Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sorry 'bout that

For anybody who was trying to see my blog these last 3 days, I must apologize because I was in the midst of deciding whether I should make my blog more secure. I don't know if I like the idea, since I am, myself, a BlogStalker. That's how I've recovered friends I lost touch with.
But, I am back on the air to share with you openly about my adventures. If I do decide to be more "exclusive" I promise to send you an email to invite you to read it.

So please forgive me if I have hurt your feelings...

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Just so you know...

The Biopsy results are in! It's Benign. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers. They really helped me. Now, I am either going in for a minor surgery where the docs place tube in my jaw to drain the 3 cysts, which then will hopefully encourage my bone to grow back. OR in the event of my jaw breaking, then I'll need reconstructive surgery. Which means opening me up and replacing my jaw with a titanium plate then later recovering bone with bone grafting (the bone would come from my hip and my rib). Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Blah blah blah. Boring stuff...let's see what we did while my mom came out to visit me while I was recovering from the biopsy.

Figure1 My sore face
Figure 2 My mom regularly mashed ALL my food for me. Nothing like smoothies and chicken puree
Figure 3 Watching The Office, Sense & Sensibility, or Simpsons

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Aw, MAN!

For a few weeks now I've been making frequent trips to Columbia Dental School to take care of some issues that my previous dentist felt was necessary. On the list of things to do, were two implants, two extractions and an overall check up of my teeth.
The first round wasn't so bad, the dentist said I needed a root canal on one tooth and should start using fluoride rinse to prevent any cavities for my cavity prone teeth. Good advice Doc!

Now, I've been to the dentist MANY times in my life already. All this business about root canals and extractions weren't new to me. The implant was the scariest looking thing of them all, and implants are pretty common.

You may think I have a history of bad dental hygiene, but if you were to talk to anyone, they would tell you that I floss twice/three times a day and can't even close one eye at bed time, without brushing my teeth! But it's just my genes. (I should stop wearing those genes. HA)

But I digress...where was I....Oh yes!

So, with the New Year here, I thought it was time for me to pay a visit to the oral surgeon to set up my appointment for the dreaded surgery. If I don't do it now, it'll never get done!
Just as it is with the regular dentist, I have to have another oral examination, which requires an xray of my entire mouth (teeth and jaw bone). What came next, was a whirlwind of information.

3 oral surgeons were now in the exam room and one began to tell me about an abnormality they found in my xrays. He pointed out to me that I have possible 2 cysts on my jawbone. He sent me to get a I-Scan (which is a lower grade CAT scan) in their clinic to determine the mass of these cysts. 5 minutes later, I'm looking at 3 large cysts on my jawbone and TMJ. The doctor said he was amazed I hadn't broken my jaw, because the cysts have taken up space where all the bone is suppose to be. He suggested I come back on Thursday for an immediate biopsy and to bring family members with me.

On Thursday, my mom and husband gather around me in the dentist chair as we listen to him explain both the mild and extreme situation, depending on what kind of cyst it is.
Mild: They will drainthe cystic fluid to allow the bone to be replace and then they will scrape out the cyst itself. Extreme: (If the cyst is malginant) Removing the jawbone and TMJ on the left side and replace it with temporary metal jaw. Then later remove prosthetic jaw to graft bone in.

The biopsy was a little terrifying and so is the idea of cancer. But I have already received a blessing and I feel that I will be protected from the worst.

Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, and out pouring love. I am grateful to you all.

Stay tuned...

--Before and After pictures of my biopsy
--How to Puree Pizza into a Soup!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

God rest ye Jerry Mendelman....

Here is a recap of my visit to Arizona:

  1. Picked up at the airport by Mom, Christian, Britt, Greg and Jen.
  2. Went shopping at (because NYC is too darn expensive!) Saver's, Deseret Industries and Joann's Fabric Store.
  3. Hung out at Christian's house playing Guitar Hero and Wii.
  4. Got together with my Ghetto Friends and ate Gekko Grill.
  5. Went up to Prescott to visit Nathan's first trumpet teacher, Mike Vax.
  6. Invited friends over to eat some Lemon Meringue Pie (yum!) for my birthday and then watched 2nd season of The Office.
  7. Finally watched the Finale of SYTYCD with Cecily.
  8. Soaked in Mom and Dad's jacuzzi.
  9. Ate too much at Christian's awesome annual New Year's Party and gift exchange (we got a Chinese peeing boy and a book called "The Gas We Pass"--GEMS!)!!
  10. Played with cute nieces and nephews.
  11. Watched 3rd season with my brother Joel and then went out for some Salsalitas burritos.
  12. Took a family photo of all us. I mean ALL 24 of us in one room. Believe me it was madness.
  13. Probably gained a few pounds.
  14. Played P-O-I-S-O-N in Cecily's huge backyard. And I kicked butt!
  15. Ate at my favorite dessert place...MESA FROZEN YOGURT!
  16. Made Gingerbread houses with Arinda, Saylem and Treyjan.
  17. Played Webkins. If you don't know what that is, ask Trey.
  18. Debated whether white shoes with dark tights is a fashion Faux Pas.
  19. Missed our plane (which my wonderful mother worked her magic to get a flight out for only $125 for the two of us). I've never done that before! How embarrassing!
  20. Had the best time!

Now I was great at taking pictures in the beginning, but as we got busy, I got lazy
with documenting everything.


Scattergories - Anna

1. What is your name? Anna
2. 4 letter word: Anna
3. Vehicle: All-terrain vehicle
4. City: Anoka, Atlantis, Austin, Atlanta, Alberquerque
5. Boy Name: Alan
6. Girl Name: Arinda
7. Alcoholic drink: Alter wine
8. Occupation: Acrobat, Anesthesiologist, Area Seventy
9. Something you wear: Ankle bracelet, Ape suit, Apple-Bottom jeans
10. Celebrity: Al Roker, Ava Witherspoon (reese's daughter)
11. Food: Apple, Anise
12. Something found in a bathroom: Armpit Deodorant
13. Reason for Being Late: Ate too much, Accident
14. Cartoon Character: Arthur the Aardvark
15. Something you shout: Aye aye Captain!
16. Animal: Ape
17. Body part: Aorta
18. Word to describe you: Adorable