tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10812414986812416282024-02-20T15:12:01.333+00:00Orthognathic Ventures...You're never fully dressed without a smile (:Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-46490801118529367832016-06-16T00:01:00.001+01:002016-06-16T00:12:08.012+01:00Day 694: So long, and goodnight.I haven't posted here in ages, life kind of took off (as it tends to). A lot of time has passed since I last wrote on here, and a lot has happened.<br />
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As well as recovering, I was getting ready to embark on my teacher training. 6 weeks post op I started my PGCE in secondary music, and became a qualified teacher in July 2015. And now, I am coming to the end of my very first year in teaching.</div>
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But moving on to the relevant stuff... I am now brace free! This is fairly old news for me, but this is a massive milestone for anyone going through the jaw surgery process. My braces came off in December 2014, and I now wear clear removable retainers. These were a royal pain at first, but you soon get used to them. It reminded me of breaking in a new pair of shoes, painful at first but the result was worth it (and the peace if mind!).</div>
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Here are my official clinical photographs. The photos on the left are pre op, and the photos on the right are post op (taken immediately after my braces were removed! </div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">I am so chuffed with the results, I find the difference between the two sets of photos simply amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">Although these are clinical photos, taken with a medical purpose, I also find the difference between my two graduation photos really striking. OK, so I have a different hairstyle, but there is definitely a noticeable difference in my face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;">And while I'm at it, I may as well post my X-Rays to show how much everything has changed (and my metal gear that I've gained!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">And today, I've just been discharged from the hospital after 14-15 years of being a patient there. It doesn't feel real that I won't go back to that clinic again, or see my orthodontist or surgeon. And I'm so thankful for what they have done for me, my bite is finally fixed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;">I mentioned this in some very early blog entries, but I used to be badly bullied at school for the way I looked. This has made this journey even more important to me. I was also inspired to write a song about my experience of jaw surgery and bullying. I've called it 'Bionic Girl'. When I was first post op, I used to joke that the metal plates and screws meant that I was now 'bionic' (although of course this was an exaggeration). Anyway, I've posted a link where you can listen to it if you want to. I also gave a copy to my orthodontist, as I wanted to get across how much of a big deal this whole journey has been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;">That pretty nuch brings my whole </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">'Orthognathic Venture' to a close. Anyone currently going through this process, I really do hope you have found this blog useful and interesting. Best of luck to you all.</span></div>
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So long, and goodnight.</div>
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B x </div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-57680916542121893602014-08-06T23:34:00.001+01:002014-08-06T23:34:46.679+01:00Day 15: Green grin. I've moved on to new elastics!<br />
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These have both a pro and a con.<br />
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Pro - they're further back so they can't be seen so easily!<br />
Con- they're green.<br />
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They're also SO awkward to put on. I'm still fairly swollen inside my mouth, and I have to hook one of the elastics to a bottom tooth. It was very frustrating to do, but I got there in the end. Also the orthodontist caught one of my stitches (or something), it was so painful it immediately bought tears to my eyes!<br />
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But a good thing to report - I can grin! It makes the swelling a bit more obvious, but I feel this is the first 'grin' that doesn't look like a grimace. Yay!<br />
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The elastics are on in a kind of parallelogram fashion. It was a bit awkward to take a photo of the elastics in their entirety, but hopefully you get the idea! </div>
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I'm also going back to the ice tonight. My jaw really hurts after the orthodontists, plus it feels like the elastics are moving my teeth. I dunno if that's the point of them - I've been told that they're supposed to guide my jaw and stop it from feeling lost. </div>
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That's all for now - I have a surgeon appointment on Monday so I'll update then! </div>
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I'll leave you to enjoy this silly photo of me (I'm starting to be able to make stupid faces again). </div>
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B x</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-42739877467037318132014-08-05T23:15:00.002+01:002014-08-05T23:15:50.711+01:00Day 14: Two week milestone! It's been two weeks! 14 days. 336 hours.<br />
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Whatever time frame you want to use, it's gone so quickly. It's scaring me! With this two week milestone comes an exciting development - I can now use a straw! This makes me super happy. I discovered this when out with my mum and some family friends at a cafe. I had ordered a mocha frappe and was just resorting to using a spoon but I thought 'why not try the straw?' And it worked! This made frappe consumption much more enjoyable.<br />
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That's pretty much all that happened today. I'm still struggling to get my energy back, and I feel so sluggish in the mornings! This often results in me sleeping in until midday (oops). I'm not sure how much quality sleep I'm getting but I wake up at least once in the night. I haven't had a whole nights sleep undisturbed since pre surgery! But I feel my energy is every so slowly on the up.<br />
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I had an another elastic episode today. Just as I was starting to write this post, it snapped just like that! And my elastics were doing so well - my orthodontist put them on last week and I have another appointment tomorrow. So very nearly a whole week.<br />
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Here are my day 14 photos!<br />
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Now I've reached the two week mark, I'll probably start updating when interesting developments come about plus weekly milestones. I don't want my blog to become boring, and I get the feeling it will if I continue to update every single day! As I mentioned before, I have an orthodontist appointment tomorrow so I'll probably update then!<br />
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Thanks for tagging along so far,<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-39658997309461964972014-08-04T23:04:00.002+01:002014-08-04T23:04:36.152+01:00Day 13: Driving by. 'Sup! Day 13 has seen me take my very first post op drive. It felt so good! It was very tiring, but well worth the sense of freedom that came with it. I took a trip with my mum to a local gardening center (which is obviously THE place to be) and it was really nice to just potter around looking at all the gifts and plants. I'm starting to sound like a little old lady that doesn't get out much! But the truth is, I am getting fed up of staying in the house all the time. I think getting out when you're able to is an essential part of recovery, wherever it may be!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJYk8fX5eIOhZ22yrjxQ3-qxhmvSCE9ChrizF5gG_fxk_U8VYnY-OhyphenhyphenlPypm0jWoA_VKeSFB7pHk0Cx3L-xpTXlcc9GjDBNmeZdHnkkjr1pFT76hpe8ZK6OCzumNwt_53_VJpFLerXnc/s1600/2014-08-04+15.31.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJYk8fX5eIOhZ22yrjxQ3-qxhmvSCE9ChrizF5gG_fxk_U8VYnY-OhyphenhyphenlPypm0jWoA_VKeSFB7pHk0Cx3L-xpTXlcc9GjDBNmeZdHnkkjr1pFT76hpe8ZK6OCzumNwt_53_VJpFLerXnc/s1600/2014-08-04+15.31.33.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving selfie! (Taken before setting off)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCu9h0wjLJOL01rGt1EB_CzQXLEF3thX1uQfVbMFe10dTvVq4Ys5ykjJMdliSEwrviDYa1R-jJN1z1FMDtK_a2zX0LBhyphenhyphenRjG7Q-6G-zxrG0MTxhwclOvWCXNalA71p6eEdZmEMVI1ljM/s1600/2014-08-04+16.36.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCu9h0wjLJOL01rGt1EB_CzQXLEF3thX1uQfVbMFe10dTvVq4Ys5ykjJMdliSEwrviDYa1R-jJN1z1FMDtK_a2zX0LBhyphenhyphenRjG7Q-6G-zxrG0MTxhwclOvWCXNalA71p6eEdZmEMVI1ljM/s1600/2014-08-04+16.36.58.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ7tGBpGgUOAjgW1v1EnhrbT7bB3W8aib2oth2n1Bk78gmy-lElKi8ic8X4mKZiBrjo3neZ9lW-_acnU_zxK6YUSkiHc7yLxLStcuk1Pr3AEcKcd-GaeTvDTYXzlKJUXNHB9sm4A6-UY/s1600/2014-08-04+16.37.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ7tGBpGgUOAjgW1v1EnhrbT7bB3W8aib2oth2n1Bk78gmy-lElKi8ic8X4mKZiBrjo3neZ9lW-_acnU_zxK6YUSkiHc7yLxLStcuk1Pr3AEcKcd-GaeTvDTYXzlKJUXNHB9sm4A6-UY/s1600/2014-08-04+16.37.05.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty plants at the garden center</td></tr>
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<br />I've just realised I set off for my first drive on day 13 - but for any of you who are superstitious nothing bad happened (: <div>
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On a food note, I keep on getting cravings for food I'm just not allowed to have! These cravings annoyed me so much I actually went and got a single cracker and proceeded to suck on tiny little cracker pieces. I managed to eat half, no chewing involved out of pure stubbornness. Whey! </div>
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Here are my day 13 photos. I cannot believe I'm nearly at the two week milestone! Time is flying by (: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGplkOaEQieNRb5SD2HrAlGtJq-oeda8sU40wEiCZJJ0nJdVM-QXJwMN3qz6Q7U5aUrhY2emDrJ0-XYapJLVvUdNaD8qygJ8veg4eH3U4KhVrJ56emTRXCHQcP9pR7pXkSWyGc1_oDNk/s1600/2014-08-04+21.56.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGplkOaEQieNRb5SD2HrAlGtJq-oeda8sU40wEiCZJJ0nJdVM-QXJwMN3qz6Q7U5aUrhY2emDrJ0-XYapJLVvUdNaD8qygJ8veg4eH3U4KhVrJ56emTRXCHQcP9pR7pXkSWyGc1_oDNk/s1600/2014-08-04+21.56.26.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSvqWDTAYNt_jARaNrzncyenv_wRgL2bxnlK1eW41Dnm1UMmxFZyGh2aNKuhvRah8cI7JLoVx5CAt21HaD1tt1RwReprJQ1soJU8pozsr8YevX72-mfd6dQmLxT0z2Q8qv70q8bLPOU/s1600/2014-08-04+22.00.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSvqWDTAYNt_jARaNrzncyenv_wRgL2bxnlK1eW41Dnm1UMmxFZyGh2aNKuhvRah8cI7JLoVx5CAt21HaD1tt1RwReprJQ1soJU8pozsr8YevX72-mfd6dQmLxT0z2Q8qv70q8bLPOU/s1600/2014-08-04+22.00.55.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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See you on day 14! </div>
