Free Willy!

Guess what? I have normal braces again!! Who knew I would be so excited for braces haha. I've only had them half my life. But I've had those bulky acrylic (plastic, wax looking) things on both sides of my teeth for three months. Their purpose was to hold together my jaw where Dr Arnett cut it into three segments, so I guess they were pretty necessary. I guess I kinda needed something strong to hold the pieces together while they heal right?

Anyway they are finally gone! And I finally have one regular consistent wire all the way across my top teeth. To me, my braces look slim and neat now. Neat like clean, not like cool, cause if it were up to me, these braces would be off! But that is still awhile coming so don't get hasty. Dr says the braces need to be on for at least a year after surgery. Boo. But whatever! I have a jaw.. a chin.. a proportioned face! And FOREVER GRATEFUL I will be!! I still thank The Lord in my nightly prayers that my condition was fixable, that I was blessed with such good healing and that the results turned out amazing and very pleasing to me and my family. (Don't get me wrong, it was still AWFUL AWFUL, and you'll have to knock me over the head and drag me feet first into the hospital to ever go through anything like that again). With that being said.. let's see how birthing my babies goes! haha, heaven help me.

On a side note, feeling is still continuing to sneak its way back. However, the day I got my acrylic wraps off, was one of my more painful days and night. I was up constantly that night because my teeth hurt so bad! Earlier that night I went out with my good friend Kelli Royal. We were eating at cheesecake factory and just talking and eating our super soft (super delicious) cheesecake was killing me! Up until this point my teeth have been almost completely numb still. I guess because of all the pushing and prodding on my teeth earlier that day, it made them super sore.. and I could feel it!

Right now, at this point in the healing stage, the majority of the inside of my mouth is numb. I can feel my tongue and almost all of the roof of my mouth. I can taste food probably 80-90%. I can tell that the roof of my mouth is not fully back to normal and once it is I will be able to taste 100% again. I kind of eat like a cow. I am on soft chew diet (which is a.ma.zing!) but I kind of just gnaw on my food and mush it around in my mouth then swallow somewhat whole. The food gets broken up but not chewed up. It's still a very weird sensation to chew and I haven't quite mastered that yet. 

My teeth are starting to feel sensitivities. When I drink something cold, a few teeth will hurt. When certain teeth hit against another tooth, I feel it zing all along the nerve.

My gums =  still numb. Probably the most out of everything. I sometimes have to be careful when I am trying to pick food out of my mouth without a mirror. My gums feel soft like the food, so I'll try picking it. Since I can't feel it I don't know that I am picking my gums, not food. Hah. Thank goodness I haven't done any damage to myself. 

Food getting stuck in my teeth is another story. My tongue cant stretch like it used to so I cant get everything out of my braces. And when I try, it hurts. I'll be brushing me teeth at night and get whole noodles and pieces of food that come out. It's a real treat!

My mouth is still extremely tight and stiff. Talking is not back to normal yet, nor smiling, laughing, facial expressions etc. It's normal enough (I think? I can't see myself when I talk so I don't know what it looks like) But I can feel it and it's stiff and so not normal. That will take time. Much time, prob closer to the year mark. Full recovery is one year. So I'm assuming it just looks like I am a lazy talker and don't use my lips or mouth to annunciate words. It's quite funny actually.. I see the way people look at me when I talk to them- Strangers that is. Those who don't know I just had reconstructive jaw surgery. Like when I'm talking to a cashier at a store. And they sometimes have to say "what?" because they didn't quite understand me. It's funny the way they look at me- their face says things like "Use your mouth when you talk!" hahaha.

So these days I eat things like:

eggs

potatoes

pasta pasta pasta!

soft meats like shredded pork (I've been living off Casa Salza sweet pork enchilada- THE.BEST.THING.CREATED.IN.THE.HISTORY.OF.EVER)

beans

rice

burritos

breads

basically all the fatty starches!

I know I know what you're thinking- "she needs those fat foods!" "she needs to fatten up!"

