Bike Accident :-(

[Crankin]

I am so sorry, Emily, but at least you know what the treatment will be. Don't give up...
I can't speak to the jaw wiring part, but I had Invisalign braces from 2005-7. Yes, I had regular braces as a kid, but what they don't tell you, is that unless you wear a retainer forever, your mouth shifts back. I still wear the Invisalign retainer 3 times a week. The process was pretty non-invasive and moved much more quickly than anticipated.
Keep us posted.

[Catrin]

Oh my Emily, I am so sorry to read your news. I've never had braces, or my jaw wired shut so I can't offer words there. I am very glad they found the cause, and may things go more smoothly now than they have been. Do keep us posted!

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[emily_in_nc]

I am so sorry, Emily, but at least you know what the treatment will be. Don't give up...
I can't speak to the jaw wiring part, but I had Invisalign braces from 2005-7. Yes, I had regular braces as a kid, but what they don't tell you, is that unless you wear a retainer forever, your mouth shifts back. I still wear the Invisalign retainer 3 times a week. The process was pretty non-invasive and moved much more quickly than anticipated.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I too had braces as a child (the ugly metal full-band ones that were most common back then), and although my teeth were gorgeously straight when they first came off, as a 9th grader I wasn't diligent about the retainer, so yes, mine also slipped back some, although they were still far better than pre-braces. If I end up getting the Invisalign, I may end up with teeth as straight as back in 9th grade. I would be more diligent about wearing them now, too!

I have read several sites/blogs from people who have had their jaw wired, so have a pretty good idea what to expect. Liquid diet, check; discomfort, check; but joy when it gets taken off: double check! We will probably need to get a Nutribullet for making smoothies, a waterpic so I can clean my teeth, and lots of liquidy stuff. Milkshakes for sure. Most people lose weight when they're wired, so that makes milkshake an allowable pleasure! I already miss crunchy foods, though, as I've been on soft foods only since my accident (April 21).

[north woods gal]

As with everyone else, sorry to hear that it's going to take longer to heal, Emily, but you'll get there.

[Helene2013]

Wow. Hoping that the whole thing will be behind you sooner than later. Talk about a nasty result of a fall. blah.

[azfiddle]

Hang in there Emily. Glad you finally got the full picture and have a path forward.

[emily_in_nc]

Here's the latest post-accident and now post-surgery update:

http://travelingtwosome.weebly.com/t...nt-jaw-surgery

Hope no one here ever has to go through this. It has not been a walk in the park, but hopefully the worst is behind me now...

[ny biker]

Thanks for posting -- I was wondering how things were going. I too hope the worst is behind you!

[Crankin]

Sounds like things are going according to plan, Emily. I know it's a pain to wait, but keeping your nutrition up is really important. I am a firm believer in using food for healing from surgery.
I haven't had much surgery, but when I was pregnant with my younger son, I was on "house arrest" for the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy. The meds they put me on to stop premature labor made me lose weight, not something you want to do when you are 8 months pregnant. I bought a special cookbook and my mom spent most of her time with me, cooking high protein meals. I continued to eat these meals after delivery, to keep my strength up and heal, while at the same time taking care of 2 kids under 3 years old.
I always use the analogy that surgery is like your body getting hit by a truck. You need to rest and feed it more than you think.

[emily_in_nc]

Totally agree, Crankin! I am getting lots of protein and have only lost 1 lb. so far, not bad under the circumstances. I am taking it easy and resting much more than usual as well. Good thing I like to read! Even walking isn't comfortable as it makes my lower face move up and down a bit, where I still have a lot of sensitivity from the lower jaw fracture, so I am only taking short, slower walks. It's a shame as I know my fitness level has gone way down, but I've been in the position of having to come back from illness or injury before and know I have it in me to do it again.

And this guy is my new hero: after a triple-fractured jaw and leg fracture as well in 2014, he placed 7th in the RAAM in 2015 and is doing it again this year! He's a lot younger than me, but still very inspiring!
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/in...oke_his_j.html

[Pax]

Really good to read your update, Emily, so glad you're in the healing phase now!

Are you having any green smoothies? I love those, loads and loads of veggies and full of flavor, yum!

[Crankin]

Interesting article about that guy, and I agree with his attitude.

[emily_in_nc]

Really good to read your update, Emily, so glad you're in the healing phase now!

Are you having any green smoothies? I love those, loads and loads of veggies and full of flavor, yum!

Yes, sure am. Also green soups in the blender. I feel like Popeye!

[Pax]

Yes, sure am. Also green soups in the blender. I feel like Popeye!

LOL!!!

I make one that is so savory, just love it, it's got cilantro-onion-spinach-kale-lime juice-carrots-celery-green pepper-tomato. I add chia and flax to it as well. YUM!!

[emily_in_nc]

LOL!!!

I make one that is so savory, just love it, it's got cilantro-onion-spinach-kale-lime juice-carrots-celery-green pepper-tomato. I add chia and flax to it as well. YUM!!

That sounds good, Pax! I have to be careful as I have to end up with something totally smooth so the little bits don't get stuck in my wires and between my teeth, since I can only brush the fronts, and not very well. And our blender isn't super high-powered, so I'm doing stuff like starting with Bolthouse carrot juice (yummy), adding spicy V-8, raw spinach, and plain Greek yogurt, which is all easier to grind up than a lot of raw veggies. When we used to have a Vitamix, I could do things like your recipe.