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B x<br /><br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-24500689951605467942014-08-03T23:16:00.002+01:002014-08-04T12:18:39.168+01:00Day 12: The first drink. So I'm going to start this blog post the way most English people seem to start a conversation - by talking about the weather. And we've had some freakishly good weather pretty much since surgery day! This made the hospital unbearably hot when I was staying there, but now I'm starting to get out and about and really appreciate the summer.<br />
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Today's outing consisted of visiting the very pretty village of Willian, and having my first 'drink' since surgery day! At day 12 I'm not sure if this is a bit naughty. But nothing horrible happened and I really enjoyed sipping my pimm's and lemonade in the sun, complete with an entire fruit bowl in my glass which unfortunately had to be left. After this I went on the tiniest of walks around the village with my parents. I'm trying to get a bit of walking done each day, so when I eventually return to work it's not going to be a horrible shock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w2s2AXsFUpbRCi_pX3Hz3VUiAxSCPzxV9hEolcwhgpA_GsZE9VOHkvxZ7Rtoq7Bo2ileL3OkHOVwyUyR-nPTuUnCbDD0dYjM4j-B4HZ5NaseFxwF71fy4CT6TrvYK-U0GZO5QCpoTK8/s1600/2014-08-03+15.06.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w2s2AXsFUpbRCi_pX3Hz3VUiAxSCPzxV9hEolcwhgpA_GsZE9VOHkvxZ7Rtoq7Bo2ileL3OkHOVwyUyR-nPTuUnCbDD0dYjM4j-B4HZ5NaseFxwF71fy4CT6TrvYK-U0GZO5QCpoTK8/s1600/2014-08-03+15.06.51.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxyOcG2DltbVUBTYKRiX0iapDyfB76-11-yDUQ144Rr0VJCsf4RS8vPZu151EQ4QfgxhWCjwXuAo6Keiz_jRMMvX8OtezRBr8amChHomaIAFpaq4pd5GSgOuKYHpWFSx1x8Y6aCCRpTI/s1600/2014-08-03+15.06.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxyOcG2DltbVUBTYKRiX0iapDyfB76-11-yDUQ144Rr0VJCsf4RS8vPZu151EQ4QfgxhWCjwXuAo6Keiz_jRMMvX8OtezRBr8amChHomaIAFpaq4pd5GSgOuKYHpWFSx1x8Y6aCCRpTI/s1600/2014-08-03+15.06.57.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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That was the main event of my day. Pain has been not a problem at all, just the occasional ache. Nerves are still tingling! They actually really annoyed me last night as they kept me from getting to sleep. I also had a bit of a shock when trying to get some food off my elastic bands at dinner (lovely) and it pinged me right on the tongue! Ouch.<br />
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Here are my day 12 photos. The profile shot isn't in great lighting, but I thought my profile looked really striking here. I also appear to me smiling - not intentionally done but I thought my smiling profile looked pretty cool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HPYNTI_hiHsrAKHfgN7Gx4DN5mx1oquOuvaFfD58pi9mvkWb6-CBg6LUD6qoG1HpIZf6KSMw_P9j4F44xnvHzVpIM9DNMoRnWFaGWHQNn8eNxRhzdPfXZfrH6q9z4MHpp3Q0VM9Qlpw/s1600/2014-08-03+22.35.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HPYNTI_hiHsrAKHfgN7Gx4DN5mx1oquOuvaFfD58pi9mvkWb6-CBg6LUD6qoG1HpIZf6KSMw_P9j4F44xnvHzVpIM9DNMoRnWFaGWHQNn8eNxRhzdPfXZfrH6q9z4MHpp3Q0VM9Qlpw/s1600/2014-08-03+22.35.34.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity5vVIq0VKcu4vgO8GJ3BrYamn_paKNv3feamFo4KdgTdkrSpB5N_CqBGqd-spKYYqRWQmvgHfWyHvFa-PUh9ykpCoXj3feAU8DG8Xzk0yecOIvPIeuZj4NAQLUGCaXQHxEvFf6hu4-8/s1600/2014-08-03+22.16.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity5vVIq0VKcu4vgO8GJ3BrYamn_paKNv3feamFo4KdgTdkrSpB5N_CqBGqd-spKYYqRWQmvgHfWyHvFa-PUh9ykpCoXj3feAU8DG8Xzk0yecOIvPIeuZj4NAQLUGCaXQHxEvFf6hu4-8/s1600/2014-08-03+22.16.20.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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That has been day 12! I hope all your jaw journeys are going smoothly.<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-67273766573937780482014-08-02T23:46:00.000+01:002014-08-02T23:46:02.934+01:00Day 11: Tingling times.My nerves are coming back to life! And it feels so weird! But this is a very very positive sign.<br />
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I forgot to mention that during surgery my nerve wasn't uncovered at all, it was completely buried. Which of course, is very good news. But that fact that things are slowly coming back to life is extremely encouraging!<br />
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With the help of Microsoft paint I've tried my best to show the areas of my face that have feeling, no feeling or returning feeling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNAfe72pFTdspgOWuszkf1jk7VTNP3z97px4iKIIw4ZR3y0FZqCT8ZqISgVYI91ZnL_1xMsYZMela2SCtFvqFF3Rj78p58eNIpjWthMjYRkNXkhEplT3e8aYRdG7AwYPrOAt0Xt5CzXQ/s1600/numbness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNAfe72pFTdspgOWuszkf1jk7VTNP3z97px4iKIIw4ZR3y0FZqCT8ZqISgVYI91ZnL_1xMsYZMela2SCtFvqFF3Rj78p58eNIpjWthMjYRkNXkhEplT3e8aYRdG7AwYPrOAt0Xt5CzXQ/s1600/numbness.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a> </div>
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Such greatness, such inspiration my artwork invokes! I laughed a lot when I made this. Who knows, this could end up in the Tate? </div>
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Anyway, the key - </div>
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Red = total feeling</div>
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Blue = no feeling</div>
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Yellow = returning feeling.</div>
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I suppose my next calling in life has to be makeup artist, or just plain artist extraordinaire.<br />
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With that done, the events of today consisted of lots of lazing around and sleeping this morning (I was KNACKERED after yesterday!) and an adventure into town in the afternoon! It's my theory that if I start to get out the house and walk a little bit, my body will start to get used to the required energy levels! I only live in a small market town, so there wasn't that much walking involved, but it felt so good to get out of the house to somewhere other than the hospital/doctors. I went with my mum to look round the shops and the market. Our trip ended with a yummy mocha :P<br />
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These are my day 11 photos (minus my crazy artwork).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaALY8uI_Z1EJ2BzgKq37BTfBEF_EsJHYI-8p5CNIWsy-e-xyvmXjpeHPLGDA6Twgrrtzac0fCnZZa4ctwh4XVqde21FT_dWjWEOwUVqjDAKx5cl5viSqBlRQNDBmV19BtFxyllaO2D0g/s1600/2014-08-02+14.57.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaALY8uI_Z1EJ2BzgKq37BTfBEF_EsJHYI-8p5CNIWsy-e-xyvmXjpeHPLGDA6Twgrrtzac0fCnZZa4ctwh4XVqde21FT_dWjWEOwUVqjDAKx5cl5viSqBlRQNDBmV19BtFxyllaO2D0g/s1600/2014-08-02+14.57.13.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDz7oA5c46JkueZNTWo9DHO6akpDetoexj-hE7lA8AiOX7T5d4U_0deevDiTabklL_YNVxoZnI6UycYY7nyDLBnHUZBOW1yB_5yNXdr_dcBcHKamq616kTln3qd9UJ8FBLVLoaG2MhsA/s1600/2014-08-02+14.57.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDz7oA5c46JkueZNTWo9DHO6akpDetoexj-hE7lA8AiOX7T5d4U_0deevDiTabklL_YNVxoZnI6UycYY7nyDLBnHUZBOW1yB_5yNXdr_dcBcHKamq616kTln3qd9UJ8FBLVLoaG2MhsA/s1600/2014-08-02+14.57.23.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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My mum confessed that she can't stop staring at me, haha. I suppose she'll get used to my new face/profile in time (as will I).<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-46930069466028712602014-08-01T23:44:00.002+01:002014-08-01T23:44:25.161+01:00Day 10: Fun with friends and working woes. I. Am. Knackered.<br />
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To somebody else this day probably seems quite trivial, but it felt action packed to me! It was a day full of visitors, which of course was very fun but extremely tiring. I had friends over this morning, including my dear friend who is flying off to Japan tomorrow! I'm gonna miss her so much. She's been there for a year before, but this time it could be longer. Here's a photo of us plus me trying my best to smile and look normal (I think I look kinda shifty). My friend El who is leaving us all is the one on my right (:<br />
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Next up was a doctors appointment. My time off work runs out on Tuesday - which marks my 2 week anniversary of having my surgery! And that scared me a little bit, because I'm definitely not ready to go back to work. I asked for some more time off, and my doctor gave me 2 weeks starting from today which makes me feel much better. My job requires high energy levels (controlling 20+ kids by myself) and I felt knackered from the 5 minute walk to the doctors and back! So much so I had to have an emergency nap before my next visitor.<br />
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This was another friend (by herself), so it didn't require as much energy as the morning, but I was still tired nonetheless! Her reaction was quite funny when she saw me, I thought she was going to cry but apparently that's how she looks when she's surprised? I did get her seal of approval which is just fine (:<br />
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After my tirade of visitors I had to have a mammoth sleep before dinner. Dinner was awesome, as it was my very first one where it's not all mushed mixed up into one big slop. I had meat pie (although not the pastry, so I guess that would make it meat slop), mashed potato and mashed broccoli. It felt so good to pick and choose from my plate. Just eating the same thing in one sitting had started to get quite boring, because there was no variation in taste and texture.<br />
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Pain has been playing up today in the form of headaches and earaches. I'm not sure if that's from having such a tiring day, or if it's from changes in pressure/swelling/nerves etc. Or it could be a mixture. I've had some paracetamol which seems to have sorted it.<br />
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Here are my day 10 photos (double figures now woo!) I reckon my swelling has gone down significantly, although my face still feels huge to me! I felt comfortable being seen in public for the first time though (:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5AhMEjTJGIllq87K-R9owZErbe1KpM9-zPUPrVdbB1LJHxog6okq_Zr_qhNrGuZ6BTtSAm0Q54d8aBq_vN7GmlBbCygBUCwC6-7FKWWD5BYMO4rSIVBYHjw9ulkNNonsgbWTvX5SBoc/s1600/2014-08-01+23.08.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5AhMEjTJGIllq87K-R9owZErbe1KpM9-zPUPrVdbB1LJHxog6okq_Zr_qhNrGuZ6BTtSAm0Q54d8aBq_vN7GmlBbCygBUCwC6-7FKWWD5BYMO4rSIVBYHjw9ulkNNonsgbWTvX5SBoc/s1600/2014-08-01+23.08.45.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbadD4vYesztceLYBiZGQHD0t6epiZcLzojJ_Z4aGJS_ae-buu42iVRqTIZ6a4A85B9LsyKxyVj3CZAswFpT0pHuSfab4bq6jo_D9PbAZBSG11-GNXhQe9oRvXE9w4Y3LMWzb3D93WMOo/s1600/2014-08-01+23.09.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbadD4vYesztceLYBiZGQHD0t6epiZcLzojJ_Z4aGJS_ae-buu42iVRqTIZ6a4A85B9LsyKxyVj3CZAswFpT0pHuSfab4bq6jo_D9PbAZBSG11-GNXhQe9oRvXE9w4Y3LMWzb3D93WMOo/s1600/2014-08-01+23.09.29.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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I've just realised it doesn't look like I'm wearing a lot, but those are actually pyjamas (haha). This has been a late night blog post.<br />