Please stop thinking that. No one needs to fatten up! Not even skinny girls. Perhaps they need more "meat on their bones" but that can consist of muscle and the healthy 'fats'. I am built small, always have been, always will be. Yes I did lose a lot of weight due to my 10 week liquid diet, but YES I HAVE been putting it back on now that I am eating normal food again. I am trying to build muscle not fat- because who wants to be flabby?! Uh, no one, that's who. Yes, I know I am small, I am grateful for that, but it wasn't a problem before surgery and I am only a couple pounds lighter than my pre-surgical weight. So all's well that ends well!! And p.s.- I've never been a clean healthy eater, I love my junk food. I have been a lot better since I got married (thanks to my sweet hubs Tyson) so I try to eat somewhat healthy for my body but I still love me some cupcakes and brownies.. It's all about moderation my friends! Sometimes I'm not so good at moderation though- but hey, we all make mistakes and I'll be forever working on that! :)

I have been able to work out lightly, and run a little bit for the past 3 weeks. It's been nice to feel the burn again! But holy hannah- IT. IS. HARD.

Sheesh. I had NO CLUE how much major surgery takes out of your body. Add that to not being able to work out for 3 months and you lose a ton of your stamina and muscles. It's like I haven't worked out a day in my life. It's like I haven't even climbed stairs in my life. It feels like I'm 500 pounds and trying to run an 8 minute mile. Talk about impossible! It's a work in progress. And I can not wait until I have the money and endurance to get back into cross fit. That is my absolute favorite thing. BEST way to work out. EVER. Hands down. You see results the quickest and its just an all around great work out for any body type. In the meantime, I have been doing the brazilian butt lift. It's a good one! I'm workin' on no saggy bums here! And toned thighs. I love the look of toned thighs so thats my goal. If you want a great home work out, check my pinterest board labeled 'someday'. There is a brazilian butt work out I pinned. It's basically a side picture of a naked toned bum, cant miss it! It's a killer I tell ya. :)

Here are some pictures of my life in the last few weeks!

celebrating our anniversary- 5 years! We're old

thought it'd be fun to throw in an oldy. this is about 2 years ago

sides before and after (sorry for bad quality)

through the process. day before surgery. week of surgery. 1.5-2 months after surgery

watching fireworks

totally normal

new babe born into the fam! "rock on" she says

babysitting the littles

another great creation. cake made into cupcakes!

no more acrylic wraps!

rodeo-ing

Ty got to hik the Uintahs.. Teeka missed him

loves on our way to vegas (I have lips now..good ones!) :)

some more littles. making strawberry jam, swimming, reading

Ma girl Kelli!

Until we meet again!

Peace and love.

Life is Good

I am just happy! Let me re-iterate.. I am a happy camper and I love life! I have been on a "soft chew" diet now for a week and a half and I couldn't be happier or love food more! Those who know the ins and outs of me ask how is that even possible.. Lana? Love food more than she did before surgery? Yup, beelieve it! It's possible. 10 weeks of nothing but puréed liquids gives a whole new meaning to food and chewing..and wasted food. I think I've discussed my thoughts on perfectly fine food that goes wasted in an earlier post.. it just irks me! When I saw someone not finish their food while I was just drinking away made me want to pummel them like a football player tackles his opponent. Not cool. But no worries! I can eat it now too!! Well, almost. Just the soft, mushy stuff. My little body has a tiny stomach. I don't eat much. It doesn't take much to satisfy my stomach. I say satisfy because I listen to my body and only eat until I am satisfied- NOT full. Because being full is too much and I don't want to go back to my old eating habits.. because I love food so much I would eat and eat until it was either gone ( and get more bc it was so divine ) or until I had to be rolled away from the table. Everything to me was just so delicious I just wanted to keep eating. And everything still is SO delicious, BUT my body does not need as much as I would like to eat.. that's just unhealthy. So I enjoy every single bite until I am satisfied, and because of that, I'll enjoy my healthy, fit body right along with my good eating habits. Forgive me for going on about this- but I am pretty proud of myself :) I thought once I could eat again I would go crazy and gorge myself. But the transition has actually been quite nice and easy. And my body has not had one single hard time adjusting between liquid to solid foods, so that's a plus too!

