Full circle, I think

Let me take you back two years ago. It was a Sunday and we (my mom, sis and I) were playing host to a baby shower at our house in Ohio. The weeks leading up to this I had complained about jaw pain, but the dentist said it was "nothing to worry about" Ha, how I wish I could tell him my story now!

Most everything was ready for the shower and Jen and I took a quick trip to Target for last minute things, and more importantly for the $2 hot dog combo. If you don't know about this treat, tap in now. Its 2 bucks for a hot dog and drink, and its splendid. Just not that day..

The short story is this. I got my dog, we got in the car and starting chowing. Something in that process went wrong and I seriously injured my jaw. To the point were it was obvious as I was eating. Ever had that moment where you think...'not supposed to bend that way...or that noise isn't normal' Yea, that was me. Everything about it felt wrong and worse, painful!

The result of that mighty hot dog was I needed to have surgery, asap. Greaaaat. Two days before Christmas and four days before I load my car to move to Alabama. What timing.

I was advised to do surgery right when I got to Tuscaloosa, so I could be monitor if any further problem. So I waited and moved. On Jan 2, my first official day in town, I searched for a surgeon. To get to him I had to be referred, so I searched for a dentist. It was quite the process.

I had all that in place but wasn't aware of a change in insurance and how that would delay things even more. Like to Feb 14. Yea, I waited until Valentines Day to have surgery. It was a living nightmare. My first two months in a new town and I'm eating things through a straw and waiting for surgery.

Much could be said about what's happened between the two years. I've had two surgeries, three different splints (mouth piece that I was supposed to wear all the time. One that hung around my neck, how embarrassing. The others weren't much better as I could hardly speak and be understood.) and braces. The braces have been to prep me for the next surgery. The one I've been dreading...

Ironically yesterday all the pieces came together. Its taken 2 months to have the surgery approved by insurance (know that its taking great control for me to go off on how frustrated I am with insurance!!) The needed pieces of the puzzle were messy to say the least, but as of yesterday I have a date! How funny that it comes one day before this whole nightmare started two years ago.

So whats next? I will go through a few moldings and consultations to prep me, final ortho appointments (before surgery) and then the grand surgery. Jan 27 is the date set.

This whole process has nearly come full circle. From the time of that hot dog to the surgeries til now, I'm close to being done with this!! I think at least. I hope to be able to write in a few weeks that I'm on my way to recovery and doing well, with this whole thing behind me.

I'll keep you posted. Blessings