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Nighty nighty, pyjama pyjama! (I'm such a dork)<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-26631080077741157582014-07-31T23:19:00.003+01:002014-07-31T23:19:45.862+01:00Day 9: Getting my craft on. Nothing much to report today - except I feel I have done my first every productive thing post op! It felt great, because the majority of my recovery has just been sitting around (I didn't feel like doing much because I thought it would be exhausting!)<br />
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I mentioned in a previous post that one of my close friends is moving to Japan - so I made her a good luck card. It felt nice to sit down and complete a task, and get something from it! This has made me want to plan/set targets for each day so it has felt like I've achieved something.<br />
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It was pretty simple to make, apart from the Japanese characters! They took an age to cut out. It's supposed to say 'good luck!' so fingers crossed that is what it actually says. And fingers crossed she likes it! I'm seeing her and some other friends tomorrow as it will be her last day in the UK ):<br />
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Aside from being crafty, I had my gran come to visit which was nice. The story about the missing card greatly amused her, hopefully it won't happen again!<br />
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Recovery wise, today has been a good day. I haven't had to take any pain medication at all! There is occasionally a dull ache, but that's OK to deal with. And I don't seem to be noticing my swelling as much, unless I'm getting used to it?<br />
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That's all for now. As each day goes past I seem to have less to update with! I'll probably start to update less when I get to day 14, otherwise this could start to get boring very quickly :P<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-83640511909048386432014-07-30T23:42:00.000+01:002014-07-30T23:42:04.534+01:00Day 8: Orthodontic adventures and the mysterious missing post. Day 8 is upon us and with it came a bit of a mystery!<br />
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I received a phone call from my doctors surgery, and I was half expecting it to be about my recent jaw surgery. But no, it was about some undelivered post! It turns out my gran sent me a get well card, but to the wrong number (47 instead of 48). 47 had no idea who I was, but managed to get me to contact her through the surgery which was some pretty clever thinking on her part. So we arranged for the card to be left under her doormat, as she would be out. She also said she had opened the card as she was expecting an anniversary card through the post. Anyway, I went and got the card, opened it and found £10 inside! My gran had sent £10 my way, and I was so thankful for this kind stranger to get in contact with me about it. It goes to show there are honest and trustworthy people about! I was so touched I had to put a thank you card through her door. My gran is supposed to be visiting me tomorrow, so fingers crossed she doesn't turn up there. I have to admit that was a fairly interesting start to the day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery solved!</td></tr>
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Now onto jaw related stuff. I had my first post op orthodontist appointment which was pretty exciting. I don't have to wear elastics in that annoying upside down 'V' shape anymore. Instead I have two elastic either side, which means I can eat with them in! Before I was taking my elastics off to eat, which I got a bit of a telling off for (but it was really hard to eat with them in now I'm eating with a spoon). My broken bracket can't be fixed because I'm too swollen, but it's not doing any damage so that's cool (: <div>
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Behold my elastics and day 8 photos!<br /><div>
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And now onto food, I had pretty much the same stuff as yesterday expect for dinner which was a yummy cheesy mashed potato with baked beans. All eaten with elastics on! </div>
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Went a bit downhill with pain today and had to get the ice back on. But I suspect that was because there was a lot of poking around at the orthodontists today.<br />
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That's all for day 8 - thinking of Isabel who should be in the very first stages of recovery right now!<br />
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B x<br />
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-34759779230300395012014-07-29T23:57:00.002+01:002014-07-29T23:59:21.307+01:00Day 7: One week milestone!IT'S BEEN A WEEK.<br />
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Time goes so fast, I honestly cannot believe that this time last week I had just been in theatre! Recovery is still going smoothly, thank goodness! To celebrate this one week milestone, I have compiled a list of all the things I couldn't do last week that I can do now.<br />
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This time last week I couldn't -<br />
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<li>Move without throwing up</li>
<li>Eat without throwing up</li>
<li>Eat with a spoon</li>
<li>Eat full stop </li>
<li>Go to the toilet without help</li>
<li>Wash without help</li>
<li>Move without help</li>
<li>Manage my own pain relief</li>
<li>Get things for myself (food, drink, ice etc) </li>
<li>Talk clearly</li>
<li>Clean my teeth </li>
<li>Walk without getting weak in the legs</li>
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It seems like I've come so far in just one week! It really does amaze me how quickly the body can get over trauma. </div>
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Today has been pretty good, as one of my friends visited me! It was great to see her as she's going off to live in Japan from this Saturday, so there was a lot of chatting. I have also started to document my food, which others might find helpful. Breakfast was mushed up wheetabix with LOTS of milk, lunch was oxtail soup, and dinner was more whizzed up spaghetti bolognese. I'm definitely eating less often (it used to be every couple of hours, like a baby!) </div>
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Today I made a bit of an unwelcome discovery regarding my elastics. One of the bottom brackets that my elastics hooks onto has become loose! Luckily I have my first post op ortho visit tomorrow, so that should be fixed pretty soon. </div>
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Here are my day 7 photos - they're not that different to day 6 but I have reached my one week milestone (: </div>
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That's it for day 7. Best of luck to Isabel for her surgery tomorrow! You've been waiting so long for a solid date, you totally deserve it plus all the luck in the world (: </div>
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B x</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-834012888817741472014-07-28T23:03:00.000+01:002014-07-28T23:03:08.091+01:00Day 6: My first post op adventure (to the hospital)Day 6 has seen me take my first grand adventure out in public! This was only to the hospital, but it felt good to get out and about.<div>
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I had my first post op appointment with my surgeon today, and I am happy to report that everything is healing up very nicely, and that my surgeon seemed happy with my bite. I have also been given the go ahead to try and put my syringes down and attempt soft food! It seems really early, but I'm very thankful to eat filling food. On a food related note, something fairly shocking and unexpected happened at lunch today. I have discovered that I can successfully eat brie, as it is a soft cheese and just melts in my mouth when eaten in very small amounts. I was enjoying my brie so much I opened my mouth a little too wide, and... SNAP. There goes my elastics. Everything was fine, but I was so shocked when it happened! I managed to fix new elastics successfully. </div>
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At dinner I was able to eat whizzed up spaghetti bolognese with a baby plastic spoon. This felt amazing, as I could actually eat fairly quickly and satisfy my hunger sooner. About soft food, I reckon I am only at this stage so soon because my surgeon doesn't wire patients up with lots elastics after surgery. I only have one elastic band in my mouth stretched between 3 teeth, which I am allowed to take out to eat (although I didn't know that in the brie incident!) </div>
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More exciting progress has been made - I can now take little sips of water instead of using a syringe! I still use a syringe for more gloopy drinks like milkshake, but I feel this has been a big step forward. I was also clearly understood in a 20 minute phone call to my gran. She couldn't believe how well I was talking (again I think this is to do with the lack of elastic bands). </div>
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Here are my day 6 photos including shot of my teeth with the elastic band. Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of my X rays as they are at the hospital I had the surgery at. Hopefully I can get them on here, because you have to admit all those screws and plates look pretty cool on X ray. </div>
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Behold my day 6 photos - </div>
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I actually bothered to make my hair look nice today, haha. I had much more energy today compared to any other day since surgery. I didn't have to have a nap until about 7pm! </div>
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That, folks, has been day 6. </div>
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Adios amigos, </div>
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B x</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-85061371202798173532014-07-27T17:46:00.003+01:002014-07-27T18:05:18.263+01:00Update: Days 0-5Hi everyone!<br />
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Sorry for the lack of updates, I definitely underestimated how low my energy was going to be post op! At times it has felt a bit disabling, but energy levels are slowly on the up which is great (:<br />
