I am sorry my last post sounded melodramatic. Too much time spent obsessing over all things orthodontic, I guess. There are a thousands of things to be thankful for, and many more aspects of living that make me smile...sometimes I forget to share the lighter side of my life.
My 2 1/2 year old firecracker suggested we pull out our crayons this morning. Who knew coloring could cheer me up?
7 comments:
You didn't sound too melodramatic at all.....Just putting voice to the incredible frustrations that tend to accompany the numerous decisions that have to be made along the way. They're very REAL frustrations.
You have to think of all the little things and how they fit into the big picture of your life~a 3 (or 4 or 5...)dimensional approach. Doctors tend to only approach from one angle that purely revolves around the mechanics of getting from point A to B. Not a very friendly or personal approach to 'doing business', and It would be nice if they'd remember this is all new to you and the repercussions on your life are SOOO far reaching into all areas (NOT just one day on the Operating table). I'm rambling.....My point is this is reality for YOU which makes your concerns 100% valid. Period. :)
(Them talking about as if you're not even there, while you most certainly are.....I'd a been , "Um, heLLO! I'm right HERE!!")
It's hard to see ourselves through someone else's mirror. I feel for your discomfort on the realization lip incompetence over-compensation (mouthful!). I remember my surgeon putting the hand mirror in front of me and telling me to smile; to tell him what was wrong with my smile. He got a big ole " I don't WANT to!....Please...Don't make me."
1. I worked really hard on NOT making this decision about aesthetics and don't spend alot of time looking in the mirror at home, 'cause deep down I know it bugs me and this makes me feel shallow on some level. The reality~ If they get our bites bang on and we still look like Quasimodo, we're not going to be happy. It's not a shortcoming to want it to look better too.
2.Then I have to force myself to see what everybody else sees, and I want them to see fun, caring, kindness.....NOT my mouth. I'd put money on, irregardless of how my smile is, people DO see character traits. It doesn't make the excersize any less uncomfortable.
I am SO sorry I wrote a book on your page =O
Keep it up. Eventually everything WILL fall into place and looking back, hopefully there will be an AH! That's why it happenned this way, moment:)
Happy colouring :)
Adorable. =) Great job colouring.
No need to apologize about your last post. In fact, I was going to write you a comment, commending you on your amazing ability to write down exactly what you're feeling, no holds barred.
I'm not sure if I have ever felt so close to a blog entry in my entire life. I was reading things in your post that I probably have a hard time even admitting to MYSELF, let alone writing it down in my blog for all to see. (I've struggled with so many of the same issues). You are very brave and I am so glad that you are here telling your story. =)
I feel the same way as Holly (Holski). You put it out there, how many of us feel. Kuddo's to you for that!
I was very lucky (sort of), my Ortho tends to work with the same OS all the time. So, he referred me and that's who I went with.
If I could offer anything, I would go with the one that puts you most at ease. I'm sure they are all well qualified but, which one makes you feel like they really care about YOU? That's important! Just recently, I felt like my OS forgot how much this was all affecting my life. It wasn't until I broke down and cried did he realize how much stress this was all bringing me. I feel my whole life has been put on hold and arranged around everything orthodontic.
Keep your chin up and know that we are all in this together. I wonder sometimes if we will ever meet any of these wonderful people that have made such an impact on our lives. We have such a great support system here! I am so grateful to be a part of it!
Good luck with your decision!
I came to say that your bunny is adorable! I wish I had little tots to color with.
...and then I read everyone else's comments. I have to agree w/ them.
Katherine's right, it's tough to get around that shallow feeling when you want to look better while fixing real problems. I struggled w/ that and kinda fought my doctors about a genioplasty in a subversive way, defending my chin. I wanted them to know that I was doing all this treatment so I can feel "normal" again.
Holly and Michelle are spot-on. The doctors, no matter how sensitive and caring, forgets that while it's their profession and a task to be preformed to them, we deal w/ the stresses and fears of the possibilities that lurk in the future, at our decision and their opinions. They have to be reminded to be gentle when their concern comes out too cold and harsh.
After several insurance denials and then rescheduling of my surgery...it all took about 5 months before the actual date...I wrote a couple emotive e-mails to my doctor about how incomplete and incompetent I feel as a social being b/c of my private issues. And it's tough to admit that these problems make me feel weird.
When they first showed me computer-generated pictures of projected profile results, I told them I couldn't tell the difference between my "before" and possible "after" profiles. I was that proud. But I see now, even after the BSSO and the LeFort 1, my chin is slightly receded, but the profile is so much better. I look different, and it might be the swelling, but I can't say I'm totally unhappy w/ my new changes. I liked my old face, but this one works better.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sorry for being so long-winded. I empathize w/ you totally.
Katherine,
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate reading your experiences on your blog. I have an 18 year old DD who is just starting on this journey. It is pretty scarey but it helps so much to hear the experiences of others.
I just wanted to tell how much I appreciate your sharing this experience on your blog. I have an 18 year old DD which is starting this process. I am pretty scared, but reading your stories has helped so much. I don't have a blog, but maybe I'll try to figure out how to do this.
Sorry for duplicate post. I am still learning how this works.
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