Introduction
My name is Diane, and as I start writing this, I'm 43 going on 44 years old on January 26th, married with two kids in fur coats; Java is a one year old Australian Shepherd with more energy than the Energizer Bunny and Wilson is a 14 year old Siberian Husky who enjoys long naps. I reside in Mississauga which is a suburb of Toronto in Ontario Canada. I have been waiting patiently for almost 3 years to have both my Temporomandibular Joints removed and replaced with prosthetic jaw joints. In other words, a complete or total TMJ replacement on both sides. There is quite a long waiting list in Canada for this surgery. There is really only one center in Canada that performs this surgery which is in Toronto at Mount Sinai Hospital. There are two manufacturers of TMJ Prosthesis; Biomet Microfixation and TMJ Concepts. I will be getting one from Biomet. If you'd like to see more information on the prosthesis visit
http://biometmicrofixation.com/downloads/BMF-7014%20TMJBro%20(d)4Final.pdf
This blog will be an account of my experience leading up to and after my surgery on February 7th, 2012 and will explore my emotional, psychological and physical well-being. My hope is that I may be able to share this with others who are contemplating this surgery, so that they get a sense of what the experience is like and perhaps have some of their questions answered. This surgery is still very new in the medical community and is not "mainstream" and I find myself feeling alone. In mid-January on a TMJ forum, I was lucky enough to meet a lady in Australia named Haley who had her surgery on Jan.17th, 2012. It was a blessing to have someone to chat with, who could share information and help me through such a tough time. I would like to help others or be there for others in a similar way, and hence have created this blog.
Before I proceed any further, I have to thank my family, specifically my husband Drew and my mom and dad for their love and support throughout my journey. Without their guidance, I would have never survived. I also have to thank my two dogs Java and Wilson, and Cinnamon who passed away in February 2011. They have been my constant companions keeping me company and sane. They are great listeners and love me unconditionally, no matter how awful I feel or look, and I've had some pretty nasty bed-head and swelling!!
Happy Reading!
Diane. (Smiley)
This blog will be an account of my experience leading up to and after my surgery on February 7th, 2012 and will explore my emotional, psychological and physical well-being. My hope is that I may be able to share this with others who are contemplating this surgery, so that they get a sense of what the experience is like and perhaps have some of their questions answered. This surgery is still very new in the medical community and is not "mainstream" and I find myself feeling alone. In mid-January on a TMJ forum, I was lucky enough to meet a lady in Australia named Haley who had her surgery on Jan.17th, 2012. It was a blessing to have someone to chat with, who could share information and help me through such a tough time. I would like to help others or be there for others in a similar way, and hence have created this blog.
Before I proceed any further, I have to thank my family, specifically my husband Drew and my mom and dad for their love and support throughout my journey. Without their guidance, I would have never survived. I also have to thank my two dogs Java and Wilson, and Cinnamon who passed away in February 2011. They have been my constant companions keeping me company and sane. They are great listeners and love me unconditionally, no matter how awful I feel or look, and I've had some pretty nasty bed-head and swelling!!
Happy Reading!
Diane. (Smiley)
Java as a puppy.
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Wilson, my handsome and smiling 14 year old Siberian Husky.
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Java, a red merle Australian Shepherd as an adult. His nose is huge in this picture!
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