Dear Mom;
I've been slacking on the updates a bit, so I figured it was time to post another one.
10 months! Seems like "forever ago" now...
On the TMJ-front, I'm beginning to realize that it's going to take a bit of time to solve this dilemma. Probably another year (and that's if I'm lucky!) So, in my last bloggie, I mentioned the "guard" that my orthodontist Dr I. crafted for me. It covers my lower teeth and is "built up" in the back to keep me from being able to bite down too far-- which used to create a lot of pressure on my jaw joint.
Unfortunately, this didn't exactly solve the problem because when I sleep on my side, my lower jaw drops down to the side, and over time causes the jaw joint to hurt, pop and snap. So, at my followup appointment, I mentioned this to Dr I. and he had a solution. ...or a "contraption", depending on how you look at it.
He crafted a guard for my upper teeth as well, which is also built up in the back, and has a hook-like metal thing in the front.
Then, he attached a thin wire from side to side on my existing lower guard. The wire from the lower guard hooks on to the top and keeps my lower jaw from dropping down to far when I'm sleeping. Actually, it's brilliant and I really like it. This is what it looks like:
Unfortunately, it's kind of hard to cough, sneeze or yawn, but the lower guard can come off fairly easily by just using the tip of my tongue to push it up from the back of my lower front teeth.
One small drawback is that I still clench my teeth a little bit, but for the most part, I really like this solution.
The whole purpose of this exercise is to wear this "contraption" (only at night) for 3 months in order to stabelize the jaw joints before he puts me in braces. As you recall, this will be the 3rd time for braces for me, but I'm told it will only be for about a year this time. Fingers crossed.
He will need to shift my top teeth forward and my lower teeth back, and pull my molars closer together (using the tension of rubber bands), so that the back teeth meet comfortably.
Right now, only my front teeth meet when I bite down.
Since this mis-alignmentt is the result of a surgical procedure, (and by NO FAULT of Dr KL - My weak-boned upper jaw moving back after the surgery was to blame) we are going to try to get it covered with my medical insurance instead of dental. Dr I said it has been done, but it still might be challenging to get the insurance company "on board", so I might be headed for "Insurance Challenge, Part Deux"! That's okay, I'm up for it (with the help of Super Suzanne, my benefits administrator).
Well, enough about that. Lets talk about Diet Bacon!
So, our "[my company's name]'s Biggest Loser" program started at the beginning of February and my team (I'm the captain) "Diet Bacon", is doing famously well. In fact, at the last weigh-in, we were still in the lead for weight loss, followed closley by my bosses' team, the "Beauty School Dropouts".
However, the team with the best name, the "Deep Fried Cheesy Puffs" aren't doing so well. ahhhh.
Anyway, I have lost 15 pounds in the last 2 months and I reclaimed a belt notch! The program lasts for 1 more month, so if I keep it up I will reach (or come very close to reaching) my goal of 178lbs. Not bad since I started at nearly 200 lbs. I don't even miss the Onion Rings that much any more.
Lastly, I went to see my friend "T" the other day. She had MMA surgery at the beginning of March and she is doing really well. Before that, she had an RDI of 80 (yikes!) and her O2 saturation was in the 70's, (dangerously low) so it's good she finally got taken care of. Dr KL did the surgery and she also thinks he's the best. She's even reported that she's not sleeping upwright in a recliner anymore, but instead sleeping on a regular bed ...for 7 hours straight!Nice!!
Anyway, that's about all the news worth reporting, so I'll close for now.
P.Smitty and I are really looking forward to seeing y'all in July when we come home for my 30th (geez!) class reunion. THAT otta be a hoot!
Who loves you, Mama??
xoxo:
Pinski
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