Osteoarthritis

I went to the Mayo Clinic about a week ago and I got some news to share.  I spoke with the surgeon and he confirmed that I have a pretty bad case of osteoarthritis in both of my jaw joints.  The arthritis is not common in young people so it was determined that one or all of the three jaw surgeries I've had was the cause.  Dr. Keller wants to do surgery in 6-8 weeks but I have school then so we are planning for it to be during spring break in March.  I am both excitied and nervous.  I'm excited because this may get rid of my pain!  I am nervous because there is a chance that my pain could stay the same or get worse.  I am just praying for it to work!  

I've Known It All Along

I have aways known that my disability and health issues take alot of my parent's attention away from my brothers and sisters and I have tried to make it up to them. One of my sisters feeling this came out a few nights ago. Its made me think about how I impact their lives. She is frustrated that I take so much time needing to go to various doctors all the time. I feel so sad that I can't make everything perfect. I wish there was something that I could do to make things right, make things even between us. All I can say is that life isn't fair and I'm sorry for that. Hopefully things will get better soon. Going to doctors, needing surgeries, pain issues... its all stuff that I wish I could change but its out of my control. That is so frustrating for me. I am thankful that my siblings have been understanding but I understand the frustrations they have. I don't know what I can do at this point.

Recent Happenings

Well it has been quite a while since I have been online. A lot has happened so this may turn out to be a long post. Don't worry... I will include pictures. :)

Well one of the biggest things that occurred lately was that one of my sisters, Charlet, moved out. It was quite sudden and I don't really know the whole story since I was at school but she is now living with my older brother. I have to say that overall the family has been much happier. I know it is a terrible thing to say but Charlet moving out is probably for the best for both Charlet and the family. I wish Charlet the best in whatever she does!

I have gone to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester a few times since my last post. I saw Dr. Reid on December 7th. He said that he believes he has found what is causing all of my jaw pain. He believes I have nerve damage from surgery and arthritis on both sides of my jaw. The treatment for this is not all that simple though. Apparently arthritis in the jaw is more complex than other joints. I have already tried everything that he recommended so the next step would be surgery. They would shave my jaw joint to make it smooth then add an implant. They said that they would have to do both sides separately so that means potentially two surgeries. Also, the surgery could possibly make it worse. It is sounding like the nerve damage is what it is so I have to deal with that. I have to say that even though this news isn't the best news I am SO glad to finally have an answer! I go back in a few days to talk to a surgen about the surgery to figure out if I will be having it or not.

My family and I went on a trip to Duluth to see the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. It was pretty awesome! The drive was about two hours but it was so fun! We got to walk through the lights and had hot chocolate and cookies, popcorn, and roasted marshmallows and this was all for free!

The Kids

Our Family

So about a week ago, my parents held a family fun night. They told us nothing about where we were going or what we were doing. It was a surprise. Well, turns out that mom and dad rented a limo to look at Christmas lights! We had a blast!
Hmm... Not as long as I thought... Maybe that because finals are over so my creative juices are just not there now till next semester.... Go winter break!