It Begins...

I'm a terrible writer and a worse blogger, so please don't expect erudite or amusing posts.  Mainly, this a place for friends and family to check in for updates on how I'm doing post-op.  That being said, here's a little background.

For the past 5+/- years, I've been trying to fight my TMJ disorder using appliance therapy.  About 2 years ago, it was decided that my condition was just too far gone and I would have to have surgery.  After more MRIs and CTs of my joints it was concluded that I should have bilateral jaw joint replacements with custom prosthesis from TMJ Concepts.

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I'll also be having my upper jaw relocated in a surgery related to a Lefort 1 Osteotomy.

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(**Warning: Do NOT Google this unless you are prepared to see some pretty graphic photos.  You have been warned.)

For those that care, I'm currently at a 15mm (.6in) opening and no measurable side movement (average is considered to be 50mm).  The discs in both jaw joints are dislocated and fused, joints are disintegrated and show signs of arthritis and bone spurs.  I am currently unable to eat anything harder than overcooked pasta and subsist mostly on yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and anything that can be swallowed without chewing.  I use an infant toothbrush because I can't get an adult toothbrush in my mouth anymore. I have constant pain in my face and neck.  This is why I'm willing to risk this surgery.

I do want to acknowledge the wonderful care that I have gotten and will continue to get from the members of my "jaw care team".

Dr Duane Keller and his staff.  If you have headaches, jaw noise or pain, dizziness etc., please consider contacting him.  If there is help to be had, he'll find it.

Shawn Everson, physical therapist extraordinare.  I truly think he's done more for my pain relief and got me further along then any other member of my team. (Sorry, guys.)  If you need a PT for any reason, please consider Shawn.  You won't regret it.

Dr Reza Movahed, my surgeon.  I'll admit that we haven't gotten to the surgery part yet but up to this point, he's been everything I could ask for in a surgeon.  He's knowledgeable, caring, and has way more energy than any one body should contain.  And his staff have been incredible, too.  (Hi, Jona!)

I should also mention that my TMJ journey started with Dr Gary Wiele.  He was also a very good doctor with the TMJ disorders.  When he decided he couldn't do anything else with my jaw, he recommended me to Dr Keller for a second opinion and possible other treatments.  I am eternally grateful for that.

I'm about 36 hours from surgery now and have transitioned from "Yay,I'm going to get this fixed!" to "Oh sh1t, oh sh1t, oh sh1t!!!"  But that's to be expected, I suppose.  So if this post is disjointed and makes little sense, that's why.  After that, I'm going to blame it on the pain meds.

Thanks for checking in on me.  Check back for updates in the future!