case of emergency,but the hospital wasn't given the "fancy paperwork" and so now it's "something we'll figure out the day of surgery". Grr. I wanted to knoooow! :(

But, I'm sure everything will be fine, and I'm really happy my mom and clay were able to visit me before the surgery date. yay :)

I want to be Ironwoman!

I had a bad last week. I was supposed to donate blood so I would have extra in case I needed it for surgery, but my blood is border-line iron deficient, so they won't take my blood, otherwise it could make me anemic. So, I need to start taking some iron supplements so my blood can be nice and healthy!
My mo-mo (mom) has got my back, though. And she's there to support me, even with extra blood if I need it!

Also, last week, I had to reschedule my appointment that I would be getting my new SureSmile wires. That really made me nervous because I don't know if my teeth will have enough time to move where they need to be by the 8th (when the oral surgeons will be making my final casts). But my orthodontist, Dr. B, said they'll be where they need to by the 8th. I just hope.
I decided to experiment with colors for the first time too, I wanted something fun and whimsical before my surgery. So, this is my current look:
I actually like the colors more than I thought I would, they're just fun and different, and even though I like the clear, I kinda regret not trying the colors sooner.
He put different surgical hooks on me, too, these are silver, but I still have the dark, almost black, ones on my lower teeth, because he didn't give me a new wire on the lowers.
And for some reason, only my front teeth hurt, a lot, but not any of the back teeth, which are the ones that are supposed to be moving...

Before I go, I just want to give a biiiiig shout out to Michelle and Rachel. Michelle just celebrated her one-week post op anniversary and she's doing great! Rachel went to the hospital on wednesday, and I hope everything went on without a hitch! So, go visit their blogs and give them lots of support!!!

Surgery Wish List

Hey Ortho-blogees!
In preparation for surgery, I've decided to compose a list of post-surgery items I need or want and things I already have that I will use after surgery. This is inspired by my mom who wants me to make a list, and who calls Zip N Squeeze "Sippy Saks". Hehee.

Things I already have that will come in handy:

• "Hospital Tray"- I love this. Although it's a laptop cart, it's practically a hospital tray. It's perfect for drawing, (laptops of course), and reading in bed. I know this is going to be a huge asset for after-sugery recovery.
• Nintendo DS- This will definitely help the boredom factor. The only thing that saddens me, is that is will be very difficult to practice my French after surgery.
• Books, Puzzles, Computer- I've purchased a huge order of comic books off of Amazon.com, they've been slowly collecting on my shelves, and I've been trying to abstain until surgery is over... trying. :P I'm also a huge puzzle geek, and have got lots of puzzles (and puzzle games for the DS) to keep me entertained. Also, here's a warning: I'll probably be blogging a LOT after surgery.

My Wish List:

• "Sippy Saks"- I know Zip N Squeeze bags are huge on the jaw-surgery population. I do have a question though- I've heard a lot of people ordered them, but then their doctor game them some. Should I wait or just order them?
• Jaw Wraps & Spa Face Masks- These look so comfy and I'm not even in pain yet! On Michelle's Blog, she mentioned how her hospital uses the AqueCool device. Oh god. I wish my hospital uses something like that on me. I'm so jealous.
• Sonic Gift-Card- I have a feeling I'll be needing a lot of slushes. Although, there's this new "mom & pop" smoothie place that opened up near me, and I've never had jamba juice before, so this may be a good opportunity for me to experiment with slushies.
  

I'll probably add to this list as I get closer to surgery..

So, fellow blog-ees: What's on YOUR Wish-List?
~If you haven't had surgery yet, make a list on your blog about items that are on your wish-list.

~If you've had surgery already, discuss which items you couldn't have lived without, things that didn't make a huge difference, or things you wish you could have had then.

Jaw Surgery Dreams

Last night I had a dream that I just had my jaw surgery.
My chin was huge and deformed, and mouth was "wired" (aka banded) shut. For some reason I kept trying to open my mouth, or my teeth would come off the splint and wouldn't go back on it. All this time I kept thinking "Why do I keep trying to open my mouth!? Stop moving it!" Everything felt so tight and uncomfortable.

Even after I woke up my jaw was stiff and sore. *shiver*

It was such a weird dream.
(By the way, the picture on the right is a jaw bone dream catcher. I figured it was completely appropriate for today's post.)

So, my blogger buddies, have you had any dreams about braces, jaw surgery, or any upcoming event, for that matter, that went awry?

A little relief

I went to my orthodontist (Dr.B) today. I had a letter from Dr. Leibold to give him, plus I wanted to ask about my orthognathic situation.
He said my new SureSmile wires were coming in next Thursday, the 26th, and that he could fit them on me and the problem with my back teeth being too wide could be fixed by July 8th- the day when my surgical models need to be made.

I also asked him about my surgery. I told him I had a little anxiety because now I have this surgery date, but I really still don't know exactly what will be getting done. I'm just an extremely visual person, so if a surgeon just tells me "(insert medical jargon)" that doesn't help me understand what they're gonna do to me. I need to see pictures, I need to see before and after.
But Dr. B said not to worry, that they will have to work with my new surgical molds anyway, and they'll go more in-depth the closer we get to surgery.

