Double jaw surgery here I come...
For those of you who don't know me and why I am doing this blog let me tell you a bit about myself. Hi, my name is Heather Sandberg, I like to think I am 21, but unfortunately the big 32 is around the corner. Yay, me. No, despite what you think so far I am not starting this blog to discuss my age and my desire to stay forever young, but rather to share my experience with my upcoming surgery. Not sure which is more painful aging, or having my jaw reset. I will let you know as the months go by.
I am currently scheduled to have double jaw surgery July 16, 2013. I have mixed emotions about it, and thought blogging might help me stay connected to people and hopefully keep me from sinking into a black hole of self pity. I am the type of person who can't stop doing things. So the thought of being stuck at home recovering makes me uneasy. So I am really hoping this blog will give me something to do.
I have had a ton of people ask me why? Why would I elect to have jaw surgery? Well, I have had jaw problems from a very young age. I was told I had TMJ in junior high. I have never been able to bite into a whole apple, or chew steak without my jaw feeling like it's going to fall off. Actually most things are hard to bite into. Hamburgers, tacos...I guess I always tear from the side. What a weirdo. The clicking, popping, neck pain, and migraines have not lessened, but have only become more consistent as I have grown older. I also decided to get braces for the second time last year to straighten up my teeth (kids listen to your orthodontist and wear your retainers), and the Maxillofacial surgeon said now is the time to do it as it turns out you need braces on for the surgery. I also had a little deterioration in my jaw show up in a head scan, so I decided you only live once and I should go for it.
I have been reading and following other people's blogs and found that so helpful. I feel more prepared, and yet more scared. I know what to expect. Both the good, and bad. Yay, for liquid food. Oh wait, that is going to suck after about 2 days.
Shout out to Kate Roysdon for the blog name inspiration, and then a thanks to Kanye West for inspiring her for the blog name. I am just saying if he can have his jaws wired shut and write a song, then so can I. "Through the wire" will be my theme song in July until I come up with my own.
I should mention that I teach piano and voice lessons. I was a music major in college so this surgery is going to be double painful for me. Not being able to sing like I normally do for months after, and the unknown of what the changes to my voice will be, scary! I am assuming and praying that it will be minor changes to my tone, and those changes will be nothing but good changes. I know that moving my lower jaw will expand my airways, and hopefully that will help me breathe better. At least I can play the piano while recovering. That will give me something to do.
Okay, enough rambling. Before the surgery I will post before pictures. So you can all see what my surgeon calls "long face syndrome" or "undefined jaw". I have never been unhappy with my looks, but it's crazy when someone points something out how all the sudden you notice it and think wow, my jaw is undefined. : )
Thanks for reading my rambles. I promise to get better at writing. Don't judge me it has been awhile since I have written anything besides quick emails to clients, so this feels weird.
Enjoy this song...
Through the wire by Kanye West