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So this post will be a run through of my experiences of having orthognathic surgery and recovery days 0-5!<br />
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<b>Day 0 </b><br />
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This was 22nd July, admission day! Admission was at 7am and I was feeling very nervous, but luckily I didn't have to wait long to go to theatre. I went down at 8:30 am and was allowed to take my mum with me which was really comforting. They even let her stay with me in the anaesthetic room until I went to sleep (even though I told her she didn't have to!) The surgery took 3 hours in total.<br />
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Next thing I knew I was coughing and gagging, but that's all I remember (I think they were taking the breathing tube out). Then I woke up properly, realised I was in recovery and for some reason couldn't stop moving! It was like I was doing a dance in bed, as well as constantly talking to the nurses. When my surgeon came to see me in recovery I learnt that they had given me COCAINE in theatre (hence the reaction). I was absolutely shocked, I had no idea it was used for medicinal purposes. I looked up the uses later on and it's supposed to help reduce bleeding by making your blood vessels smaller as well as numbing the area. But under the influence I apparently high fived my surgeon and conducted to my heart beat (which was heard on the monitor).<br />
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These pictures were taken in recovery (sorry for the slightly gory one!) I had NO elastics or wires on whatsoever! Some surgeons prefer not to use them, but the lack of elastics etc at this stage didn't bother me one bit. I was so pleased with my recovery profile shot, as swelling hadn't started yet so I could kind of see results already!<br />
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Once I had calmed down and a bed was available, I was taken to the ward. It was pretty rough from there, I vomited blood a total of 12 times (I went through several gowns) and also had issues which led to having a catheter ): My mum also didn't take well to the throwing up blood thing and went out into the corridor and fainted! Luckily she was ok and the nurses took care of her. And this leads us to the next day!<br />
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<b>Day 1 </b><br />
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The morning didn't start off well at all. Each morning the nurses made the patients get out of bed and sit on their chairs whilst the beds were being made. I had learnt in the night that movement led to me being sick, which of course had to happen as my surgeon and his team came to see me. I didn't feel very flattering with all these people looking interestingly at me whilst I was sat there dribbling bloody sick and wearing a catheter. It was declared that I would have to stay an extra night to let the sickness settle and that he would see me the following morning. Eating was a nightmare, the nurses didn't seem to understand that I needed a liquid diet with syringes. They tried to give me ice cream with a spoon. Luckily the leek and potato soup was a better success which could be syringed. The day passed with not a lot going on, mostly drifting in and out of sleep. I would have to wait an extra day to go on a tour of the hospital to visit X ray and orthodontics!<br />
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I slept well that night, apart from being suddenly woken by a porter accidentally bashing a trolley into my bed! (A patient had been transferred to my ward in the middle of the night)<br />
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<b>Day 2 </b><br />
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I was feeling much better on this day, with the exception of frustration at the nurses regarding food. For breakfast there was the choice of toast or cornflakes. When I said I couldn't eat either, I waited 2 hours for ice cream that I couldn't eat anyway! Lunch was a weird pate thing with a SPOON which reminded me of cat food. But luckily I was being discharged that day, so I was looking forward to going home and actually eating for the first time in days! I went on my tour of the hospital for x rays and orthodontics. I had to be transported in a wheelchair because I was so weak from not eating anything. The X rays were amazing to see (I didn't get any pictures but will do soon!) and the orthodontist put some elastics on my braces.<br />
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The discharge from hospital was pretty eventful and confusing. This time it was my sister who had a fainting session in the corridor (it was very hot). I missed my pain relief because my drugs chart was in the pharmacy, so I couldn't have any medicine. Then they tried to discharge me without taking my cannula out. There was also no dietitian or advice on food. Once the cannula had been sorted, we were ready to go. Unfortunately it was my turn to have a moment and sit down outside the hospital on my way out. I felt very dizzy and weak, so some nurses had to come and help me to the car. But I was finally on my way home!<br />
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<b>Days 3-5</b></div>
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This is where the rehabilitation and rebuilding begins! Having nutritious food that I could actually eat for the first time in days was amazing. So far I have had banana milkshake, chocolate milkshake, whizzed up scrambled eggs, soup with super mashed potato and smoothies. I've lost half a stone in 4 days. Weight loss was to be expected, but it probably didn't help that I had pretty much nothing to eat in hospital. Pain hasn't been bad at all when pain relief is taken regularly, and from day 4 swelling has starting to go down. I even ventured out to see my nan on day 4 (in the car of course). Energy levels have been up and down but lucozade has been my saviour. I still get odd moments where I suddenly feel faint and weak in the legs. I'm still sleeping well which I'm very grateful for. I also think I'm lucky on the swelling and bruising front! From other blogs I've been following, I've seen swelling much worse than mine. I am starting to get some bruising at day 5, but it's very faint and not that noticeable (like a slight curry stain!) </div>
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<b>Day 3</b></div>
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<b>Day 4</b></div>
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<b> Day 5</b></div>
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I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow which should be interesting! I'll be able to get some pictures of my X rays, plus I'll be looking a bit better than the last time my surgeon saw me. Sorry if this post has been a bit garbled or disorganised to read, I'm definitely not at my blogging best right now. Onward and upwards as they say (:<br />
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Thanks for you kind comments, they were a great source comfort when I was in hospital (:<br />
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Will update soon,<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-65931394154159376432014-07-22T21:14:00.000+01:002014-07-27T17:49:37.249+01:00Made it!Made it! Everything is done and I am officially post op :) it's amazing how much things have changed alteady. I took a photo but I can't get it on here on my phone.Having a lot of problems with sickness (been sick 8 times!) But that's the only nad thing so far. Went into theatre at 8:30 am and came out 11:30am. Woke up in recovery at 12 and was on the ward by 3. That's it for now, gonna catch some sleep (I'm knackered!)<br />
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B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-1628621494534163522014-07-21T23:07:00.001+01:002014-07-21T23:07:51.504+01:00Tomorrow = Surgery Day!SURGERY DAY TOMORROW! NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT TO THINK!<br />
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It's been quite a nice run up to the day, as I met up with all my friends and hosted a 'Cheese Feast' (essentially a cheese and wine party) so I could stuff my face in good company. It was an evening filled with food, fun and friends and felt like a celebration that the day was very nearly here (after so long!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-FQpEmrFCHZ3-VGvBsvhBDe2IHgmC-5nXpJW4NGDx5BWs16B6O6VLGkYC-hqtRWvO6u2oEIqjqz7jOqWSN-lJv2miH26ruovulsWkZifr7NhuKrnF16W7kjO9NbeAh3oLNuFpB4_wMw/s1600/SAM_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-FQpEmrFCHZ3-VGvBsvhBDe2IHgmC-5nXpJW4NGDx5BWs16B6O6VLGkYC-hqtRWvO6u2oEIqjqz7jOqWSN-lJv2miH26ruovulsWkZifr7NhuKrnF16W7kjO9NbeAh3oLNuFpB4_wMw/s1600/SAM_4328.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the good luck cards I received! </td></tr>
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I've been quite nervous this morning but now I'm feeling relatively calm. I've got everything packed and ready to go, as I have to get up 5am to get to the hospital at 7am. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl_upP8bm9V4tEkhG9hbg-PpYlXNM76LMcuWIOAJj33jxV8tyXbGrClzZagkbxNZYDRVI5mtm4HY6vgMhYS3v-_25gTcw2kbz3GPBRtoLuaz4Fg2e3Fhw2gYN_FmbaEwjvcUciL4XzAE/s1600/SAM_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl_upP8bm9V4tEkhG9hbg-PpYlXNM76LMcuWIOAJj33jxV8tyXbGrClzZagkbxNZYDRVI5mtm4HY6vgMhYS3v-_25gTcw2kbz3GPBRtoLuaz4Fg2e3Fhw2gYN_FmbaEwjvcUciL4XzAE/s1600/SAM_4329.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hospital bag! The orange tiger things are slippers...</td></tr>
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I've packed quite a lot of things that you guys on here have suggested, thank you so much for all those suggestions! I feel much more prepared at this stage. I also had my 'last supper', which was a yummy homemade spaghetti bolognese (my absolute favourite). <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Supper</td></tr>
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<br />I also have my 'official' pre-op photos! My photography skills aren't amazing, but hopefully it gives people an idea of my bite (: <div>
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That's pretty much it for now. Thank you all for your helpful comments of advice and support. </div>
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See you on the other side! </div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-12485434694111695262014-07-08T23:49:00.002+01:002014-07-08T23:49:56.496+01:002 weeks to go! Update following final surgeon appointment and pre-operative assessment. I cannot believe it. 13 long years ago I was introduced to Clinic J and the possibility of needing jaw surgery, and now it is exactly TWO WEEKS until I go into theatre. I just cannot get my head around that!<br />