For some reason, it really put me to ease, and I'm feeling a lot better.

He also told me that he heard Leibold's name mentioned on the Sports Radio the other night, that one Sportscaster is getting jaw surgery and Leibold is one doing it (or overseeing it). I think that's kinda cool, actually.

Just for Fun

Sometimes I'll play around in MS Paint. (That little paint program on practically every PC)
I know I could do much better in Photoshop, but I'm very lazy, and it takes about 30 minutes to book up my other comp with that program on it.

So, without further ado, I present the "MS Paint Jaw Surgery Predictions!!"


To see the picture better, you can click on them. And the "Before" is to the left, the "After" is on the right.


These "authentically fake" photos are of me after a very crude self-preformed LeFort II (even though I think I'll actually be getting LeFort I) and slight genioplasty.

Just a little fun thin I felt like doing, trying to get some kind of earthly idea of what they'll be doing to me in the near future.

It's go time.

July 24th.

Surgery day.

Although I've been incredibly eager to get the surgery done as soon as I can, the anxiety just set in and has hit me full force.

I went in for my 2nd pre-surgical evaluation. After waiting about an hour in the waiting area, I met with the doctors, Leibold & Largent. (The guys who will be doing the surgery on me). And then it was something like "Ok, we're gonna move your top jaw. ok. Let's move you to scheduling." I was a little put off because on one of the first appointments Largent had said something like 'to make it look right, we'll move both.' So, I opened my big mouth and asked about that, and Leibold said something like well, we can do a genioplasty (that involves cutting the chin and moving it forward with out moving the lower jaw.) "Yeah, let's do that."
And then THAT made me nervous. like.. if I hadn't said anything would they not do that, and would i have looked worse? Or, because I opened my big yap now they're gonna do something else and I'm going to look worse?!
And now my paranoid lil' brain is going crazy, I shouldn't have said anything or should I? I just want it to be done right... Ahh!!
I have faith in the doctors, but I guess it's just my first wave of pre-surgery jitters.

but July 24th.. WOAH.. That was MUCH sooner than I even hoped. That's really cool, but my paranoidness is just thinking "Is that enough time for the docs to do what they need to?" and a whole bunch of over-over analyzing. I'm just trying to re-psyche myself up for the surgery thinking "They know what is best" "The doctors know what they're doing" "You've got two fully qualified people watching over you, that's better than just having one surgeon!" Aaah, I can't wait.... I think! ;D

Aaarrr, matey! I've got hooks!

Good news, everyone!

I went to Dr.B's (the orthodontist) today. He took a long look at my teeth molds and said the problem that stood in the way of surgery could be easily fixed. Better yet, it can be done after the surgery. wee!!

He continued on to mention that when he was speaking to the surgeon last Wednesday he was talking about the wrong sister. Gee... that's nice... ;P But I figured as much when Dr. Leibold (the surgeon) kept asking if I had my SureSmile wires with a puzzling look.
Dr.B went ahead and but the surgical hooks on me today too. [on the weird topic of hooks.. image searches for "hooks" yield funny results: here. I'm not saying anything...]

He also ordered my second pair of SureSmile wires, they'll be here in 6 weeks.. Incredibly enough, he thinks I'll have surgery by then. I'm not that optimistic, but if it's possible I'm happy; if not.. I just wish he hadn't put the surgical hooks on just yet.. the one in the middle makes me look like David Letterman.. like I have a gap between my two front teeth (the hooks are black).

Oh well! All an' all, I'm pretty darned happy! :B

Dental Dissapointment

Well, I went to what I thought would be my final consultation for the surgery- where the doctor would tell me what and when all this jaw-stuff would be done and we'd get all the insurance stuff squared away... but apparently my top jaw is wider than the teeth on my bottom, so if they moved the jaws like they wanted to, it wouldn't line up so great.

SO

That means I'll have to get more orthodontic work before my surgery, when all this time I thought that all my teeth work was finished. And I've already have my SureSmile wires in, so I've got NO IDEA what this means for my surgery. It would take over a month to get new Sure Smile wires, if that is the plan, or if they take those out and put regular wires in it's like.. What was the whole point of doing ALL that work to get the SureSmile wires?

I was listening to the Doctor speak on the phone to my orthodontist. And I hear "Christmas break" and "Late Fall" and tears where coming to my eyes. I do not want to wait that long, and I also don't want to be a slobbering swollen mess alone, 4 hrs away from my family for Christmas. (Nor would I want to during Thanksgiving/my birthday).

I feel like my window of opportunity is disappearing.

But I hope hope hope hope that all this dental stuff works out so I can get surgery BEFORE the fall. Wish me luck!

Calm before the storm

Hello everyone!
This journal was inspired by other bloggers who have gone through what I will be going to go through in the near future- orthognathic surgery.
Wisdom teeth came out early June 2007 and I've had the braces on since August 2007. I've already had casts and x-rays prepping for my surgery, I go to the follow-up appointment early this June and the doctors are gonna tell me what they will be doing to my mouth and then square it all away with the insurance people. I expect (hopefully) to be on the operating table late June - early July.

So, I will keep you all posted!
Thanks for watching!