Wednesday, October 26, 2011

New Challenge

Today was the day to confront my next challenge.  No one guessed what I was up to when I wrote last week on this blog post that I was taking on a new challenge. This was the clue:
"it is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid, but my family couldn't afford it. Now I can afford it, but am scared to do it!"
Some good guesses left in the comments were piano lessons, bungee jumping or travelling. Those would be way more fun than what I chose!
I got braces put on...a full set of railroad tracks. Very attractive! In the last couple of years my front teeth have been rubbing together, and breaking off due to that friction. So I decided that if I still wanted to have front teeth, I needed to separate them and realign my jaw to have correct chewing that doesn't result in broken teeth. So, I did all my homework, made the choices and followed through. Today I think I can feel my heartbeat in my teeth. My teeth are throbbing and I feel like my mouth is full of marbles. I am reviewing my list of the reasons why I did this to myself! 
Don't feel much like quilting, but I still have 5 days before the end of the month, and I am sure I will be able to finish my October UFO by then.

16 comments:

scraphappy said...

Oh, I can see why you were scared, but just think of how great they will look when it is all done. I remember the monthly trial of getting braces tightened as a teenager, hopefully it will all be done quickly.

Andrea said...

Aww bless you - Jess had to wear them for 2 years and now her teeth are so beautifully straight. She struggled a little at the beginning but soon got used to them - the time soon passed and was all worth while. Take care xxx

Jean said...

Oh so glad you are able to do it, I hope it isn't sore for too long. Do you have to go in and have adjustments every so often?

Judy D in WA said...

Congratulations! Way to confront the challenge! I bet after a while, you won't even wonder what the heck you did you yourself. ;o)

berylthepearl said...

Congratulations on a good decision. I had braces put on at age 43 after all my children were through with orthodontists! I have loved my teeth and smile. Hang in there...

Janet O. said...

I don't think you will regret it. I got mine just after having my third child and wore them almost 4 years--my teeth had a lot of moving to do. My husband got his in his 40s and wore them 18 months--his problem was similar to yours. We are both so glad we did it. But, yes, it hurts!!

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Oh, I feel for you!!! I had braces put on in my 30's, and had them for two years. Not bad once I got used to them, but the first few weeks were full of throbbing teeth and sores in my mouth.. I had moments of wondering why I did that to myself too but it was worth it. Hang in there!

The Calico Cat said...

I remember being very jealous of the kids with braces & retainers... In the end, I am glad that my Dentist was a puller & that I had my wisdom teeth extracted before they started to make an appearance. As a result, I have naturally straight teeth. (A couple are over rotated...)

The Cozy Quilter said...

The end results will be worth the pain and discomfort now! I had braces as a teenager so I know about the pain. Tylenol helps to keep you more comfortable. Keep smiling!

Anonymous said...

O my, I know what getting braces is like. I was in my early 40's and got them. The first two weeks I was MISERABLE but after that it got all better. I could eat nothing that required biting (even toast hurt). Bless you, and take care ... you will get through it.

Brenda Kay said...

Keep your eye on the end result and it will all be worth it. Somethings in life are worth the little pain we must endure to get the results we want.

Mary said...

I'm proud of you for taking this step and your post brings back memories of my braces. It will be worth the effort, just keep on quilting.

Gari in AL said...

Very brave. And somewhat like starting a challenging quilt. Sometimes it is painful, sometimes you are a little afraid to cut into that beautiful fabric but in the end you have something to be proud of. Braces will do the same thing. Good for you.

Quilt Rat said...

oh my gosh......you are a brave soul!!
Braces, like Chicken Pox are probably best done when we are youngsters (you know, when we have no say in the matter)

Perhaps some fabric shopping therapy will help ease the pain.

But yes, I am sure you will be happy you did this (just maybe not right at the moment)
Take care......SMILE!!!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Oooh I feel your pain. I had braces and retainers and a head gear all through my teenage years and I still recall the ache in one's mouth. The good news is that it does get easier and the end result will be worth it.

Becky said...

I feel your pain. Literally! In December, it will be a year that I began with my braces. Like you, I should have had this done as a child, but my family didn't have the financial resources. I also have to have surgery. The top surgery to expand my jaw was done last December. The surgery to align my bottom jaw will be sometimes in January or February. I really don't like the wax. I only use it when I have to and usually only at night. Gargling with listerine helped me some. I've developed a love for "softer" foods, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, egg salad sandwiches, bananas.

Best of luck! Glad to hear that someone else is traveling this road, too:)