Thanks for Cooperating Teeth!!!

I had what I think was my fifth adjustment today and it was fabulous! They took progress molds last month to see where my teeth/jaws are and I got to see them for the first time today. It was pretty amazing. They work so that the jaws are lined up correctly and show what my teeth would look like if I had the surgery today. Apparently, my teeth moving really quickly and it already looks a zillion times better in the molds than it does when I look in the mirror . . . no open bite! My orthodontist said I'd probably be ready for surgery before my surgery date and that he's sent people off to surgery when their teeth were in a worse place than mine are now. Part of me wanted to get on the phone to the surgeon and ask if there was any way he could fit me in earlier. But, between teaching/grading exams until December and a solo arbitration in early January, I'm not sure I could make that work. That's okay, though. I'm just so happy with how the progress is going and will be just as happy to have the surgery on the planned date. And anyhow, I already pretty much have the day by day countdown memorized for that one.:)

Not much else to report. I stopped in Starbucks last week. I almost never go there -- I don't drink coffee and I'm trying to limit my tea intake while my braces are on to avoid stains. But, a friend had a bad week so I decided to stop and get her a treat. When I got up to the counter, the woman at the register asked when I got mine. At first, I completely forgot about my braces and didn't know what she was talking about . . . until I saw she had them too! It's funny how there's a sense of community, understanding and empathy among adults with braces. It's like we all hate them, but we know we had the choice to get them/not get them (to a certain degree) and also know it's a petty thing to complain about in light of everything else going on in the world . . . and yet we all find ourselves complaining from time to time. There's something about seeing someone else with braces that makes you feel like part of a club.

On a related note, I talked to a good friend who had the surgery a few years ago before I really knew her well. She was really helpful. I'll probably be asking her lots of questions in the coming months.

That's all for now. I hope everyone is doing well!!!