The time has come. The time is now.

[nullalux]

So. Tomorrow, we sally forth to Oakland Kaiser, where I have a date with bone saws and destiny. We met with my new surgeon again on Monday, and Dr. P― is confident that this time the procedure (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, or BSSO) will be successful (almost too confident, but then, he is a rockstar in his field; I have high hopes that he'll add the bionic upgrades I've drawn up).

Below is my latest cephalometric radiograph. When compared with the one from June 2008, you can see that the bone graft in my chin has filled in nicely. Dr. P― does BSSOs a bit differently from my last surgeon; I'll have snazzy titanium plates screwed to my mandible, and my jaw will be wired closed with a splint between my teeth for ten days. Mmm, broth.



Many thanks for all the well-wishes. tutordennis and shoutingboy will be with me at the hospital, and they have friends and family scheduled for visits when I return home. tutordennis will also be Twittering from my phone with tomorrow's post-surgery update. I'm in good spirits, and anticipate a fairly smooth recovery. I'll be able to return to work in four weeks, and will have the brackets removed in six months (scheduled for mid-July). Catch you on the flip side!

Nota Bene: All of my entries tagged 'jaw' can be found here.

Comments

[scazon.livejournal.com]

My sincerest best wishes. בשעה טובה ורפואה שלמה. (-:

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

I think that may be the most lovely portrait of you I have seen yet. That radiograph is beautiful.

[chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com]

Don't the cephalometrics have a ghostly sort of charm? My original's gotten over 2K hits on Flickr.

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

I just adore it.

[owlacrobat.livejournal.com]

best wishes emily!

[vonslatt.livejournal.com]

Best of luck Emily!

[tsgeisel.livejournal.com]

Bon chance!

[alanna-cooper.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to you for a successful surgery and timely recovery! You seemed quite cheerful and brave about it the other day and I hope that's still so.

[dicedork.livejournal.com]

Did you go for the minigun or tiny cruise missile option?

Also, best blessings.

[mercede02.livejournal.com]

Good luck to you, my dear. I'd wish luck to the surgeon, but he probably doesn't need it. ;)

Recover quickly!

-K

[edge-of-within.livejournal.com]

You finally come to my city - and it's to get some bone saw action?!
I would like to file a dispute.

[juverna.livejournal.com]

I spent too many years in theater for my instinctive response to be anything other than "Break a leg!" Srsly though, I hope it goes well. Did we already have the conversation wherein I mentioned that that same office is where I had my ortho surgery done?? (I think I discussed this with shoutingboy but not with you.) My surgeon was Dr. O'R___, who I think isn't there any more, but at the time it was her and your Dr. P___ in that office. Anyway, I'm sure it will go smashingly. ...See that, another bad turn of phrase. Oh well. Warm wishes and we'll see you when you're, umm, alert. Gentle hugs!

"Break a jaw" doesn't sound much better...

[chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com]

Dr. O'R― will be assisting Dr. P― during my surgery! She was even in the hilarious video they showed us in the pre-surgery seminar:

"So, Jimmy, your orthognathic surgery is tomorrow. How do you feel about that?"

"I'm looking forward to it, Doctor! But I was wondering what exactly is going to happen."

"Well, Jimmy, I'm glad you asked..."

Re: "Break a jaw" doesn't sound much better...

[juverna.livejournal.com]

Ha! That does sound hilarious! See, when I had mine (lo these 9.5 years ago), they didn't have the informative video. That sounds like a step in the right direction. Anyway, Dr. O'R___ is *spectacular*, so the next time you see her when you're also capable of clear speech, please give her my very best. That woman intimidates the hell out of me. She's this tiny little person, right?? And she gets up in the morning and drives to work and does this incredibly exacting job in this freezing cold room starting at, like, six in the morning. I mentioned this to her one time, and asked her how she did it. Her response: "I do a lot of yoga." Anyway, it's great to know she's still there. I want to be reincarnated as her, next time around.

I should probably post this stuff in my *own* LJ, shouldn't I? Huh.

[goldenmean.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Probably best to save the Guy Maddin for when you're off painkillers. Though it might enhance the experience... Tough call.

"My feelings are like filthy prayers."

[chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com]

Actually, I can probably eschew the narcotics entirely for an IV of Dr. Caligari. I've got an EKG you can dance to―everybody limbo!

After all, if it's not cruel, it's not pure.

[mykeamend.livejournal.com]

Good luck Emily.

I will patiently wait through all the "mmmphhhppph!" and "blgtmmmrrrpphs" on Twitter, logging your recovery process into my personal notes, for science.

[as2.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to catching you on the other side. I hope all goes well. Glad tutordennis will be Twittering on your behalf.

[densaer.livejournal.com]

best wishes and good luck.

[slurketta.livejournal.com]

best of luck! Hope it goes beautifully and your new robot jaw can grind diamonds! Will keep an eye for the twitter updates xox

[shannybug.livejournal.com]

May everything go smoothly for you Dear.

[dicedork.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to believe Johanna that everyone really does know everyone else in the Bay Area, that there are only actually about 3k people, and the rest are extras weaving in and out. ;-)

[bromius.livejournal.com]

My best wishes for the speediest of recoveries!

[gomijacogeo.livejournal.com]

From karaoke to reality in under a week! :-)

I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well

Good luck!

[girlpurple.livejournal.com]

Buena suerte! And best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[hybridartifacts.livejournal.com]

I shall be thinking of you! I hope it all goes well and the recovery is a welcome chance to slow down for a little rather than a (literal) pain.

[ice-queen82.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for the procedure and a quick recovery!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I'll be thinking of you!

[danea.livejournal.com]

Good luck! Will be thinking of you in the midst of it, and in the recovery period.

[iterum.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for success and a quick recovery!

[sinmix.livejournal.com]

good luck and may you heal quickly!