Day 34...

Most recent picture...from 4/5/2008.

Day 25 and Zorro-ness, go figure.

So I've been finding things that I had packed away from the move. This is my lovely eye mask from Bath & Body Works. I don't even think they sell it anymore. Anyways, it really helps my cheeks because they go from not swollen to painful swollen throughout the day. What a great rediscovery. Oh! By the way, I think I look like Zorro. Good night.

Day 20, It doesn't seem like it's been that long

Here I am...Splint-less!!!

I think I'm going to bed soon. I was at appointments for over half of the day. It was pretty exhausting. When I went to Dr. Bates, Penni (his surgical assistant) removed my splint. There was a lot of wire pulling and cutting. It wasn't the most comfortable thing but I was just so happy it was coming out. After she removed the splint I had to take 2 more X-rays and talk to Dr. Bates and I was on my way. My teeth feel strange on the top but that will go away. They are very sensitive, and they feel like they are wooden and the roof of my mouth feels like slime. I then went to get some food because I was really hungry and I didn't want my stomach to grumble while Dr. Cope was working on my braces. I then arrived at Dr. Cope's office right on time. He did a whole bunch of different stuff. While he was working on me he was filming my mouth. That was a first and I thought it was kind weird so I just closed my eyes and let him do his thing. Once again this saw not the most comfortable and I was thinking while he was in my mouth..."Why didn't I take Aleve before coming here". I also thought I can't even say this is painful because I have experienced some PAIN!, so I'll call it discomfort. He attached some wire to the roof of my mouth and I am wearing 1 rubber band on the right side to shift one little thing. My bite is looking good, but still needs a little tweaking...After my day of appointments I went and got a milkshake from Burger House and came back to my bed to lay it down. The naps have really helped throughout my recovery. So now I go back to Dr. Bates in a week, and Dr. Cope in a month or so.

Day 19

The splint is coming out tomorrow and I can not be happier. I have not felt that great today because I'm super exhausted and was really nervous because I had my first closing today. I'll defiantly take a picture with me splint-less because it is a milestone in my recovery.

Day 13 Continued

I guess today is the first day that I'm actually seeing the change. I'm not really swollen any more. Still a little numb on under my left eye, my nose and above my upper lip. The numbness is pretty much gone under my right eye.

Today, Dr. Bates called me the poster child for recovery. He, his assistant and the office staff was impressed and surprised that I've already returned to work. Gotta make that money and good things are happening so there is no need to stay in bed. I'm pretty much off of all the pain meds and I will probably be done with them after I get the splint out. A piece of wire is stabbing me and since the numbness is leaving me I have to seek pain relief.

After my appointment I went back to the office for a bit and then I had lunch with Mother today. I had a baked potato from Jason's Deli was really good. We watched MSNBC while eating lunch. After going through what I went through with the surgery it give you a different perspective in life. I love my parents, I love my family, and I love my closest friends and they mean the world to me.

More pictures and updates to come!!!

Day 13

Day 13-Yip-ee!! Check out that jaw line!!!

Day 12

MySpace Countdowns

No picture tonight because I need to go to bed. But I did make a beautiful countdown clock for when I'm suppose to get the splint removed. Tomorrow early morning I go to Dr. Bates for my weekly appointment. I'll let yall know how it goes. Good night.