Re: Just getting started...

[Guest guest]

Diane, good luck with your journey. I must admit your post had me in

stitches especially the part about the hormonal 11 year old. Mine is

in uniforms thank goodness. I remember the pain of the spacers

vividly. You might try some ibuprofen. I do recall that it helped

immensely and it actually was the most painful part of the whole

process for me.

>

> I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday. The

> spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

but

> it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

>

> My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

the

> spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple of

> layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> myself there is no turning back!!

>

> And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a hormonal

> 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have anything

> to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier to

> keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I keep

> telling myself I'm very blessed!!

>

> My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any time

> close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and foot!

>

> You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all the

> informative posts.

>

> Diane

[Guest guest]

Felicia,

Thanks for your reply. I wish our public schools would adopt a uniform

policy. I dread school clothes shopping. My two older girls are very

athletic, not the size 2 the designers seem to pattern clothes after.

Thanks for the advice on the ibuprofen.I just popped three!

Where are you in your journey?

Diane

_____

From: feliciaha1

Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 9:14 AM

To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

Subject: Re: Just getting started...

Diane, good luck with your journey. I must admit your post had me in

stitches especially the part about the hormonal 11 year old. Mine is

in uniforms thank goodness. I remember the pain of the spacers

vividly. You might try some ibuprofen. I do recall that it helped

immensely and it actually was the most painful part of the whole

process for me.

>

> I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday. The

> spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

but

> it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

>

> My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

the

> spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple of

> layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> myself there is no turning back!!

>

> And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a hormonal

> 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have anything

> to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier to

> keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I keep

> telling myself I'm very blessed!!

>

> My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any time

> close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and foot!

>

> You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all the

> informative posts.

>

> Diane

[Guest guest]

Oh Dear Diane,

Bless you as an elementary teacher and mother of a toddler I

sympathize. But let me warn you...get rid of those kids when you

have your surgery!!!You'll be in hell and feel like crap. Plan ahead-

grandparents???

Jane

>

> I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday. The

> spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

but

> it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

>

> My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

the

> spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple of

> layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> myself there is no turning back!!

>

> And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a hormonal

> 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have anything

> to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier to

> keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I keep

> telling myself I'm very blessed!!

>

> My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any time

> close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and foot!

>

> You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all the

> informative posts.

>

> Diane

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane,

I'm blessed in many ways, mainly w/my husband and I growing up in the same

town in which we are raising our offspring! Besides our parents, I have two

sisters in town and very kind neighbors. I plan to farm them out when the

time comes!

I live in Oregon and will have the surgery in Seattle. Because of the

distance (about 4 hr drive), the doctor has asked I remain in the Seattle

area for a week. My older girls wanted to know if they could go with me and

we could go shopping!! I'm taking my mom and husband with me, if he wants to

come for a few days. When I get home, I want the place to myself (except for

mom and hubby!). I was thinking of farming them our for my first full week

home?

I've been following your emails. You're a great inspiration!

Diane

_____

From: janepapillion

Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 9:44 AM

To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

Subject: Re: Just getting started...

Oh Dear Diane,

Bless you as an elementary teacher and mother of a toddler I

sympathize. But let me warn you...get rid of those kids when you

have your surgery!!!You'll be in hell and feel like crap. Plan ahead-

grandparents???

Jane

>

> I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday. The

> spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

but

> it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

>

> My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

the

> spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple of

> layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> myself there is no turning back!!

>

> And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a hormonal

> 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have anything

> to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier to

> keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I keep

> telling myself I'm very blessed!!

>

> My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any time

> close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and foot!

>

> You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all the

> informative posts.

>

> Diane

[Guest guest]

Spacers were definately the worst part for me too until this surgery

stuff. I can't wait to get back to the good ole eat whatever you

want with braces on and just pick the food out later!! Although it

just hit me when all this is over I will only have braces on for

about 2-3 more months!!!Yahoo. The end is near! If you can call 4

months near.

My one year old jabbed me in the cheek with her toothbrush this

morning trying to brush my teeth. With all the numbness you would

know I still feel it!

Jane

> >

> > I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday.

The

> > spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> > hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

> but

> > it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

> >

> > My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

> the

> > spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> > looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple

of

> > layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> > myself there is no turning back!!

> >

> > And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a

hormonal

> > 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have

anything

> > to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier

to

> > keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> > daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> > moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> > long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I

keep

> > telling myself I'm very blessed!!

> >

> > My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any

time

> > close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and

foot!

> >

> > You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all

the

> > informative posts.