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And of course a (what I hope is) dramatic opening to this post has to be accompanied by a dramatic(?) photograph embracing the glory that is an underbite. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhyue6-YR5LoHpBhrDKexzBplxBIbfIRSEh5DE_v8t79_GvHQ9I9dPa1-AulJ9JSbkUnx-Z8cJMR-N76_WzpBTq1XlVD-m_dNaIYRAVrOAkKX-Ys7jEWqJAAUDjcE7nHWiKnACDGfrx4/s1600/1623720_10152529298330097_4944972598964377336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhyue6-YR5LoHpBhrDKexzBplxBIbfIRSEh5DE_v8t79_GvHQ9I9dPa1-AulJ9JSbkUnx-Z8cJMR-N76_WzpBTq1XlVD-m_dNaIYRAVrOAkKX-Ys7jEWqJAAUDjcE7nHWiKnACDGfrx4/s1600/1623720_10152529298330097_4944972598964377336_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahoy there! (South Wales)</td></tr>
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Since my last post I got to see my boyfriend for the first time in six months (he was living in Australia) as he is now back home in Wales! Although the shot of this photo isn't very close, I think the angle really emphasises my bite and how much it has changed over the last couple of years. I'll be sure to post 'official' photos just before my surgery, which will be much clearer.<br />
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Yesterday saw the entire day spent at two different hospitals. The morning was dedicated to my appointment with my surgeon, where he tried the wafers that had been made to make sure they fitted well. And it was a perfect fit! It amazes me what different tools are needed for surgery, and how the lab technicians must make them. I also got to put my surgeon in the hot seat and ask him LOTS of questions. This was the last time I would see him before surgery day, so I put my thinking cap on and compiled this list -<br />
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<li>Will my lips look different? (I currently have a huge bottom lip and hardly any top lip) </li>
<li>How long will my jaws be wired? </li>
<li>Will I be able to take tablets in hospital?</li>
<li>Are there any essentials/products you'd recommend to help aid recovery/comfort? </li>
<li>*Silly question alert* Will the surgery have an impact on how my tongue fits in my mouth? </li>
<li>How long will I be in hospital for? </li>
<li>How long is the surgery? </li>
<li>What will happen if I vomit and my jaws are wired? </li>
<li>Do I need to put weight on before surgery? </li>
<li>How will I clean my teeth? </li>
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All of my questions were answered, albeit a sarcastic manner (my surgeon is pretty funny). Interestingly, he also mentioned passport photos. With the introduction of electronic passports, the machines might not be able to recognise me post op, so he advised I ring up the passport office after treatment is finished. </div>
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After this appointment I was due to travel to the hospital where I'd be having the surgery. But I had some time to kill, so enjoy this photo of where I had my lunch (this is unusually very scenic for Stevenage)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairlands Valley Park </td></tr>
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The hospital I visited in the afternoon was very new to me, so I ended up getting lost finding the pre-operative unit! Nothing too exciting happened when I eventually found it. The appointment consisted of taking swabs for MRSA, taking my blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, height and weight, a blood test and being asked a LOT of questions about my medical history. I also got to sign the consent form (moment of excitement for me!) I have to go back for another blood test close to my admission date (incase I need a blood transfusion, boo). </div>
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Consider yourselves updated! Next up will be my final appointment with my ortho to change elastics so everything's nice and clean for surgery. </div>
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If anyone has ANY advice on useful products for comfort following surgery - please let me know! </div>
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Thanks for reading, </div>
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B x</div>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-86744972878719804552014-06-18T20:18:00.002+01:002014-06-18T20:18:26.025+01:00Some appealing post. Exciting news - my admissions letter came through today! <div>
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Seeing the surgery date in black and white makes it seem very real. My surgeon had put the date in his diary, which is why I knew it beforehand. But to me, this seems to make it super official. </div>
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I also have my pre op confirmed. That is going to be one hospital themed day. I'll have my last surgeons appointment at my local hospital in the morning, and then the pre op appointment at the hospital where I'll have my surgery in the afternoon. </div>
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As far as admissions letters go, mine is probably pretty typical. But I'm still ridiculously proud of this letter full of dates and instructions, probably because this has been a long time coming. And that, my friends, is the reason I'm putting up a picture of the letter in all of it's conclusiveness. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuVi6qwM-FKRqbHqR2NG2wfGizHyKp9R_Qq5k8iG8J4cdehkA_xnmNzuE4A4689uSyasgr71-cswb6HphDKmcJDm1GJ70pGyWaOJKeDJ20ODdgPc27iiGpOfW6B3S9AncOa9VHTDUUKs/s1600/2014-06-18+19.37.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuVi6qwM-FKRqbHqR2NG2wfGizHyKp9R_Qq5k8iG8J4cdehkA_xnmNzuE4A4689uSyasgr71-cswb6HphDKmcJDm1GJ70pGyWaOJKeDJ20ODdgPc27iiGpOfW6B3S9AncOa9VHTDUUKs/s1600/2014-06-18+19.37.41.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admissions letter!</td></tr>
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That's really all I've got to say, I'll update again when I've had these next few appointments! </div>
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B x</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-38986412438080691512014-06-17T21:05:00.002+01:002014-06-17T21:11:30.174+01:00Exciting news - I have a surgery date!Hi everyone!<br />
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It's been a while. Everything has taken a long time to get to this stage, and in the meantime I have definitely neglected this blog. My last update was in summer 2012, and I can say a lot has changed in the past two years! I've achieved my 2:1 Bachelor of Music degree, I've done a bit of travelling and I am in a happy relationship. I also have my plans set for the future to become a music teacher from this September. But one thing has still remained the same - my bite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy70MCxhdiSyxU6ZKPYRNJ2iaaBYshihpFy9SLMEU8_szhASzjX5Nlz-ux4gFkSTqKKlsSpQhs5x7WIP-RSi84btqT2PQvkdzA2nBTwIilH45iiGChmth5G3Yr3QyRUSwzf7YazYWjfY/s1600/Grad+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy70MCxhdiSyxU6ZKPYRNJ2iaaBYshihpFy9SLMEU8_szhASzjX5Nlz-ux4gFkSTqKKlsSpQhs5x7WIP-RSi84btqT2PQvkdzA2nBTwIilH45iiGChmth5G3Yr3QyRUSwzf7YazYWjfY/s1600/Grad+3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIQH5sYuffHz64Z_CyBRq0mA0R1IiM-Xw-tmAvZZPXEmgttw1sVBblT8dBHVTMBjGXGaYc5abtoST1px2dPPEwwjkUCa4Y6vqmhx9ct8hO7Z77Ocl0s5PoStym3jX9zxj50hIQ75TFMA/s1600/skydive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIQH5sYuffHz64Z_CyBRq0mA0R1IiM-Xw-tmAvZZPXEmgttw1sVBblT8dBHVTMBjGXGaYc5abtoST1px2dPPEwwjkUCa4Y6vqmhx9ct8hO7Z77Ocl0s5PoStym3jX9zxj50hIQ75TFMA/s1600/skydive.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skydiving in New Zealand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC6GMGd_GkmyqXzMwwprTXYHfVeiXGk1h_RmpsPK2xyy7_mmunimuMYUbqvzBuKVcBMFmr8SPuG5_HbLTspdyLpI0zgXV3KIxXnv6i-4Q7xOOmueUZfNl5NStbyJl3WsilunhxATRoEQ/s1600/ben+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC6GMGd_GkmyqXzMwwprTXYHfVeiXGk1h_RmpsPK2xyy7_mmunimuMYUbqvzBuKVcBMFmr8SPuG5_HbLTspdyLpI0zgXV3KIxXnv6i-4Q7xOOmueUZfNl5NStbyJl3WsilunhxATRoEQ/s1600/ben+and+me.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I</td></tr>
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I've looked through my followers blogs and seen so many amazing results! It has always given me more confidence reading all your stories and a valuable insight on what to expect.. And now it's my turn, which will be on 22nd July.<br />
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The only thing that remains between now and then is to try on the wafers with the surgeon, one last ortho visit (to change elastics) and a pre-op appointment. I honestly cannot believe I am at this stage now, after 13 years of hospital appointments, 8 extractions and 3 years of braces!<br />
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My X Rays really showcase the progress that has been made.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyoL8pbjOuRpFQmrAX-wDKW6SI3fT_CvVHBFT6-NI2GjwMSYaEOAYOhqAbjVQXoaA8IZacIGUICARronn9TExj_u5x_mDW7-tyg5OEUslJddmLOG49bmVjZO2QW1qN3B6rBjoofgJr8E/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyoL8pbjOuRpFQmrAX-wDKW6SI3fT_CvVHBFT6-NI2GjwMSYaEOAYOhqAbjVQXoaA8IZacIGUICARronn9TExj_u5x_mDW7-tyg5OEUslJddmLOG49bmVjZO2QW1qN3B6rBjoofgJr8E/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.59.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstt-3up57vsJCMCe5ChbVRa9WeQ_xcJXHPoGFKcAmPYTg9mThoaGpcS80VwADf9e9sFc1JEZDqPh7MlGwa2eqXavJuzovMnJTcKNvqWwkHZNgCVi6TLLnwaosEvCQVq94hebY7tJmjfU/s1600/2014-03-31+10.15.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstt-3up57vsJCMCe5ChbVRa9WeQ_xcJXHPoGFKcAmPYTg9mThoaGpcS80VwADf9e9sFc1JEZDqPh7MlGwa2eqXavJuzovMnJTcKNvqWwkHZNgCVi6TLLnwaosEvCQVq94hebY7tJmjfU/s1600/2014-03-31+10.15.58.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkt6e9mi52o0FgIenHG7m4Ps-W-5pA3ZmOWEr1IjL__hAtP1JbsGPGS4bEa2SO7YySUh_mZf66fhjCc69-uLTI5Ie14D8m5bKgwt36sRQU_O5ad0DPtr_JLoypO0CFSKojf3U8-mmpVI/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkt6e9mi52o0FgIenHG7m4Ps-W-5pA3ZmOWEr1IjL__hAtP1JbsGPGS4bEa2SO7YySUh_mZf66fhjCc69-uLTI5Ie14D8m5bKgwt36sRQU_O5ad0DPtr_JLoypO0CFSKojf3U8-mmpVI/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.48.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZdgj1oG8tVHdJehM0EoAPJEPR8E_8st1lI7bGCf4p-EWHS-tnQ9LEqfjOz8joP4qRIzwrnYdcIv-LlmIhyDpH7w10BxZ_qvqumTS_KpFw4AyUWlqhVcUShbkaHrzmEIkg5ved4nWS_Q/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZdgj1oG8tVHdJehM0EoAPJEPR8E_8st1lI7bGCf4p-EWHS-tnQ9LEqfjOz8joP4qRIzwrnYdcIv-LlmIhyDpH7w10BxZ_qvqumTS_KpFw4AyUWlqhVcUShbkaHrzmEIkg5ved4nWS_Q/s1600/2014-03-31+10.16.30.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2014</td></tr>
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At my last appointment with the surgeon he was discussing the proposed movement of my jaws, and it looks like my upper jaw will be moving 6mm forward, whilst my lower jaw will be moving 4 mm back. So a total movement of 1cm! <br />