I have been back and forth between Utah, Vegas and Cali. I am a tricky one to keep track of. I can't even keep track of myself sometimes. So after the initial 3 weeks of healing hell in Santa Barbara, I was in Vegas for 5 weeks. Then I went back home to Utah for 2 weeks to take care of my hair and extension clients (come get yo' hair did by yours truly- me!) then back to Vegas and on to SB for more check ups with my surgeon and back to Vegas after that for more appointments with my ortho. Currently, I am in Utah again.. for my clients, for myself, for family, for life! In two weeks I'll return to Vegas- more check ups. If you couldn't tell, even 11 weeks later, everything is so so crucial. They checked my jaw, teeth and bite every week for 8 weeks. Now, it's been 11 weeks post op and I am being checked every other week. Yep, I have to drive back to Vegas every other week. But only until August. AND BEST PART?! TY AND I ARE GOING TO 6 FLAG'S FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST!! My surgeon's office is about 30 minutes from 6 Flag's, so when I go back for my 20 week check up in August- I am making it a par.tay!! Hate me for saying so... but I think I deserve it! :) And like I said awhile ago, my party is open invitation for all! Anyone want to come to 6 Flag's with us please call/text me.. we'd love to have you join us! :)

Sheesh, just talking about all that back and forth is exhausting me. It's also exhausting our bank accounts! Never mind the fact that the surgery was waaay more than expected and completely left us broke and sent us into debt for the first time EVER in our lives. Never mind the fact that we are homeless and had to pull out of buying the home we were currently living in. Never mind the fact that we are cool enough to live in a trailer in the coolest location ever. I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. 

Ty's dad owns an RV business. So we pulled a trailer from his lot, put it on Tyson's parent's new home lot, in Elk Ridge (the most amazing place ever we LOVE) and there we are! Parked in the backyard of heaven. In the middle of the trees. Where deer freely roam my yard daily (this makes me very happy). Where we get our farm fresh eggs from the neighbors chickens down the street. And bees and hornets think my trailer is their home. With the most amazing views ever. Yes, I live in a trailer and I'm rockin' it. I am not ashamed. I actually kinda like it. It's peaceful and very calm. With nothing but the sounds of nature and birds all around. Where the dogs in the neighborhood prance from yard to yard with each other and Teeka thinks she owns them all, along with all the land, she couldn't be happier. She has a perma-smile. We are backed up by the mountains, a canyon and a golf course- does it get any better than that?! Just wait until you see my pics. Jealousy will ensue. :)

I have noticed a few things since surgery

• My neck has not bothered me since I was able to sleep on my side 3 weeks ago!! That's. Big.
• I am not afraid to be in front of people. I am not afraid to talk to people. I don't care when people look at me or even stare- in fact.. stare away! I like my new face and I'm not hiding!
• My confidence has been greatly boosted and is growing as I continue to work on becoming the person I want to be
• I can laugh a lot more- at anything, at myself. I am not perfect, so when I have moments of retardedness, I can laugh at myself rather than feeling inadequate or getting defensive. So I did or said something stupid.. don't we all?
• I am not as afraid to be goofy. I was so worried about my deteriorating appearance that I tried to be perfect in every other aspect I could to make up for it. I was afraid to be goofy and really be myself and let loose for fear of others negative thoughts. Or worse- my husbands disapproval, shame etc. I am starting to realize once again- who cares if others think you're weird? We all need a bit of goofiness in our lives. Maybe even more than a bit! You can't please everyone in this world, but if you are a good person and can laugh at yourself and are not afraid to be goofy- you win!
• People genuinely care. And for that, I am thankful

I am still amazed at how many of you have been concerned, curious and supportive through this whole thing. I am talking to you reading this right now- Thank you. It's been so great to be able to document this whole experience not only for my own life and to keep family and friends in the loop, but for others and anyone who wants to read for fun! I love hearing "I love your blog", "I read your blog", "I stalk your blog" etc. It makes me feel good to know that people like/care what I have to say. I am here for your entertainment! :)

And for the rest of my life, I will forever have a testimony of the 'power of prayers from others'. *epiphany moment-  was this trial just for me to learn that?! If The Lord gave me this trial for me to learn just that -> the power of prayers from others..that's extremely rude and I don't like it. Not a good idea. There are far easier ways to learn that! Hah. Kidding.. but seriously.

It's safe to say I have learned FAR more than just that. But YIKES that was NOT a fun way to learn. 

