First Post Op Appt... Day 8

So today I saw my surgeon for the first time! The intake nurse said my swelling was minimal and that compared to other patients I look great. HUH!?!?! My HH said "See?! I told you!" I was shocked. The surgeon immediately pulled out the tool to cut off my wires and I was SO excited. And a little scared too. He was not gentle with my mouth which was surprising. I, on the other hand, feel like it can fall apart if you stand too close. He announced that I was not doing a good job on hygiene (you try being clean with wires, braces and a tube that shoots milky shakes all over your mouth!) and told me to brush my teeth. It was scary but also SUCH a relief! I can't really open my mouth more than about a finger's width cause it hurts in the joints. I think it's due to the splint but I'm not sure. I got another nice surprise when my surgeon announced that my splint will have to be in for 4 weeks instead of 3 because my orthodontist will be on vacation..... REALLY?! Nice. Argh. He was very pleased with how straight and symmetrical my face and my bite are and kept mentioning how happy he was with the outcome while asking if I can see the difference (I can, but I'm fixated on my swollen face). When we took an x-ray I got to see the 6 metal plates that are in my mouth. Yes SIX, not to mention numerous screws. It was kinda cool. Apparently I will be setting off metal detectors, which will be fun hahaha. My HH and BB were excited to be able to hear my voice again which was sweet. I had a hilarious lisp but that's ok. Sooooo, now I am rubber banded shut instead of wired and I can take them off (in fact I need to twice a day) to eat (drink really) and brush. I was excited about that....until I got home and tried to do it. It is SO HARD. And it hurts. What was he thinking!? At least every week/appointment means a reduction in rubber bands though so that's something to look forward to.
One of my teeth has a receding gum line, apparently a possible side effect of surgery. I will have to pay to surgically correct that after my braces come off.....yaaaaay. More surgery, more money, woo-hoo....
He prescribed an antibiotic mouthwash to ensure it doesn't get infected and I got another treat when I picked it up at the pharmacy counter. I handed the lady my Kaiser card and I.D. and she says, with pity in her voice, "Oh you poor thing you look nothing like your picture. Did you have a wisdom tooth taken out?" I opened my lips to show her that no, my jaw was chopped up into pieces, re-bolted and was now immobile and she said "oh!" and went about her work. People can be so dumb, but I didn't let her get to me. It was kinda fun to shock her.

Braces + splint + rubber bands = ouch (sorry if this scares you)

All in all I still have to say it was an exciting day. Progress is progress and I can't believe how fast this week has gone by. Thank GOD for my HH. Poor guy had to listen to me scream "this is so stupid!!" while I tried to replace the rubber bands (it actually sounded more like "ish mish toe stushid!") while our two year old was rubbing a bar of soap all over his hands and hair behind me. Haha. Adventures at our house!
On our way to the appointment I was reading my "verse a day" on my Daily Bible app and it really woke me up for some reason. I've been a little restless and anxious since my surgery, so much so that I can't even relax enough to read a book and remember what I've read (I'm a total book worm). But when I read that verse, everything came back into focus, I felt like myself again and God filled me with hope and grounded me once again. It was Colossians 3:23-24, "whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance". It just put into perspective that my recovery from this surgery, that God in His grace brought me through, is an act of service as well. It made me realize that managing my attitude and approach as I encounter the difficulties of recovering can be something that I do as a service to Him. To remain grateful, lean on Him for strength and hope and do all the things that seem too hard, in His power. I just felt so full of all the things I had been lacking this past week: hope that things are getting better, trust that God has a perfect timeline, and joy for every moment that I'm here. Emotions come and distract me sometimes but I'm gonna try to keep my eyes fixed on Him. G'night peeps. (I don't know why the font changed here...sorry)