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One thing I'd like to ask anyone that's been through this before, is there anything you'd want to have known/any questions you wanted to ask your surgeon in hindsight? I've got one more opportunity to ask my surgeon questions beore my operation and (worryingly) don't seem to be coming up with any! </div>
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From now on I consider this blog to really be up and running. I feel bad that I neglected it and missed out on everyone's news! </div>
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Hope you're all keeping well. </div>
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B x</div>
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I had a hospital appointment last week, and my orthodontist is so pleased with how everything is looking. It's always amusing going to the orthodontist and being able to listen to their conversations with the nurse/assistant, but not being able to actually contribute to said conversation while they're doing their work. (I've just realised how incredibly nosey that makes me sound). But anyway, they were talking about art for some reason, and it got me thinking that orthodontics is essentially art. A very scientific, complex one at that, which has much to do with physics. But still an art. I could even tell at the end of the appointment that she was 'admiring' her work from a distance, like you'd imagine a painter or sculptor would do the same.<br />
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I honestly never thought I'd ever perceive someone to be 'admiring' braces, most people probably do quite to opposite, haha.<br />
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They were also speaking about how the patients that were scheduled to see them that afternoon were all orthognathic. Which in turn led them to discuss which stage I was at in comparison to the other patients, and they think that I'm the second current patient of theirs that will be ready for surgery! It seems so weird thinking about it like that, all that waiting and it still feels like I shouldn't be this ready, almost like I've gotten used to the 11 years I've been visiting this clinic.<br />
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And this, finally leads me to a prediction! I haven't been keeping track of how many months I've had braces, I've just been looking onwards to the next appointment instead of tallying it all up. And it totals up to 8 months! That just seems crazy, it only feels like I've had them for 2-3 months or something. This means that by Christmas time, I will have had my braces for 1 year and 2 months, and a possibility of surgery in the holidays! I think as a norm orthodontists tell their patients 18 months in braces before surgery, but from what I've seen people seem to be getting surgery earlier than that. And given the speed that my teeth are moving and my bite worsening, it could be a fair prediction. I didn't want to ask my ortho when I would be ready quite yet as I didn't want to seem impatient, nor did I want to have my ortho's professional prediction as to when I would be ready, adding even more time to this waiting game.<br />
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Just to balance this out with a small bit of negativity (haha) I have noticed how impractical my bite is becoming in terms of function, and it is certainly affecting me. Before it started to get worse I was only expecting it from an aesthetic point of view, never a practical one. I mentioned speech and pronunciation in my last post, but this time it's eating that's starting to get to me. On my way home for my appointment, I grabbed a burger from Kings Cross station inbetween trains, probably the most embarrassing burger I've ever had the misfortune to buy. I just can't bite into things like I used to, and attempting to do this in public was a pretty bad idea. Some old woman was staring at me the whole time I was eating, like I was someone with learning difficulties who couldn't feed themselves. It was pretty messy to be fair. But it's something I'm willing to put up with to get a functioning bite.<br />
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Moving swiftly on (I will stop soon I promise) the broken brace was fixed pronto without a telling off, and it hasn't done any damage or slowed down my progress. I loyally promised my orthodontist, no more icecubes for me. <br />
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Just one more point of positivity, and an unrelated one at that! University.<br />
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For those who don't know, I'm a music student and a principle study violinist. I got my recital marks back today and I got a 2:1! This year I've achieved 1st's and 2:1's, and even though I'm expecting one small piece of work back, it means that I've averaged a good 2:1 for my second year, which I am so happy with. Also the examiners who marked my recital said 'your potential is such that, if you were to make left hand technique a priority over the coming year, you are capable of a 1st class mark'. This makes me ridiculously happy. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyp5TNDcAA72NDvjIfPkhrD0wD4vNuL7CrB2v43FdFIOOlf68lqAqD8s3o6nOjycFtvE4srURivOf2dVl-x0Erc6Xu32lw2KgMYpH0Igl_07pS6xLfXhwV_gyORs6H0NHIlby4svpP6Q/s1600/SAM_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyp5TNDcAA72NDvjIfPkhrD0wD4vNuL7CrB2v43FdFIOOlf68lqAqD8s3o6nOjycFtvE4srURivOf2dVl-x0Erc6Xu32lw2KgMYpH0Igl_07pS6xLfXhwV_gyORs6H0NHIlby4svpP6Q/s320/SAM_1335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuffed! If there are any music geeks out there, I'm listening to Brahms Violin Sonata No. 1, and am seriously considering performing the whole work for my third year recital.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDk7F4IoY5rpdaex_MKlFl3M6FadjNjbW8Sa8KY__bhv-_8SMg7ZQeY9JCEH94ECBvbTnWRdhxMI4kh_aBLRpDPPghmgYx0UDLvyP_T-_RhKF3sy0hgY0RclqWGYJE9OOdruqIZiNRang/s1600/SAM_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDk7F4IoY5rpdaex_MKlFl3M6FadjNjbW8Sa8KY__bhv-_8SMg7ZQeY9JCEH94ECBvbTnWRdhxMI4kh_aBLRpDPPghmgYx0UDLvyP_T-_RhKF3sy0hgY0RclqWGYJE9OOdruqIZiNRang/s320/SAM_1323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my housemate Lucy made orange/lemon drizzle cake to celebrate our recital results and decorated them appropriately.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UdawtOTbewYXS1GoBcZTExUnGrR0NYU3bK4MvR-ARiTfGsAuCSlnFrEn2szLLHN3QrMU5oo4hVVkwB2S5bhBmi3PV13uzxO5de8GS98poQlbGaxi4qwrwNpq_Ewx1zfkUBfRILh0c8E/s1600/SAM_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UdawtOTbewYXS1GoBcZTExUnGrR0NYU3bK4MvR-ARiTfGsAuCSlnFrEn2szLLHN3QrMU5oo4hVVkwB2S5bhBmi3PV13uzxO5de8GS98poQlbGaxi4qwrwNpq_Ewx1zfkUBfRILh0c8E/s320/SAM_1326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We named the left cake 'C Major' (even though neither of us had the easiest key signature in our recitals, we just wanted to be alliterative with cake) and the right cake was named 'Caspar'</td></tr>
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Oh god I've just realised how insensitive I've been, there are a good number of people recovering from their surgeries at this point of time. I grant any of you permission to taunt me with cake as you see fit when I am at that same stage, or Christmas dinner if my prediction is right.<br />
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I honestly don't understand how I write so much, someone needs to limit me and suggest a word count to stick to, haha. Sending lots and lots of healing vibes out to all the post-ops, and a speedy progress for all.<br />
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B x <br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-36928825626902884572012-05-16T00:48:00.000+01:002016-06-15T20:05:06.787+01:00Ice cubes are my enemy, as is pronunciation.Just a quick post to put into context how much everything is changing considering both a worsening bite and how quickly my teeth still seem to be moving! It's hard to believe that I used to put up with that really wierd plastic brace just because my bite collided, all to blame because my teeth thought they were ahead of the game and tried to fix things themselves by making my bite appear better than it actually was. My true bite seems to have really taken form now, like it's appeared all of a sudden. I'd noticed it getting worse with my progression from my first fixed brace, to the second and more conventional 'train track' brace, but now there's such a noticeable gap between both jaws. I've also started noticing that my housemates and people at uni are quite often mishearing me when I speak to them. It seems to take alot more time to form sounds such as p's and f's, as if my lower jaw is literally getting in the way, and it feels as if my brain is too far ahead in comparison to the act of physically forming the shapes and sounds of words. Has anyone else noticed this as their orthodontic work has taken effect? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBThOK_3fz1_gEF4opNkt0DAdK47iKI4L4dBYnfHyRwAhXhQ-iooK9hbRItAMurUV6okzytoVypleeRYzyRIXbiu12qTpk9sFk2tVsOwVnh4Hutg3AMKQSPrVf7OLDeSIavJKKxMZJzQ/s1600/SAM_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBThOK_3fz1_gEF4opNkt0DAdK47iKI4L4dBYnfHyRwAhXhQ-iooK9hbRItAMurUV6okzytoVypleeRYzyRIXbiu12qTpk9sFk2tVsOwVnh4Hutg3AMKQSPrVf7OLDeSIavJKKxMZJzQ/s320/SAM_1233.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought I'd put up an okish photo to hopefully balance to more awful ones to follow. A fairly significant gap can still be seen even from a headshot.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSdvUhiiJjUUl8LnrVg1RQKxfpnyyDNGbZCHExBacZjgkbMxX2PPGwGIc0dIqeegBWQFh1IiBRxqAwsIKBaq2gRaozKfyrsrWpC7_FU3pLVGy_5JwCV6PFazLg74BnoWd89VtMdMcgis/s1600/SAM_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSdvUhiiJjUUl8LnrVg1RQKxfpnyyDNGbZCHExBacZjgkbMxX2PPGwGIc0dIqeegBWQFh1IiBRxqAwsIKBaq2gRaozKfyrsrWpC7_FU3pLVGy_5JwCV6PFazLg74BnoWd89VtMdMcgis/s320/SAM_1228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horrible photo! But does justice to the worsening bite. Note the gap as evidence for some speedy orthodontic work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RvPHfqnFPJYXxmKhx4fNBNj7cwNGoBKttaxfe5A4rjIw515FaZS-XQ69dEacNCpwZZEXAGNjNGueRFaV8PiAW2tGIe2DbTMQDdM0NzyZ3FTQHS92Ozpegjbhktz3dE446cgTthoAWbM/s1600/SAM_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RvPHfqnFPJYXxmKhx4fNBNj7cwNGoBKttaxfe5A4rjIw515FaZS-XQ69dEacNCpwZZEXAGNjNGueRFaV8PiAW2tGIe2DbTMQDdM0NzyZ3FTQHS92Ozpegjbhktz3dE446cgTthoAWbM/s320/SAM_1224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Profile shot ):</td></tr>
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A funny part of waiting for the braces to do their stuff is all the gaps that appear as the teeth are straigtening, only to be replaced by a tooth as it has more room, creating another gap. It reminds me of those sliding puzzles that you get online or something, before you can create the final picture you have to slide all those pieces in a logical order. Also that hefty gap that can be seen in the middle photo appeared after a mere two days after my appointment! That seemed pretty crazy to me. I also keep on forgetting that I'm now minus 8 teeth, which probably plays a huge part in how fast the orthodontics are working.<br />
