A Long Awaited Update

Although, unlike the title suggests. There isn't much to update on..

Only, the pain is worse.
Movement is minimal.
Swelling, not so bad on most days. Luckily I'm quite skinny & small framed I can get away with most swelling.

Pretty much living on a soft diet now days, pastas, pastas, and more pastas. Sometimes I will treat myself to some sausages, or some crisps (that I have to suck until they are squishy before attempting to chew them).

I have been going through the public waiting list, waiting for my next appointment with the surgeon at the hospital. I was told it would be around 12 months until my next appointment, however it has been well over that time.

With my condition getting worse, and my patience waiting thin. I'm taking things into my own hands, and getting (another) referral, either from my GP or dentist. We'll see how things go, hopefully having more luck this time.


Sorry I hadn't updated for awhile guys, as nothing has been happening in regards to medical treatment or diagnostics, i felt it rather useless updating, with no updates.


Thank you for the support everyone. I can't believe how many page views I've received! :)

Not what I was expecting..

Today after waiting over three hours for my consultation with the surgeon, I have been informed that they will not preform the surgery. 

According to the Surgeon I have TMJ (which I knew) and arthritis in my jaw joints.. this could be from either falling over from when I was younger (trauma), or Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Either way, surgery will only aggravate the the joints and make thing worse with both TMJ and my arthritis.. Cool.. 

I was really hoping that I'd go in there, be accepted for surgery, have the surgery, then I'd be fine for the rest of my life.. But no, instead I'm stuck with arthritis forever. I will be able to have a jaw replacement sometime down the line, but not for awhile as I'm only 20 years old..

However, on a sort of good note? I have been given a rule list to follow, this is to try and lessen the pain and discomfort that I currently have, and to try to slow down the effects of the arthritis. 

The first few are general things that I already do, regular panadol, brufen, hot packs etc. I will be required to get myself a splint, and if symptoms don't improve I will be required to undergo botox in the muscles around my joints.. This wont paralyse the muscles, but will stop them from having full strength.. Stopping me from being able to chew so hard, and to try and stop my clenching and grinding whenever I'm not conscious of it.. 

I'm really struggling to see the bright side :\ 

Sore back..

I was booked in for a consultation with the surgeon this morning at 10.15am. It is now 12.45pm and I'm still waiting in the waiting area. It's been two and a half hours! My back is hurting from sitting in these chairs ):

These hospitals really love playing the waiting game.

I am one very unimpressed patient ):

18 hour count down!

Not sure if anyone's noticed, but I've changed the layout of my blog. Thought I'd try something new :) Do you like it?

It's now currently 4.45pm, that means it's around 17 and a half hours until I see the surgeon, I've rounded up to say 18, sounds better than adding in a half lol.

I've not been letting myself get to excited about this appointment as last time it got rescheduled and it was a major letdown. But I've decided as it's the day/night before, and it hasn't yet been cancelled, I can officially start getting SUPER EXCITED! I'm not sure what to expect when I'm there? I've no idea what they are going to suggest or do or.. uhhhhhhhh.. :)

Excitement levels = through the roof!!

Uh oh, more waiting..

So after getting extremely excited because tomorrow I was meant to see the surgeon, I got a phone call this morning saying that he was going on holidays. ARGH! I've been rescheduled to the 6th February. Sad face!!! ):

I don't understand why I found out today, or why I was scheduled in if he was going away anyway? Surely they wouldn't sign the paper work for leave the day before? So unorganised, so frustrating. ):

Counting down the days/hours

It's now 2:00am and I'm chilling on my couch after finishing a 5pm-12am shift for stocktake. I wouldn't mind but stocktake is sooo boring! ):
So anyway, I'm sitting here thinking about my first appointment with my surgeon.. It's only a day away if you count yesterday (Monday) as today (Tuesday) being 2 in the morning, If you get what I mean :)

Or, 33 hours away! Wowzers!

I don't know what to expect. I know I need the surgery, however if they don't accept it on the public health system, I won't be getting it. Unfortunately I don't have a spare 50 odd thousand dollars..
I have so many things running through my brain, what do I ask? What can I expect them to look at? What procedure will they determined will be best? Recovery time? bands or wire? what will i look like afterwards? Soooo many questions!

I don't think I'm nervous just yet, just very excited :D

Happy New Year

Sorry I haven't had any updates lately, I went on holidays after Christmas.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Anyway, back to the point. 

I received a letter in the mail for an 'offer of appointment'. I've finally found the right number. The number the orthodontist gave me was correct, but can only be reached through the hospital themselves, so I had to ring up through the switch board & get transferred a few times. Anyway, I've accepted my appointment time & will be getting assessed by a surgeon soon, YAY :)

I will be getting braces hopefully by the end of January/start of February (as soon as the surgeon has had his two cents worth).