Uh oh

The camera came out last night.  After a glass of wine I decided I would even smile.  Then I came home and looked at the pictures.  The bad news is...my smile is crooked.  At first I thought it was b/c I have an extra splint on one side of my mouth to hold my tooth that got knocked out (and then put back in) in place so my lip couldn't move the same way on that side as it could on the other side.  But I don't know if that's it...so now I'm freaking out that I have some sort of nerve damage from the accident or surgery.  Or maybe b/c my bottom teeth are not in the right place on one side it doesn't look right.  My dad says it looks quirky.  I just want it to look like ME.  AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh.  I really thought I would look exactly the same afterwards.  So now I have to worry about this until next Friday when I go back to the doctor.

Also, I had held out hope that I might be able to triumphantly return and do a triathlon this year.  But upon reflection...while I might be able to train, I don't want to be in a swim wave with anyone else.  And since I'm not likely to get my own wave, my 2008 season never happened at all.  I care.  I would be lying if I said I didn't.  But at this point I kind of just want to run (more specifically, trail run).  I also miss the pond.

Comments

[backofpack]

Wow, been reading back over your posts - you've come a long way since the accident. And congrats on the internship! I've never done a tri, but I have heard about the swimming and the kick in the face - I can see why you'd want to pass on that! Keep healing and you'll be running soon.

[Jon (was) in Michigan]

Healing takes time, Audrey. Your smile is made by muscles in your face, and muscles get hurt in your face just like they do everywhere. Skin heals much faster than muscle, and while you may look fine on the outside, the inside may need more time. Be patient and it will get back to normal again.

In the mean time, you might ask the doc about occupational therapy. With your jaw all clamped up like that, those mouth and jaw muscles may need to be exercised to get them coordinated and working again.

[Wendy]

What Jon said!