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While all of this progress is good news (even the worsening bite), I've also had my first ever brace accident, concerning an icecube. I feel so incredibly stupid about the whole thing, said icecube was pretty melted down at the end of this drink, then swig and crunch. I can't get seen in Canterbury as I'm a patient at my hopsital at home, and I don't know any NHS people who would be able to fix it for me. Also my ortho is a locum and is only in my hospital one day of the week, so she's pretty booked up. I don't think the damage is too serious though, the wire right at the end has popped out the bracket, I guess the easiest way to describe it is excess wire that the ortho must have screwed into the bracket somehow. The rest of the wire is very intact so I'm hoping it's not slowing down anything, and if it is, it's my theory that most of the orthodontic work takes effect in the first couple of weeks after an appointment, and the six week period is a pretty good way to give patients a relief from the pain you get after having braces tightened. Saying that, I could be completely wrong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG8EDOc_2o0439GklfxDb0maMAzHst9Nd9v-pk8K8Pleec_EGS1BPxc0v6GBxNI3YYAlMSWuxVwsmKLNImgYRuCeeNAzhJE0fkV7vRmVZoIbDUQwNa65XmgQmtP5EJt8R_-0oUAsBOE4/s1600/pokingwire3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG8EDOc_2o0439GklfxDb0maMAzHst9Nd9v-pk8K8Pleec_EGS1BPxc0v6GBxNI3YYAlMSWuxVwsmKLNImgYRuCeeNAzhJE0fkV7vRmVZoIbDUQwNa65XmgQmtP5EJt8R_-0oUAsBOE4/s1600/pokingwire3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It would be ridiculous to try and take a photo of this, so have an example. Result of an icecube :P</td></tr>
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I'll stop there, I feel like I've gone on a bit. Whenever I post this always seems to happen, not entirely sure what to write then boom! Apologies for the ramblings, especially if it's boring. So to summarise, worsening bite, teeth moving and broken brace has happened since my last post. Hoping that Laura and Lindsay are recovering well and best of luck to Max, Ellie and Britany with their upcoming surgeries as well as everybody elses treatments! B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-26383750735654143812012-04-08T16:03:00.002+01:002012-04-08T16:05:48.120+01:00An interesting Reddit post.Hi!<br />
Haven't posted on here since my last visit to the hospital, however there is an appointment coming up in just over a week. I also think things are happening in a less "quick" way, my teeth have moved so much in these few months. However the less dramatic and more slight changes my teeth have to undergo I feel are happening more slowly than those more noticeable changes before. Still, it'll be interesting to see the progress at the next appointment!<br />
But yes, reason for posting is that I found this interesting thread on Reddit that my friend from uni shared with me (: It's the results of someones surgery 6 months on, they used to have a really pronounced underbite and from what I can see the surgery worked really well. However the interesting part is in the huge amount of comments this thread received, asking all sorts of questions, plus details of other people's experiences. The most interesting concept I found is the medical vs psychological/cosmetic benefits.<br />
I feel the benefits are a good mix of the two, to have a functioning bite, get rid of TMJD pain etc, and improve aesthetic, which seems to be the view of many who've contributed to the thread. When I've told people about the whole process most automatically assume it's entirely cosmetic which almost makes me feel ashamed, it makes me think of those who go under the knife for breast enlargements or tummy tucks. But there's no denying a part of me does want this surgery for those benefits, especially after enduring school! What do others think about the whole medical/cosmetic "debate" concerning surgery? It's something I've been struggling to come to terms with for years, people have told me I don't need it because they think it's purely cosmetic, when clearly the hospital and myself feel differently. After all it does come under the NHS!<br />
I'll stop waffling anyways, and post the link > <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ryg1h/iama_19_yo_male_who_had_surgery_on_both_jaws_6">http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ryg1h/iama_19_yo_male_who_had_surgery_on_both_jaws_6</a>/ <br />
<br />
Hope everyone is getting on well with their treatments.<br />
B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-48289311380332479442012-02-23T12:48:00.001+00:002012-02-23T12:48:51.544+00:00Pancakes, pain and the beginnings of a fully fledged bracer (:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi!<br />
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I am now back from my long journey to and from home, and I have to say I'm pretty knackered. As if the train journey by itself wasn't enough, the hospital was running late which meant I had to peg it to catch the right train, using my violin as a very useful battering ram on anyone that got in my way. I barely made it! But I got to quartet ok, so that made people happy I guess.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv69ZzULT0A3lgr1ReqlrPXGeR4u43bLghAfeHe5cAYUUxQxv65XBkMNDB4xnxXx1YVW-TAzvUlRQshgJOg6nN26sNKZmgPu2An3EpPHGhUERhtHRnrwDYf1qla1wnfhkx6UigMbNfu0/s1600/SAM_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv69ZzULT0A3lgr1ReqlrPXGeR4u43bLghAfeHe5cAYUUxQxv65XBkMNDB4xnxXx1YVW-TAzvUlRQshgJOg6nN26sNKZmgPu2An3EpPHGhUERhtHRnrwDYf1qla1wnfhkx6UigMbNfu0/s320/SAM_0460.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travelling through Kent, "The Garden of England". It just looks like fields to me, but whatever floats your boat (:</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFA26jk995-JDE0jauECSnXW7UNfTyZoNdID5JSGAbnBNjd4tTxw82p3hbWaDn9fymE0ptGa13asUCWpfqk4BT4nCeafV48l9oC1Le2WIxrRymJxHCpWO7sPUMsqKwff3TCR70ciOKZE/s1600/SAM_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFA26jk995-JDE0jauECSnXW7UNfTyZoNdID5JSGAbnBNjd4tTxw82p3hbWaDn9fymE0ptGa13asUCWpfqk4BT4nCeafV48l9oC1Le2WIxrRymJxHCpWO7sPUMsqKwff3TCR70ciOKZE/s320/SAM_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To get home for my hospital appointments I always have to travel through London, which can be pretty interesting. St. Pancras International with their swish Olympics sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbWWYmJFNZfmuGpSBhUhc-P1_4gZ58tIzceAGjmdypl9CAh3LOZP9Ik6kI-Rvf0l6OGbUCTc7xOGfzcWh9ZTtT5-0i1Xhmr9pR2-3l_oTKUg4lEp0zE_iwLZVgm7LjF8IMFcfyGUPn8g/s1600/SAM_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbWWYmJFNZfmuGpSBhUhc-P1_4gZ58tIzceAGjmdypl9CAh3LOZP9Ik6kI-Rvf0l6OGbUCTc7xOGfzcWh9ZTtT5-0i1Xhmr9pR2-3l_oTKUg4lEp0zE_iwLZVgm7LjF8IMFcfyGUPn8g/s320/SAM_0465.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took the liberty of demolishing pancakes before my appointment. I made this with one of Agnes' eggs (I have pet chickens)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTI6OalC5JIuOOaGasauCI_9B-OmDQuXTE-fzTtWmt89vuRBWrpGQXrVpavcmdF_E35r6dEeej3Oe0J6VNhif_CLB3p9DRkH37rfF5Fmf9_Fn6i0Jfy99nYGNuD6EDfO5AbxvB36Wiuo/s1600/SAM_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
But yes, onto the exciting stuff. I have the full set of works now, so no more weird elastic plastic yellow thing that made my teeth look horrible! It's all shiny shiny now. I was actually really surprised, I was holding onto a tiny bit of hope this might happen, and thinking in reality I would only get a couple more brackets to move the next lot of teeth along without breaking my brace. But now I know I wasn't imagining the changes in my face and jaw, my bite has worsened enough that I can wear the full set of more conventional fixed braces without destroying them! In a way it's kinda scaring me how fast everything's moving (literally!) But it's a good thing so I'm not complaining (:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpRgTbgGY7H9h-XQTK27I3OyBJ8RkAiwY2ORN4YSFphfQHZQtNTzaZvmkgrxSvnyWwx9Sviie40nWauXOsnZIa5ynHq245a2-SoF09DbVyTrPAYWlb1rHTMh4laSh8w-43BnEWjrNQ3c/s1600/different+braces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpRgTbgGY7H9h-XQTK27I3OyBJ8RkAiwY2ORN4YSFphfQHZQtNTzaZvmkgrxSvnyWwx9Sviie40nWauXOsnZIa5ynHq245a2-SoF09DbVyTrPAYWlb1rHTMh4laSh8w-43BnEWjrNQ3c/s640/different+braces.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrating how yellow the plastic part of my brace got. Fully braced and ready to go ^-^ </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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That's pretty much a wrap for now! I'm experiencing some pain, which Ibuprofen helps a little. Playing it safe by eating pasta and soft things for now. I think the thing that's probably gonna annoy me the most is ulcers... I have some already, and this wasn't a problem at all with the lower braces. <br />
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One more thing, when I was at home I found THIS photo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvPvLcu0TmgSNqWLYMkWc8k9uiBX7UuTFbYcdqTn8U1ANKL7yabGSIMJb8fSdMLjbIjMzTvMg-WMONrv_Zn9VP2vzwYZ3of4ALjmSm2j2F7tC_C9QzBUdqx6279KrVNNr_XDRiDuufSA/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvPvLcu0TmgSNqWLYMkWc8k9uiBX7UuTFbYcdqTn8U1ANKL7yabGSIMJb8fSdMLjbIjMzTvMg-WMONrv_Zn9VP2vzwYZ3of4ALjmSm2j2F7tC_C9QzBUdqx6279KrVNNr_XDRiDuufSA/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is me and my gran, I think I had just turned 8 at the time. It's not good quality as it's been scanned in, but hopefully you can see my gran also has an underbite (she never got it treated). Please ignore my retarded expression, evidently I was happy ha. I was around 8 or 9 when the dentist discovered my bite and I got referred to the local orthodontist. By the time I got referred to the hospital I was 9. <br />
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I'm gonna go now as this has been another long post. It looks ridiculously warm outside (apparently it's 18 degrees!) so I should probably make the most of that.<br />
Hope everything is going great for everyone else (:<br />
B xBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-72865737925587733382012-02-21T01:09:00.001+00:002012-02-21T01:09:51.878+00:00Too much hospital plus some vaguely interesting photos...Yo! The next hopsital appointment has creeped up pretty quickly, so I'm heading home on the usual 2 hour journey tomorrow (: This should be pretty interesting, cos there's a definite gap formed between both jaws as a result of the braces, which makes me wonder if I'm gonna have the rest of my brackets put on. I really hope this is the case so I can get rid of this ghastly rubbery thing on my top teeth! Over it's six week lifespan, it gets stained yellow by food and doesn't look too attractive. At least metal generally looks clean and shiny. <br />
