Guest guest Posted June 14, 2005 Report Share Posted June 14, 2005 Hi everyone! Sara and Becky, I am reeeally enjoying your cross-banter! You offer a much needed distraction to my daily ruminations on the dreaded surgery. My day is coming up on the 24th, and tomorrow is my final pre-op with the surgeon and anesthesiologist(sp?). I can't belive how time is flying towards my big day. Also, I am finding that I have a lot of inner transitioning happen. I am not trying to sound too dramatic, but I am beginning to feel a bit like a traitor to the face that I have been given, and I am greiving its loss and failure to support my chewing, smiling, and talking needs. Has anyone else gone through this phase? I feel like like I am in the middle of some kind of spiritual lesson, which is forcing me to consider how much of me is actually apparent from the outside of my body, and how much of me will still be intact when I have come through the other side of this. Am I wierd? Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Fay, No you're not weird! I hate to sound like a broken record - but that crazy tape talked about stuff like that (maybe I can post it in the files section?) I guess the big message was that you shouldn't be angry with your *broken* body part - be it a tumor or our jaws - and actually thank it for all the wonderful work it as done. Additionally - you shouldn't feel guilty for trying to make it function better. It's OK to acknowledge the change - but try to look at it in the most positive light possible and it will help reduce your anxiety. I'm a bit afraid of sounding crazy...but it really does help. I suggest getting yourself in a very relaxed, meditative state of mind. Then think of the positive things your jaw/face have done for you in the past. Thank it for all it has done and explain your appreciation. Then think of how much better it will be able to perform it's function after the surgery. It really does help! If you need any other suggestions - let me know. I'm telling you - I've had 14 surgeries to correct my cleft lip/palate. This is the first time I went into the surgery without crying or anxiety. I felt very peaceful and positive. If it's the crack-pot tape, so be it. I swear I don't work for them ) -becky > Hi everyone! > > Sara and Becky, I am reeeally enjoying your cross-banter! You offer > a much needed distraction to my daily ruminations on the dreaded > surgery. My day is coming up on the 24th, and tomorrow is my final > pre-op with the surgeon and anesthesiologist(sp?). > > I can't belive how time is flying towards my big day. Also, I am > finding that I have a lot of inner transitioning happen. I am not > trying to sound too dramatic, but I am beginning to feel a bit like > a traitor to the face that I have been given, and I am greiving its > loss and failure to support my chewing, smiling, and talking needs. > > Has anyone else gone through this phase? I feel like like I am in > the middle of some kind of spiritual lesson, which is forcing me to > consider how much of me is actually apparent from the outside of my > body, and how much of me will still be intact when I have come > through the other side of this. Am I wierd? > > Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Fay, no you're not weird, I can totally relate to what you're going through because I felt the same way too before my surgery. It's a strange transition and I can assure you that I am still going through it now post-op every time I look at myself in the mirror. Ultimately what helped and continues to help me get through it is knowing that on the outside on my face I may look different but on the inside it is still the same old person, maybe a tad bit more patient and stronger because of what I have just gone through. The other day a friend of mine brought me a photo of her and myself about 2 years ago. It was a particularly good photo of me pre-braces. At first I got upset because I couldn't understand why she would do such a thing i.e. remind me that I actually really liked myself before I ever got into this whole process to correct my jaw. Then I realized that she was doing it to remind me and show me that the person in the photo and the person I am today is still the same person and that the features I had before will never be lost because they are stamped in my memory. The crux of it all is that your new features will be softer and happier ones because hopefully you won't be in as much pain as you are now pre-op. A lot of things that you took for granted as being difficult to do will suddenly become easier post-op e.g. chew. I am sure that you'll feel better and better about all of this as time goes by. Unfortunately it's all part of the rollercoaster ride that is aka orthognathic surgery. I spent the whole week before surgery saying goodbye to each and every part of my mouth and chin that I knew would change post-op. Now I spend each day getting acquainted to the new parts of me, and you know what? I am beginning to love them. I see them as the older more mature siblings of the old parts of me, and that work better functionally. Sara xx > Hi everyone! > > Sara and Becky, I am reeeally enjoying your cross-banter! You offer > a much needed distraction to my daily ruminations on the dreaded > surgery. My day is coming up on the 24th, and tomorrow is my final > pre-op with the surgeon and anesthesiologist(sp?). > > I can't belive how time is flying towards my big day. Also, I am > finding that I have a lot of inner transitioning happen. I am not > trying to sound too dramatic, but I am beginning to feel a bit like > a traitor to the face that I have been given, and I am greiving its > loss and failure to support my chewing, smiling, and talking needs. > > Has anyone else gone through this phase? I feel like like I am in > the middle of some kind of spiritual lesson, which is forcing me to > consider how much of me is actually apparent from the outside of my > body, and how much of me will still be intact when I have come > through the other side of this. Am I wierd? > > Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Fay, Briefly, I don't think you're " weird " . I think you are blessed with the presense of mind and intelligence to give this very important day the acknowledgement it deserves - from each and every aspect. I think you are right on the mark when you ellaborate on your feelings towards your image and its encompanying persona. You haven't failed yourself ... your face hasn't failed you ... your jaw hasn't failed you. You are what you are ... and you are doing everything in your power to make you the best YOU that you can be. And when all is said and done, the part of you that contemplates such deep and meaningful concepts will still be part of you. It's not going anywhere. Well check me out ... waxing philosophical. It's been one of those days. All my best, Carol > Hi everyone! > > Sara and Becky, I am reeeally enjoying your cross-banter! You offer > a much needed distraction to my daily ruminations on the dreaded > surgery. My day is coming up on the 24th, and tomorrow is my final > pre-op with the surgeon and anesthesiologist(sp?). > > I can't belive how time is flying towards my big day. Also, I am > finding that I have a lot of inner transitioning happen. I am not > trying to sound too dramatic, but I am beginning to feel a bit like > a traitor to the face that I have been given, and I am greiving its > loss and failure to support my chewing, smiling, and talking needs. > > Has anyone else gone through this phase? I feel like like I am in > the middle of some kind of spiritual lesson, which is forcing me to > consider how much of me is actually apparent from the outside of my > body, and how much of me will still be intact when I have come > through the other side of this. Am I wierd? > > Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Thanks Becky, What a great idea! Sometimes it just takes another person to bounce things off of Fay > > Hi everyone! > > > > Sara and Becky, I am reeeally enjoying your cross-banter! You offer > > a much needed distraction to my daily ruminations on the dreaded > > surgery. My day is coming up on the 24th, and tomorrow is my final > > pre-op with the surgeon and anesthesiologist(sp?). > > > > I can't belive how time is flying towards my big day. Also, I am > > finding that I have a lot of inner transitioning happen. I am not > > trying to sound too dramatic, but I am beginning to feel a bit like > > a traitor to the face that I have been given, and I am greiving its > > loss and failure to support my chewing, smiling, and talking needs. > > > > Has anyone else gone through this phase? I feel like like I am in > > the middle of some kind of spiritual lesson, which is forcing me to > > consider how much of me is actually apparent from the outside of my > > body, and how much of me will still be intact when I have come > > through the other side of this. Am I wierd? > > > > Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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