Through it all, I have seen, witnessed, read and heard of others' hard things they go through in life and I don't know how they do it. While no one can imagine how hard it was for me to struggle with this for five. long. years. occasionally I find myself saying "I'll take my trial 10 times over than to go through what "they" are going through". Though I still don't wish it upon anyone... though.. I probably couldn't care less if this experience was handed to a certain person of power, whose name begins with an 'o'.. juust sayin'..

And now my friends, feast your eyes upon these:

golf course and valley view

running trail in our backyard which leads into the thick of the mountains.. home of bears and mtn lions- watch out!

welcome to my humble aboad- and I do mean humble in its humblest form- double wide baby

rolling hills and off to the right is the 12th hole

just drivin' home

drivin' down the mountain on my way into the city

sunset in the backyard of heaven

my new pet Fred

more of the golf course and city

daily occurrence :D (sorry its blurry)

LIFE GOALS:

and that's okay!!

firmly believe this one. i mean look at me now- lost a great home, homeless, living in a trailer, no money whatsoever, married 5 years and still no babes allowed (have to wait one year AT LEAST, maybe longer, after surgery) because of all my traveling I can't work full time, limited diet and still haven't regained half my strength...YET- I couldn't be happier and I LOVE LIFE! :D

Amen!

keep telling yourself that! :)

I LOVE FOOD!

Wednesday, the 29th of May, I walked into my surgeon's office. "I want to hear I can eat today, that's all I'm here for!" I said to the doc. "I appreciate your blunt honesty" Dr replies with a chuckle.

After some 'hello's' and 'how are you's', the Dr does some measurements and the assistant writes them down. He then grabs a wooden stick and has me tap my teeth against it then bite down on it, on both sides..

"Yep, you can eat" he says!

HALLELUJAH THAT IS SWEET, JOYFUL, MUSIC TO MY EARS!!

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE!!

