Sunday, December 20, 2009

Day 103 - Happy Holidays!!

Over 100 days with braces now! Not so bad! The differences I'm noticing are crazy!

As 2009 draws to an end, I started thinking about all the stuff that's happened this year:

1. My upper jaw is 50% bigger than it was at the start of this year.
2. My teeth, top and bottom, are much straighter than at the start of this year.
3. My fiancee and I bought our first home - a condo in downtown Toronto.
4. This is new news, but I recently accepted a position at a new firm! It was a very difficult and surprisingly emotional decision, but I decided to try something a little different for the next little while and see where it leads me!

So new job, new home, new MOUTH, it's been a great year overall!!! I'm not positive I've had such an eventful year before!

Who knows what 2010 will hold! At the very least, our wedding is in July, so that's huge. The jaw surgery is still tentatively slated for the fall, so that's big news too. So in all honesty, barring any major setbacks, 2010 is shaping up to live up to 2009. The other thing is passing my last two professional actuarial exams. That's #1 on my priority list for 2010. I have one in May and hopefully the last one in November. We'll see!!

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2010!! I'll talk to you again then!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Braces - Day 84 (my political rant)

Hi everyone!

I found myself just combing through some of my old posts, especially those with pictures. Yikes that gap was big wasn't it?!?! Unbelievable. I can't believe we're really starting to come to the close of 2009 now. This year has gone by so quickly. I feel I've been saying that for a few years now, and I fear I'll be saying that every year.

My teeth are good. I went in last week to see Dr. Roy, who changed the wire, but not to a different gauge. She said that the teeth still have to move a little bit! I'm really starting to wonder if the timing of this whole process is going to be a little bit longer than anticipated.

When I was there, I also put a huge payment down on the braces, meaning that this whole process is nearly paid for in full! I think I have about $700 to go. Again, I'm very grateful to the University for taking my case. I have a pretty good job with decent benefits, but there's no way I could afford to do this privately. I don't know how some families can cope with this burden. I realize that orthodontics can be perceived as a cosmetic "luxury", but in my case, this has really helped me out physically. I snore less (so my fiancee now sleeps more!), my sleep apnea episodes have decreased dramatically, I even don't drool (sorry, I know that's gross) nearly I much as I used to which has led to less gum irritation which once led to bleeding when I went for cleanings.

And forget about orthodontics, only those with benefits from an employer are the ones lucky enough to go to a dentist on a regular basis. That's unbelievable. I would not say for a second that I am a liberal or democrat or left-wing or whatever you call it, but I am a big believer in public health when regulated properly, and in the interest of preventative medicine (as we all know, oral health is a big indicator of overall health), basic dental benefits really ought to be covered by this Province.

I'm sorry for the political rant there. It does not happen very often, but I think often about how lucky I am to have found this University program for my teeth that some other deserving individuals will not have the opportunity to partake in.

Once again, my apologies for no pictures. They're coming soon!

Take care. If I don't post again before Christmas, I wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy 2010!!!