> >

> > Diane

[Guest guest]

I am with you on the clothes. Unfortunately my 9 year old is not in

uniforms yet but my husband has to put up with the clothes decision

every morning as I leave for work before she gets up. He has not

figured out the " night before " routine yet, ha!ha!.

I am almost 4 months post-op from upper surgery. My recovery has

been pretty uneventful, thank goodness, and the only lingering part

is the numbness to the roof of my mouth but it gets better daily.

Hope the ibuprofen helps. I always take at least one just before and

after I see the orthodontist. Seems to work most of the time.

Do you know what surgery they are going to do.

> >

> > I had my spacers put in yesterday, with full braces on Monday.

The

> > spacers didn't bother me much yesterday, but this morning I can

> > hardly bite down on that side. I'm trying to eat a moist muffin,

> but

> > it's slow going...Guess I better get used to it.

> >

> > My teeth are very tight-fitting, so they had a hard time getting

> the

> > spacers into my teeth. With the second spacer she used some plier

> > looking tool that slipped out of her hand and took off a couple

of

> > layers of skin off my gums. As I dabbed the bloody gum, I told

> > myself there is no turning back!!

> >

> > And to top it off, I'm home with a sick six-year old and a

hormonal

> > 11-year old who is throwing a fit because she doesn't have

anything

> > to wear to school. My three year old (thought it would be easier

to

> > keep her home instead of getting cleaned up to take her to

> > daycare?!) just told me the raging bag of hormones was putting my

> > moist muffin in her backpack for snack today!! It's going to be a

> > long day...and then the 14 year old comes home from school...I

keep

> > telling myself I'm very blessed!!

> >

> > My husband is a CPA. I'm definitely not having the surgery any

time

> > close to tax season...he's going to be waiting on me hand and

foot!

> >

> > You're cheaper than a therapist!! Thanks for listening and all

the

> > informative posts.

> >

> > Diane

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jane, I can only remember hearing of one death during the surgery,

and that one was caused by an error by the anesthesiologist. It was

some time ago, and far as I know, the patient was not a member of any

of these groups, not that such would have made a difference.

Yes, it can happen, but these folks are really carefully trained,

and they are very expert at what they do. and it didn't happen while

she was wired or banded shut. none of that, however, is helpful to

her or those who loved her. That's why the stats don't really mean

much. Something bad happens one time in 10,000 or once in a million --

but that doesn't make you feel any better if you're the one it

happens to.

The need for general anesthesia is one reason why this surgery is a

major undertaking: You are turning your breathing over to someone

else. I asked if we couldn't do it with a drip, but the doc

said, " Nope. You don't want that. I'd wake you up. "

As my anesthesiologist said, " Anybody around here can knock you out.

What I get the big bucks for is bringing you back! "

If hospitals where you are are like hospitals where I am, you had a

nurse anesthesist monitoring you throughout, with all the tools and

gadgets, and a physician anesthesiologist floating around the OR,

ready to come in a second. A physician friend had suggested that I

ask for (and pay for) my own anesthesiologist. I asked my surgeon

about that, and he gave me a long look and asked what sort of

physician. A GP, I replied.

" Well, you see he doesn't see the battles that are fought and won in

the OR, " the surgeon said. " I do, and I trust the nurses implicitly. "

>

> Diane,

>

> That's great. All my life I have bben so independent and pushed

> people away. Through all this my biggest help has been my family.

I

> was soo worried about leaving my baby girl over night for the first

> time for my surgery. My older sister came who adores my daughter.

> While I was at the hospital suffering they were playing, watching

> movies etc. That night my daughter had a little cough and my

sister

> let her sleep with her they cuddled and bonded the whole time. I

> wouldn't have had it any other way.

>

> Then when I came home my mom came to entertain ( my baby)

> While I was laying in bed all puffed up I could hear them laughing

> and playing in the background. It was my biggest comfort. When

> everyone left would stand at the gate blocking the dining room

> from the hallway leading to our room and call for me. I felt awful

> because I was so weak and uncomfortable but would go sit with her

in

> the rocking chair (with her head far away from my jaw). She would

> just sit contently for the longest.

>

> Although our kids drive us mad at times, not being able to talk to

> them is the worst!! immitates the noises I make when I try to

> talk to her- it is so cute. She also sympethetically gives me food

> while she's eating lunch and supper! I just pretend to eat it! I

> guess deep down she must sense mommies hungary!!

>

> The first week (I feel so foolish now) I really thought I just

could

> not go on!!! It's the little ones and things that get us through

and

> we do get through it! I just kept thinking someone has to have

died

> from this suregry- not being able to eat for over a month, choking

to

> death, suffocating..etc. LOL I guess you mind gets carried away

when

> you are hungary and on pain meds. It will all be all right! Take

it

> from me someone who seriously thought I was surely going to die!

> Jane

>