My favorite place to eat is PF Chang's. Santa Barbara is quite confused on their priorities because there is no PF Chang's for MILES. (Dr's office is in Santa Barbara) So, another favorite is CPK (California Pizza Kitchen). And no, I do not go there for the pizza. I don't really like pizza. I went for the Mediterranean Focaccia bread and Chicken Piccata! And oh my heck it was heavenly! Wow, I just loved and loved every second of it!! FINALLY, something other than a soup or smoothie! 10 weeks.. 10 WEEKS of straight puréed diet! Nothing but a soup or smoothie! Aye yi yi I am SO over those two items!
I kept swallowing without chewing. Just habit. It's like my mouth doesn't quite know what to do. It is a bit difficult. I can only open my mouth half way. Right now I am at 22cm and full range is 43cm (give or take, I dont remember the exact #). So I still have to shove and squeeze my food in, then its difficult to chew because I can't open my mouth enough to get the food in between my teeth all the way. Add to that the fact that all muscles are extremely stiff and I am still numb inside and outside of my mouth. So I chew like a cow. And I'm not complaining! Because I actually GET to chew! And I get variety! SO much variety! It's amazing and I'm lovin' it!! I loved food before surgery and I love it even more now. I didn't think that was possible. I also have a new appreciation for food and it drives me nuts when I see a perfectly good piece of food going to waste. AH!
I've done really well pacing myself when I eat to not stuff myself so full I get sick. I'm quite surprised actually hah. I just listen to my body and stomach and when I am satisfied, I stop. I so badly want to keep eating because its SO dang delicious , but I don't, because I know if I do I will be sick and get into a habit of eating more than my body needs. And luckily it doesn't really hurt when I eat. My muscles will get sore from all the hard work (yes it is totally hard work for my mouth right now haha), but it lasts just a short while. I thought it would be worse.. so yay for that!
My mom got me a little celebratory gift bag which included:
soft chew Chips Ahoy choc. chip cookies
chocolate drops with vanilla filled middle
chocolate creams with choc. creme in the middle
a box of pasta noodles
and a super yummy sauce to go with it
AND
no celebration is complete without CONFETTI CUPCAKES! And confetti frosting of course.
D to the VINE. Those cupcakes are always, always delicious and always, always make my heart happy!
Later that night for dessert we had frozen yogurt and I was able to eat my favorite toppings: cheesecake squares. Which is odd because I don't like cheesecake. However, after eating those little squares every now and then and being on purée diet for so long, I don't think I would deny a piece! :) My nephew, Cohen, came with us down to Cali for my appointment. Just for fun. Just to have some alone time and fun time with me and Mam'ma and Papa. He is 9 and never stops talking. So funny for a boy. I kid you not, this adorable little man is CONSTANTLY talking. If he isn't talking to anyone in particular he is just mumbling and speaking the thoughts in his head out loud. He hums when he eats and whistles, hums or sings when he walks. It's quite entertaining to watch. And when you need a little moment of silence from the gabber, he is really good at turning on his "mute button". Haha, we had fun with him on our short little eating trip. Because that's what it was. An eating trip! And Co's little growing body that always wants to eat was just perfect to bring along. :)
The next morning we went to a place called Joe's Cafe. Back in January, when we went on our 'trip from hell' we ate there. (re-cap: this was the trip that just about everything that could go wrong, went wrong.. dad's computer fell out of the car and broke. The car broke down and had to be towed. Dad waited 2 hours for the tow truck which kept saying he was a half an hour away. Surgery was canceled because I got a sinus infection. Rental car was the size of my shoe. Mom had a panic attack over that). So when things go from bad to worse what can ya do? LAUGH. That's what. So that's what we did. My mom, dad, Tyson and I sure had a wonderful time just laughing and laughing at the domino affect of misfortune on that trip. That morning we went out to breakfast at Joe's. I had the chorizo. I remember loving it and I had been craving it so that was my choice for breakfast when I was cleared to eat soft foods! Unfortunately the chorizo was too hard. I got tiny little snippets of it, but I could still taste it in my food and the rest of my breakfast was just wonderful. Second thing I had been craving was In n Out. Still can't eat their burgers so I got animal style fries. Lightly cooked and extra spread to make them soft and mushy and boy where they amazing! If you're wondering what animal style is- I feel sorry for you right about now- it makes In n Out's burgers and fries so much better! Animal style on their fries is spread, cheese, and grilled chopped onions spread over the top. And on their burgers its the spread, grilled onions and pickles added. And if you're wondering what 'spread' is then you live under a rock and I am not explaining that one! In n Out has a small secret menu..just google it. That's my answer to anything I don't know.. google it. And my answer to any sadness or illness- long hot shower/bath. Works for me every time!
Oh! You know what is so cool? I can bite my food! Like a real bite. It makes that perfect 'C' shape in the food too! A can actually bite my food and it breaks it clean. It's so weird. It amazes me. I have not been able to do that for YEARS. Before surgery I had what they call an 'open bite'. Which means when I bite down, my teeth in the back are touching, but my teeth in the front are far from it. I would bite all the way down and with my back teeth touching, I would be able to stick my tongue all the way out of my mouth through the gap between my top and bottom teeth. So I couldn't eat sandwiches, pizza, tacos, burger etc. because when I would bite down, everything in the middle would pull right out. Or the whole thing would just slide right now. Are you getting the picture in your head? Not pretty, not fun, super annoying and frustrating. So I resorted to tearing my food apart with my teeth best I could.. like a wolf. Yup, I ate like a wolf with a mess all over my face. Sure was pretty I tell ya! Not. So this whole being able to bite thing is so great for me and I love it!
Okay.. are you ready for the highlight of the trip? We were walking down to the beach after dinner. We were noticing the sidewalk was extremely splotchy.. remnants of millions of bird poop. I look above us and see lots of nests and white fluffy birds. "Look at the nests and white birds mom", SPLAT!! She screams, I scream. Surely it was just a berry that has fallen and hit us. Guess again. Bird poop! In my moms hair, her arm and the corner of her EYE! Mom instantly drops to the floor laughing, Cohen, dad and I bust up. We were all dying. It was absolutely hilarious! Luckily, the hotel was close, we just walked back to take care of the mess. My poor mother is the random one who gets hit by foul balls and bird poop! HAHA! Good thing she is such a good sport! Why get mad about it? What is that going to do but ruin your mood and day? It's funny, let it be funny! I've learned that from her.
Well I've got many more days of blissful eating ahead of me and you better believe I am going to enjoy and savor every single bite!! And of course mom and I documented in pictures my first meal...enjoy:

10 weeks after surgery- 10! that seems like forever but feels like not forever ago

checking bite

Co-Dawg

this is as much emotion as I can show at this point. still numb. still stiff. just got the "go ahead" for soft chew diet!!! YAY!!!

on our way to dinner

parental units

handsome boy

my little gift :)

JUMP FOR JOY!

what was inside my gift

Mediterranean Focaccia- so so good!!