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As the gap between my jaws is getting worse from my teeth becoming straighter, I've noticed even more changes in my face, and not only from looking at my profile. I had an concert with my University Symphony Orcherstra and my parents went a bit snappy happy. I shall demonstrate thus...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cduR4DvBOxhqdYOhnOO5uDmo-81OOxKqJDEWBlL5SUigRXx7_A2mYvFXJxaoHQsNe_Oly-wRYLOTot-RExD44WRGFW_KUHKiVpvC6phlEhw379T6BUP2r09I4rOsg_EeqWjjVgi2LZM/s1600/SAM_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cduR4DvBOxhqdYOhnOO5uDmo-81OOxKqJDEWBlL5SUigRXx7_A2mYvFXJxaoHQsNe_Oly-wRYLOTot-RExD44WRGFW_KUHKiVpvC6phlEhw379T6BUP2r09I4rOsg_EeqWjjVgi2LZM/s320/SAM_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uZB1aYHAeRwEIsggOJC2k6u-MvunB1yiqhdYyFqosNooe9CWSDgVvkXTuLTXUMh10mT1V3axFLBYYWVh10Y4_DCEf0PyUaDXzcdKpsf6Nbhu9lxoEVE-XGICKx_LRUyeha8giui5RhY/s1600/SAM_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uZB1aYHAeRwEIsggOJC2k6u-MvunB1yiqhdYyFqosNooe9CWSDgVvkXTuLTXUMh10mT1V3axFLBYYWVh10Y4_DCEf0PyUaDXzcdKpsf6Nbhu9lxoEVE-XGICKx_LRUyeha8giui5RhY/s320/SAM_0421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCicgESgDFIZHcaOLorbqcr-YC4lPwhsRh9-GPVW3DGIoZD6givuSLDktp6Qbi_12HCF4TPGBVNR-KdQC6zmG1ziJuTMNXpwBTQ4cg4hhFah4yuqqGxeUiTipvYwnl7UEu7NmmyjN_O4/s1600/425336_10150670829625219_634655218_11601125_1064252888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCicgESgDFIZHcaOLorbqcr-YC4lPwhsRh9-GPVW3DGIoZD6givuSLDktp6Qbi_12HCF4TPGBVNR-KdQC6zmG1ziJuTMNXpwBTQ4cg4hhFah4yuqqGxeUiTipvYwnl7UEu7NmmyjN_O4/s320/425336_10150670829625219_634655218_11601125_1064252888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You can't see my profile a great deal in the top two but I can tell there's a difference there. And I also look really gormless/severe haha. Or Mahler and Wagner could be doing that to my face The bottom photo isn't very clear, but probably more of a profile shot going on there.<br />
These changes are probably more noticeable to myself and fellow underbiters.<br />
<strike>I've gotten into the annoying habit of studying other people's jaw lines, which probably means I'm gonna notice these things in myself and others. Self concious much? </strike><br />
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Twas a pretty awesome weekend though, and my parents stayed in Canters at the Holiday Inn ^-^<br />
If you're not bored of photos here's another one of me and my mum ^-^<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpeEi_8sI4QmgdAheSG55M5LqTD5OQXzB_myWeiecIlds5inAZGAydTk9mFSNI7UdRtsa74TGouLvXJlGhs70RdHqa8ySZdKJOzduHTkoji35fL-X0Jm7KfPRrU_MrCaMKzjAMvH4cS8/s1600/SAM_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpeEi_8sI4QmgdAheSG55M5LqTD5OQXzB_myWeiecIlds5inAZGAydTk9mFSNI7UdRtsa74TGouLvXJlGhs70RdHqa8ySZdKJOzduHTkoji35fL-X0Jm7KfPRrU_MrCaMKzjAMvH4cS8/s320/SAM_0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Countless people have said we look so alike. Which makes me wonder if after the surgery we'll look so alike it's scary? Interesting fact though - my gran (my mum's mum) also has an underbite. Apparently it can be genetic, this whole malloclusion malarkey. <br />
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I was starting to get fed up with hospitals but I'm quite looking forward to this visit. I'm inbetween hospitals haha. I'm being treated at Kent & Canterbury for something not at all jaw related, (an impressive TWENTY FIVE cysts, yikes!) so going in for scans and consultations there and shedding my precious student loan to get to the Lister is fairly annoying. Such is life, apparently more complex than it needs to be. However we shall see what this hospital appointment brings, apart from renewed obssessive pasta and soup consumption!<br />
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Hope everyone elses treatments are going well (:<br />
B x <br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-37306221118683379792012-01-14T00:26:00.000+00:002012-01-14T00:28:03.287+00:00Results already!? :D:DOh my days.<br />
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Ok so I've only just fully appreciated the amount of time day surgery took with eight extractions and all.<br />
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(Waiting lists, pre-assesment, recovering, healing yadayadayada)<br />
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I've had my top brace on for 12 weeks (tightened twice) and my bottom brace on for 6 weeks (tightened once)<br />
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12 weeks of orthodontics... and LOOK :D:D:D <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5A5RPDAK4mq8wWH0gOPkU_ILwIRHh87LKzKOkP1QwoPbdaNM16eKFMHmIz1KaQ82rOJnoDM2Okcq91ZnRrdanGD6FzLfVRONY-TbQHwfG9ilxi-6yQio7PAg_tNDyJC-Bm1PIzvNQl4/s1600/12+weeks+ortho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5A5RPDAK4mq8wWH0gOPkU_ILwIRHh87LKzKOkP1QwoPbdaNM16eKFMHmIz1KaQ82rOJnoDM2Okcq91ZnRrdanGD6FzLfVRONY-TbQHwfG9ilxi-6yQio7PAg_tNDyJC-Bm1PIzvNQl4/s640/12+weeks+ortho.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />
Septermber 2010 (Fresher) January 2012 ^^ new camera for Chirstmas!</td></tr>
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I'm actually so happy. I've had nowhere near as much pain as I did when I first got the bottom braces on. I've also been listening to Frank Turner which always makes me smile like a loon XD<br />
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My orthodontist said things have been moving well and it's all looking good. Nothing has been said, but this could mean my orthognathic surgery could be sooner that I've always thought. It's always seemed eons into the future. Now it feels like it's actually gonna happen. <br />
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:D:D:D:D:D:D <br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-81695111167304392522011-12-13T23:54:00.000+00:002011-12-13T23:54:10.737+00:00Sucking lemons you say?Hi all!<br />
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Oh my days the pain has GONE! :D Seems pretty trivial looking back at it, but it seems that anything concerning physical pain seems that way, in the same kinda sense with my day surgery back in Febuary. It took a little over a week before I could eat without wanting to scream at my food. Also my jaw has unlocked, something else which was very annoying that I forgot to mention in my last post (sorry!)<br />
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It's now been a couple of weeks since I got the new addition that is my lower fixed brace fitted, and although my teeth haven't appeared to change that much, I am definitely noticing the drawbacks of the "worsening" profile that goes with this treatment. I know it has to get worse to get better, before surgery happens. Whenever I smile with my mouth closed I reckon it looks like I'm doing some serious lemon sucking or something. However my top teeth are most certainly getting their arses kicked into action, the gaps from the extraction of the 7th and 8th teeth in the tooth stealing journey are closing up nicely, meaning that there's room for everyone else to shuffle along (:<br />
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Also I have no idea what I'd do without those odd interdental toothbrushes. Actual life saver (':<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2srL6DkIMFqCKLPzx89FEEIGuyipyEyM7UK46VD7SXmSVB7gd_cpFLxpJT1wQrjtbUUx6W54qCEw7rSnbpx5FV0izHFWI1yfyOSBQo4PTJQrN_5crdaSIUA8djniOJ6nDKj7DI7MnA/s1600/386359_10150540565110097_634925096_11150230_2132107005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2srL6DkIMFqCKLPzx89FEEIGuyipyEyM7UK46VD7SXmSVB7gd_cpFLxpJT1wQrjtbUUx6W54qCEw7rSnbpx5FV0izHFWI1yfyOSBQo4PTJQrN_5crdaSIUA8djniOJ6nDKj7DI7MnA/s320/386359_10150540565110097_634925096_11150230_2132107005_n.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Successful chicken capture (meet Wilma ^-^) and lemon sucking galore!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now back for Christmas from uni. I don't keep chickens in Canterbury haha, although that would be really quite awesome ^-^ Gah they're so cute! :3Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1081241498681241628.post-20033203068052096702011-12-02T00:59:00.001+00:002011-12-02T01:01:10.286+00:00Hello there, nice to have your aquaintance. Now to live with you for the next two and a half years... :PWell what to say? Things have finally started to happen (:<br />
So have an uber fun checklist of what's happened so far.<br />
<br />
1. Six molars (including wisdoms) removed under GA<br />
2. Molar bands fixed on lower arch<br />
3. Two more big teeth taken out in the dentists to make more room (eight teeth so far!)<br />
4. Upper molar bands fitted, 2 brackets and a wierd wire covered in plastic to move teeth (I can't have blocks on the front otherwise I'll break them with my bite) D:<br />
5. Lower brace completley fitted, upper wierder brace tightened.<br />
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These things seems to have happened in a pretty random order, I never know what to expect when I visit the orthodontist :P I thought I was gonna get my bite disengaged, but that hasn't happened. I am quite relieved by this fact :D<br />
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All I can say now is that I have never been so angry at cereal in my life. Yes my bran flakes were mocking me this morning. Time wise it took me half an hour to eat them, and a whole 5 mintues to eat a malted milk. <br />
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Paracetamol is also a god send. I honestly wanted to rip my face off yesterday, I think I underestimated the pain of first getting used to fixed braces XD<br />
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Now a picture to demonstrate the wierdness that is my top brace (completley fixed) and my more conventional, newer lower brace.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv4IImrVAkSIn_jN3sMtU_cJ6M1WS-tGvElp6sQAGeNtL2sqWEN5SzI89QQLIHlQcPIbarSos1QRiShwSoBBuaiseFJkyFqulIj9HEV7HGdy0MM3mARhp9d4vX1AakbeTrV98A-ZXuZE/s1600/101_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv4IImrVAkSIn_jN3sMtU_cJ6M1WS-tGvElp6sQAGeNtL2sqWEN5SzI89QQLIHlQcPIbarSos1QRiShwSoBBuaiseFJkyFqulIj9HEV7HGdy0MM3mARhp9d4vX1AakbeTrV98A-ZXuZE/s320/101_1850.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look odd but meh (:</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
On a different, unrelated note, I can't believe how fast time has gone! Now coming to the end of my first term of my second year of uni, which I have really really enjoyed. I have a house instead of halls, I've chosen the modules I want to study and enjoy, doing really well with violin (which is a good thing to hear from Carmel I guess) and generally getting on well with life.<br />
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And then Christmas I guess? Gives me a while to break in my braces before the ultimate test that is Christmas dinner :P:PBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729135828173891666noreply@blogger.com0