Surgery # 4

[Guest guest]

Hi All!

I have been a member of this board for a few months now, but will

admit I am a lurker. I'm not sure if I belong on this board but

it's the only support/info board that I seem to somewhat be able to

relate to. My problems began last May when I went for what was to

be a routine third molar (wisdom tooth) extraction. At 35 years

old, never even really knowing I even had wisdom teeth, I trusted my

general dentist when he recommended pulling the lower two. I

scheduled the procedure after my spring semester was finished (yes

I am a college student, a very old college student!), as to not

interfer with my studies. I had heard that removing wisdom teeth

later in life was more difficult and with a longer recovery time. I

never imagined that I would end up where I am today. To get to the

point, the dentist ended up fracturing my jaw during the removal.

For more than three weeks the fracture went undiagnoised. I went

back to him (the original dentist) 3 times in less than 2 weeks

because I had never been so miserable or experienced such chronic

excructiating pain in my life (and I have given birth twice!!!). He

blew me off every time. Never took an x-ray, said I was healing

slow

and sent me home with more pain meds. For more than 3 weeks I was

pretty much incapacitated because of the pain. I went to emergency

rooms, other dentists etc. to find out what was going on. I remember

telling God, I didn't think I could live another day like that,

there was no end in site. Finally I drove more than hour away to

a " teaching " hospital with many specialty clinics. They took a full

pan x ray and found the fracture. I wasn't crazy! Surgery was

scheduled for the following week. They put a small metal plate in

my jaw with only 2 small visible incision holes. Before I even went

back for my post-op appointment I developed an infection in the

bone. More surgery and this time they went in below my chin, placed

a

large metal bar and left me with a 4 inch scar. Over the next 2

months I was hospitalized several times due to infection flare up.

All seemed well for almost 4 months and then I ended up in emergency

surgery where they removed the bar (the screws had loosened and

infection had set in once again) I came out of surgery with my mouth

wired shut for 3 weeks. Also learning that I was facing my fourth

sugary (bone grafting) once they felt the infection was under

control. The surgery will be this coming Weds. I have had plenty

of time to prepare for it, but after going in for my pre-op

appointment today I am really having a hard time. This time I will

be wired shut for 6 weeks minimum. The last time the wires were so

tight, I couldn't even do a milk shake without thinning it out.

I

lived on very thin Lipton, cream of chicken, cup of soup and slim

fast. Please, if anyone could send me recopies/techniques/support

etc., I really need it. Also, as a result of all the surgeries my

bite is really off and my lower lip is distended. It looks like I

have had a stroke! This is the hardest for me. They don't know if

it is something they can ever correct. The joints that would

typically cause this problem are all in tact and it appears to be a

muscle issue. Again, any words of encouragement from those who can

relate would be appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent!

Linnette

Please excuse the any spelling/typos..too busy venting/rambling to

care right now!