Chicken Piccata- heavenly goodness

before..

after.. think I did pretty good!

first bite, first chew. laughing and enjoying

confetti cupcakes!!

pure satisfaction

splotchy sidewalk..

bird poop

bird poop

we found an amphitheater 

loungin' lion

6 DAYS!

6 more days! 6 more days!

6 more days until I graduate to soft chew diet! (assuming, and praying all is well with my joints- cross your fingers!)

I am so ready to CHEW. And to have more variety. I'm growing up.. moving from baby puréed diet to toddler soft chew food.

Soft chew food includes things with the consistency of scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pastas etc. I asked the assistant if I can eat tender chicken and ground beef- both seem to be really soft and easy to chew. She said yes, as long as they are scrambled egg consistency. Haha umm, kind of two different things, I'm not quite sure I would compare chicken to scrambled eggs but at least some chicken is super tender and I get a lot more variety like enchiladas, rice, pastas (the choices are endless), breads, I could go on and on. I've got a ton of yummy looking soft foods pinned to my "Food Controls My Life" board on Pinterest.
This is when my weight will start coming back. The lowest weight I got down to was... are you ready for it?...
89!!
That was only in the morning before I ate anything. I basically topped out at losing about 12 pounds. So I hit 91lbs and was steady around there. I have been eating more this week because I am always hungry and never really satisfied and the scale today looked like it said 96lbs! (I used a different scale, it's not digital) I'm already starting to get some back. Now I just have to be careful and not put all the crap food into my body..because I love lots of crap food. Like hot fries! Oh I have missed those! And broccoli, not crap food but I have missed broccoli a lot. I like to be healthy and especially since it's like I'm starting all over and don't have crap inside my body now, I want to keep it that way! Desserts and bad food in moderation! Because I have to celebrate with some confetti cupcakes! Of course with confetti frosting. There is just no getting around it!
I didn't know it was possible for my fingers to get so skinny! My rings have been sliding off right and left! I have already lost one down the drain :( I haven't been able to wear my wedding ring because it's just too big right now. So I set out on an adventure to find a temporary wedding ring. And find one I did! I had to get it sized cause they don't carry a 3 3/4. That's a whole size smaller than my normal! And it drives me nuts not being able to wear my wedding ring! I just love it so so much. And I feel naked without it. This new one will be a fun little change. It's a square pink sapphire! With small diamonds around it. I was looking for something cheap because its only temporary, but still classy and not looking like I bought it at Claire's for $4 bucks! Stay tuned for pics! :)
I've been back in Utah for a week now. Feels nice to be home. Feels even better to be doing hair again! I have missed it! Doing hair feels like home. It just feels right and it makes me happy. I have been so busy, today is my first "hair free" day. I have been doing a lot of extensions- my fave! And still loving every minute of my own extensions! Life is just easier with extensions. Yup, no lie. You might think having extensions is more maintenance, but it's not. Not my method. It makes it easier for styling. And the nice thing is the extensions hold style really well. You can curl it one day and it will stay curled for 3-4 days! I just love long hair and there is more options for hair styles. I will always love love long hair and hate hate that I can't have it naturally. :)
More feeling continues to sneak in. And it still feels like I am getting bit by a bug! It actually hurts. It's rather odd. My mouth continues to grow more agitated as the feeling comes back, but it's not bad. Just uncomfortable and sore. I still can't open my mouth very wide. Wide enough to get a spoon in and slurp my soup though! It is so so nice to have those stinking bands off during the day! And they don't bother me at night. Because I sleep SO much better now that I can turn on my side! Holy cow what a difference! 8 weeks of sleeping only on my back was a nightmare!
 My lips constantly are chapped and feel a little like they are burning. Use of Blistex is still in full force. Can't wait to get rid of that stuff! It's like putting glue on my lips. Feels good but it doesn't dissolve, so at night when I put more on I just wake up with it in my mouth and stuck in my teeth.. haha.. gross! I think I have eaten more Blistex than anything. Oh, wait.. I'm pretty obsessed with Rice Dream. It's unnaturally weird how obsessed I am. I have gone through 10 CARTONS of vanilla Rice Dream in ONE WEEK! And tomorrow I start on my 11th. I kid you not! That stuff is like candy to me. I can't get enough.. literally. It's the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep. It's the first thing I drink in the morning and I can't wait to get back home when I am out during the day to have some more. I also use it to coat my stomach before taking pills. I use it to make smoothies and to add liquid when I am blending food. But mostly, I grab the biggest cup I can find in the house and fill 'er up to the brim! And chug away.. all day errryday! It's quite unusual. But for some reason it is just so dang delicious to me!! Our bank account is in trouble if I keep this habit up. Speaking of... I believe I'm ready for a big glass of Rice Dream and bed time! Night!

