D-day

Had an appointment with the OS and Ortho yesterday. A joint-clinic they call it. Was asked to turn my face to the left, to the right, squint, smile, frown, bare my lips, (the squint,smile, frown was to see the effect of the palsy i think). Palsy still there. Will always be there.
Today is the last day for me to wear these braces.
Tomorrow I will be debanded.
Tomorrow morning debanded, afternoon I'll be getting the retainers.
A new chapter will start. Of getting acquainted with the retainers.
I asked for pictures from the OS. The before and after pics.
Goodbye braces, hello retainers..

Ding dong bell

On the 8th of May last year, I had my jaw surgery. Since then it has been a slow struggle to manage the effects of the surgery. I wish I could say it has been so much fun because underlying all the improvements I had on my bite and the progress on my teeth, is the fact that I will live with Bell's palsy.
I have only begun to understand the difficulties of having this disease. I can allow myself to be grateful for now that what i have is partial palsy. I can close my left eye fully but still with a noticeable 'winking' effort.
I underwent a plate removal surgery last month which left my lower lip askewed to the right. Seems the nerves around the lower lip has been rendered weak. The attending doc whom I had a meeting with was not very convincing about the recovery of the lip motion. I could have hit him with the tray with all of the dental equipment in it. Sigh..
Yes. Frustration is in.
Even the news that I will be debanded next month isn't so sweet. But yes, I shall muster all the strength and will I have to stay positive.
22nd June, joint-clinic with the Ortho and OR. 24th June, deband.

Another surgery..

Went to the hospital yesterday to do a blood test. Will be admitted tomorrow afternoon... sigh... felt depressed just thinking of the whole thing. I dread the thought of another surgery (to remove the offending metal-plate)..a surgery which I shouldn't have to go through in the first place. Not dreading the pain, but the discomfort of being sick. I am almost..almost out of patience.. it's been too long. I think I need to just get it over with and have the braces taken out.

So, I'm having my joint-clinic meet tomorrow at the hospital tomorrow at 2.45pm(says so on the appointment card). The lower left quadrant (Ooo quadrant..) of my jaw is still numb with minimal sensation. I do feel some light feathery feeling when I brush my finger to test the sensation.
My left eye is still squinting like a half-hearted wink.
I do hope I'll get a date soon for debracing. Got the next phase to go through..wearing the retainers.

welly welly welly..

Met with Dr.Fatimah. She was pleased with the effects of the elastic bands. She did some scaling on the back of the front lower teeth..after I complained that I have noticed the gums' receding..my teeth look a bit longer than how they looked ( i was comparing pictures that i took while in the early process of braces).
So, i'm going to have a joint-clinic with my OS next month at Queen ELizabeth Hospital. Dr. Fatimah said to lay off using the elastics..just to see if the teeth have stabilized their positions. After the joint-clinic, then she'll see me for the last time before de-banding.Hopefully.
Gosh..it has been more than 4 years! 4 long years.. and in a few more months, I'll be trading in these braces for retainers.
sigh.. i also requested for a copy of my before and after pics that the hosp is keeping. The doc said she'll look into it.

January 2009
January 2010 (8 months after surgery)

eye-sore

Some remnants of cough is still around..
Been having this cough for about one month now..
Have seen the physiotherapist again..
gone on infra-red treatment..
asked to do the soft-tissue massage thingy..
i'm getting the hang of the news... bell's palsy
my left eye n eyebrow are the two things most evidently different..
i yawn.. my left eye closes..
i raised my eyebrows.. the left one does not rise as much
i tightly close my mouth..the left eye close in unison...
sigh...
more than 8 months have passed..