So exactly how much blood do they think I'll lose

The other day I got a nifty letter in the mail from Dr. S's office, it has all this info about my appts leading up to the surgery. It also recommends that I take an iron supplement for a month before the surgery. This could very well be a standard procedure since women do tend to have low iron counts, or it could mean I'm going to lose a lot of blood. Losing a lot of blood sounds much more dramatic, though hopefully it isn't true.

I did call my primary care physician regarding the iron because I have hemochromotosis, I absorb too much iron, but my iron levels are on the lower end right now. My doctor said it wouldn't hurt and so I'll be adding some iron to my diet soon.

Wide Open Spaces...

Ok, Dr. F added some spacers in on the top. It wasn't an easy process, it seems I have some very stubborn teeth, they take after me. The little plastic ones wouldn't go in on the right side of my mouth and I got jabbed a couple times on the roof of my mouth with the several attempts. Dr. F ended up putting in a different type of spacer in the right side.

Up next?

First week of February I am getting fitted for bands, I think. I overheard Dr. F talking to the secretary he didn't actually say it to me. Then the Wednesday before my surgery I go for the palate expander, I can't wait! They really do need to make a sarcasm font.

Did I mention that my surgery was approved by my health insurance? It was and I now know I made the right decision regarding that, I'm thankful that something is working out and not stressing me out.

I can't take the drama in my head

Years ago I took the Landmark Forum, part of Landmark Education. The short story is that it's a life improvement class, though that makes it sound really cheesy, it is much more then that. One of the lessons in it is about how your brain and mind are always thinking and talking to you. Too bad they don't tell you how to shut it up. They just tell you that it's stuff your mind makes up.

Well my mind wont stop talking and creating all this drama. I mentioned in my last post that I am considering staying at my parents house right after my surgery, and I'm 99% sure I'll do that, I just don't think I'll be able to handle icing my face that first day. I'm thinking this might end up being a good opportunity to listen to podcasts and cheesy movies I know every line to (but I wont mention any names). Today my Dad mentioned me staying for a couple days, WHAT, put the breaks on, who said a couple days? I was hoping to get out within 24 hours!

I'll have to admit that I personally don't enjoy spending large amounts of time with my parents simply because when they are together they fight non-stop. I can't deal with it... But also there is the whole, I'm sick I want my bed, and my couch and my stuff... I've been completely out of my house for 2 and a half years (mostly out for another 3 years before that.) It's my childhood home, but not my home. I love my little apartment, it's warm and fuzzy and has my stuff in it. That's where I want to be when I'm sick, even when I'm moaning I want my Mommy.

In the end I know I'll figure it out as I go and at some point I'll simply demand to go home, my Dad will comply and my Mom will probably yell at me. But in the meantime why can't I stop the fight in my head about how long I have to stay?

Stuff they don't put in the brochure

First, my wire on the bottom of my braces shifted last weekend so I was back at Dr. F's this week to have it moved back, it seems to be staying place now.

More importantly I was at Dr. S (Oral Surgeon) on Wednesday. The good news - my surgery is approved! The bad news, the stuff they don't say at the first consultation... I'm scheduled for late February. Dr. S went through his whole thing on how he cuts into my gums on the outside side of the teeth at the root line and cuts into the bones to break them - I'm almost adjusting to the concept of this though it's one of those things I think I would rather not know. After the surgery I'll apparently be very swollen and will have to ice my face all day and night and overnight. I'll be in pain for about 3 days, but I'll have pain killers for at night. I'll have to sleep upright the first night. The swelling will last 2-3 weeks and there may be some bruising. I'll start on a liquid diet the first day and then add foods over that next week, but mostly soup, and ice cream types of stuff. Ugh, this was not in the brochure!

I always knew I would be miserable, but this is sounding way worse then I thought. I'm actually considering going to either my parents house or my sisters house that first day and night. But I did place an order with mom for her homemade soup, I'm going to add an order of her apple sauce too. I'll make my own pea soup before hand.