HAPPY DAY!

Today is the first day that my rubber bands are off!!!! I currently have none, zip, nada, not one rubber band in my mouth at this very moment and it feels OH SO GOOD!! For another 10 weeks, the bands are worn only at night. I have been counting down to this day for so long. I can not believe I am actually this far out after surgery! It's crazy. Today marks 8 weeks post op! And that means a few exciting things for me!

I got to drink out of a straw today for the first time in forever! ( it's actually kind of hard- go figure!)

My tongue is no longer in prison. Jail free. Free willy. I can open my mouth and stretch my tongue as I please! It is simply wonderful.

I can sleep on my side starting TONIGHT! THAT will be a game changer right there. Cant wait!

It's amazing all these tiny changes. Daily things we take for granted. I didn't realize until now that these small acts would be a bit challenging for me. My mouth is still stiff and numb so I am having to really stretch the muscles and relearn how to use them. Also, because of the new placement of my jaw and teeth, it's like having to relearn how to talk. I am having to learn how to use my tongue, teeth and lips all together. It's really weird. :)
Yesterday I had my ortho appointment check up. Dr Spilsbury noticed that my teeth in the back have started to shift.. in an unwanted position. They have started to shift off to the side. Because my jaw was sawed into 3 segments, my wire on my braces is also in 3 segments. This allows the teeth to shift easier because there is not just one wire all the way across holding the teeth together. Does that make sense? So my back teeth started to create a little gap because my top teeth aren't sitting exactly on top of my bottom teeth as they should.
So Dr Spils and Dr A together decided to put on two extra rubber bands, which they call cross bite elastics. These go on the hooks that are inside of my mouth. As in on the inside of my teeth, against my tongue. They then cross to the outside of my teeth and hook on the outside. Confusing without seeing them. But at least I only have to wear them at night!!
I flew home to Utah today! Got to see my Tiger. That is Tyson. He looks like a tiger, hence, why I call him Tiger. Got to see family. We went out to dinner to my favorite restaurant- P.F. Chang's- and I got my favorite soup- egg drop. Mmm. We also got a side of noodles that I slid in my mouth and swallowed whole- Shh, don't tell my surgeon and his assistant- they will kill me. Or my mom. But mom Ty let me swallow them whole today and he was okay with it :) I talked him into it. AND IT WAS SOO SO GOOD. Even though my rubber bands are off I still can not eat or chew anything for another 2 weeks. No solid foods until 14 days! But noodles slide right down- who needs to chew them? Not me! And now as I type, I am sitting here waiting to see my brand new niece that is a week old and I haven't even met her yet! Tyson's brother and his wife just had their first baby together. That makes number 11 for me! I have 11 nieces and nephews! And another on the way from my sister in law. I just love love love my nieces and nephews. They make my heart sing and my soul soar! :)
Well, they should be here any second- we've only been waiting forever! And I am going to run to greet them so I'm off!
It's been a GREAT day! (except for the flight home. I hate flying. Makes me very sick and claustrophobic. Add to that the storm we flew through made a bumpy ride- puke)
Toodles!

Week 7.5